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Thanksgiving Events in Poway 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Poway 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 Poway.

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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 Poway

All Thanksgiving events in Poway 2026

On now

Thu, Nov 5R Place Bar & Eatery, San Diego

The Golden Bear Friendsgiving Happy Hour

Cal Alumni & Friends gather to celebrate a year of friendship. After 50+ attendees, we are returning to R Place Bar & Eatery in Hillcrest. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Privat

6:00 PM

FreeFriendsgiving

2 dates · from Nov 7The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lemon Grove2 days

Fashion Show Rehearsals

Fashion Show Rehearsals 🌟 ATTENTION ALL FASHION SHOW MODELS! 🌟 👠 IT'S TIME TO GET RUNWAY READY! 💃🏽🕺🏽 We're getting ready for our upcoming Friendsg

1:00 PM

Free

Sun, Nov 82958 Balboa Dr, San Diego

BIG GAY PICNIC: Gobble, Gobble, Gorgeous!

The Big Gay Picnic's Friendsgiving Potluck Picnic is BACK! Grab your favorite dish, your favorite people, and your stretchiest pants, because we're serving up another fabulous Friendsgiving! We're gathering our big, beautiful chosen family for an aftern

11:00 AM

Friendsgiving

Tue, Nov 105848 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad

Family Night & Food Drive

Join Chick-fil-A Carlsbad West for a night of gratitude, crafts, and fun, as we celebrate the Thanksgiving season. Do good this season by donating to our food drive. Bring 5 non-perishable, non-expired canned goods, and receive a free Chick-fil-A Sandwic

4:00 PM

VolunteerFamily friendly

Tue, Nov 10Pure Pawsh, San Diego

Friendsgiving Trivia Night

Get ready to squad up and flex your trivia skills while celebrating good vibes and even better friends! 🦃🐾 FRIENDSGIVING TRIVIA NIGHT! 🍂 Gather your friends (and furry besties!) for a night of fun, fr

6:00 PM

FreeFriendsgiving

Thu, Nov 12Fox Point Farms, Encinitas

Pie Making Workshop

Make a pie from scratch with Head Pastry Chef Sierra and take home the skills to continue making these special seasonal desserts! 🗓️Thursday, November 12th 🕟 5:30–7 PM 📍Haven Farm + Table

5:30 PM

$81.88

Thu, Nov 12Cork & Stem, San Diego

Gather & Glow Candle Making Workshop

In this unique candle-making workshop, you'll craft your very own hand-poured candle, nestled in a stylish vessel! Immerse yourself in a palette of cozy Thanksgiving fragrances: think pumpkin pie and whippe

6:30 PM

$55

Thu, Nov 12St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

Interfaith Thanksgiving 2026

Poway Interfaith Team Invites YOU to a Vegetarian Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner! Thursday, November 12, 2026 6:30-8:30pm St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church 16275 Pomerado Rd. Poway, CA 92064 Please bring a vegetarian dish to share, a heart filled with kin

6:30 PM

Dinner & brunch

Fri, Nov 13427 C St, San Diego

Break Bread SD: Vegan Friendsgiving

Delicious Vegan Soul Food served by The Remix! Live music. Drinks. All ages welcomed ! Bread Bread SD's 2nd Annual Vegan Friendsgiving. Partnered with The Remix (Vegan Comfort Food for the Soul). Live music

6:00 PM

Free – $25.31FriendsgivingFamily friendly

Fri, Nov 13The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bonita

Thanks Giving Dinner

Thanks Giving Dinner Thanks giving Dinner

6:00 PM

FreeDinner & brunch

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 Poway

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 Poway: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Poway in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Poway run from Nov 5 to Nov 29, 2026: 90 events.

What is on in Poway on Thanksgiving Day?

9 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Thanksgiving Day TURKEY TROT RUCK - Triton Ruck Club, San Diego at Marian R. Bear Memorial Park, La Jolla Turkey Trot at Life Time and Thanksgiving Buffet at Brickmans.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Poway?

13 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Interfaith Thanksgiving 2026 at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, Thanks Giving Dinner at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Friendsgiving Feast. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Poway?

Yes: Gobble Wobble Bar Crawl — San Diego Gaslamp | November 6-7th at Good Night John Boy (Nov 6–7), HV RS - 5K Turkey Trot at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Sat, Nov 14) and Spouse Meet Up: Turkey Trot Walk! at MCRD Boathouse & Marina (Mon, Nov 23).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Poway?

Family Night & Food Drive, Chefsgiving Dinner at Pendry San Diego at Provisional Kitchen and SMYLESGIVING at Oxford Social Club are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Poway?

Yes: 28 of the 90 listed are free, including The Golden Bear Friendsgiving Happy Hour at R Place Bar & Eatery, Fashion Show Rehearsals at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Friendsgiving Trivia Night at Pure Pawsh. Tickets for the rest run from $5 to $350.12.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Poway?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Grasshopper's 3rd Annual – TURKEY GIVEAWAY at Grasshopper Dispensary (Wed, Nov 25), Pacific Beach Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Pacific Beach (Wed, Nov 25) and DRINKSGIVING 2026 at Babylon Palace (Nov 20–21).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Poway?

Yes: 3 more events are listed within reach, in Encinitas, Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach.

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.