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Thanksgiving Events in Bloomington 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Bloomington 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 Bloomington.

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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 Bloomington

All Thanksgiving events in Bloomington 2026

On now

Sun, Nov 1520700 Kenrick Avenue, Lakeville

FREE Thanksgiving Food Event

Join us for A Table for All, our FREE Thanksgiving grocery giveaway! 🛍️ Free groceries + $10 grocery gift cards 🥛 Fresh milk and produce ❤️ A warm welcome for everyone! Whether you’re walking through a difficult season or could simply use a little extra

2:00 PM

Sponsored
On now

Sun, Nov 1510732 Hanson Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids

Thanksgiving Dinner at North Point

🦃🍂 Thanksgiving Together at North Point! There's something special about gathering around a table, sharing a meal, and enjoying time together. And that's exactly what our annual Thanksgiving dinner is all about! 🤎 📅 Sunday, November 15 🕠 5:30 PM 📍 North

5:30 PM

Dinner & brunch

Thu, Nov 19La Doña Cervecería Brewery, Minneapolis

Thanks + Giving

Join us for a gathering before the holiday and support our canned food drive to help other families. The Minnesota Athlete Community has officially been in existence for 1 year! As the Thanksgiving season a

6:00 PM

FreeVolunteer

Thu, Nov 191022 Mainstreet, Hopkins

Turkey Bingo at the Wild Boar!

🦃 TURKEY BINGO AT THE WILD BOAR HOPKINS! 🦃 Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and we're giving you a chance to bring home a turkey AND some extra cash! Join us on Thursday, November 19th at 6:30 PM for a special night of Turkey Bingo at the Wild B

6:30 PM

Sponsored

Nov 20–2531659 Willow Trail, Cannon Falls6 days

TurkeyFest 2026

Join us for our annual TurkeyFest celebration, taking place at our on-farm market November 20 to 25. The event will include: 🦃 FRESH Thanksgiving turkey pick up (reservations open October 19). 🥧 Local foods to round out your holiday meal. 🧀 Free sample

9:00 AM

Market

Fri, Nov 20Fraternal Order of Eagles, Minneapolis

Cajun Music & Dance Party!

New Riverside Ramblers return to the Minneapolis Eagles #34!! Come prep for Thanksgiving by burning some calories with a little spin around the dance floor (or by sitting and tapping your feet vigorously.) Full 6-piece Cajun dancehall band!

7:30 PM

Nov 20–21The Armory - Minneapolis2 days

Tape B

9:00 PM

Sat, Nov 2119022 Freeport St. Suites A-C, Elk River

🦃 FXB Iron Turkey 2026 | 4 Classes. 1 Epic Challenge. 💪

🦃 IRON TURKEY 2026 — ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE? 🥊💪 Before you earn your Thanksgiving feast, it's time to EARN YOUR SWEAT! Join us for IRON TURKEY, the ultimate fitness challenge featuring FOUR powerhouse, hour-long classes back-to-back! 🔥 ONLY 25 SP

5:00 AM

Dinner & brunch

Sat, Nov 2113900 Dayton River Rd

City of Dayton Turkey Trot 5K

Get ready to kick off Thanksgiving with our first-ever Turkey Trot! Join us at Cloquet Overlook Park (13900 Dayton River Rd) for a fun family, friendly 3.1-mile run/walk before the turkey hits the table! Whether you are an avid running, a casual jogge

8:00 AM

Turkey trot

Sponsored

Sat, Nov 21North River Hills Park, Burnsville

Run Now, Gobble Later 5K & Fun Run

Get ready to hit the trail before the turkey! Join us for our Run Now, Gobble Later 5K and Fun Run - invite your friends and family. Whether you're racing for a personal best or just out for fun, all ages and abilities are welcome! Your $21 registration

9:15 AM

Turkey trotFamily friendly

Sat, Nov 21Gertens, Inver Grove Heights

North Star Donuts at Gertens in Inver Grove Heights Saturday 11/21

🍎🍩🎄 INVER GROVE HEIGHTS!! WE'RE BRINGING A TASTE OF THE APPLE ORCHARD TO ONE OF MINNESOTA'S BEST HOLIDAY SHOPPING DESTINATIONS!! North Star Donuts is SO excited to be popping up at GERTENS GARDEN CENTER this Saturday, November 21st, from 10AM–4PM! We can

10:00 AM

Family friendly

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 Bloomington

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 Bloomington: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Bloomington in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Bloomington run from Nov 15 to Nov 29, 2026: 100 events.

What is on in Bloomington on Thanksgiving Day?

28 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Thanksgiving at Cedar + Stone, Urban Table at Mall of America, FORAGED Thanksgiving Feast and Festival Foods Turkey Trot - Hudson at Hudson YMCA.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Bloomington?

27 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Thanksgiving Dinner at North Point, 🦃 FXB Iron Turkey 2026 | 4 Classes. 1 Epic Challenge. 💪 and Meal of Gratitude: Free Community Thanksgiving Meal - Saturday, November 21, 2026! at North Community YMCA. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Bloomington?

Yes: City of Dayton Turkey Trot 5K (Sat, Nov 21), Run Now, Gobble Later 5K & Fun Run at North River Hills Park (Sat, Nov 21) and Festival Foods Turkey Trot - Hudson at Hudson YMCA (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Bloomington?

Thanks + Giving at La Doña Cervecería Brewery and Volunteer for ICCM Life Center's 2026 Thanksgiving Outreach are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Bloomington?

Yes: 15 of the 100 listed are free, including Thanks + Giving at La Doña Cervecería Brewery, Talk To My Face Presents: Friendsgiving and Volunteer for ICCM Life Center's 2026 Thanksgiving Outreach. Tickets for the rest run from $9.31 to $441.57.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Bloomington?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Minneapolis Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Minneapolis (Nov 25–26), BLACK WEDNESDAY AT MITO 18+ (Nov 25–26) and Brandon Commodore Hosts: Family & Friends at Main Stage Showroom (Wed, Nov 25).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Bloomington?

Yes: 2 more events are listed within reach, in Stillwater and Minneapolis.

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.