diff --git a/frigate/api/defs/query/events_query_parameters.py b/frigate/api/defs/query/events_query_parameters.py
index d707ba8cc..d14c398db 100644
--- a/frigate/api/defs/query/events_query_parameters.py
+++ b/frigate/api/defs/query/events_query_parameters.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from typing import Optional
 
-from pydantic import BaseModel
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
 DEFAULT_TIME_RANGE = "00:00,24:00"
 
@@ -21,7 +21,14 @@ class EventsQueryParams(BaseModel):
     has_clip: Optional[int] = None
     has_snapshot: Optional[int] = None
     in_progress: Optional[int] = None
-    include_thumbnails: Optional[int] = 1
+    include_thumbnails: Optional[int] = Field(
+        1,
+        description=(
+            "Deprecated. Thumbnail data is no longer included in the response. "
+            "Use the /api/events/:event_id/thumbnail.:extension endpoint instead."
+        ),
+        deprecated=True,
+    )
     favorites: Optional[int] = None
     min_score: Optional[float] = None
     max_score: Optional[float] = None