AllEvents

AllEvents in your city

Popular cities

Thanksgiving Events in Highland 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Highland 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 Highland.

See all events

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

AllEvents

Invite your family to dinner

Fill it in, then send it.

Listings updated

Curated by the AllEvents team, for you

Top Thanksgiving events in Highland

All Thanksgiving events in Highland 2026

On now

Oct 5 – Nov 22Shooter's Firearms and Indoor Gun Range, Columbia49 days

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Help us give back to the community this Thanksgiving! We are happy to announce we are doing a food drive for Hope Food Pantry in Columbia, IL. Help us make it where other families get warm meals this coming cold season! Feel free to stop by anytime dur

10:00 AM

Volunteer

On now

Oct 29 – Nov 23Cleveland-Heath, Edwardsville26 days

Thanksgiving Family Style Meals

Thanksgiving Family Style Meals Relax with your family and friends and let us cater your Thanksgiving meal. We have full meals for 4+ people or just the sides. We hope you have an amazing holiday and thank

10:00 AM

$8.24 – $241.94

Thu, Nov 5Toot's Cake & Candy Supplies, Belleville

TOOTS' - Cookie 201 ADVANCED w/ Laura

Join me in making this festive cookie set for your Thanksgiving table. The supplies you need will be provided we just need you! You will learn : outlining, coloring, icing consistency, making sunflower royal icing transfers and painting with gel colors.

6:00 PM

Thu, Nov 5126 W Main Street, Collinsville

Little Thankful and a Little Merry

A Little Thankful & A Little Merry! Which one are you choosing — Thankful or Merry? Come create your own 17" x 7" layered wood sign during this fun DIY class! 📅 Thursday, November 5 ⏰ 6–8 PM 💲45 per person 🎨 All supplies included — no experience

6:00 PM

Sat, Nov 7Eckert's Grafton Farm, Belleville

Eckert's Belleville Farm Wine Run Turkey Trot 5k

Like Running? Love Wine? This race is for you! Join us on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 9:00am for our annual Turkey Trot event that features the amazing scenery and landscape of Eckert's Belleville Farm! The race starts and finishes at Eckert's, and

9:00 AM

Turkey trot

Sat, Nov 76701 Delmar Blvd, University City

TBGC November CoEd Testimony Service

Come share your But God story—or listen, pray & encourage another. Let’s enter Thanksgiving celebrating God’s faithfulness in real life! What better way to bring in the Thanksgiving season than by gathe

11:00 AM

Free

Tue, Nov 10The Gathering: Mccausland, Richmond Heights

When the Holidays Hurt: a Space for Grief & Hope

The holidays can bring our losses into sharper focus. You may be grieving a relationship that has ended, a change in your health, a major life transition, or the death of someone you love. Whatever the loss, this season may hold sorrow, loneliness, or exh

6:30 PM

Wed, Nov 11115 W Gundlach St, Columbia

Gobble, Gobble! Kids Turkey DIY Class!

Join us at Makers on Main Street for a morning of Thanksgiving fun! Kids will get creative painting their very own 3D Turkey to take home and display for Thanksgiving! 🧡 After painting, we'll keep the fun going with games, laughter, and lots of giggles!

10:00 AM

Family friendlyMarket

Thu, Nov 125711 Belleville Crossing St.

A Very Merry Mixer Store Party !

come join us for the beginning of the wonderful winter season with our store party . Snacks, GWP and more bring the girls and family. Styling events can happen , fashion fun days all the good stuff ! 🦃🎄

4:00 PM

Fri, Nov 13Warrior Park, Scott Air Force Base

Turkey Trot 5K

Trot into the Thanksgiving Season at the Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk on Fri, Nov 13! Check-in at 7:30AM, race begins at 8AM. Free event, all ages are welcome. Come do your unit PT with us! For more information, call 618-256-4524.

7:30 AM

Turkey trotFamily friendly

Fri, Nov 13The Wedge, Alton

Giving Thanks In Meaningful Ways

The power of reflection and gratitude Engage in guided reflection to deepen gratitude, strengthen relationships, and recognize contributions that matter.

11:30 AM

$12.51

Fri, Nov 134663 Maryland Ave, Richmond Heights

Kent Family Thanksgiving Open

Settle in for a full weekend of classical chess. This five-round G/90 +30 Swiss features Premiere and Reserve sections, strong competition, and a $10,000 guaranteed prize fund.

5:30 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.

Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, AllEvents earns from qualifying purchases.

Thanksgiving events near Highland

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 Highland: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Highland in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Highland run from Oct 5 to Nov 29, 2026: 82 events.

What is on in Highland on Thanksgiving Day?

7 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including 2026 Gobble Hobble at Korte Rec Center, St. Louis Turkey Trot 5K & 8K at Forest Park and 2026 Thanksgiving Day Doubles at Shrewsbury Lanes.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Highland?

14 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Martin Woods Winery Wine Dinner at Vom Fass St. Louis, Prayer Brunch at Oak Grove Baptist Church - St. Louis, Mo. and Friendsgiving Underground in The Rathskeller at Andria's. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Highland?

Yes: Eckert's Belleville Farm Wine Run Turkey Trot 5k at Eckert's Grafton Farm (Sat, Nov 7), Turkey Trot 5K at Warrior Park (Fri, Nov 13) and 2026 Gobble Hobble at Korte Rec Center (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Highland?

Thanksgiving Food Drive at Shooter's Firearms and Indoor Gun Range and Thanksgiving Food Distribution are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Highland?

Yes: 5 of the 82 listed are free, including TBGC November CoEd Testimony Service, 2026 Happy 2 Give Trivia Night at St. Ann Parish Center and Sharing Circle with the Fourth City Sisters. Tickets for the rest run from $8.24 to $241.94.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Highland?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Martin Woods Winery Wine Dinner at Vom Fass St. Louis (Thu, Nov 12), St. Louis Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown St. Louis (Nov 25–26) and Voodoo Beatles "Abbey Road" at Atomic Garage for Thanksgiving Eve at Atomic By Jamo (Wed, Nov 25).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Highland?

Yes: 3 more events are listed within reach, in MAPLEWOOD, St Charles and Belleville.

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.