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Thanksgiving Events in Ocala 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Ocala 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 Ocala.

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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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Curated by the AllEvents team, for you

Top Thanksgiving events in Ocala

All Thanksgiving events in Ocala 2026

On now

Nov 2–98843 US Highway 441, Leesburg8 days

Cecil Clark Chevrolet~ Thanksgiving Food Drive supporting The Leesburg Food Bank

Beginning Monday, November 2nd thru Monday, November 23rd, Cecil Clark Chevrolet is proud to host Stuff the Showroom- Thanksgiving Food-Supply Drive; in support of the Leesburg Food Bank! This November, please donate non-perishable, shelf life sustaina

8:00 AM

Volunteer

Tue, Nov 10Tiny Tot Bundles, Gainesville

🦃 Tiny Tales: How to Catch a Turkey! 🍂

Gobble, gobble! It's time for a Thanksgiving adventure! 🧡 Join us for our November Tiny Tales Story Time, inspired by the silly and adventurous book How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace! Our little readers will enjoy a fun-filled morning of storytellin

10:00 AM

Thu, Nov 12Pinesmoke Bee Co., Eustis

D&D Phandelver & Below | The Shattered Obelisk

D&D Phandelver & Below The Shattered Obelisk (mid campaign) but new players are welcome! Normally 2nd and 4th Thursdays, but adjusting for Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

6:15 PM

Thu, Nov 124631 NE 162nd CT, Williston

🍂 GALSGIVING: GATHER AT THE TABLE 🍂

It's soup season, y'all! Join the R3C Women's Ministry on Thursday, November 12 for a cozy night of food, fellowship, gratitude and a little friendly competition as we celebrate Galsgiving! We're putting our R3C spin on Friendsgiving with a Soup + Chili

6:30 PM

Friendsgiving

Thu, Nov 12Marion County Literacy Council, Inc.

Friendsgiving Potluck & November IDAT Art-Sci Challenge

Bring yourself and something to share for a potluck Friendsgiving feast. If you'd like to also complete this month's IDAT challenge, make a munchable from your persona's life, and a brief introduction to the item you bring.

6:30 PM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Fri, Nov 13207 Courthouse Sq, Inverness

Lewis and Young Entertainment Presents: A Nice Family Gathering

A Nice Family Gathering is a story about a man who loved his wife so much, he almost told her. It’s Thanksgiving Day and the first family gathering at the Lundeen household since Dad died. At the gathering, Dad comes back as a ghost with a mission; to tel

7:00 PM

Sat, Nov 14Florida Room, Gainesville

Friendsgiving | Cozy Socks & Connections Gainesville

Gainesville — Cozy Socks & Connections Women’s Brunch Tickets Required: Join us at The Florida Room in downtown Gainesville for a relaxed brunch and a chance to connect

10:30 AM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Sat, Nov 14Lake Square Mall, Leesburg

Thanksgiving Vendor Market inside Lake square Mall in Leesburgh

Join us Sat Nov 14th 11-5pm inside the Lake Square Mall in Leesburg for our THANKSGIVING Vendor Market. Shop with Local Artisans, Crafters, Bakers and Shopping Vendors For more info, please email us at specialtypopupevents@gmail.com See less

11:00 AM

Market

Sat, Nov 14930 Thomas Ave Leeaburg, Leesburg

Friendsgiving

Join us for our first annual Friendsgiving with Titus Training! The gym will providing the meats and we ask members to bring a side/dessert as well as BYOB. And I promise, norm won’t make you workout 😂😅

5:30 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.

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

Thanksgiving events near Ocala

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 Ocala: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Ocala in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Ocala run from Nov 2 to Nov 29, 2026: 77 events.

What is on in Ocala on Thanksgiving Day?

17 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Go and Gobble 5k at Florida Horse Park, Turkey Burn- Hot Pilates Sculpt and Thanksgiving at Stirrups Restaurant.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Ocala?

19 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Friendsgiving Potluck & November IDAT Art-Sci Challenge at Marion County Literacy Council, Inc., Friendsgiving | Cozy Socks & Connections Gainesville at Florida Room and 🍁 Sisters of the Moon 4th Annual Friendsgiving CommUNITY Circle, Dinner, & Sound Healing! ✌🏼🧡🍁 at Crystal River, Florida. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Ocala?

Yes: Gobble Wobble Family Flow & Fitness (Sun, Nov 15), Turkey Trot Wiener Walk - Lake Sumter Landing at Lake Sumter Lndg, The Villages, FL 32162, United States (Mon, Nov 16) and Go and Gobble 5k at Florida Horse Park (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Ocala?

Cecil Clark Chevrolet~ Thanksgiving Food Drive supporting The Leesburg Food Bank is looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Ocala?

Yes: 4 of the 77 listed are free, including Baker's Dozen at Citrus Hills | Thanksgiving Bakery Market, Thanksgiving Buffet at Calypso, at The Waterfront Inn at Calypso, at The Waterfront Inn and DRUNKGIVING… THE 352 REUNION EDITION at SIMONS NIGHT CLUB. Tickets for the rest run from $24.57 to $174.04.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Ocala?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are DRUNKGIVING… THE 352 REUNION EDITION at SIMONS NIGHT CLUB (Nov 26–27), 352 Reunion x DrunkGiving THANKSGIVING NIGHT at THE LOFT (Nov 26–27) and Feed Our City at The Rock Leesburg (Sat, Nov 21).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Ocala?

Yes: 5 more events are listed within reach, in Spring Hill, Mount Dora, Deland and Groveland 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.