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Thanksgiving Events in Richmond 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Richmond 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 Richmond.

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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 Richmond

All Thanksgiving events in Richmond 2026

On now

Nov 13–15Ed Allen's Campgrounds & Cottages, Lanexa3 days

Campground Thanksgiving

Join us to celebrate another amazing camping season and the start of the holidays! Tickets will go on sale in the office on 11/1/26!

12:00 PM

Sponsored
On now

Nov 14–1511930 Iron Bridge Plaza, Chester2 days

❤️ YOUR HOLIDAY WARDROBE CALLED! 🎄

It wants a little refresh! Our Holiday Trend Feature is happening this weekend at Plato's Closet Chester. 🍁 Get inspired by trendy Thanksgiving and Christmas styles in all the seasonal colors you love. November 14–15! ✨

10:00 AM

On now

Sun, Nov 15Ironbridge Sports Park, Chesterfield

Turkey And Tailpipes Car Show

Join us Sunday, November 15th at Ironbridge Sports Park for the first annual Turkey and Tailpipes, a charity car show benefiting the Chesterfield Food Bank. Show hours: 11am to 3pm Bring the family, bring your appetite, and bring your ride. We are turning

11:00 AM

Volunteer

On now

Sun, Nov 15Shiloh Baptist Church, Carson

Thanksgiving Feast

Join us after church for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast! The church will provide fried chicken. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert to share.

12:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Sponsored
On now

Sun, Nov 15New Found Church of Christ, Glen Allen Va.

Thanksgiving Day Lunch

As we gather to celebrate God's many blessings, we warmly invite you, your family, and friends to join us for a special Thanksgiving Day Lunch. Come enjoy delicious food, uplifting fellowship, and a time of gratitude as we give thanks together for the go

12:00 PM

On now

Sun, Nov 15The Yoga Dojo

Feast for the Soul: Friendsgiving Partner Energy Work

Gather with us for a soul-nourishing workshop designed to deepen connection, clear stored stress, and reset your energy. Led by Wellness Coach Lindsey Kilgo and Energy Healer Heidi Winton-Stahle, this somat

2:00 PM

$39.19 – $44.52Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Wed, Nov 18Founders Bridge Clubhouse, Midlothian

Giving Thanks Cocktail Party

Each $100 reservation includes a $50 donation to Good Doctors Foundation. Once again The Good Doctors Foundation is pleased to sponsor our “Giving Thanks” Cocktail Party at Founders Bridge in Midlothian. Fo

5:30 PM

Free – $100Volunteer

Sponsored

Wed, Nov 181300 New York Ave, Glen Allen

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER

Our Community Thanksgiving Dinner is Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 pm. We'll be serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey and favorite Thanksgiv ing side dishes. Free meal. Everyone welcome. No reservations needed.

6:30 PM

Dinner & 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 Richmond

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 Richmond: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Richmond in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Richmond run from Nov 13 to Nov 28, 2026: 99 events.

What is on in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day?

25 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Richmond Turkey Trot 5K at Dogwood Dell Amphitheater, Harpers Mill Turkey Trot 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run and Walk and 5 Fields Brewing Co Low Key Turkey Trot at Indian Fields Tavern.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Richmond?

18 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Thanksgiving Feast at Shiloh Baptist Church, Feast for the Soul: Friendsgiving Partner Energy Work at The Yoga Dojo and COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Richmond?

Yes: Still Ridge Stampede (Sat, Nov 21), Richmond Turkey Trot 5K (Pre Race Check-In & Packet Handout) at DICK'S Sporting Goods (1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, VA) (Wed, Nov 25) and Richmond Turkey Trot 5K at Dogwood Dell Amphitheater (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Richmond?

Turkey And Tailpipes Car Show at Ironbridge Sports Park, Richmond Turkey Trot 5K (Pre Race Check-In & Packet Handout) at DICK'S Sporting Goods (1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, VA) and Thanksgiving Motel Outreach | Nov. 26th | 10:30 AM are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Richmond?

Yes: 14 of the 99 listed are free, including Giving Thanks Cocktail Party at Founders Bridge Clubhouse, Pints & Pies at Irons And Ales The Linkside Taphouse- Stonehouse and WNC Lagniappe November Luncheon | Pass the Pearl at Eggspectation - Richmond. Tickets for the rest run from $10.38 to $316.63.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Richmond?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Richmond Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Home Sweet Home (Nov 25–26), The Giveback: Senator Mike Jones' 8th Annual Turkey Giveaway at River City Middle School (Sat, Nov 21) and ARE N BEE RICHMOND: Thanksgiving Weekend | All R&B All Night at Ember Music Hall (Nov 27–28).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Richmond?

Yes: 3 more events are listed within reach, in Midlothian, Fredericksburg and Williamsburg.

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.