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Thanksgiving Events in New Bern 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in New Bern 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 New Bern.

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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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Invite your family to dinner

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Curated by the AllEvents team, for you

Top Thanksgiving events in New Bern

All Thanksgiving events in New Bern 2026

On now

Nov 12–134778 HWY 24 East, Cape Carteret2 days

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Drop off canned items in the cafe at Carolina Home and Garden!

9:00 AM

Volunteer

Sponsored

Nov 13–142029 W 5th St., Washington2 days

Arise Youth Friendsgiving Lock-In and Bonfire

Bring your favorite Thanksgiving dish and your appetite! Join us for food, friends, and s’more’s! More details at the Arise Youth building.

7:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Nov 15–212394 Wilmington Hwy, Jacksonville7 days

NRHD's Annual Community Food Drive

🍂🥫 NEW RIVER HARLEY-DAVIDSON COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE 🥫🍂 This November, we’re teaming up with United Way Onslow County and CHEW — Children Healthy Eating on Weekends to help provide food for children in our local community. CHEW provides bags filled with ch

11:00 AM

VolunteerFamily friendly

Sun, Nov 15Peace Presbyterian Church, Winterville

A Friendsgiving Potluck

November's 3rd Sunday Gathering is a Friendsgiving Potluck! Celebrate the season and the ties that bind Peace and GKPC together!

12:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Sun, Nov 152900 Arendell Street, Morehead City

Floral Design 101

Hey, Morehead City! Join us on November 15th at 1pm and make your Thanksgiving Table festive. For $35 we will give you everything you need and teach you how to make your own arrangement at Floral Design 101. And of course we will have a drink of your choi

1:00 PM

Sponsored

Sun, Nov 152421 Gum Branch Road, Jacksonville

Floral Design 101

Hey, Jacksonville! Join us on November 15th at 1pm to make your Thanksgiving Table festive. For $35 we will give you everything you need and teach you how to make your own arrangement at Floral Design 101. And of course we will have a drink of your choice

1:00 PM

Sun, Nov 15131 Oakmont Dr, Greenville

Annual Vegetarian Thanksgiving Feast

All welcome! Invite your friends. 2026 Annual Vegetarian Thanksgiving Feast! Sponsored by Vegetarians In Pitt County (VIPs) When: Sunday, November 15th, 5:00 – 7:00 PM Where: Unitarian Universalist Congregation 131 Oakmont Drive, Greenville, NC Potluck

5:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Mon, Nov 16Downtown Jacksonville

Driven by the Masters Voice

With Thanksgiving coming, we want to hear from you. 🙏 What is one way God has used our church family to bless you this year? Drop it below so we can celebrate together. Join us Monday morning at 201 Wilmington Hwy, Jacksonville - come be Driven by the Mas

7:15 AM

Tue, Nov 17402 Darden Dr, Kinston

Soul Sisters Women’s Ministry meeting

Don’t forget! Come join us for a night of Thanksgiving and Mrs. Brenda Smith with being doing a devotion! This will also be the last night for any shoeboxes or donations!

6:00 PM

Volunteer

Wed, Nov 18One Place, Jacksonville

HELP US BRING THANKSGIVING TO THE TABLE!

🍂 HELP US BRING THANKSGIVING TO THE TABLE! 🍂🦃 Thanksgiving is about more than turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie (although we LOVE those too! 🥧). It’s about family, gratitude, and making sure our neighbors feel the love of their community. 💙💛 This year,

3:00 PM

Volunteer

Sponsored

Wed, Nov 18Arts Council of Carteret County, Morehead City

Carteret Writers November Meet-Up: Friendsgiving

We will come together in thanks for another year of friendship, fellowship and support as Carteret Writers. Please join us for a Friendsgiving meal and share any work you would like to bring. We ask that you bring a side dish but if you just cannot, that

4:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Wed, Nov 18Saint Francis by the Sea, Salter Path

Friendsgiving

Join us for the second annual Friendsgiving, Wednesday, November 18, at 5:45pm, as we gather around the table to share good food, laughter, and gratitude for the friends who enrich our lives. Saint Francis cooks will prepare the turkey and ham, along with

5:45 PM

Friendsgiving

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 New Bern

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

Sat, Nov 14The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Goldsboro

Friendsgiving

5:00 PM

FreeFriendsgiving

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 New Bern: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in New Bern in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in New Bern run from Nov 12 to Nov 28, 2026: 46 events.

What is on in New Bern on Thanksgiving Day?

11 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including 19th Annual Twin Rivers YMCA Turkey Trot at Taberna Country Club, 6th Annual Wobble 'Til You Gobble at Emerald Club and Onslow Community Outreach-Moore Buick GMC Turkey Trot & Giblet 1-Miler.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in New Bern?

6 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Annual Vegetarian Thanksgiving Feast, Free Community Thanksgiving Meal at PO Box 161, 2944 Belgrade Swansboro Rd, Maysville, NC and Thanksgiving dinner, Spanish conversation, and games at The Mcelearney’s House. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in New Bern?

Yes: The GOBBLE WOBBLE Thanksgiving Eve Dance Party 2026 at Attitudes Pub & Grille (Wed, Nov 25), 19th Annual Twin Rivers YMCA Turkey Trot at Taberna Country Club (Thu, Nov 26) and 6th Annual Wobble 'Til You Gobble at Emerald Club (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in New Bern?

Thanksgiving Food Drive and NRHD's Annual Community Food Drive are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in New Bern?

Yes: 1 of the 46 listed is free, including 2nd Annual Thanksmas Family & Friends Holiday Celebration. Tickets for the rest run from $12.51 to $257.94.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in New Bern?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are GrownComing Day Party 2026 at Knights of Columbus (Sat, Nov 28), Onslow Community Outreach-Moore Buick GMC Turkey Trot & Giblet 1-Miler (Thu, Nov 26) and Friends-giving cookie decorating class at Mayte Sweets (Thu, Nov 12).

Are there Thanksgiving events near New Bern?

Yes: 5 more events are listed within reach, in Goldsboro, Ocracoke and Greenville.

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.