Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26. If you're looking for one place near Spring Branch where the whole family can gather and every household still gets its own door, this is it. The Casitas at Sun Valley has six private casitas and two geodesic domes on one quiet Hill Country property.
Every household under its own roof
Picture Thanksgiving morning. Grandma has the turkey going in one casita's full oven. Your sister is rolling pie crust two doors down. The kids are already planning the afternoon. Every casita has a full range and oven, a full-size fridge, and a dishwasher, so the cooking gets shared out instead of piling up in one crowded kitchen. Everyone has their own bath and their own bed, and at the end of the night everyone has their own quiet.
After dinner, the couples can slip away to Slate Serenity or Riverstone Retreat, our two domes. Open the skylight, stand under the multi-jet spa shower, and look up at stars like no city environment could ever deliver. Uber and Lyft run to the property, so nobody has to be the designated driver.
Getting the feast ready
H-E-B is open on Thanksgiving Day with shorter hours, and curbside pickup runs 7 to 11 am. It keeps regular hours on Wednesday and on Black Friday. Do the big shop Wednesday, and if someone forgets the cranberries, Thursday morning has you covered.
Come in early for the lights
If your family can arrive the weekend before, the New Braunfels Downtown Lighting and Santa's Arrival is Friday, November 20, 6 to 9 pm at Main Plaza. It's free, and so are the photos with Santa. The Gruene Ice Rink opens November 21 and runs through January 4. Cowboy Kringle, Gruene's own Santa, takes photos on weekends, Thanksgiving weekend included. Gruene is a short drive away. For a bigger light show, Santa's Ranch runs November 6 to January 3, and our Christmas lights guide has the details.
Friday outside instead of in line
Skip the Black Friday crowds. Opt Outside Day at Guadalupe River State Park is Friday, November 27, with trails, river time, a scavenger hunt, birding, and picnics. Day passes are $7 for ages 13 and up, and kids 12 and under get in free. You can reserve up to a month ahead. The park is open Wednesday through the weekend, it's a short drive, and on Thanksgiving Day itself the park hosts a Turkey Talk program.
If you'd rather have music that evening, Aaron Watson plays Gruene Hall on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28.
Bring everyone home for the holiday
Pick a casita for each household and add a dome for the couples. Book directly with us and we'll have everything ready for your family's Thanksgiving.
FAQ
When is Thanksgiving 2026? Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Do the casitas have full kitchens? Yes. All six casitas have a full range and oven, a full-size fridge, and a dishwasher. The two domes have a two-burner cooktop, a small fridge, a microwave, and a coffeemaker.
What's open near Spring Branch on Thanksgiving? H-E-B is open Thanksgiving Day on shorter hours, with curbside pickup from 7 to 11 am. Guadalupe River State Park is open Wednesday through the weekend and hosts Opt Outside Day on Black Friday.