AllEvents

AllEvents in your city

Popular cities

Thanksgiving Events in Lenexa 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Lenexa 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 Lenexa.

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 Lenexa

All Thanksgiving events in Lenexa 2026

On now

Nov 2–610551 N Ambassador Drive, Waldron5 days

Harvesters Food Drive - Bring Canned Goods

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

Wed, Nov 41221 Union Avenue, Kansas City

Cougar Club presents: Cougars-Giving

Age Inclusive Dance Party for Shes Gays & Theys 21+ // Doors 6pm // Ends at 10:30pm COUGAR CLUB PRESENTS: ​ COUGARS-GIVING: A Feast for the Fierce This isn’t your grandma’s Thanksgiving dinner — it’s a decadent dance party celebrating community abund

6:00 PM

Dinner & brunchVolunteer21+

Nov 5–10Baldwin City, Kansas6 days

Food Drive for Baldwin Community Food Pantry

Food Drive coordinated by Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce Donations can be dropped off from October 8 through November 10, 2026. Cash donations can be given to the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce. All food and cash donations will go to the Baldwin Com

7:00 AM

Volunteer

Nov 6 – May 71419 N Whitney Rd, Independence183 days

First Friday Playgroup

Celebrate the autumn season with music, energetic movement, and plenty of giggles! Gobble, Giggle & Groove is a fall-themed playgroup designed to get little ones moving, laughing, and exploring through music and active play. What to Expect: Gobble: U

10:00 AM

Family friendly

Sat, Nov 7Olathe, KS

Thanksgiving cookie class

Thanksgiving cookie class?? Yes please!! 🦃 🍁🏈 Saturday, November 7th. 10:00am. Come join the fun!

10:00 AM

Sat, Nov 74455 S Davidson Dr, Independence

2pm- Friendsgiving Feast Cookie Decorating Class

Gather your favorite people and join us for a fun and cozy Friendsgiving Cookie Fest! We’re bringing all the best parts of Thanksgiving to the cookie table—without the cooking! In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn how to decorate six festive Tha

2:00 PM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Sun, Nov 8The Stone Church Community of Christ, Independence

Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner - "Return of the Light"

For a loving embrace of spiritual communities sharing delicious food and gratitude, join us for our annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Dinner. Join us for this year's annual Interfaith Th

4:00 PM

$12.50 – $25Dinner & brunch

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 122160 Southeast Blue Pkwy, Lees Summit

Friendsgiving

Join us for a networking Friendsgiving event! Mingle with other local professionals and enjoy holiday treats and cocktails. While you are here, take a tour of our beautiful senior living community and learn how you can partner with us to refer your client

5:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Nov 13–15170 English Landing Drive, Riverside3 days

Friendsgiving Fling!

Join us for a 3 day fall fun Sewfest! What a great way to kick off the holiday season - sewing with friends! For more information or to sign up:

9:00 AM

Friendsgiving

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 Lenexa

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

Fri, Nov 13THE BLACK BOX, Union Avenue, Kansas City, MO, USA

Friendsgiving Show

7:30 PM

$19.63Friendsgiving

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 Lenexa: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Lenexa in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Lenexa run from Nov 2 to Nov 28, 2026: 96 events.

What is on in Lenexa on Thanksgiving Day?

18 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including New Hope Turkey Trot at Smith's Fork Park, Honor Flight Turkey Trot and Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day Run.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Lenexa?

15 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Cougar Club presents: Cougars-Giving, Annual Post 370 Family Thanksgiving Dinner! For ALL members and their guests and 2pm- Friendsgiving Feast Cookie Decorating Class. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Lenexa?

Yes: 2026 Gobbler Grind Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K at Corporate Woods Office Park (Sun, Nov 22), New Hope Turkey Trot at Smith's Fork Park (Thu, Nov 26) and Honor Flight Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Lenexa?

Harvesters Food Drive - Bring Canned Goods, Food Drive for Baldwin Community Food Pantry at Baldwin City, Kansas and 6th Annual Thanksgiving Meal Delivery-Volunteers are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Lenexa?

Yes: 7 of the 96 listed are free, including The Caregiver's Friendsgiving, Friendsgiving Community Event at Mae's Tavern and Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service & Pie Social at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tickets for the rest run from $12.50 to $49.38.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Lenexa?

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 Downtown Kansas City (Nov 25–26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Lenexa?

Yes: 8 more events are listed within reach, in Kansas City, Overland Park and Prairie Village.

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.