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Thanksgiving Events in Albany 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Albany with festive dinners, brunches, buffets, Turkey Trots, parades, family-friendly activities, Friendsgiving parties, holiday markets, volunteer opportunities, food drives, cruises, and seasonal events. Whether you're planning a traditional Thanksgiving feast or looking for unique things to do, discover the best Thanksgiving events happening in Albany.

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You’re warmly invited

to

ThanksgivingDinner

Date
Thursday, November 26
Time
4:00 PM

“Come hungry and bring your stories. There’s always room at our table.”

With love,Your name

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Top Thanksgiving events in Albany

All Thanksgiving events in Albany 2026

On now

Sat, Nov 14328 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham

Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner

On Saturday, November 14th, 2026, the Latham-Colonie Knights of Columbus are hosting their annual Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner at 328 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, N.Y. 12110. Serving from 4-7 PM. Both Dine In and Take Out options are available. Donation $15

4:15 PM

Dinner & brunchVolunteer

Sponsored
On now

Nov 14–15Albany2 days

SHAKE THAT TURKEY 🦃

🦃🔥 **HIGH DEFINITION EVENTS PRESENTS: SHAKE THAT TURKEY!** 🔥🦃 This Thanksgiving weekend, we’re turning up the heat! 🍂 Get ready for a night full of **good music, good vibes, and even better energy** at one of Albany’s hottest college parties!\ \ HOSTED B

9:00 PM

Sun, Nov 15Castleton Public Library, Castleton On Hudson

DIY Turkey Ornaments

Come make a special decoration for Thanksgiving that is filled with a yummy treat!

11:30 AM

Thu, Nov 1927 Lake Ave, Averill Park

Foam Ball for All with Coach Joe

USTA Certified Tennis Coach Joe Behson will guide adults through the fun of tennis, but using a foam ball. This class will be held on Fridays. Intermediate skill level class is 9:30-10:30, basic skill level class is 10:30-11:30. All equipment will be pr

9:30 AM

Volunteer

Sponsored

Thu, Nov 1995 East Street, Pittsfield

Otto's Thanksgiving Community Dinner

Otto's THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY DINNER is back on November 19, 2026 from 4pm-6pm. As always, this is a PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN event! Paying more helps support our community dinner; paying less (or nothing) is always okay. It’s our pleasure to break bread with yo

4:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Thu, Nov 19The Parting Glass, Saratoga Springs

Networking @ Night Mixer & Thanksgiving Food Drive

Join Networking @ Night November 19 for our annual food drive benefiting the Franklin Community Center. Bring a donation and come connect! Networking @ Night Thanksgiving Food Drive

5:30 PM

FreeVolunteer

Thu, Nov 19Normanside, Delmar

Harvest Gathering Cookie Class

Full bellies & grateful hearts 🤎🥧 Join us as we decorate a set of 5 Thanksgiving themed cookies at Normanside Country Club in Delmar, NY on Thursday, 11/19 at 6pm. *Cost of admission includes one beverage *Additional food and drink items will be avai

6:00 PM

Thu, Nov 19432 State St, Schenectady

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Uptight marketing executive Neal Page (Steve Martin) has one goal, to make it home to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Standing in his way is a series of travel disasters and the relentlessly cheerful shower curtain ring salesman Del Griffith (Joh

7:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Fri, Nov 20Cooper's Daughter Spirits at Olde York Farm, Claverack

Friendsgiving Happy Hour!

The Cooper's Daughter Cocktail Barn & Garden is open Friday, Nov 20th from 4pm-8pm for an all night happy hour featuring $1 off cocktails! Gather all of your friends for a night of farm to glass cocktai

4:00 PM

FreeFriendsgiving

Sponsored

Fri, Nov 2019 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park

Kids Night Out: Autumn Mugs

Drop the kids off for a fun, creative night of pizza, painting, and play! We'll start with a pizza dinner and then guide your young artist through painting these terrific fingerprint turkey plates. These keepsake pieces will be ready for pickup in time

6:00 PM

Dinner & brunchFamily friendly

Sat, Nov 21221 Victoria Drive, Delanson

2nd Annual Duanesburg Turkey Trot

Join us for the 2nd annual Duanesburg Turkey Trot! A family/dog friendly 5k in the heart of Delanson. Start and finish at 4everBods Fitness Club. Top finishers in each age group get a pie 🥧

9:00 AM

Turkey trot

Thanksgiving table decor and hosting essentials

From the thermometer that saves the turkey to the tablecloth, the kids’ table and a hat for the Turkey Trot. Check delivery dates before you order.

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Thanksgiving events near Albany

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

Since 1621

The history of Thanksgiving

It began with a harvest. In the autumn of 1621, the Plymouth colonists and their Wampanoag neighbours shared three days of food in a good year. Nobody called it Thanksgiving then. It took two more centuries, a determined editor and a president in the middle of a war to turn it into the day we know: a Thursday in November for family, food and being grateful.

Most of what fills the day now came later. The parade, the football, the morning Turkey Trot and the long table of sides were added by one generation after another, which is why every family’s Thanksgiving looks a little different.

  1. 1621After their first harvest, the Plymouth colonists hold three days of feasting. Massasoit arrives with about 90 Wampanoag men, who bring five deer.
  2. 1789George Washington proclaims the first national day of thanksgiving, for Thursday, 26 November.
  3. 1846–63Sarah Josepha Hale, the magazine editor who wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, writes to five presidents asking for one national day.
  4. 1863In the middle of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln makes the last Thursday of November a national Thanksgiving. It has been kept every year since.
  5. 1896Buffalo runs its first YMCA Turkey Trot, now the oldest footrace held every year in North America — a year older than the Boston Marathon.
  6. 1924Macy’s holds its first parade in New York, with animals from the Central Park Zoo. The giant balloons arrive in 1927.
  7. 1934The Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving for the first time, and football becomes part of the afternoon.
  8. 1939–41Franklin Roosevelt moves the day a week earlier to lengthen the shopping season. People call it “Franksgiving”, so Congress fixes it for good: the fourth Thursday of November.
  9. 1957Canada settles on the second Monday of October for its own Thanksgiving, which goes back to 1578.
  10. 1989George H. W. Bush gives the first formal presidential turkey pardon, now a White House tradition.

Thanksgiving in Albany: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Albany in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Albany run from Nov 14 to Nov 28, 2026: 98 events.

What is on in Albany on Thanksgiving Day?

13 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Troy Turkey Trot, 11th Annual MountainOne Thankful 5K at Berkshire Community College and Turkey Trot After Party at Ilium Bar & Brewing.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Albany?

13 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner, Otto's Thanksgiving Community Dinner and Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987). Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Albany?

Yes: 2nd Annual Duanesburg Turkey Trot (Sat, Nov 21), Troy Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26) and 11th Annual MountainOne Thankful 5K at Berkshire Community College (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Albany?

Networking @ Night Mixer & Thanksgiving Food Drive at The Parting Glass, Regional Food Bank Thanksgiving Distribution at Rensselaer High School (Rensselaer County) and Regional Food Bank Thanksgiving Distribution at Watervliet High School (Watervliet) are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Albany?

Yes: 8 of the 98 listed are free, including LGBTQ Friendsgiving Community Potluck & TDOR @ Wander (Pittsfield, MA) at WANDER Berkshires, Networking @ Night Mixer & Thanksgiving Food Drive at The Parting Glass and Friendsgiving Happy Hour! at Cooper's Daughter Spirits at Olde York Farm. Tickets for the rest run from $8.24 to $65.87.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Albany?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Troy Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26), 2026 Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot-5k at American Legion (Thu, Nov 26) and Albany Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Albany (Nov 25–26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Albany?

Yes: 3 more events are listed within reach, in Glens Falls, Gloversville and Greenfield.

When is Thanksgiving 2026?

In the United States, Thursday, November 26, 2026 — always the fourth Thursday of November. Canada celebrates earlier, on Monday, October 12, the second Monday of October.

What is Friendsgiving?

A Thanksgiving meal shared with friends rather than family, usually on a day near the holiday. Many restaurants and bars host Friendsgiving dinners and parties, so you can skip the cooking.

Do I need to book Thanksgiving dinner in advance?

Yes, as early as you can. Restaurants serving a Thanksgiving menu often fill up a week or more ahead, and many offer a set menu at fixed seatings on the day.