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Thanksgiving Events in Boise 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Boise 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 Boise.

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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 Boise

All Thanksgiving events in Boise 2026

Sat, Nov 14Vision Charter School, Caldwell

Vision Charter XC 4th Annual Turkey Trot

🦃🍁 Lace up those running shoes and get ready to TROT! Fleet Feet Treasure Valley is excited to support the 4th Annual Vision Charter XC Turkey Trot 5K in Caldwell! Join us for a fun fall morning of running, walking, and supporting the Vision Charter Sch

9:00 AM

Turkey trot

Sponsored

Sat, Nov 14Stake Center, Nampa

Community Food Drive Food Pickup

Community Food Drive Food Pickup Meet at the church at 9 am to split into different routes to gather Scouting for Food donations.

9:00 AM

FreeVolunteer

2 dates · from Nov 14The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Meridian

Autumn Faire women's activity

Autumn Faire women's activity Come join our activity and learn how to make sourdough bread. We look forward to spending time together and sampling the delicious results of our efforts. And what a wond

10:00 AM

Free

Sat, Nov 142300 W Everest Ln, Meridian

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe Brunch

🎄🍫 Who says healthier holiday traditions can’t be DELICIOUS? Bring your sweet tooth—and a friend! 💛 Join us at Main Health Solutions for Healthy Holiday Desserts, a morning of tasting, sharing, simple tips, and sweet fellowship. Discover delicious ways

11:00 AM

Dinner & brunch

Sponsored

Sat, Nov 14Meridian, Idaho

Friendsgiving Dinner

We are so excited to host a Friendsgiving Potluck for Treasure Valley families with DHH kids and our friends in the Deaf Community! We have been so blessed this year to make new friends and solidify relationships with existing friends, and hope you'll jo

5:30 PM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Sat, Nov 14415 E Remington St, Garden City

Private Pre-Opening Party At The Stockyard

A new home. A familiar tradition. One very special night. 🧡🐾 Making Connections has a permanent home at The Stockyard—and we’re celebrating with our **3rd Annual Friendsgiving + Private Pre-Opening Party!** Join us for a first look, a shared meal, and a

6:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Mon, Nov 16The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Meridian

Single Adults (36+) Thanksgiving Pot-Luck

Please bring Thanksgiving sides, veggies, or pies. Children of Singles old and young are welcome. Monday, November 16th at 6:30 pm Locust Grove Ustick chapel, 3451 N. Locust Grove Rd.

6:30 PM

Family friendly

Mon, Nov 16Caldwell YSA Church Building

Thanksgiving Dinner

Join us for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and a service activity to get us in the holiday spirit!

6:30 PM

Dinner & brunch

Tue, Nov 17Shared Stories, Caldwell

Puzzle Palooza at Shared Stories

We are speed-puzzling to benefit the Caldwell Housing Authority - cost of entry is simply a donation of non-perishable foods! Details below! We are puzzling til we drop Nov. 17th! The cost of entry is a don

6:00 PM

FreeVolunteer

Sponsored

Thu, Nov 191408 N Cole Cottage Ln

Cole Bluff Cottages Broker Open

Morgan is hosting a broker open at Cole Bluff Cottages, new cottage homes in central Boise built by NeighborWorks Boise, a local nonprofit. These homes have quartz counters, LVP floors and full stainless appliances, in a community with garden beds, gazebo

1:00 PM

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 Boise

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

Thu, Nov 26Treasure Valley Community College, Ontario

TVCC Turkey Trot

9:00 AM

Turkey trot

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 Boise: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Boise in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Boise run from Nov 14 to Nov 29, 2026: 48 events.

What is on in Boise on Thanksgiving Day?

12 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Koyle/Pieksma Thanksgiving Event at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 16th Annual Do Work Realty Turkey Bowl (Benefiting the Boise Rescue Mission's Teen and Tween Program at Rocky Mountain High School (Idaho) and Turkey Bowl at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Boise?

15 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe Brunch, Thanksgiving Feast and Gala at Meridian United Methodist Church and Friendsgiving Dinner at Meridian, Idaho. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Boise?

Yes: Vision Charter XC 4th Annual Turkey Trot at Vision Charter School (Sat, Nov 14), Valnova Community Turkey Trot (Sat, Nov 21) and Thanksgiving Break Camp (Nov 23–25).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Boise?

Community Food Drive Food Pickup at Stake Center, Valnova Community Turkey Trot and "Share The Ride, Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive". Classic Vinyl. at Westy`s Players Pub, 5504 Alworth St, Garden City, ID, United States, Idaho are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Boise?

Yes: 10 of the 48 listed are free, including Community Food Drive Food Pickup at Stake Center, Autumn Faire women's activity at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Puzzle Palooza at Shared Stories. Tickets for the rest run from $15.18 to $215.26.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Boise?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are 2026 Hymns of Thanksgiving Concert at Brandt Center (Sun, Nov 22), Cactus Bar Thanksgiving Pie Eating Contest (Wed, Nov 25) and Holiday Market at Spud State Cares (Sat, Nov 28).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Boise?

Yes: 3 more events are listed within reach, in Nampa and Ontario.

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.