AllEvents

AllEvents in your city

Popular cities

Thanksgiving Events in Arlington 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Arlington 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 Arlington.

See all events

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

AllEvents

Invite your family to dinner

Fill it in, then send it.

Listings updated

Curated by the AllEvents team, for you

Top Thanksgiving events in Arlington

All Thanksgiving events in Arlington 2026

Sat, Nov 14The Front Porch, Argyle

Turkey Trot 2026

Run now, gobble later! Join us for the 10th Annual Harvest Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 14th! This race is for everyone!

9:00 AM

Free – $25.09Turkey trot

Sponsored

Sat, Nov 142021 E Park Blvd, Plano

Fall Festival ( Festival de Otoño)

Nov. 14, 10AM–2PM at Commission Church! Free food, games, clothes & Thanksgiving groceries; first come, first served! #UntilAllOfTexasKnows Important Registration Notice Registration is free

10:00 AM

Free

Tue, Nov 17Trinity Basin Preparatory - Jefferson, Dallas

Thanksgiving Lunch at Jefferson

One of our favorite traditions at Trinity Basin Preparatory is welcoming families to campus for our annual Thanksgiving Lunch! For many years, this special event has brought our school community together to share a delicious meal, create lasting memories,

11:00 AM

Tue, Nov 171010 W Miller Rd, Garland

3rd Annual Friendsgiving Event

🔥TWO WEEKS AWAY! 3RD ANNUAL FRIENDSGIVING! 🦃🔥 IT’S GOING DOWN!!! 🚨 We’re gearing up for our 3rd Annual Camp Arnold Skate Church FRIENDSGIVING, and this year is going to be EPIC! $100 BEST TRICK CONTEST Cash for Tricks Longest Ollie Challenge Whitney Ho

6:00 PM

FriendsgivingLive music

Sponsored

Wed, Nov 184400 Panola Avenue, Fort Worth

Thanksgiving Lunch at Panola

One of our favorite traditions at Trinity Basin Preparatory is welcoming families to campus for our annual Thanksgiving Lunch! For many years, this special event has brought our school community together to share a delicious meal, create lasting memories,

10:45 AM

Wed, Nov 18412 W. Bolt Street, Fort Worth

Thanksgiving Lunch at Bolt

One of our favorite traditions at Trinity Basin Preparatory is welcoming families to campus for our annual Thanksgiving Lunch! For many years, this special event has brought our school community together to share a delicious meal, create lasting memories,

10:50 AM

Wed, Nov 18Industrial Cigar Co., Frisco

SIP, PAINT & PUFF: Friendsgiving Edition

This November, we're celebrating friendship, gratitude, and a little creativity at Industrial Cigar Co. Cheers & Coasters | A Festive Craft Night at ICC Joi

7:00 PM

Free – $12.51Friendsgiving

Thu, Nov 19Canales Furniture / Mueblería Irving

Thanksgiving Fest at Canales Furniture Irving

Join the energetic Thanksgiving Fest at Canales Furniture Irving for turkey giveaways, pan dulce, champurrado, raffles, games, and contests. Join us for Thanksgiving Fest at Canales Furniture Irving

6:00 PM

Free

Thu, Nov 19Frisco Skate Park

3rd Annual Friendsgiving Event

🔥TWO WEEKS AWAY! 3RD ANNUAL FRIENDSGIVING! 🦃🔥 IT’S GOING DOWN!!! 🚨 We’re gearing up for our 3rd Annual Camp Arnold Skate Church FRIENDSGIVING, and this year is going to be EPIC! $100 BEST TRICK CONTEST Cash for Tricks Longest Ollie Challenge Whitney Ho

6:00 PM

FriendsgivingLive music

Sponsored

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.

Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, AllEvents earns from qualifying purchases.

Thanksgiving events near Arlington

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

Sponsored

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 Arlington: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Arlington in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Arlington run from Nov 14 to Nov 29, 2026: 99 events.

What is on in Arlington on Thanksgiving Day?

26 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Arlington Turkey Trot at Choctaw Stadium, Fast & Furriest Turkey Trot and TNSR's 15th Annual North Texas Turkey Trot & Thanksgiving Tailgate.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Arlington?

23 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Burn Before the Bird at Lululemon Legacy West, Burn Before the Bird at Lululemon Legacy West, 7600 Windrose Ave, Plano, TX 75024, US and FREE Thanksgiving Groceries. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Arlington?

Yes: Turkey Trot 2026 at The Front Porch (Sat, Nov 14), 27th Annual Turkey Bowl Race (Nov 20–22) and Run With Kenyans x Miles Culture — Dallas 10K & 15K at Bath House Cultural Center (Sat, Nov 21).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Arlington?

Dalworth Park Thanksgiving Food Drive, Operation Turkey Dallas - Turkey Tailgate 2026 at Hilton Garden Inn Las Colinas and Volunteer at the 2026 Plano Turkey Trot 5K with The Source of Hope are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Arlington?

Yes: 30 of the 99 listed are free, including Turkey Trot 2026 at The Front Porch, Fall Festival ( Festival de Otoño) and SIP, PAINT & PUFF: Friendsgiving Edition at Industrial Cigar Co.. Tickets for the rest run from $10 to $321.96.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Arlington?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Holiday Kickoff (Sat, Nov 21), FREE Thanksgiving Groceries (Sat, Nov 21) and BAY BAY'S THANKSGIVING EVE BASH AT BREW CITY { 11-25-26 } at Brew City Kichen & Cocktails (Nov 25–26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Arlington?

Yes: 5 more events are listed within reach, in Dallas and Grapevine.

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.