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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.

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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.”

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Top Thanksgiving events in Arlington

All Thanksgiving events in Arlington 2026

On now

Sat, Nov 141234 Johnson Rd, Allen

Family Fun Days at The Farm: Thankful Together

Join us for Thankful Together at The Farm, part of our monthly Family Fun Days at the Farm series! 🦃🍁 Join us on Saturday, November 14 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM to celebrate

9:00 AM

FreeFamily friendly

Sponsored
On now

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

On now

Sat, Nov 14Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, Dallas

11th Annual Thanksgiving Blessing

Be a blessing this Thanksgiving! Volunteer at our 11th Annual Thanksgiving Blessing on Nov 14 and help serve families in need. Volunteers Needed: 11th Annual Thanksgiving Blessing </

10:00 AM

FreeVolunteer

On now

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

On now

Sat, Nov 14Revealed Upon RSVP, Frisco

Vibesgiving 20206 | DFW Friendsgiving Experience

An Elevated Friendsgiving Experience for professionals in Dallas-Fort Worth Vibesgiving 2026 The best house party you've ever been invited to is back. Remember when getting together

4:00 PM

$85 – $125Friendsgiving

Sponsored

Mon, Nov 16Central Market Plano

Celebrate with a Meatless Friendsgiving Meal

Hands-on. You will be cooking in this class. Age Restrictions For ages 13 & up Description Whether you are traveling for the holidays and want to set aside some

6:30 PM

$89.63Friendsgiving

Tue, Nov 17Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid, Dallas

Dallas Mavericks -2026 Turkey Giveaway at BCHA

Come join us at BCHA for the Dallas Mavericks -2026 Turkey Giveaway, where we'll be giving out turkeys to spread some holiday cheer! *ONE VOUCHER PER FAMILY, ANY DOUBLES WILL BE RE

3:00 PM

Free

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 19Lorenzo Hotel Dallas, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

A Thanksgiving Charcuterie and Wine Experience With Galore Grazing Dallas

Gather, Graze, prep for the holidays, and taste thoughtfully paired wines in this creative experience at the Lorenzo Hotel in Dallas Galore’s charcuterie and wine experience is more than a tasting—it’s an e

7:00 PM

$33.50 – $94.50

Sponsored

Thu, Nov 192001 S Ervay St, Dallas

Paint & Sing Friendsgiving Edition

Friendsgiving Paint & Sing Come eat, sip, paint, sing, laugh, talk a little mess & catch a vibe. Bring your people! Friendsgiving Paint & Sing 🍂🎨🎤 You know that feeling when you’re with y

7:00 PM

$18.94 – $48.71Friendsgiving

Nov 20–224840 Shelby Rd, Kennedale3 days

27th Annual Turkey Bowl Race

🦃 GOBBLE WOBBLE – TWIST THE THROTTLE! 🏁 27th Annual Turkey Bowl Weekend November 21–22, 2026 Get ready for a full weekend of racing, fun, and Turkey Bowl tradition at Metroplex MX! - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2026 - 🏕️ CAMPING & ARRIVAL Gates open: 5:

5:00 PM

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.

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

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: 100 events.

What is on in Arlington on Thanksgiving Day?

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

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Arlington?

19 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?

11th Annual Thanksgiving Blessing at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, Kavontae Turpin Turkey Giveaway 2026 and Operation Turkey Dallas - Turkey Tailgate 2026 at Hilton Garden Inn Las Colinas are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Arlington?

Yes: 32 of the 100 listed are free, including Family Fun Days at The Farm: Thankful Together, Turkey Trot 2026 at The Front Porch and 11th Annual Thanksgiving Blessing at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. 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 Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys at One AT&T Way, Arlington, TX, United States, Texas 76011 (Thu, Nov 26), 59th Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot presented by Texas Health at City of Dallas - City Hall (Thu, Nov 26) and Dallas Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Backyard - Dallas (Nov 25–26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Arlington?

Yes: 2 more events are listed within reach, in Grapevine and Dallas.

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.