Sat, Nov 2111:00 AM
KEYS TO A THANKFUL TABLE: Community Thanksgiving Giveaway
Shawswick Elementary School
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.
Listings updated
Curated by the AllEvents team, for you
Top Thanksgiving events in Bloomington
All Thanksgiving events in Bloomington 2026
Thu, Nov 12Greencastle Christian Church
November Meetup
Join us for our annual Friendsgiving meal! We’re keeping it casual with a delicious meal and lots of time for conversations!
Friendsgiving
Sat, Nov 14333 S Chestnut Street, Seymour
Frosty Fest Crafts and Vendor Market 2026
Get into the holiday spirit at the Frosty Fest Crafts & Vendor Market 2026! ❄️✨ Join us for a fun-filled day of community, holiday shopping, and local talent! Whether you are looking for unique handmade gifts, festive home decor, delicious treats, or
Market
Sat, Nov 14Millie's Ice Cream Co., Franklin
"Give Thanks" - Cookie Decorating Class
Sweeten your Thanksgiving with a cookie class! Learn to decorate festive cookies in a fun, cozy setting, and leave with beautiful treats to share - or keep! Class Details: We will be decorating 6 cookies, step-by-step together, with royal icing! I'll pro
Sun, Nov 1518 w Main Street, Bloomfield
Tressie's Craft Day: Turkey Painting
Craft day with Tressie at From the hART Wellness Studio! Paint a festive turkey on a 10x10 canvas. $25 per person. Come create something beautiful and enjoy a relaxed afternoon with friends. 18 West Main Street, Bloomfield • (812) 798-6555
Sun, Nov 153518 Leatherwood Road, Bedford
Thanksgiving Dinner
God is so good. Let's gather together in the spirit of gratitude. Our annual Thanksgiving Dinner is Sunday, November 15th. The meat and drinks are furnished, but we encourage everyone to check the list on the bulletin board for specific items needed. B
Dinner & brunch
Thu, Nov 19Homestead by D.R. Horton, Monrovia
Home-Tour Turkey Run at Homestead | D.R. Horton
Calling all Real Estate Agents! Tour beautiful homes at Homestead, enjoy festive fun and earn an extra special bonus just for attending! 🦃 Home Tour Turkey Run at Homestead! Calling all Real Estate A
Free
Thu, Nov 19Hatfield Elementary School, Mitchell
General Meeting/ Friendsgiving
Meet us in the cafeteria at 6pm for our monthly General Meeting (Friendsgiving Style). This will be a pitch in so please feel free to bring your favorite finger food dish, or desert to share with everyone. We can't wait to celebrate Friendsgiving with yo
Friendsgiving
Sat, Nov 212357 shadow court Columbus
Annual Friendsgiving
Join us for our annual Friendsgiving. We will provide meat, drinks, and paper products. If everyone could bring a side in an aluminum pan is fine so we can put on warmers or a dessert. I’ll create a post of what others are bringing to provide a variety of
Friendsgiving
Sat, Nov 21Paragon, Indiana
The Mark Carnes Friendsgiving Party and Harvest Celebration
Come to the estate of Mark Carnes in Paragon, IN for a Friendsgiving Party and Harvest Celebration. AKA The G13 Summit. Bring a dish to share. Bring your instrument to jam. Message for the address. Feel free to bring a sleeping bag or cot and stay over.
Friendsgiving
Sun, Nov 22809 S Lincoln St, Martinsville
Assemble Thanksgiving Dinner's for Food Pantry
We need volunteers to help assemble Thanksgiving meals after Sunday School. The meals will be passed out at the Gateway Food pantry on Monday afternoon.
Dinner & brunchVolunteer
Sun, Nov 22114 E Kirkwood Ave
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
Prepare for family, food, and fun this Thanksgiving! Steve Martin and John Candy star in this classic 1987 comedy road trip film written, produced, and directed by John Hughes. Easily excitable Neal Page (Steve Martin) is somewhat of a control freak. Tr
Family friendly
Wed, Nov 25536 5th St, Columbus
Handprint Turkey Workshop!
Join us for our 5th Annual Handprint Turkey Workshop! Kids of all ages can drop in anytime between 11:15-12 to make a classic handprint turkey! This is a drop-in program, the craft will take around 10-15 minutes. Please dress to get messy!
Family friendly
Wed, Nov 25382 E Washington St Orleans
3rd Annual “Turkey Jumped Over the Log” 5K run 2k walk 🦃
🦃 3rd Annual “Turkey Jumped Over the Log” 5K run and a 2k walk Feed the Need — Thanksgiving Eve, November 25th at 5PM Join Hometown Scoops, the Orleans Cross Country Team, and our Monon MOOvers as we come together to fill our community’s Giving Boxes th
Turkey trot
Wed, Nov 25Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus, IN
Friends-Giving Full Moon Party
Friends-Giving Full Moon Party Wednesday, November 25 from 5-8 pm at UUCCI: 7850 W. Goeller Blvd Columbus, IN 47201 This is a laid back celebration for all ages! Bring a side dish to share and join us around the bonfire. Make crafts, share stories with f
Family friendly
Wed, Nov 25290 E Morgan St, Martinsville
Michael McCartney
Family in town and need something to do? Don't want to cook before the big turkey day? Come out and join us for a great night of entertainment with some great cuts of steak or seafood and great show by Michael McCartney, start off your holiday weekend rig
Wed, Nov 251250 S Jackson St, Greencastle
Turkey bowl
Come join us for our annual turkey bowl tournament the night before thanksgiving! If we have a full house there will be side pots. Always a good time!
Wed, Nov 25Bandana’s - Bedford, IN
CG Trio Thanksgiving Eve at Bandana's!
Don't miss it! We are ready to party with you on Thanksgiving Eve at Bandana's in Bedford!
Wed, Nov 25Rusty Anchor Lakeside Saloon, Smithville
Rusty Anchor Lakeside Saloon - Thanksgiving Eve
Bring the turkey at 9:00pm!
Thu, Nov 26750 W 200 S, Columbus
5k on Turkey Day 2026 benefiting Love Chapel
Start Thanksgiving with a Run That Gives Back! Before the turkey, stuffing, and pie, lace up your running shoes and kick off Thanksgiving morning with a little movement and a lot of heart! This year’s 5K is being organized by Columbus North High School
Turkey trot
Thu, Nov 26Freedom Park Greenwood Indiana
2026 5K Turkey Burn
The Annual Turkey Burn is BACK!!!! We are excited to continue the amazing tradition started for the Ramey family over 10 years ago. This year the Annual Turkey Burn will be taking place at Freedom Park in Greenwood, Indiana on Thanksgiving Day morning! Ga
Turkey trotFamily friendly
Thu, Nov 261300 A street NE, Linton
Linton Community Turkey Trot
Kids fun run & 5k walk/run No frills- no cost, no registration Sign-in start: 8:00 am Kids run start: 8:20 am 5k start: 8:30 am Awards: 9:30 am Hot cider & light refreshments! Kick off your Thanksgiving morning in the best way AND bring your fr
Turkey trotFamily friendly
Thu, Nov 2651 W Monroe Street, Franklin
5th Annual Gratitude Flow
We hope you can find time in your Thanksgiving morning to join us as we raise funds to support the Interchurch Food Pantry at our Fifth Annual Gratitude Flow. This class has taken place in many different spaces and we have been grateful for every one. We
Volunteer
Thu, Nov 26Main Street Grill Monrovia Indiana
Thanksgiving Buffet
🦃 TURKEY THURSDAY meets THIRSTY THURSDAY! 🍻 We’ve got it all! Your job for the day? Sit back, relax, and leave the cooking and cleanup to us! Put those sweats on and join us for some home-cooked comfort food. ❤️ 🍽️ THANKSGIVING BUFFET 📅 Thursday, Novemb
Dinner & brunchFamily friendly
Thu, Nov 26Elvin H.O.M.E. - Lothlorien Nature Sanctuary, Bedford
Lothlorien Thanksgiving Pitch-in
Over the river and through the woods, to Lothlorien we go (to paraphrase and force the stress weirdly onto another syllable.) This is a reminder that you are welcome to load up your sleigh (or car, or motorcycle, etc.) and join us at Lothlorien for our Th
Nov 26–29Thorne’s Recreational Property, Bedford4 days
5th Annual Friendsgiving
Get your SXS, Jeeps and bouncers ready to ride! We will do a pitch in dinner Saturday. Come after your family festivities on Thursday. More details to come! We can ride until 10pm!
Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving
Thu, Nov 269113 Grandview Rd, Columbus
Friendsgiving and Sanity Dinner
Come eat turkey and having a fun night with intentionally family Relax and hang out. If you feel like bringing anything or need any ideas, post below and let us know. This year we will be providing a garlic butter grilled turkey, 2 kinds of dressing and t
Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving
Fri, Nov 27Mulligans Golf, Plainfield
INAUGURAL TURKEY BASH
🦃⛳ GRAB YOUR GOLF PARTNER—IT’S TURKEY BASH TIME! IMM is excited to bring you the Inaugural IMM Turkey Bash, presented by Mulligans Golf! Join us November 27 for friendly competition, cash prizes, and a chance to help local athletes chase their dreams! 📅
Fri, Nov 27Btown Meow Cat Café
Btown Meow Thanksgiving Break Kids Camp
Kids ages 7-12 are invited to join us for the "PURRFECT" adventure with our 2-hour cat camp from 11am-1pm. We will have plenty of paws on activities to choose from, build you own cat lego figure, games, cat cookies and plenty of cat snuggles. Parents can
Family friendly
Fri, Nov 27Spencer First Church of the Nazarene
Saved by the Fellowship: 80’s Friendsgiving
📣Calling ALL our recovery groups!!!! 📣 🦃⛓️💥Break out the neon, swishy pants, leg warmers, and big hair for a totally rad ’80s Friendsgiving! This will be a pitch-in meal, so everyone is asked to bring a dish to share. Come dressed in your best ’80s outfi
Friendsgiving
Fri, Nov 27The Seymour Brewing Company
Bomar & Ritter Return to Seymour Brewing
Returning to play a post Thanksgiving show, inside in the bar or the patio...
Sat, Nov 28401 N. Morton St
Bloomington Holiday Market
Discover fresh, local farm products and unique handcrafted gifts from regional artisans at the 23rd annual Holiday Market. The Holiday Market takes place indoors and out, and is held rain, shine or snow. Admission: Free Day: Saturday, Nov. 28 Time: 10 a.
Market
Sun, Nov 2911961 South State Road 42, Cloverdale
Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner
CCC Peeps...join us on Sunday the 29th for our November Fellowship Dinner...Tom and Jen are smoking turkey and ham. Bring a side or dessert to share
Dinner & brunch
Sun, Nov 293372 E Moffett Ln
Friendsgiving Sunday
Thanksgiving is better when we're together! 🧡🍂 Join us at Purpose Church on Sunday, November 29, for a special Friendsgiving celebration! We'll gather for a time of worship, encouragement, and community, followed by a pitch-in dinner with plenty of good
Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving
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.
- Host
Instant-read thermometerThe one tool between a dry bird and a juicy oneShop on Amazon - Host
Roasting pan with rackLifts the turkey so it browns all overShop on Amazon - Host
Food warming matEvery side still warm when the last guest sitsShop on Amazon - Guest
Casserole carrierFor the dish you promised to bring, 9×13Shop on Amazon - Table
Thanksgiving tableclothAutumn leaves for the long tableShop on Amazon - Table
Cheesecloth table runnerSoft and gathered, this year’s table lookShop on Amazon - Table
Gratitude conversation cardsSomething to talk about besides the gameShop on Amazon - Kids
Coloring tableclothKeeps the kids’ table busy till pieShop on Amazon - Friendsgiving
Plates and napkins setFor Friendsgiving, and no washing upShop on Amazon - Run
Turkey hatRun the Turkey Trot dressed for dinnerShop on Amazon
Thanksgiving events near Bloomington
Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby
Sat, Nov 21St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Indianapolis
Turkey Tornado IV Chess Tournament
VolunteerFamily friendly
Sat, Nov 216801 S East St., Indianapolis
Thanksgiving Giveaway
Mon, Nov 235301 N Franklin Rd, Indianapolis
Thanksgiving Food Giveaway
Nov 25–29Howl at the Moon Indianapolis5 days
Welcome Home Weekend at Howl at the Moon Indianapolis
Free
Nov 25–26Howl at the Moon Indianapolis2 days
Indianapolis Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026
Free – $12.50
Nov 25–26Venue 5252, Indianapolis2 days
Wayback Wednesdays - Pre Thanksgiving Bash -ALL BLACK AFFAIR
$17.85 – $321.96
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.
- 1621After their first harvest, the Plymouth colonists hold three days of feasting. Massasoit arrives with about 90 Wampanoag men, who bring five deer.
- 1789George Washington proclaims the first national day of thanksgiving, for Thursday, 26 November.
- 1846–63Sarah Josepha Hale, the magazine editor who wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, writes to five presidents asking for one national day.
- 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.
- 1896Buffalo runs its first YMCA Turkey Trot, now the oldest footrace held every year in North America — a year older than the Boston Marathon.
- 1924Macy’s holds its first parade in New York, with animals from the Central Park Zoo. The giant balloons arrive in 1927.
- 1934The Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving for the first time, and football becomes part of the afternoon.
- 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.
- 1957Canada settles on the second Monday of October for its own Thanksgiving, which goes back to 1578.
- 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 12 to Nov 29, 2026: 36 events.
What is on in Bloomington on Thanksgiving Day?
8 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including 5k on Turkey Day 2026 benefiting Love Chapel, 2026 5K Turkey Burn at Freedom Park Greenwood Indiana and Linton Community Turkey Trot.
Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Bloomington?
7 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Thanksgiving Dinner, Assemble Thanksgiving Dinner's for Food Pantry and Thanksgiving Buffet at Main Street Grill Monrovia Indiana. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.
Are there turkey trots in Bloomington?
Yes: Wild Turkey Trails Half Marathon & 5K at Southwestway Park (Sat, Nov 14), 3rd Annual “Turkey Jumped Over the Log” 5K run 2k walk 🦃 (Wed, Nov 25) and 5k on Turkey Day 2026 benefiting Love Chapel (Thu, Nov 26).
Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Bloomington?
Assemble Thanksgiving Dinner's for Food Pantry is looking for helping hands.
Are there free Thanksgiving events in Bloomington?
Yes: 1 of the 36 listed is free, including Home-Tour Turkey Run at Homestead | D.R. Horton at Homestead by D.R. Horton.
What are the best Thanksgiving events in Bloomington?
The most popular on AllEvents right now are KEYS TO A THANKFUL TABLE: Community Thanksgiving Giveaway at Shawswick Elementary School (Sat, Nov 21), Wild Turkey Trails Half Marathon & 5K at Southwestway Park (Sat, Nov 14) and Planes, Trains and Automobiles - Movie at The MET presented by Reworld Waste at Martinsville Entertainment Theatre (Sat, Nov 21).
Are there Thanksgiving events near Bloomington?
Yes: 8 more events are listed within reach, in Indianapolis and Carmel.
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.