Nov 21–228:00 PM
Get Stuffed, an ABC Party!
103 n. 1st street
Thanksgiving Events in Grand Junction 2026
Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Grand Junction 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 Grand Junction.
Listings updated
Curated by the AllEvents team, for you
Top Thanksgiving events in Grand Junction
All Thanksgiving events in Grand Junction 2026
Sat, Nov 21Palisade Christian Church
Girls on a Mission: Friendsgiving!
We are hosting a Friendsgiving for our middle and high school girls! Looking forward to a time to gather and give thanks for all we have been blessed with! Here is the sign up link to bring a dish to share!
Friendsgiving
Sun, Nov 22214 W. Pabor Ave., Fruita
Feast of Thanks: Thanksgiving Potluck
🍁 Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch — Everyone’s Welcome! 🦃 Join us right after service for our annual Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch! The church will be providing the turkey and ham — we’d love for you to bring a favorite side dish or dessert to share. Feel free
Dinner & brunch
Thu, Nov 26290 W Main St, Cedaredge
Pie it Forward @ The Lab
🥧 PIE IT FORWARD: A THANKSGIVING OPEN HOUSE 🥧 Thanksgiving Day | 11 AM–4 PM The Lab | Cedaredge Last year, we started a little Thanksgiving tradition at The Lab: Pie it Forward. This year, we're bringing it back with a slightly different recipe. We're
Volunteer
Thu, Nov 26840 N 11th St
Thanksgiving Dinner
Enjoy our special Thanksgiving dinner provided by church members. We'll have food and football. All are welcome. Use the QR code to RSVP or follow this link: bit.ly/3NzVPcz You're welcome to bring something to share but you don't have to. If you'd like t
Dinner & brunch
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.
- Host
Instant-read thermometerThe one tool between a dry bird and a juicy oneShop on Amazon - Host
Roasting pan with rackLifts the turkey so it browns all overShop on Amazon - Host
Food warming matEvery side still warm when the last guest sitsShop on Amazon - Guest
Casserole carrierFor the dish you promised to bring, 9×13Shop on Amazon - Table
Thanksgiving tableclothAutumn leaves for the long tableShop on Amazon - Table
Cheesecloth table runnerSoft and gathered, this year’s table lookShop on Amazon - Table
Gratitude conversation cardsSomething to talk about besides the gameShop on Amazon - Kids
Coloring tableclothKeeps the kids’ table busy till pieShop on Amazon - Friendsgiving
Plates and napkins setFor Friendsgiving, and no washing upShop on Amazon - Run
Turkey hatRun the Turkey Trot dressed for dinnerShop on Amazon
Thanksgiving events near Grand Junction
Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby
Sat, Nov 21Ute Indian Museum, Montrose
San Juan Weavers - Free
Sun, Nov 22705 S 12th St, Montrose
AMC's Annual Community Thanksgiving Service
Thu, Nov 2615521 Black Bridge Road, Paonia
Huff'n for the Stuff'n
Nov 27–28Orchard Valley Farms & Market and Black Bridge Winery, Paonia2 days
Thanksgiving Wagon Rides!
Sun, Nov 29Orchard Valley Farms & Market and Black Bridge Winery, Paonia
Thanksgiving Weekend Wagon Rides
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.
- 1621After their first harvest, the Plymouth colonists hold three days of feasting. Massasoit arrives with about 90 Wampanoag men, who bring five deer.
- 1789George Washington proclaims the first national day of thanksgiving, for Thursday, 26 November.
- 1846–63Sarah Josepha Hale, the magazine editor who wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, writes to five presidents asking for one national day.
- 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.
- 1896Buffalo runs its first YMCA Turkey Trot, now the oldest footrace held every year in North America — a year older than the Boston Marathon.
- 1924Macy’s holds its first parade in New York, with animals from the Central Park Zoo. The giant balloons arrive in 1927.
- 1934The Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving for the first time, and football becomes part of the afternoon.
- 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.
- 1957Canada settles on the second Monday of October for its own Thanksgiving, which goes back to 1578.
- 1989George H. W. Bush gives the first formal presidential turkey pardon, now a White House tradition.
Thanksgiving in Grand Junction: frequently asked questions
When are Thanksgiving events in Grand Junction in 2026?
Thanksgiving events in Grand Junction run from Nov 21 to Nov 26, 2026: 7 events.
What is on in Grand Junction on Thanksgiving Day?
3 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Thanksgiving Day Church Service, Pie it Forward @ The Lab and Thanksgiving Dinner.
Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Grand Junction?
4 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including FRIENDSGIVING!!! at First Congregational UCC - Grand Junction, Get Stuffed, an ABC Party! and Feast of Thanks: Thanksgiving Potluck. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.
What are the best Thanksgiving events in Grand Junction?
The most popular on AllEvents right now are Get Stuffed, an ABC Party! (Nov 21–22), FRIENDSGIVING!!! at First Congregational UCC - Grand Junction (Sat, Nov 21) and Thanksgiving Day Church Service (Thu, Nov 26).
Are there Thanksgiving events near Grand Junction?
Yes: 7 more events are listed within reach, in Montrose, Paonia and Palisade.
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.