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Thanksgiving Events in Dubuque 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Dubuque 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 Dubuque.

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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 Dubuque

All Thanksgiving events in Dubuque 2026

Thu, Nov 12Peosta Community Centre

The Outpour - November Event

🍂 THE OUTPOUR FRIENDSGIVING 🍂 We’re gathering for a special Friendsgiving night at The Outpour, and we’d love for YOU to join us! This month, we’re setting aside an evening to slow down, share a meal, worship together, and enjoy meaningful conversation

6:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Thu, Nov 12Mud Run Beer Co., Stockton

Thanksgiving-Themed Cookie Decorating with Royal Icing

Join Mackensie Wand, owner of Whisk & Wander Culinary Company, for a fun and hands-on cookie decorating class perfect for beginners and budding bakers alike! In this class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of working with royal icing—including outlining,

6:00 PM

Thu, Nov 12818 West Gill Road

Monthly Bingo!! Giving Thanks BINGO! ❤️

🔥 MONTHLY BINGO At FRENTRESS LAKE! 🔥🔥 🦃🍁 This month we’re celebrating with GIVING THANKS BINGO! ❤️ 📅 Thursday, November 12th ⏰ 6:30–8:30 PM 🎉 FREE to play! 🥫 Bring a canned good and receive an EXTRA FREE bingo card! ❤️ Come enjoy a fun evening of bing

6:30 PM

Fri, Nov 1352 Means Dr. Suite 118, Platteville

Holiday Play.Coffee.Connect.CRAFT!

☕ Play. Coffee. Connect. is getting a little holiday makeover!🎄 November 1st has come and gone, which means it's officially holiday season! And with the holidays right around the corner, we're going to be changing things up a little bit for Play. Coffee.

10:30 AM

Sun, Nov 15373 Bluff St

13th Annual Monksgiving

It's that time of year again folks. Let's be fat, watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and raise money for Opening Doors. Monk's will be providing turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing. So whip up your favorite dish, try something new...or jus

4:00 PM

Tue, Nov 17315 W. Maple Ave., Stockton

Calvary Turkey Dressing Sandwich Supper!!!

Join us for A turkey/Dressing Sandwich Supper. 1 Sandwich is $10/ 2 Sandiches are $12. Dine in or Carry out Tickets are encouraged but you can just drop in also. Tickets are available from Lana Crandall 815-990-2803 or Elaine Elliott 815-764-0111. Or Mes

4:30 PM

Wed, Nov 18108 2nd Ave SW, Cascade

Wild Turkey Trivia

Join us for a gobble-worthy good time! Kids will test their knowledge with fun wild turkey trivia, learn fascinating facts about turkeys, and enjoy a feather-filled adventure this November. 🦃

2:30 PM

Family friendly

Wed, Nov 18415 W Woodward Ave, Livingston

Friendsgiving Swiss Steak Supper

Let’s celebrate our friends with a Friendsgiving Swiss Steak Supper at Livingston UMC!! Join us Wednesday, November 18 from 4:45–7:00 p.m. for a hearty home-style meal. Dine in with friends or grab a carry-out to enjoy at home. 🍴 Menu includes: Swiss st

4:45 PM

Friendsgiving

Wed, Nov 18101 Main Street, Bellevue

FRIENDSGIVING MEMBER PARTY

We are so thankful for our barn family and want to celebrate the holiday season with you! Not everyone checks their email, so this is official notification that you are invited to come and enjoy great food, great music and great friends on Wednesday, Nov

5:00 PM

FriendsgivingLive music

Thu, Nov 19Dyersville Social Center

November Luncheon - Deb's Legacy Foundation

Join us for our November luncheon featuring guest speaker Stephanie Farmer, who will share about Deb's Legacy Foundation and its work alongside Dyersville native, Meriam Eick. Donations are welcome! Requested items include: - Underwear and socks for all

12:00 PM

VolunteerFamily friendly

Thu, Nov 19O So Good Winery, Dyersville

O So Good DIY Cookie Decorating night

Cookie decorating pop up at O So Good Winery on Thursday, November 19th, 5:30-6:30pm. (time is not concrete, so if you are late because of work no worries!) These will be Thanksgiving/Fall themed cookies. **please purchase via the ticket website link**

5:30 PM

Fri, Nov 20101 Main Street, Bellevue

TRIVIA NIGHT- November Fundraiser

Gather your friends, family and smart trivia buffs for a night of fun and laughter as Ann leads us through questions that will be sure to get you thinking. This month, our fundraiser is for our local Food Pantries. The holidays are not always joyous o

7:00 PM

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 Dubuque

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 Dubuque: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Dubuque in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Dubuque run from Nov 12 to Nov 30, 2026: 32 events.

What is on in Dubuque on Thanksgiving Day?

5 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including CLOSED-Happy Thanksgiving! at Knickers Saloon, Wahlert Catholic High School 54th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving Lunch Buffet.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Dubuque?

6 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including SWRA Friendsgiving! at First Congregational UCC, Platteville, Bagley Community Thanksgiving Dinner and Thanksgiving Lunch Buffet. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Dubuque?

Yes: Superhero Turkey Trot - November 22 (Sun, Nov 22) and Wahlert Catholic High School 54th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Dubuque?

Bagley Community Thanksgiving Dinner is looking for helping hands.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Dubuque?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Culbie’s Thanksgiving Eve Party! at Culbies Event Center - Moved - Follow New Page (Wed, Nov 25), Drinksgiving (Wed, Nov 25) and Thanksgiving Lunch Buffet (Thu, Nov 26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Dubuque?

Yes: 5 more events are listed within reach, in Clinton, Peosta, Prairie Du Chien and Cedar Rapids.

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.