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Thanksgiving Events in Ankeny 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Ankeny 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 Ankeny.

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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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Curated by the AllEvents team, for you

Top Thanksgiving events in Ankeny

All Thanksgiving events in Ankeny 2026

On now

Nov 6–20Collaborate DSM, Des Moines15 days

Pie & Paint

Slice of pie, cozy warm drink, painting amongst friends. Let's learn the basics of watercolor and paint a wreath together. Pie. Paint. A cozy fall evening. What more do we need? 🥧🎨 Join B

5:30 PM

$30.52

Sponsored

Nov 13–1459035 190th, Nevada2 days

Market at The Milford // NOVEMBER

November will mark the start of our Holiday Market Series, and we'd be lying to you if we said we weren't already excited (it's currently August). Some shoppes will stick to Thanksgiving + Harvest vibes while some will launch straight into showcasing thei

9:00 AM

Market

Fri, Nov 13Bethesda Lutheran Church - Ames, IA

Ames Lions Club Turkey Dinner

Ames Lions Club Turkey Dinner: 🦃 Drive Thur Only. Turkey Dinner with all the Trimmings!🦃 Tickets $15. See your local Ames Lions Club Member!

4:30 PM

Dinner & brunch

Fri, Nov 131115 S 8th Ave E, Newton

YAM Friendsgiving

YAM FRIENDSGIVING Sacred Heart YAMs (Young Adult Ministry) for 21 years+ November 13th at 6:30pm in the McCann Center All young adults are welcome to a fun and festive evening for fellowship activities including, Trivia, Meet and Greet games, and a Pot

6:30 PM

Friendsgiving

Fri, Nov 132006 S Ankeny Blvd

Dick Doesn't Live Here

DICK DOESN'T LIVE HERE A World Premiere Play By Seth Kaltwasser Directed by Alex Wendel & David Korkow Performances are held in the Black Box Theatre in Building 5 on the Ankeny Campus At the following dates & times: Friday, November 13 at 7:3

7:30 PM

Sponsored

Sat, Nov 14470 Waukee Ave

GLUTEN-FREE Pop-Up!

Come get all your gluten-free goodies, and stock up for Thanksgiving. Everything freezes beautifully! Here’s an idea of what to expect: S’mores bars Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Cranberry Orange Muffins Sourdough Snickerdoodles Cinnamo

9:00 AM

Sat, Nov 14Centennial Park, Huxley

Huxley Turkey Trot

Join in on the fun of this annual run/walk around Centennial Park. Distances range from 5 yards to 1 mile depending on your age. Everyone can enjoy free cider and donuts from Center Grove Orchard and potentially win a frozen turkey or pie. Top male and

10:00 AM

Turkey trot

Sat, Nov 144700 Grand Ave, Des Moines

Social Saturday: Friendsgiving

Join the Des Moines Art Center’s November Social Saturday event: Friendsgiving! Enjoy crafts in the Art School studios, a scavenger hunt, a guided tour, A Taste of ReelAbilities film screening, a presentation of artwork by Community Access Program teachin

11:00 AM

Friendsgiving

Sat, Nov 149563 University Ave Clive

Fall Friendsgiving Potluck

Save the Date!!!! We’re going to have a Friendsgiving Feast. The event will be indoors, and potluck style. Please comment the food / dish you plan to bring. That way we can have a variety of foods. Also, please indicate how many will be joining in your

11:00 AM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Sponsored

Sat, Nov 14602 5th Ave SW, Altoona

Impact 2026

IMPACT 2026 November 14 Every year on the second Saturday in November we hold an event focused on missions called Impact. This event raises funds through freewill donation which go to ministries outside of our church, both locally and abroad. Impact 20

11:15 AM

Volunteer

Sat, Nov 14480 Center Place, Altoona

Thanksgiving Cocktail Party @Brightside Aleworks

Call Me Old Fashioned is curating an amazing savory cocktail menu. Come try something new and tasty with us. Mala's Kitchen will also be here serving from 5-8pm both Friday and Saturday evening. Live music with Josh Sinclair with be on Saturday from 6:

5:00 PM

Live music

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 Ankeny

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 Ankeny: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Ankeny in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Ankeny run from Nov 6 to Nov 29, 2026: 100 events.

What is on in Ankeny on Thanksgiving Day?

16 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Pleasantville Turkey Trot at Pleasantville Elementary, Hope Sports: Turkey Trot & Kids Fun Run and FLEXgivin' 5K.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Ankeny?

22 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Ames Lions Club Turkey Dinner at Bethesda Lutheran Church - Ames, IA, Fall Friendsgiving Potluck and Little Chefs: Friendsgiving Feast!. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Ankeny?

Yes: Huxley Turkey Trot at Centennial Park (Sat, Nov 14), Pleasantville Turkey Trot at Pleasantville Elementary (Thu, Nov 26) and Hope Sports: Turkey Trot & Kids Fun Run (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Ankeny?

Paws of Gratitude Pack Walk at Raccoon River Dog Park and Food Drive + Fine Forgiveness are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Ankeny?

Yes: 1 of the 100 listed is free, including Des Moines Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Des Moines. Tickets for the rest run from $13.39 to $30.52.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Ankeny?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Des Moines Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Des Moines (Nov 25–26), Free Community Thanksgiving Meal at South Des Moines Community Thanksgiving Meal (Thu, Nov 26) and Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market at Downtown Capital Square (Nov 20–22).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Ankeny?

Yes: 1 more event is listed within reach, in Cumming.

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.