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Thanksgiving Events in Lexington 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Lexington 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 Lexington.

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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 Lexington

All Thanksgiving events in Lexington 2026

Sat, Nov 7Berea Community High School

Tinsel & Treasures 9th Annual Holiday Vendor Market

Whether you're just getting started or finishing up your holiday shopping list, you'll be sure to find something unique and locally made at our 9th annual holiday vendor market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, conveniently located in the Conkin

9:00 AM

Market

Sat, Nov 7507 W Main St, Richmond

Story Time Friendsgiving Potluck

Celebrate sharing, friendship, and the upcoming holiday at our Story Time Friendsgiving Potluck! After the stories, we'll sit down together for a Friendsgiving lunch (some food will be provided but feel free to bring a dish to share) and make themed craft

10:00 AM

Friendsgiving

Sat, Nov 7Homestead Farm Wedding Barn and Venue, Waco

Church Bake Sale

Come support our church’s youth and Christmas toy drive! Enjoy homemade treats while walking around looking at vendors! Grab a pumpkin roll or other desserts to take home for your Thanksgiving dinner too!

10:00 AM

Dinner & brunch

Sun, Nov 8200 W. Walnut Street, Danville

Pre-Thanksgiving Service & Dinner

FBC-2nd & Walnut St. and Second Street Christian come together for their annual Pre-Thanksgiving dinner and Worship Service. Dinner & Worship service will be held at FBC this year. Rev. Dennis Miller & congregation will cross the street after

12:30 PM

Dinner & brunch

Sun, Nov 8Main Event - Lexington, KY (Lexington, KY)

A Time of Thanks

Please join me in giving thanks for all God has done this year

4:00 PM

Sat, Nov 14Painting with a Twist (Lexington, KY)

Weekend Deal! Cute Turkey Paint Party | $36 + $15 Candles

🦃 Gobble up this weekend deal! Join Ashley for our Cute Turkey Paint Party on Saturday, November 14th, from 11 AM–1 PM! This adorable turkey is ready to bring a little Thanksgiving charm to your home. 🎨 Seats start at just $36! Want to make your morning

11:00 AM

Sat, Nov 14Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop

Lexington's Annual Cranksgiving Bike Ride Food Drive!

Join Lexington's Annual Cranksgiving Bike Ride to collect food items for Food Chain's Thanksgiving meal boxes. Registration begins at 11:30 AM at Broke Spoke and the ride leaves at 12 PM. Ride details and the shopping list will be provided at registratio

11:30 AM

Volunteer

Sat, Nov 14Sol Fitness Lex

Pay-With-a-Can Mat Pilates for FoodChain

Move your body, fill a table. 💛 For this special pay-with-a-can Saturday session, your mat Pilates class becomes a Thanksgiving meal for a family right here in Lexington. Bring your donation, bring a friend, and let’s make this one count. Every donation

3:00 PM

Volunteer

Sun, Nov 152047 Big Hill Rd, Berea

Family Activity: Pinecone Turkey

Bring your creativity and craft a colorful pinecone turkey to add to your Thanksgiving décor. For a truly autumn touch, create a forested background for your new addition. Geared towards elementary ages.

2:00 PM

Sun, Nov 15260 Versailles Rd, Frankfort

The 4th Annual Turkey Extravaganza and Winter Essentials Giveaway

We're happy to announce that on November 15th at Monte Carlo Venue starting at 3:30pm we'll be hosting our Fourth Turkey Extravaganza and Winter Essentials Giveaway. The purpose of the giveaway is to ensure that people in need have the essentials nee

3:30 PM

Sun, Nov 15Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Winchester

Friendsgiving Chili Cook Off & Community Dinner

This Friendsgiving, All Voices Reading Room & Emmanuel Episcopal are bringing our community together for a night of good food, friendly competition, and something we could all use a little more of: kindness. Whether you come with a crockpot full of y

4:00 PM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Wed, Nov 18Waterstone At Hamburg

Thanks for Giving: Coffee for a Cause

Join the CKAA Outreach Committee for Thanks for Giving: Coffee for a Cause as we continue collecting donations for our Annual Food & Toiletry Drive, benefiting families from Arlington Elementary School through CKAA’s holiday Adopt-a-Family program. 📅

11:00 AM

Volunteer

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 Lexington

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 Lexington: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Lexington in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Lexington run from Nov 7 to Nov 28, 2026: 39 events.

What is on in Lexington on Thanksgiving Day?

5 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Vamos Pavo Thanksgiving 5K Benefiting Blue Grass Community Action at Anderson County Community Park, Thanksgiving Brunch at Lexington Marriott City Center and Thanksgiving at 21c Hotel.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Lexington?

8 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Church Bake Sale at Homestead Farm Wedding Barn and Venue, Pre-Thanksgiving Service & Dinner and Friendsgiving Chili Cook Off & Community Dinner at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Lexington?

Yes: Vamos Pavo Thanksgiving 5K Benefiting Blue Grass Community Action at Anderson County Community Park (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Lexington?

Lexington's Annual Cranksgiving Bike Ride Food Drive! at Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop and Kentucky Thoroughbred Classic at Champ's Skate & Entertainment are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Lexington?

Yes: 5 of the 39 listed are free, including SalsaGiving at Mazunte Bodega, The Vault's Annual Friendsgiving and International Thanksgiving Dinner 2026 at Ashland Avenue Baptist Church. Tickets for the rest run from $33.62 to $86.79.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Lexington?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Lexington Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Lexington (Nov 25–26), Macys Thanksgiving Parade | Nov 25-28th, 2026 |OVERNIGHT Stay at Lexington, KY (Nov 25–28) and SalsaGiving at Mazunte Bodega (Fri, Nov 20).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Lexington?

Yes: 6 more events are listed within reach, in Berea, Owingsville, Flemingsburg and Pewee Valley 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.