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Thanksgiving Events in Monroe 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Monroe 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 Monroe.

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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 Monroe

All Thanksgiving events in Monroe 2026

On now

Nov 14–22Madison, Wisconsin9 days

2 Community Events

2 Events: “Community Fall Harvest” Saturday Nov. 14 2026 5:00pm-8:00pm Thanksgiving Community Celebration Service and Dinner (bring a dish). Sunday November 22 2026 11:00 am “Come On Out” “All Are Welcome”

5:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Sponsored

Nov 16–21408 E Grand Ave, Beloit6 days

Thanksgiving FREE Print week!

🍂 Thanksgiving Free Print at Walnut Creek! 🦃 November 16th–25th Get Thanksgiving-ready with our colorful Beloit “Making Memories” design! Pick any shirt in our showroom, and we’ll print this design on it FREE while you wait! 🍁 T-shirts — $10 🍁 Sweatshirts

9:00 AM

Tue, Nov 17315 W. Maple Ave., Stockton

Calvary Turkey Dressing Sandwich Supper!!!

Join us for A turkey/Dressing Sandwich Supper. 1 Sandwich is $10/ 2 Sandiches are $12. Dine in or Carry out Tickets are encouraged but you can just drop in also. Tickets are available from Lana Crandall 815-990-2803 or Elaine Elliott 815-764-0111. Or Mes

4:30 PM

Tue, Nov 175129 Forest Hills Ct, Loves Park

Pawsgiving Pawprint Painting

🐾🎨 PAWSGIVING PAW PRINT PAINTING! 🦃 Get creative with us at Doggo for a Thanksgiving-themed paw print painting night! Bring your pup and make a special holiday keepsake to remember. It's the perfect way to celebrate the season of giving thanks with your

6:00 PM

Tue, Nov 17500 Silent St, Verona

VPL Cookbook Club: Semi-Homemade Recipes

Join us as we explore cookbooks and recipes featuring a new theme each month. A selection of books will be on reserve at the service desk every month for you to check out, otherwise, feel free to use your own cookbook and let us know about it! Each partic

6:30 PM

Sponsored

Wed, Nov 18Rt. 20 Bar & Grill, Freeport

Bi-monthly get-together

November 18 at Rt 20 bar & grill. Week earlier than usual due to Thanksgiving!!!

11:00 AM

Wed, Nov 18Harlem High School, Machesney Park

Machesney Elementary Turkey Bingo

🦃🍁 Gobble, Gobble! It's TURKEY BINGO time! 🍁🦃 Calling all Machesney Pilots and their families! ✈️💙 Get ready for a gobblin' good time filled with family fun, friendly competition, and 25 TURKEYS up for grabs! 🦃🎉 🍂 Wednesday, November 18th 🕕 6:00–7:00 P

6:00 PM

Wed, Nov 184832 N 2nd St, Loves Park

🦃🍁 GOBBLE GOBBLE BINGO! 🍁🦃

🦃🍁 𝗚𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗢! 🍁🦃 Join us at Finnegan’s for some Thanksgiving fun! 📅 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴𝘁𝗵 ⏰ 6:30 PM 🎉 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬! 4 rounds of Bingo! 🏆 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗭𝗘! 🔥 Turkey Deep Fryer + 20 LB Turkey! 🦃 🍂 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗬

6:30 PM

Wed, Nov 18Faith Community Church, Janesville

Thanksgiving Service

🦃 Join Us for Our Thanksgiving Service! 🍂 Join us on Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30 PM for an evening of worship, fellowship, and giving thanks to God for all He has done! After the service, we’ll gather in the Elementary Room to enjoy some delicious pi

6:30 PM

Wed, Nov 185440 N 2nd Street, Loves Park

2nd Annual TURKEY Bingo at Shattered

It’s our 2nd Annual Turkey Bingo!!! Come win some Turkeys! Free to play! We suggest coming early to get a seat!

7:00 PM

Sponsored

Nov 19–21N6550 County Hwy N, Monticello, WI, United States, Wisconsin 535703 days

Huge Wisconsin Cheese SALE 2.99lb Thanksgiving stock up

Stock up for all your Thanksgiving cheese needs Join us for our special huge 2.99lb cheese sale before Thanksgiving. We believe it is the largest cheese sale in Wisconsin. Call your friends and family and stock up for everyone. First person in line gets a

8:00 AM

Nov 19–25107 N. Madison Street, Elizabeth7 days

Charm Type Bakery Thanksgiving Pre-Orders

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝘀! The turkey gets all the attention, but we think the bread deserves a little love, too. We're putting together a special 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘂 featuring our artisan breads, fo

8:00 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 Monroe

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

Nov 27–288400 E Riverside Blvd., Loves Park2 days

Mistletoe Market

3:00 PM

Market

Sponsored

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 Monroe: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Monroe in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Monroe run from Nov 14 to Nov 29, 2026: 99 events.

What is on in Monroe on Thanksgiving Day?

26 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 Monroe?

18 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including 2 Community Events at Madison, Wisconsin, Dinner & Movie Night for 18+ | Big Hero 6 at Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin- South Central and FREE Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Monroe?

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 Monroe?

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 Monroe?

Yes: 4 of the 99 listed are free, including Turning Point Friendsgiving at Feist Vocational Counseling and Placement, LLC., Thanksgiving Vendor Market and Madison Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Cask & Ale. Tickets for the rest run from $12.51 to $28.52.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Monroe?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Madison Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Cask & Ale (Nov 25–26), Packers Watch Party - Founders Tap Takeover (Wed, Nov 25) and THANKSGIVING BANQUET - Free community meal NOV 25th Noon at Rockford Rescue Mission (Wed, Nov 25).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Monroe?

Yes: 4 more events are listed within reach, in Rockford, Madison, Dubuque and Loves Park.

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.