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Thanksgiving Events in Forest 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Forest 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 Forest.

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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 Forest

All Thanksgiving events in Forest 2026

On now

Wed, Nov 11Lexington Turnpike, Amherst, VA

Giving Thanks!

Join the Midway Baptist Youth Group on Wednesday, November 11th from 6:00-7:30. We will be learning about giving thanks! We will make a fall leaf globe! Dinner and dessert are provided!

6:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Thu, Nov 122002 Eastgate Ave. N.E., Roanoke

🦃 MomCo at East Gate | Good Company Friendsgiving

🦃🍂 GOOD FOOD. GOOD FRIENDS. GOOD COMPANY. It’s time for a MomCo FRIENDSGIVING! 🤎 There’s just something special about gathering around a table with women who understand the beautiful, messy, exhausting, wonderful adventure of motherhood. Join us for a

6:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Fri, Nov 13Abundant Life Ministries of Hurt, VA

Thanksgiving Community Luncheon

Hello, all! Abundant Life Ministries will be holding a Thanksgiving Community Luncheon on Friday, November 13th at 12:00 P.M. We will have great food for everyone with even better fellowship. Entry is FREE, so everyone is more than welcome to join us. We

12:00 PM

Sun, Nov 151001 Stewart Ave Roanoke

FRIENDSGIVING

🍂 LET’S CELEBRATE FRIENDSGIVING! 🧡 The holidays are all about friendship, gratitude, good food, and spending time together! H.E.M.I. House of Hope invites you to join us for a special Friendsgiving celebration! Bring your friends, share a meal, and enjo

11:00 AM

Friendsgiving

Sun, Nov 1510660 Richmond Hwy, Lynchburg

TTBC Kids Turkey Trot

Get ready for a Thanksgiving adventure! Bring the whole family for a high-energy afternoon of "trotting" to exciting Turkey stations, playing fun games, and refueling with a delicious pizza party!

12:00 PM

Turkey trotFamily friendly

Sun, Nov 1524822 Lee Hwy, Buchanan

Thankgiving Potluck Dinner - Cedar Bluff Baptist

Please remember that we will not be having Sunday School this week. We will have Worship together starting at 11am & then our Thanksgiving Dinner will follow. Turkey & ham will be provided. Please bring a dish to share. Join us for fellowship;

12:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Mon, Nov 16The Viginia Horse Center, Lexington

Rockbridge FriendsGiving® 2026 - Second Annual

🍂 Second Annual Rockbridge FriendsGiving® 2026 – Coming Soon! 🍂 We’re just getting things “in the oven” for our Second Annual Rockbridge FriendsGiving®. Rockbridge County is once again coming together to let the community know we care about them. 🦃 Good

4:00 PM

FriendsgivingLive music

Tue, Nov 176670 Red House Rd., Appomattox

Crafts at the Creek🍁

🍂 CRAFTS AT THE CREEK 🦃 Join us at the creek for a fun, nature-inspired Thanksgiving craft! 🍁🍂 A sweet way to slow down, get creative, and enjoy the farm together. 🎨 Craft starts at 11 AM 🌿 Open Play until 2 PM -$5 per child -$15 for families w/ 3 or m

11:00 AM

Wed, Nov 181201 Timberwood Lane, Moneta

Thanksgiving Celebration | God's Work Through It All

Thanksgiving Celebration: God’s Work Through It All, featuring special guest speaker H.B. Charles. We will come together for an evening of worship, reflection, and gratitude. We’ll celebrate the great things God has done and thank Him for His faithfulnes

6:30 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 Forest

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 Forest: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Forest in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Forest run from Nov 11 to Nov 29, 2026: 51 events.

What is on in Forest on Thanksgiving Day?

11 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including HumanKind Lynchburg Turkey Trot presented by Scott Insurance, 2026 Drumstick Dash at Downtown Roanoke and 15th Annual Gobble Wobble Thanksgiving 5k & Fun Run at Maury River Middle School.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Forest?

6 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Giving Thanks! at Lexington Turnpike, Amherst, VA, Thankgiving Potluck Dinner - Cedar Bluff Baptist and Community dinner at Roanoke, Virginia. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Forest?

Yes: TTBC Kids Turkey Trot (Sun, Nov 15), HumanKind Lynchburg Turkey Trot presented by Scott Insurance (Thu, Nov 26) and 15th Annual Gobble Wobble Thanksgiving 5k & Fun Run at Maury River Middle School (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Forest?

Fall Food Drive & Friendsgiving and 5th Annual Timbrook Turkey Toss at Timbrook Park are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Forest?

Yes: 1 of the 51 listed is free, including Tye River Trot at James River State Park -- Visitor Center.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Forest?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are 2026 Drumstick Dash at Downtown Roanoke (Thu, Nov 26), HumanKind Lynchburg Turkey Trot presented by Scott Insurance (Thu, Nov 26) and 15th Annual Gobble Wobble Thanksgiving 5k & Fun Run at Maury River Middle School (Thu, Nov 26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Forest?

Yes: 4 more events are listed within reach, in North Garden, Waynesboro, Roanoke and Danville.

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.