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Thanksgiving Events in Madison 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Madison 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 Madison.

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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 Madison

All Thanksgiving events in Madison 2026

On now

Nov 5–192000 Wesley Avenue, Janesville15 days

Senior Meals

Senior Meals are held the first and third Thursday each month. Sign Up by Tuesday noon before the meal, either on the Senior bulletin board in Fellowship Hall or by calling the church office 608 752-0548. Cost is $8.00 – Pay the day of lunch People of an

12:00 PM

Wed, Nov 11Water Street Social Club, Prairie du Sac

Wines of the World Wine Tasting - Thanksgiving Wines

Join us for a fun, delicious, and educational wine tasting event with our friends at Left Bank Wine! We are partnering with our friends at Left Bank Wine to bring you the next in our series of guided wine t

6:00 PM

$13.19 – $26.38

Thu, Nov 126639 Pederson Crossing Blvd, Windsor

Friendsgiving Dinner

Celebrate the season of gratitude with us at The Legacy of DeForest! 🍁 You're invited to our Friendsgiving Dinner, a special afternoon dedicated to good food, meaningful connections, and the wonderful friendships that make our community feel like home.

11:00 AM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Fri, Nov 13517 East Badger Road

Badger Rock Community Dinner - Thanks for Giving

Join us for our annual Thanks for Giving and Native American Heritage Celebration on November 13 from 5:30 - 7:00pm. Enjoy a free dinner by Chef Kipp Thomas and Dan Cornelius. * BRMS My Culture Projects * Interactive Ho-Chunk Dance & Drum with Kel

5:30 PM

Dinner & brunch

Fri, Nov 131115 S High Point Rd

Friendsgiving with Larry Bird

Calling our family of friends! Please join us for a fabulous Friendsgiving dinner followed by music from Middleton singer/songwriter/guitarist Larry Bird! Bring a dish to pass and a tip for the talent! We can't wait to celebrate the season of gratitude w

6:00 PM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Sat, Nov 141100 Frank H Street, Waunakee

Maker's Space x Paul Briskey Holiday Card-Making Event

Maker's Space x Paul Briskey! Come to Maker's Space and create holiday cards with Paul Briskey. This is a great workshop for all ages to come create before Thanksgiving! Maker's Space is an Open Studio where you may practice your artistry and watch your

9:30 AM

Family friendly

Sat, Nov 14501 W Main St, Mount Horeb

Turkey Train Stop 1

THE TURKEY TRAIN IS COMING TO TOWN! Your Thanksgiving turkey is getting a ride straight from our farm to a pickup location near you! Skip the grocery store scramble and bring home a turkey raised on pasture, without antibiotics, mRNA vaccines, or GMOs.

10:30 AM

Sat, Nov 141024 Regent Street

FCBC's 50th Anniversary Celebration

The Big Celebration - Saturday, November 14th 1-5pm (Remarks from Dave Day at 2:30 pm) Appetizers, drinks, and desserts from local restaurants Please register at this link if you plan to come: Communion & Testim

1:00 PM

Sat, Nov 14Stone Porch Alehouse, Verona

Turkey Train Stop 3

THE TURKEY TRAIN IS COMING TO TOWN! Your Thanksgiving turkey is getting a ride straight from our farm to a pickup location near you! Skip the grocery store scramble and bring home a turkey raised on pasture, without antibiotics, mRNA vaccines, or GMOs.

1:30 PM

Sat, Nov 14The Seminole, Verona

Turkey Train Stop 4

THE TURKEY TRAIN IS COMING TO TOWN! Your Thanksgiving turkey is getting a ride straight from our farm to a pickup location near you! Skip the grocery store scramble and bring home a turkey raised on pasture, without antibiotics, mRNA vaccines, or GMOs.

3:00 PM

Sat, Nov 14Garver Feed Mill

Turkey Train Stop 5

THE TURKEY TRAIN IS COMING TO TOWN! Your Thanksgiving turkey is getting a ride straight from our farm to a pickup location near you! Skip the grocery store scramble and bring home a turkey raised on pasture, without antibiotics, mRNA vaccines, or GMOs.

4:30 PM

Sat, Nov 14217 S. Century Ave, Waunakee

Friends-Giving @ Infinity

Lots of reasons to be thankful! 🍂 Friends-Giving Parents Night Out is coming to Infinity Martial Arts Waunakee! NOVEMBER 14, 2026 Ages 8+ | 5 to 9 PM Good Friends, Great Night! We're celebrating friendship, gratitude, and our Infinity community while p

5:00 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.

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Thanksgiving events near Madison

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 Madison: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Madison in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Madison run from Nov 5 to Nov 28, 2026: 99 events.

What is on in Madison on Thanksgiving Day?

23 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Free Turkey Dinner - Dine-in Only, Madison Turkey Trot 5K at Alliant Energy Center and Milton Turkey Trot brought to you by National Honor Society.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Madison?

23 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Friendsgiving Dinner, Badger Rock Community Dinner - Thanks for Giving and Friendsgiving with Larry Bird. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Madison?

Yes: FREE 2-mile walk + sauna & cold plunge — Turkey Trot Style (Sun, Nov 22), Madison Turkey Trot 5K at Alliant Energy Center (Thu, Nov 26) and Milton Turkey Trot brought to you by National Honor Society (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Madison?

Food Drive for Oregon Area Food Pantry! and 10th Anniversary! Cranksgiving Madison 2026 at State Capital Madison Wi. are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Madison?

Yes: 3 of the 99 listed are free, including Simply Homes Thanksgiving Pie Pickup at Jannah Village Apartments, Madison Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Cask & Ale and Thanksgiving Potluck Meal at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tickets for the rest run from $13.19 to $65.87.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Madison?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Madison Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Cask & Ale (Nov 25–26), Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating Class- Garver Feed Mill in Madison, WI at Glitter Workshop (inside Garver Feed Mill) (Sun, Nov 22) and 10th Anniversary! Cranksgiving Madison 2026 at State Capital Madison Wi. (Sun, Nov 22).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Madison?

Yes: 7 more events are listed within reach, in Cross Plains, Rockford, Waukesha and Loves Park 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.