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Thanksgiving Events in Chattanooga 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga.

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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 Chattanooga

All Thanksgiving events in Chattanooga 2026

Fri, Nov 13Studio 502, Bridgeport

Thanksgiving Turkey Paint Night

Come out Friday November 13th at 5 pm to Studio 502 in Bridgeport Alabama to paint this cute little Turkey! This will be a lot of fun and he is so cute! Price is $25 per person. Canvas is 11x14 Comment below to sign up . I look forward to seeing you th

5:00 PM

Sponsored

Sat, Nov 143535 Adkisson Drive NW, Cleveland

Cookie Decorating

Bring your Friends and join us for 2 hours of cookie decorating! Just in time for you to show off your new skills at Thanksgiving!

10:00 AM

Sat, Nov 142545 Lifestyle Way, Ooltewah

Parent Survival Night: Turkey Trot

Jog on down to The Little Gym’s Turkey Trot PSN! Kids will dash, dribble, and hula their way through a whirlwind of fun — dribbling soccer balls, swirling hoops, and racing with colorful parachute games that get hearts pumping. After burning off all that

5:00 PM

Turkey trotFamily friendly

Sun, Nov 15LaFayette Church of God

Walker Celebrate Recovery | One Year Where Love Is ❤️

Y’all, it’s been ONE YEAR since Walker Celebrate Recovery found a home at LaFayette Church of God, where love is! ❤️ This Sunday, we’re celebrating with Thanksgiving dinner, a whole night of worship, and GIVEAWAYS! You already know our worship team is go

5:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Sponsored

Tue, Nov 1711910 S.Main St, Trenton

Circle of Hope

As we enter the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we are reminded of the many blessings in our lives and the importance of coming together in faith, friendship, and fellowship. We warmly invite you to join us for our next Circle of Hope gathering—a co

10:00 AM

Tue, Nov 176183 Adamson Cir, Harrison

Holiday Canning- Cranberry Orange Chutney

Want to preserve fresh fall produce to elevate your special meals? Make holiday gifts? Afraid to use your glass cooktop for canning? Want to use new technology? Join us for this special edition of hands-on canning with limited space. Register today! See l

1:00 PM

Tue, Nov 174850 Conner

Hope on Eastside

🍁❤️ A SEASON OF THANKSGIVING, A HEART FOR GIVING! ❤️🍁 This fall, we’re reminded that one small act of kindness can make a BIG difference! 🧡 New Life Christian Church of Michigan and Beacon & Bridges are coming together for Hope on the East Side: Hot

9:00 PM

Wed, Nov 18Mason Farm Wedding and Event Venue, Dalton

Thanksgiving Meal

Everyone is invited to join us for this special night of #Thanksgiving Festivities! We will meet at Mason’s Barn, 140 Colonial Way at 5:30 PM. Our Menu will be as follows: Turkey & Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Ham, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Mac &am

5:30 PM

Sponsored

Wed, Nov 18597 Lafayette Rd, Rocky Face

Thanksgiving Dinner

Join us for a feast where we give thanks for all we have and all to come. Bring a side or Dessert if you can. All are welcome.

6:30 PM

Dinner & brunch

Thu, Nov 19The Barn Nursery

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Chattanooga Christian Radio, WDYN will host the Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive in support of the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, in partnership with WMBW, 88.9FM on Thursday, November 19, 2026, 7a-5p. This is your chance to provide, not only a Thanksgiving

7:00 AM

Volunteer

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 Chattanooga

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

Sponsored

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 Chattanooga: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Chattanooga in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Chattanooga run from Nov 13 to Nov 30, 2026: 85 events.

What is on in Chattanooga on Thanksgiving Day?

17 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including 2026 Grateful Gobbler 5K at Coolidge Park, 10th Annual Cleveland Turkey Trot and Valleybrook Club 2026 Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Walk at Valleybrook Golf and Country Club.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Chattanooga?

17 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Walker Celebrate Recovery | One Year Where Love Is ❤️ at LaFayette Church of God, Thanksgiving Dinner and Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Chattanooga?

Yes: Parent Survival Night: Turkey Trot (Sat, Nov 14), TURKEY TROT & Fun Run/Walk🦃🐝 at Dayton City Elementary (Sat, Nov 21) and TURKEY TROT TODDLER TUESDAY @ PLAYPALZ (Tue, Nov 24).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Chattanooga?

Thanksgiving Food Drive at The Barn Nursery is looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Chattanooga?

Yes: 4 of the 85 listed are free, including Chattanooga Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Chattanooga, 2026 Grateful Gobbler 5K at Coolidge Park and Valleybrook Club 2026 Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Walk at Valleybrook Golf and Country Club.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Chattanooga?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Turkey Giveaway at Red Bank & The Point Church (Thu, Nov 19), Gratefull 2026 at Bessie Smith Cultural Center (Thu, Nov 19) and Chattanooga Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Chattanooga (Nov 25–26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Chattanooga?

Yes: 4 more events are listed within reach, in Tullahoma, Spencer and Blue Ridge.

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.