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Thanksgiving Events in McHenry 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in McHenry 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 McHenry.

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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 McHenry

All Thanksgiving events in McHenry 2026

On now

Aug 30 – Nov 15Bahá'í House of Worship, Wilmette78 days

Devotions and Discussion

Join us for prayers, music, and sacred readings from 12:30pm to 1pm, followed by a discussion on the theme of the day's devotional program. Devotional programs of prayers and sacred scripture are held insid

12:30 PM

Free

Wed, Nov 11Chicago's West Coast Wednesdays Swing Dancing, Downers Grove

Thankful for Wednesdays with Kelly, Lauren & Beth!

Thanksgiving might still be a few weeks away, but we've already got three good reasons to be thankful this Wednesday: Kelly Palmiter, Lauren Nelson, and Beth Bellamy! 🦃 ✨ Kelly is back teaching Beginner and Intermediate West Coast Swing. Come learn a few

6:45 PM

Thu, Nov 12Greenway Table & Tap, Addison

The Challenge: Trivia Quiz Game

Challenge your friends and neighbors and show off your knowledge as you compete in our Thanksgiving themed quiz game featuring categories to test your familiarity with nature, pop culture, local history, holiday traditions, and more! Come with a team of u

7:00 PM

Fri, Nov 13Kishwaukee Family YMCA, Sycamore

Gobble Gobble Skate Night

Glide into the Holiday Spirit at our fun-filled Gobble Gobble Skate Night! Bring the whole family for an evening of skating, seasonal music, and festive Thanksgiving-themed fun. A perfect way to kick off the Holidays together! Pizza & Water Included

6:30 PM

Fri, Nov 134412 N Milwaukee Ave, Harwood Heights

BYOB Sip & Paint Event - "Thankful"

A BYOB Social Painting Class that's made to be fun and interactive! Just bring your drink of choice and we'll provide everything else. View this event and all of our upcoming events here:

7:00 PM

Fri, Nov 13Celtic Knot Public House, 2022 Central Street, Evanston

Have Some Pre-Winter Fun at the Celtic Knot!

To warm ourselves up for Thanksgiving, we're returning to our very favorite Irish pub! Late Breaking News will play a couple of rocking sets in this wonderful venue, there's room for everyone in the place, and the drinks won't run dry! No cover, just some

8:30 PM

Sat, Nov 14Independence Grove, Libertyville

Mundelein High School Turkey Trot

On November 14th, we will be holding our Turkey Trot at Independence Grove. We hope you register and are able to join us! Gear pre-orders are due by November 2nd. Thank you all for your support! ( You do not have to buy appare

9:00 AM

Turkey trot

Sat, Nov 141415 S Roselle Rd, Palatine

2026 Weber Grill Thanksgiving Master Class

Learn and Master Thanksgiving with Weber Grill Masters Dustin Green & Jason Pruitt and Dr. Michael Cressman of The Ohio State University. Take your Thanksgiving cooking to the next level with a day ded

10:00 AM

$154.50

Sat, Nov 144939 W Montrose Ave, Harwood Heights

St. John's Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair

Join us for a fun day of shopping and supporting local crafters and vendors! Find unique handmade items, gifts, treats, and more, all in one place. 📅 Saturday, November 14 ⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM Bring a friend, get a head start on your holiday shopping, and

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.

Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, AllEvents earns from qualifying purchases.

Thanksgiving events near McHenry

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 McHenry: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in McHenry in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in McHenry run from Aug 30 to Nov 29, 2026: 100 events.

What is on in McHenry on Thanksgiving Day?

20 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including St. Charles Turkey Trot at St. Charles North High School, 32nd Annual Village of Gurnee Jon Callaghan Memorial Turkey Trot and Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade at Downtown Chicago.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in McHenry?

22 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Annual Turkey Trot Fundraiser, Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating Class 2026 at Cut It Out Scrapbooking and Friendsgiving Trivia Showdown at Curt's Cafe Evanston. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in McHenry?

Yes: Mundelein High School Turkey Trot at Independence Grove (Sat, Nov 14), Annual Turkey Trot Fundraiser (Sat, Nov 14) and Lincolnwood Turkey Trot at Henry Proesel Park (Sun, Nov 22).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in McHenry?

Thanksgiving Blessing Basket Event 2026 and Rob Post Band @ At Work Sports Bar at At Work Sports Bar & Grill are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in McHenry?

Yes: 16 of the 100 listed are free, including Devotions and Discussion at Bahá'í House of Worship, 9th Annual Thanksgiving Cooking Class - Thermomix Chicago Branch at The Empty Corner and Free Kids Cookie Decorating Thanksgiving Workshop at LCH Studios. Tickets for the rest run from $12.51 to $172.57.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in McHenry?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade at Downtown Chicago (Thu, Nov 26), Lincolnwood Turkey Trot at Henry Proesel Park (Sun, Nov 22) and Friendsgiving: The 6th Annual Glen Ellyn Wine Festival at Lake Ellyn Boathouse (Sun, Nov 15).

Are there Thanksgiving events near McHenry?

Yes: 8 more events are listed within reach, in Joliet, Chicago, Milwaukee and Menomonee Falls.

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.