Thu, Nov 269:00 AM
Ames Turkey Trot
410 5th Street
Thanksgiving Events in Marshalltown 2026
Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown.
Listings updated
Curated by the AllEvents team, for you
Top Thanksgiving events in Marshalltown
All Thanksgiving events in Marshalltown 2026
On nowSat, Nov 14Centennial Park, Huxley
Huxley Turkey Trot
Join in on the fun of this annual run/walk around Centennial Park. Distances range from 5 yards to 1 mile depending on your age. Everyone can enjoy free cider and donuts from Center Grove Orchard and potentially win a frozen turkey or pie. Top male and
Turkey trot
On nowSat, Nov 14Stepping Stones & Eagle's Nest Christian Bookstores, Grinnell
Iowa Author Julie Sunne Signing Books at Stepping Stones in Grinnell, IA, on Nov. 14
Iowa Author Julie Sunne will be signing books at Stepping Stones in Grinnell, Iowa, on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m as part of a four-city tour. Enjoy an outing with your friends. Bring your own copies or purchase them at the bookstore. This
Sun, Nov 15919 30th St, Ames
Thanksgiving Dinner | North Grand Christian Church
You are invited to our Thanksgiving dinner on November 15th following our 10:30am Service. We hope to see you there!
Dinner & brunch
Sun, Nov 1532203 230th Street, Eldora
🦃 Community Thanksgiving Dinner
🦃 JOIN US FOR A COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER hosted by Free Grace United Church of Eldora! Come enjoy a warm potluck meal with good food & great company on the beautiful property of Pine Lake Camps! Bring your family, invite a friend, and let's cele
Dinner & brunch
Mon, Nov 16414 2nd St, Traer
Legion’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Meal
$6 a plate for Legion & Auxiliary members and their families.
Tue, Nov 17Marshalltown Community College
FAFSA Friendsgiving
Need help filing your 2027–2028 FAFSA? Stop by our FAFSA Friendsgiving workshop! MCC Financial Aid staff will be available to guide you through the process. «« Potluck Thanksgiving food provided «« Post on our Grateful Wall Room 215 - Open to the publ
Friendsgiving
Wed, Nov 18BrickHouse Fitness, Bondurant
Indoor Volleyball League
Join us for indoor volleyball season! We have two indoor courts, separated by a curtain. Fun atmosphere! Teams ref themselves, so good sportsmanship is a must! Coed 6v6! BYOB! Wednesday Evenings Season 1: October 7 - December 2 (8 weeks - off Thanksgiv
Fri, Nov 20119 Main St., Ames
Rockets Of Desire Album Release / The Uncollectables / Food Drive
Please join us for a very fun night of music and community, as eclectic alt-folk rockers Rockets Of Desire celebrate the release of their album "Light The Match"! Directly after, we've got a 9-piece ska band from Des Moines, The Uncollectables! Bring you
Volunteer
Sat, Nov 21Aplington-Parkersburg High School
5K Turkey Trot 🦃🏃🏃♀️🎉
Registration Fee: $25 $5 off for A-P Students🤍🖤❤️ Turkey costumes are encouraged! 🦃
Turkey trot
Mon, Nov 231600 E 36th St S, Newton
Dessert Auction
🍰 Dessert Auction to Benefit the Newton Arboretum 🍰 Join us for a sweet evening supporting the Newton Arboretum! Fifty decadent desserts will be auctioned to raise funds for the Arboretum Project. It’s the perfect opportunity to take home a delicious de
Tue, Nov 2456461 180th St, Ames
Thank-Full Moon Feast
Join us beneath the light of November’s full moon for a fireside evening of outdoor cooking, good food, and gratitude! Together, we’ll prepare a warm and hearty meal featuring savory soup/chili, fresh bread, and a sweet dessert while exploring a variety o
Dinner & brunch
Wed, Nov 25104 1st St N, Newton
Bun in the Oven Annual Thanksgiving Pies and Desserts Bake Sale
🦃🥧Less stress for you!🥧🦃 We will have all your favorite THANKSGIVING pies, desserts and several sides for you to choose from.
Wed, Nov 25108 Main st N, Baxter
Benola's "Drinksgiving" Karaoke Night
Tis the season, we are keeping the tradition going folks!
Thu, Nov 26Merrill Park, Grinnell
Turkey Trot and Gravel Gobbler
Grab your running shoes or bike helmet and join Imagine Grinnell for the Annual Turkey Trot or Gravel Gobbler on Thanksgiving morning. Meet up at Merrill Park for the annual pre-event group pic and then set out on your run, walk or bike ride. Bring a
Turkey trotVolunteer
Thu, Nov 26910 E. Olive St
Thanksgiving Lunch at Harmony Marshalltown
Thanksgiving is better when we're together! Join us at Harmony Marshalltown for our annual Thanksgiving Lunch! We're looking forward to celebrating the holiday with a delicious meal, good company, and time spent with the people who make this season so sp
Thu, Nov 261300 4th Ave, Ackley
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Drive-through 11:30 - 1:00 pm or Deliveries at 11:00 am For reservations call 641-847-2802 and leave your name and number of meals you want and address if needing deliveries. A free-will offering will be taken with all proceeds going to the Ackley Food Ba
Dinner & brunchVolunteer
Fri, Nov 27907 Main
Blessings & Bargains 2 Day Sale - Support a Small Business
The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving at all 3 of our Locations; Grinnell, Marshalltown and Oskaloosa, Nov. 27th & 28th Stepping Stones & Eagle's Nest Christian Bookstores will be having a special 2-Day Sale on top of all our other current sa
Fri, Nov 27Stew Makerspace, Grinnell
Stew Makerspace: Pottery-Try the Wheel Workshop
Got friends and family in town for Thanksgiving? Get creative together! Grab your loved ones (and a beverage of your choice) and join Bethany for our Friday Night Try the Wheel Workshop. In one fun session, you’ll learn the basics of centering clay and t
Market
Fri, Nov 27Murph and Mary's Pub, Newton
Casey Peasley - Live at Murph and Mary’s Pub
Keep your Thanksgiving weekend going at Murph & Mary’s Pub with Casey Peasley live on Friday, November 27th from 7–10 PM. Round up your friends, come hungry, and settle in for good food, cold drinks, and a Friday night filled with live acoustic musi
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 Marshalltown
Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby
Sun, Nov 15Brickhouse Coffee Co., Williamsburg
"Friends-giving" Cookie Class - South Street Cookies at Brickhouse Coffee
$21.40 – $58.85
Tue, Nov 175260 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
Nugsgiving!
Thu, Nov 19The Regal Beagle IA ( 9500 SE University Ave-West Des Moines, IA)
Friends(giving) Trivia Night @ The Regal Beagle (West Des Moines, IA) / Thurs Nov 19th @ 7pm
Nov 25–26The Continental, Des Moines2 days
BASSGIVING 2026 – Black Out Wednesdays | Thanksgiving Eve
$13.39 – $27.08
Thu, Nov 26South Des Moines Community Thanksgiving Meal
Free Community Thanksgiving Meal
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 Marshalltown: frequently asked questions
When are Thanksgiving events in Marshalltown in 2026?
Thanksgiving events in Marshalltown run from Nov 14 to Nov 27, 2026: 23 events.
What is on in Marshalltown on Thanksgiving Day?
5 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Turkey Trot and Gravel Gobbler at Merrill Park, Ames Turkey Trot and Grundy Center CommUNITY Thanksgiving Meal at Grundy Center, Iowa.
Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Marshalltown?
4 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Thanksgiving Dinner | North Grand Christian Church, 🦃 Community Thanksgiving Dinner and Thank-Full Moon Feast. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.
Are there turkey trots in Marshalltown?
Yes: Huxley Turkey Trot at Centennial Park (Sat, Nov 14), 5K Turkey Trot 🦃🏃🏃♀️🎉 at Aplington-Parkersburg High School (Sat, Nov 21) and Turkey Trot and Gravel Gobbler at Merrill Park (Thu, Nov 26).
Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Marshalltown?
Rockets Of Desire Album Release / The Uncollectables / Food Drive is looking for helping hands.
What are the best Thanksgiving events in Marshalltown?
The most popular on AllEvents right now are Ames Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26), 2026 Cambridge Holiday Vendor Fair at Cambridge Memorial Library (Sat, Nov 21) and Oakland Acres Thanksgiving Eve Bash w/ Sheldyn Goodrich (Wed, Nov 25).
Are there Thanksgiving events near Marshalltown?
Yes: 9 more events are listed within reach, in Williamsburg, Johnston, Cumming and West Des Moines 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.