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Thanksgiving Events in Charlottesville 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.

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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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Top Thanksgiving events in Charlottesville

All Thanksgiving events in Charlottesville 2026

On now

Nov 13–15Small Country Campground, Louisa3 days

Friendsgiving - Small Country

Annual Friendsgiving campout, details for Virginia Voyagers block will be out soon. Stay tuned for updates.

12:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Sponsored
On now

Sat, Nov 142820 Gardners Road, Mineral

Thanksgiving Knife Sharpener

It's that time of year where everyone is in the kitchen looking for a good knife to use. Next Saturday, Nov. 14th Mark Glass will be here to sharpen knives, scissors or anything else you may need. Bring your kitchen drawer! #knifesharpening #themarketat

9:30 AM

On now

Sat, Nov 14Cecil F. Gilkerson Community Activities Center, Harrisonburg

Burg Bash

Fun for the whole family! -Bounce house -Hot Chocolate -Crafts -Games -Karaoke -Photo booth -Giveaways and prizes Join us on November 14 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at the Community Activities Center for an all-ages celebration designed for families, friends

12:00 PM

Family friendly

On now

Sat, Nov 1415 Lookover Ter, Stuarts Draft

Let's Gather For Thanks & BBQ

Homeowners in Overlook will enjoy a catered BBQ lunch from Sooner BBQ and gather with neighbors for a fun afternoon Join Us for a BBQ Lunch Saturday, November 14

12:00 PM

Free

On now

Sat, Nov 14Birch & Bloom, Massie Road, Charlottesville, VA, USA

Thanksgiving — Autumn Harvest Cocktails

Maple Bourbon Smash, Spiced Apple Cider Flip, Pumpkin Spice Daiquiri Delve into the fascinating history of spirits and Cocktails as our expert mixologists guide you through the origins and evolu

4:00 PM

$55.39

Sponsored

Tue, Nov 1795 Main Street Stanardsville

Friendsgiving

Gamma Omicron wants to invite Blue Ridge sisters to join us for a Friendsgiving.

5:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Wed, Nov 182807 N Augusta St, Staunton

Community Connection Dinner — Thanksgiving

Come for a potluck Thanksgiving dinner with friends. Turkey and ham will be provided — bring your favorite holiday dish to share. All are welcome—come hungry, leave with a full heart!

11:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Thu, Nov 19The Arts Center in Orange

Fiber Play: Needle Felting and Textile Explorations

Celebrate the season with wool, creativity, and a little bit of inspiration! Join artist Jane Skafte for a hands-on needle felting workshop where you’ll create festive decorations inspired by the season's b

5:30 PM

$62.67

Thu, Nov 19129 E Main St, Orange

Fiber Play: Needle Felting and Textile Explorations with Jane Skafte

THURSDAY, November 19th| 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | $45 per student + $12 supply fee Celebrate the season with wool, creativity, and a little bit of inspiration! Join artist Jane Skafte for a hands-on needle felting workshop where you’ll create festive decorati

5:30 PM

Thu, Nov 19101 W Beverley Street, Staunton

Thanksgiving tasting

Join us for our take on Thanksgiving dinner! Nov 19 multiple seating times available

6:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Sponsored

Fri, Nov 20Stuarts Draft Middle School

Friendsgiving

Get ready to Gobble til you Wobble with FCCLA while we also embrace gratitude & service to our community! SDMS Friendsgiving hosted by FCCLA is right around the corner. 🦃 Heres how to be a part: 🦃 Mark your calendar to stay after school on Friday,

3:30 PM

FriendsgivingVolunteer

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.

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Thanksgiving events near Charlottesville

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

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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 Charlottesville: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Charlottesville in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Charlottesville run from Nov 13 to Nov 29, 2026: 58 events.

What is on in Charlottesville on Thanksgiving Day?

9 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including 15th Annual Staunton Turkey Trot 5K and 1-Miler Fun Run/Walk at The Club of Staunton, Rocktown Turkey Trot at Downtown Harrisonburg and Waddle Gobble 5K - Madison Fun Run! at Hebron Lutheran Church.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Charlottesville?

13 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Community Connection Dinner — Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving tasting and Pippin Hill x Albemarle CiderWorks Wine & Cider Dinner at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Charlottesville?

Yes: Shenandoah Valley Track Club Turkey Run/Walk and Kids 1 mile at Bridgewater, Virginia (Sun, Nov 22), 15th Annual Staunton Turkey Trot 5K and 1-Miler Fun Run/Walk at The Club of Staunton (Thu, Nov 26) and Rocktown Turkey Trot at Downtown Harrisonburg (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Charlottesville?

Greater Spirit Ministries: Thanksgiving Food Giveaway at Mount Calvary Baptist Church and Rapidan Thanksgiving at Rapidan Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Charlottesville?

Yes: 4 of the 58 listed are free, including Let's Gather For Thanks & BBQ, Turkey Time: Thanksgiving Trivia | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Charlottesville and Friendsgiving Cocktails & Cheer at The Bebedero. Tickets for the rest run from $55.39 to $193.92.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Charlottesville?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Rocktown Turkey Trot at Downtown Harrisonburg (Thu, Nov 26), Cook Thanksgiving with Our Chef: A Hands-On Class at The Local Catering (Sat, Nov 21) and Pippin Hill x Albemarle CiderWorks Wine & Cider Dinner at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards (Fri, Nov 20).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Charlottesville?

Yes: 8 more events are listed within reach, in Midlothian, Culpeper, Lynchburg and Richmond and more.

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.