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Thanksgiving Events in Lawrence 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Lawrence 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 Lawrence.

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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 Lawrence

All Thanksgiving events in Lawrence 2026

On now

Nov 9–1310551 N Ambassador Drive, Waldron5 days

Harvesters Food Drive - Bring Boxed Food & Plastic Jar Items

Mercury Gymnastics has supported Harvesters for the past 22 years. Come on, Mercury Family and Staff, start bringing your canned goods, non-perishable items, and household items. Kansas City needs our support. When helping families at a food bank this sea

9:00 AM

VolunteerFamily friendly

On now

Tue, Nov 10Paola, Kansas

Turkey Sucker Holder ($28)

Paint and build your own Turkey Sucker Holder to display on your Thanksgiving table, and all season long!

6:00 PM

On now

Tue, Nov 10Esty's Kitchen, Overland Park

Taste of Thanksgiving: A Cooking Class

Join us for an evening of cooking and friendship, featuring Fall themed recipes perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner (or Shabbat!) We'll learn new recipes and techniques, taste incredible food and hang out with good friends <3 Make and take a tray of

7:30 PM

Dinner & brunch

Thu, Nov 12Eudora High School

Annual Senior Citizen - Eudora Schools Thanksgiving Meal

Please join us for a thanksgiving meal and a special showing of the musical on November 12. Doors will open at 10 a.m. and the meal will begin at 11 a.m. in the EHS cafeteria. Please RSVP by Monday, November 9 to Nicole Parks at nicoleparks@eudoraschools.

10:00 AM

Thu, Nov 121800 S 55th St, Kansas City

Turkey Bingo & Trash Bag Pick Up/Bingo del Pavo y Recogida de Bolsas de Basura

Join us for Turkey Bingo! We’ll be giving away some cool kids prizes, plus all your favorite Thanksgiving dinner fixings. Free to play, must be present to win. ¡Acompáñanos al Bingo del Pavo! Regalaremos divertidos premios para niños, además de algunos i

7:00 PM

Dinner & brunchFamily friendly

Fri, Nov 131800 Washington Blvd, Kansas City

EC SERVE TEAM FRIENDSGIVING 2026!

There's nothing like coming together with the people who serve with love, give with joy, and make a difference in the Kingdom of God! It's time to celebrate our amazing Evangelistic Center Church Serve Team with a special Friendsgiving gathering filled

7:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Fri, Nov 131219 Union Ave, Kansas City

KCCH Presents: Friendsgiving @ The Bird Nest

Celebrate your friends this fall with world-class comedy, food, games, vendors, karaoke and so much more!! KC Comedy Hub presents: Friendsgiving at The Bird Nest! Have you made your F

7:30 PM

$10.83 – $19.63Friendsgiving

Sat, Nov 14Eudora, Kansas

EWRC Friendsgiving 5K

Join us for our first annual Friendsgiving 5K run/walk! We will meet at 7:00am at Asher Cohn Park. Stay and hang out after the run and enjoy some time together (and yummy snacks)!

7:00 AM

Turkey trotFriendsgiving

Sat, Nov 1413105 Holmes Road, Prairie Village

FRIENDSGIVING AM Quads

Join us at Volleyball beach for FRIENDSGIVING a volleyball tournament to help raise money for the MAVS 816. MAVS 816 is a volleyball club that gives players an opportunity to continue to play after the school season. Money raised will help support players

8:00 AM

Friendsgiving

Sat, Nov 14Shawnee Mission North High School, Overland Park

Flag Football Turkey Bowl

Round up your squad, hit the field, and get ready to throw, catch, and score your way to victory! Join us for KC Crew’s Turkey Bowl Flag Football Tournament and enjoy a full day of competition and football fun. Bring your team, show off your skills, and

9:00 AM

Sat, Nov 145051 W 134th St, Grandview

The KIDS Shul! Thanksgiving Edition

Introducing THE KIDS SHUL - For Kids, By Kids. Once a month on Shabbat mornings! A revolutionary approach to expose children to the beauty and ritual of shul and prayers, without the full weekly commitment. Kid-oriented and kid-led prayers and service

9:00 AM

Family friendly

Sat, Nov 14204 S Main Street, Ottawa

Thankful Turkey Centerpiece - Make N Take or Grab n Go

🦃✨ Thankful Turkey Centerpiece Kits ✨🦃 📅 Saturday, November 14 from 10am-7pm 📍 The Collective Heart – 204 S Main, Ottawa, KS 💲 $17 per person Make N Take or Grab n Go to make at Thanksgiving! Get crafty and count your blessings with our Thankful Turkey

10:00 AM

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 Lawrence

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 Lawrence: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Lawrence in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Lawrence run from Nov 9 to Nov 29, 2026: 100 events.

What is on in Lawrence on Thanksgiving Day?

14 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Honor Flight Turkey Trot, Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day Run and THANKSGIVING DAY: Turkey Burn Bootcamp with Alicia!.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Lawrence?

18 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Taste of Thanksgiving: A Cooking Class at Esty's Kitchen, Turkey Bingo & Trash Bag Pick Up/Bingo del Pavo y Recogida de Bolsas de Basura and Annual Turkey Dinner. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Lawrence?

Yes: EWRC Friendsgiving 5K at Eudora, Kansas (Sat, Nov 14), USD 437 Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Run at Washburn Rural High School (Sat, Nov 21) and 2026 Gobbler Grind Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K at Corporate Woods Office Park (Sun, Nov 22).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Lawrence?

Harvesters Food Drive - Bring Boxed Food & Plastic Jar Items, Harvesters Food Drive - Bring Health & Beauty Items and A Day of Gratitude in the Mulvane Art Lab are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Lawrence?

Yes: 6 of the 100 listed are free, including Interfaith of Topeka Annual Thanksgiving Service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Turkey Tuesday Giveaway 2026: Kansas City, Kansas - Clipping 2 Please at Clippin to Please and Kansas City Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Vye Cocktail Lounge. Tickets for the rest run from $10.83 to $49.38.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Lawrence?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are City Market's 9th Annual Merry Market! (Nov 28 – Dec 20), 2026 Gobbler Grind Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K at Corporate Woods Office Park (Sun, Nov 22) and Kansas City Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Vye Cocktail Lounge (Nov 25–26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Lawrence?

Yes: 2 more events are listed within reach, in Kansas City.

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.