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Thanksgiving Events in Erie 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Erie 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 Erie.

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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 Erie

All Thanksgiving events in Erie 2026

Sat, Nov 7First Presbyterian Church of The Covenant

7th Annual Erie Cranksgiving

Join us for a FREE scavenger hunt charity ride benefitting Sunday Supper at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. After registering on the day of the event, you will be given a list of items to find at certain stores around the Erie area. All purchas

9:00 AM

Sat, Nov 732 W Main St, North East

All Ages STEM Program: Turkey Fun!

Bring the whole family for a fun-filled, fall-themed STEAM adventure! We’ll share a turkey-themed story, explore the art of disguise, and put our creativity and problem-solving skills to the test with a hands-on project. Get ready to imagine, create, and

1:00 PM

Family friendly

Wed, Nov 112505 South Ridge Rd. East, Ashtabula

Friendsgiving Fun!

On Wednesday, November 11th we will host Friendsgiving Fun for individuals served by the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This will be a fun activity where we will enjoy turkey sandwiches and light snacks before playing "Friendsgivin

5:30 PM

Friendsgiving

Thu, Nov 121012 E 28th St

Stuff the Box Event at MACC

**Please visit this link to see a complete list of acceptable and not acceptable items: Event: Stuff the Box at MACC Hosted by: Mercy Center for Women Date: Thursday, November 12th Time: 11 AM – 5 PM Loc

11:00 AM

Volunteer

Sat, Nov 14201 Main Street Saegertown

Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway!

🦃🍁 THANKSGIVING TURKEY GIVEAWAY — PLUS ALL THE FIXINGS! 🍁🦃 From your friends at Hitchy's Tavern & H&H Trading Co. ❤️ This Thanksgiving, we're coming together to give back to the community we love! Hitchy's Tavern is teaming up with H&H Trad

10:00 AM

Sat, Nov 14140 W Main St, North East

Thanksgiving Trivia Night

THANKSGIVING TRIVIA NIGHT! Think you know your Thanksgiving history, traditions, food, and fun facts? Come put your knowledge to the test before the big holiday! You might even learn a few fun facts to impress everyone around the Thanksgiving dinner tabl

6:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Sat, Nov 14The 10/20 Collective

Friendsgiving: The One Where The Community Comes Together

The One Where the Community Comes Together! Friendsgiving (presented by UPMC Health Plan & UPMC Hamot) is a Friends-themed evening of hors d'oeuvres & specialty drinks at The 1020 Collective from 7:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 14. Wear y

7:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Thu, Nov 1918477 Elgin Road

Thanksgiving Holiday Pine Centerpiece Workshop

It's time to create your custom Thanksgiving / Holiday Pine Centerpiece to add to your festive decor. The $5 is your registration fee to holds your spot for the class and will be deducted from the total cost of your centerpiece upon completion. Prices v

6:00 PM

Sat, Nov 213300 Kahkwa Club Rd

2026 Ladies Only Luncheon

We cordially invite you to join us for the Ladies Only Luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 21, at The Kahkwa Club. The Ladies Only Luncheon is an Erie tradition that supports services for children at Barber National Institute's Elizabeth Lee Black School. This ev

11:30 AM

Family friendly

Sun, Nov 22Family Farm and Home (Erie, PA)

Gobble, Giggle, & Goat Yoga 🐐🦃🍂

🦃🍂 WE'RE BACK!!! 🐐🤎 After a BUSY fall season & a much-needed two-month break, we're finally bringing back GOAT YOGA!! 🎉 What better way to kick things off than with a little Thanksgiving fun?! Introducing… 🥁 🦃🐐 GOBBLE, GIGGLE, & GOAT YOGA! 🐐🦃

10:00 AM

Sun, Nov 222313 Bird Dr

Thanksgiving Service

Hope and Faith Chapel, Messiah Lutheran, Wesleyville Baptist, Wesley UMC, and Bread of Heaven Tabernacle representing the Wesleyville Ministerium will hold a joint ecumenical worship service at 4:00pm.

4:00 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.

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Thanksgiving events near Erie

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 Erie: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Erie in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Erie run from Nov 7 to Nov 26, 2026: 18 events.

What is on in Erie on Thanksgiving Day?

3 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including 1st Annual Mayville Turkey Trot at Mayville, New York, Thanksgiving Gobble ADULT hockey game - Nov 26 from 8:00-9:00am at the MARC at Meadville Area Recreation Complex and Annual Turkey Bowl at Frontier Park.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Erie?

1 dinner, brunch or buffet is listed, including Thanksgiving Trivia Night. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Erie?

Yes: Family Turkey Fun Run (Sat, Nov 14) and 1st Annual Mayville Turkey Trot at Mayville, New York (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Erie?

Box of Love 2026 is looking for helping hands.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Erie?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Box of Love 2026 (Mon, Nov 23), Family Turkey Fun Run (Sat, Nov 14) and Annual Turkey Party/ Meat Raffle at John W. Dill Auxiliary Unit 434, Brocton NY (Sat, Nov 7).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Erie?

Yes: 5 more events are listed within reach, in Sugar Grove, Conneaut, Dunkirk and Falconer 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.