Nov 25–267:00 PM
Iowa City Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026
Downtown Iowa City
Thanksgiving Events in Iowa City 2026
Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Iowa City 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 Iowa City.
Listings updated
Curated by the AllEvents team, for you
Top Thanksgiving events in Iowa City
All Thanksgiving events in Iowa City 2026
Thu, Nov 5Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha
Monthly Meeting
At the November Council meeting we will be discussing our annual Thanksgiving prayer service and preparations for our annual board meeting next month. Members of IRCLC congregations are always welcome.
Sun, Nov 8801 N Washington Ave, Lowden
Annual Turkey Dinner
Join us for Trinity's annual Turkey Dinner on Sunday, November 8, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Freewill donation for the meal. Menu includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, salad, and dessert. Eat in or carry out. Home delivery (in
Dinner & brunchVolunteer
Tue, Nov 10Foundry Food + Tap (Coralville, IA)
Happy T.HANKSgiving Trivia @ Foundry Food + Tap (Coralville, IA) / Tues Nov 10th @ 7pm
Time to give THANKS to one of America's favorite actors: Tom Hanks! Big, Turner & Hooch, A League of Their Own, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away ... and much more! Happy T.HANKSgiving Trivia Tuesday, November 10th @ 7pm Fou
Fri, Nov 131248 Country Heights Lane, West Liberty
Bingo "Fore" Birdies
Bingo & Community Food Drive 15 Games of Bingo - Raffle Drawings For Prizes - Final Blackout Game For Thanksgiving Meal $15 Entry Fee will include one bingo card & one raffle entry for all games & raffles - Get one raffle ticket for every no
Volunteer
Sat, Nov 14810 Maiden Ln
Truthsgiving 2026
Reject colonial holidays that perpetuate dangerous stereotypes and whitewashed history. Come celebrate the 10th annual Truthsgiving at Great Plains Action Network's new community resilience and innovation HUB. Featuring Blaine Bailey, speakers, food, an
Tue, Nov 17Micky's Irish Pub North Liberty
Thanksgiving Cookie Class with South Street Cookies at Micky’s Pub
Join us at Micky's Pub to decorate sugar cookies with royal icing! You will get in-person instruction on how to decorate 6 cookies. This class is for the beginner cookier or for the person who is just curio
$21.40 – $58.85
Thu, Nov 19Chart Room, Coralville
Eastern Iowa CC | Friendsgiving Holiday Party
Celebrate our design community and a great 2026! Who: IIDA Members & Friends What: Eastern Iowa CC | Friendsgiving Holiday Party
Free – $30.52Friendsgiving
Sat, Nov 21701 Orange Street, Muscatine
Skateland Thanksgiving Market
Join all our co-op of small businesses and their products all under one roof. We will have a wide variety of products available for you to choose from.
Market
Sat, Nov 21New Life Apostolic Ministries
Turkey 🦃 drive
GIVE THANKS. GIVE BACK. MAKE A DIFFERENCE! This Thanksgiving season, Iowa City Lodge No. 4 is proud to join hands with the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Alumni Chapter (ICCR) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. to help put Thanksgiving meals on the tables of fa
Sat, Nov 21North Liberty, Iowa
iStroll Moms-giving 2026
Tis the season for thanks! Let’s gather as a community to reflect, laugh, and eat all the food 🥰 Moms-giving 2026 will be a Talladega Nights Styled meal find more info about this here 👇👇👇 or do your homework and watch the movie 😂
Sun, Nov 22701 Orange Street, Muscatine
Skateland Thanksgiving Market 2
Join all our co-op of small businesses and their products all under one roof. We will have a wide variety of products available for you to choose from.
Market
Sun, Nov 2224484 90th St, Columbus Junction
🍂 Women’s Fellowship — Gratitude 🍂 Grateful Hearts, Giving Hands
🍂 Women’s Fellowship — Gratitude 🍂 Grateful Hearts, Giving Hands 📖 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances…” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 Join us for our November Women’s Fellowship as we come together for an afternoon centered
Sun, Nov 22915 32nd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
Operation Give Birds 2026 - Year 10
Operation Give Birds 2026 Thanksgiving 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of Operation Give Birds, and this year will be our biggest effort yet! What started as a prank between friends has grown into a nonprofit movement dedicated to helping families acros
Volunteer
Nov 23–295005 Blairs Forest Lane NE Suite D, Cedar Rapids7 days
Fall Break
Monday, November 23 – Sunday, November 29 We will be taking a short break for the Thanksgiving holiday! 🦃 There will be NO regular classes held during the week of November 23–29 as we pause to rest, recharge, and spend time with our loved ones. Classes
Mon, Nov 23Kirkwood Community College Horticulture Building, Cedar Rapids
Self-Care Studio: Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop
**Marking yourself as "Going" on Facebook will not guarantee your registration. Be sure to register on our website ahead of time using the ticket link or going to:
Mon, Nov 23The Painted Butterfly, Fairfax
Fall Fresh Floral Arranging
Bring a friend and get your hands into fresh fall flowers at The Painted Butterfly in Fairfax, IA! In this beginner-friendly class, you'll start by painting, staining, and personalizing your own wooden box like the one pictured, with a dozen different sa
Mon, Nov 23Unity Center of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Join us the Monday night before Thanksgiving for a gratitude-themed prayer service at Unity of Cedar Rapids. We’re collecting monetary and nonperishable food donations for the Unity food pantry. Light refreshments after the service.
Volunteer
Tue, Nov 24Brickhouse Coffee Co., Williamsburg
Thanksgiving Cookie Pop Up Sale at Brickhouse Coffee Co.
🍁 Thanksgiving Cookie Pop Up at Brickhouse Coffee! 🦃 📅 Date: November 24th ⏰ Time: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM 📍 Location: Brickhouse Coffee Co., 512 Elm St. Williamsburg, IA Get ready for Thanksgiving with a little something sweet! Join us for a special Thanksg
Tue, Nov 24Foundry Food + Tap (Coralville, IA)
Friends(giving) Trivia Night @ Foundry Food + Tap (Coralville, IA) / Tues Nov 24th @ 7pm
We Were On A Break! Friends(giving) Trivia Night Tuesday, November 24th @ 7pm Foundry Food + Tap (Coralville, IA) Get your Friends together, because this is Must See TV Trivia you don't want to miss! FREE To Play Win House Cash! ALL AGES #illBeThereFo
Family friendly
Wed, Nov 251783 Red Fox Way, Marion
Turkey Day Camp
🦃⚾🥎 Gobble up some extra reps this Thanksgiving! 🥧🍂 Join us at D-BAT Marion for our Turkey Day Camp! 🧡 A fun, all-aspects baseball & softball camp designed to help athletes sharpen their skills and get ready for the offseason! 💪 📅 Date: Wednesday, N
Wed, Nov 25232 2nd St, Columbus Junction
Craft Pop-Up
It's the day before Thanksgiving, and if you aren't getting the turkey or pies ready, stop by the library to create! We'll have small terra cotta pots out, along with a variety of paints, paint pens, pom pons, ribbon, and more, all ready for your creativ
Wed, Nov 2577 2nd Street SE, Swisher
Honky-Tonk Hoedown w/ Sixteen Penny
✨ LADIES & GENTLEMAN — You knew it before as ‘Hammersgiving…’ This year, it's officially the Annual “HONKY-TONK HOEDOWN!” 🎶 GET READY, because Sam Joens & the boys are BACK as {SIXTEEN PENNY} — Outlaws with Guitars—and we’re ready to help you kic
Live music
Wed, Nov 253090 N Center Point Rd, Toddville
Thanksgiving Eve Celebration
Join us for an extended time of praise to God, to hear stories from our church family, and to thank God for who He is and what He has done! This is a service for all ages. Families are encouraged to worship together. (We will not be offering childcare d
Family friendly
Wed, Nov 25Old Neighborhood Pub, Cedar Rapids
Wednesday Night "Blackout with your Funk Out!" Party featuring the Metrics
Need a break from thanksgiving prep? need some funk? we've got you back! Bring your dancing shoes and get thirsty!
Thu, Nov 26GreenState Family Fieldhouse, Coralville
Thanksgiving Partner Rep Challenge
Burn those calories before the big feast. Grab a partner and join us at GreenState Family Fieldhouse at 7am. Led by Versa - Open to All! $5 Thanksgiving Partner Rep Challenge </stron
FreeDinner & brunch
Thu, Nov 26Corner of E Ave and 20th St NE, Cedar Rapids
Run Turkey Run 2026: Thanksgiving Day FREE Fun Run
Join us for the annual Run Turkey Run, a 5-mile (or choose your distance!) run or walk through NE Cedar Rapids to benefit Waypoint. This fun, flexible distance is perfect to pre-burn calories and enjoy an extra slice of pie! It's FREE to participate - w
Turkey trot
Thu, Nov 261st St SE and 6th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Turkey Trot 5K
Use #TurkeyTradition when sharing your photos from the event! Instagram: @iowaruns This is a public page for our participants to post on. Event times, dates, location and all other details are subject to change prior to event. All official information is
Turkey trot
Thu, Nov 26Iowa City, Iowa
Hawkeye Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving Day is all about family, food, fun, football... and 5Ks! Come out to City Park for the first Hawkeye Turkey Trot, the only Thanksgiving Day 5K in Iowa City! Start your Thanksgiving off right with a fun 5K for the whole family before you indul
Turkey trotVolunteer
Thu, Nov 26350 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids
Thanksgiving 2026
🦃 Thanksgiving Buffet in 350 First Restaurant and lounge. DoubleTree Cedar Rapids 🦃 Skip the cooking and let us do the work this Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving Buffet 2026 Thanksgiving Day 10 AM – 2:00 PM Full Buffet 💲 Adults $38 | Kids $18 🍂 Holiday Buf
Dinner & brunchFamily friendly
Thu, Nov 26328 S. Clinton St. Suite A
Turkey On Twelve | Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving Dinner | 34 Slow Roasted White and Dark Meat Turkey, Garlic Redskin Mashed Potatoes, Giblet Gravy, Traditional Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Cranberry Relish Pumpkin Pie | 8 Topped With Fresh Whipped Cream Not feeling turkey? Our full din
Dinner & brunch
Sat, Nov 286300 42nd St NE, Cedar Rapids
LaSalle-Regis-Xavier Alumni Basketball Tournament
Calling all LaSalle, Regis, and Xavier alumni (MEN AND WOMEN)! Lace up those basketball shoes and register to compete in the annual Alumni Basketball Tournament at Xavier HS on Saturday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving weekend). Register as an individual or as a
2 dates · from Nov 28The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cedar Rapids
Single and Empty Nesters Thanksgiving Dinner
Single and Empty Nesters Thanksgiving Dinner All single adults and empty nesters are invited to a Thanksgiving Dinner at the the church on Bluejay Drive in Cedar Rapids. We look forward to seeing you!
FreeDinner & brunch
Sat, Nov 28Rumors Bar and Grill, Cedar Rapids
Hostage at Rumors
Thanksgiving Weekend Rock Out Bash! Stop by!
Sun, Nov 29201 N Ford St, Anamosa
A Celebration of Thanksgiving- One church. One family. Countless blessings.
Thanksgiving is a time to pause, reflect, and recognize the many ways God has blessed our lives. For the past several years, our Thanksgiving worship service has been a special opportunity to do just that, to gather in gratitude, celebrate God's goodness,
Mon, Nov 30202 35th Street Drive Southeast, Cedar Rapids
Professional Networking: British Tea and Thank You
Senior living and healthcare professionals: shake off your post-Thanksgiving fatigue with coffee or tea and breakfast pastries Monday, November 30 from 8 – 10 a.m. Can’t stay? Drive-thru service will be available. Please RSVP to 319-350-6418 or email
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 Iowa City
Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby
Fri, Nov 132712 Mount Pleasant St, Burlington
✨Holly Jolly Hive Igloo Experience & Christmas Pop-Up Bar ✨
Sun, Nov 15Brickhouse Coffee Co., Williamsburg
"Friends-giving" Cookie Class - South Street Cookies at Brickhouse Coffee
$21.40 – $58.85
Nov 20–22The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Rock Island3 days
37th Annual MLK Center Thanksgiving Meals
Nov 21–29RiverCenter/Adler Theatre, Davenport9 days
Festival of Trees 2026
Wed, Nov 25777 4th St NW, Cedar Rapids
The Pork Tornadoes At Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center
Thu, Nov 26630 E 4th St, Davenport
40th Annual YMCA-IMV Turkey Trot presented by McCarthy-Bush
Turkey trotFamily friendly
Sat, Nov 281200 Ellis Blvd NW, Cedar Rapids
Home By 9 | 90s + 2000s Throwback Dance Party
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 Iowa City: frequently asked questions
When are Thanksgiving events in Iowa City in 2026?
Thanksgiving events in Iowa City run from Nov 4 to Nov 30, 2026: 38 events.
What is on in Iowa City on Thanksgiving Day?
7 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Thanksgiving Partner Rep Challenge at GreenState Family Fieldhouse, Run Turkey Run 2026: Thanksgiving Day FREE Fun Run at Corner of E Ave and 20th St NE, Cedar Rapids and Cedar Rapids Turkey Trot 5K.
Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Iowa City?
6 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Annual Turkey Dinner, Thanksgiving Partner Rep Challenge at GreenState Family Fieldhouse and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT Thanksgiving Day Buffet. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.
Are there turkey trots in Iowa City?
Yes: Run Turkey Run 2026: Thanksgiving Day FREE Fun Run at Corner of E Ave and 20th St NE, Cedar Rapids (Thu, Nov 26), Cedar Rapids Turkey Trot 5K (Thu, Nov 26) and Hawkeye Turkey Trot at Iowa City, Iowa (Thu, Nov 26).
Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Iowa City?
Bingo "Fore" Birdies is looking for helping hands.
Are there free Thanksgiving events in Iowa City?
Yes: 4 of the 38 listed are free, including Eastern Iowa CC | Friendsgiving Holiday Party at Chart Room, Iowa City Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Iowa City and Thanksgiving Partner Rep Challenge at GreenState Family Fieldhouse. Tickets for the rest run from $21.40 to $58.85.
What are the best Thanksgiving events in Iowa City?
The most popular on AllEvents right now are Iowa City Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Iowa City (Nov 25–26), ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT Thanksgiving Day Buffet (Thu, Nov 26) and Holiday Fair (Nov 4–5).
Are there Thanksgiving events near Iowa City?
Yes: 8 more events are listed within reach, in Cedar Rapids, Burlington, Williamsburg and Rock Island 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.