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Thanksgiving Events in Salinas 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Salinas 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 Salinas.

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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 Salinas

All Thanksgiving events in Salinas 2026

On now

Sun, Nov 15Carmel Mission Basilica, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Interfaith Outreach of Carmel's 18th Annual Celebration of Gratitude

18TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GRATITUDE Celebrate gratitude, community and togetherness! Interfaith Outreach of Carmel warmly invites you to join us for our 18th Annual Celebration of Gratitude on Sunday, November 15, at the beautiful Carmel Mission Basili

3:00 PM

Sponsored

Wed, Nov 18Sushi Confidential Morgan Hill

Sip & Sushi: Give Thanks Edition | Besson Family Vineyards

Gather around the table for a special Give Thanks edition of Sip & Sushi featuring an 8 to 10 course omakase inspired experience. Sip and Sushi: Give Thanks Edition — An Omakase to Kaise

6:30 PM

$95

Wed, Nov 18Steel Bonnet Brewing Company, Scotts Valley

Friendsgiving - Craft and Connect!

Make a card, meet a friend, and spread some Thanksgiving cheer! 5-minute friend dates, crafts & community at Steel Bonnet! Join us on Wednesday, November 18th from 6:30–8:30 PM

6:30 PM

$23.18FriendsgivingVolunteer

Fri, Nov 20General Stilwell Community Center, Seaside

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

What are you thankful for? Join us at the General Stilwell Community Center on Friday, November 20, for a community scavenger hunt. The first person to find them all takes home the grand prize, and every single participant leaves with a Jamba Juice gift

4:00 PM

Fri, Nov 204461 Porter Gulch Rd, Aptos

Scarlett Fyre "Weir All Grateful" Thanksgiving Party

Come see Scarlett Fyre play at the Grateful Red Barn; be grateful, be thankful, groove to the music! Come celebrate a successful year with us. Be thankful, be grateful, get your groove on to the music at th

6:00 PM

Free

Sponsored

Sun, Nov 22Greenfield Memorial Hall

3rd Annual "A Day of Thanks" Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Good Afternoon. Starting next week, we will have applications posted for Volunteers for the "A DAY OF THANKS" 2026. Sunday November 22, 2026, at Greenfield Veterans Memorial Hall. This year, we anticipate a much larger attendance. Here are ways you can he

11:00 AM

Dinner & brunchVolunteer

Sun, Nov 22EXPRESSIONS FLORAL, Gilroy

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop

Join us in person to craft cozy, festive Thanksgiving centerpieces that'll wow your holiday table! Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop Join us for a fun, hands-on session where you'll craft your v

1:00 PM

$71.21

2 dates · from Nov 22Congregation Emeth Morgan Hill

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service The annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service. this year will be at Congregation Emeth. Hope to see you there!

3:00 PM

Free

Nov 23–251800 Green Hills Rd, Scotts Valley3 days

LightSpeed Thanksgiving Break Camp 2026

Looking for a fun and active place for your child during Thanksgiving break? Join us for three exciting days at LightSpeed Thanksgiving Break Camp! 🦃🍂🥋 Campers will enjoy: 🎮 Games 🚌 Field trips 🎬 Movies 🥋 Martial arts 🎨 Arts and crafts ✨ And more! 📅

12:00 PM

Sponsored

Wed, Nov 25Community Center, 25 Ford Road, CV 939924, Carmel Valley

2026 Thanksgiving Feast

Community Thanksgiving Feast hosted by and for our Carmel Valley neighbors. Come together, share laughter, gratitude, and a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. Free, donations welcome at the door. Sit down dining inside and al fresco. Make reservati

12:00 PM

Dinner & brunchVolunteer

Wed, Nov 25General Stillwell Dr, Marina, CA 93933, United States

Thanksgiving Eve: Packers at Rams + Friendsgiving Duet Night

Two rounds at the Tap this Thanksgiving Eve. 🏈🎤 Packers at Rams kicks off at 5 PM on the TVs. Grab a table with the crew who’s home for the holiday. Then stay for Friendsgiving Duet Night. Mics are on at 8 PM. Duets lead the night, and solos are welcome t

5:00 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 Salinas

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

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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 Salinas: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Salinas in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Salinas run from Nov 15 to Nov 28, 2026: 32 events.

What is on in Salinas on Thanksgiving Day?

9 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Garlic City Turkey Trot at Gilroy, California, Turkey Shoot - Thanksgiving Day Golf at Coyote Creek Golf Club and Gobble Wobble - 2026 Marina Dunes Promenade Turkey Trot.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Salinas?

7 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Cena de rama de Accion de Gracias/Thanksgiving Branch Dinner at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3rd Annual "A Day of Thanks" Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Greenfield Memorial Hall and 2026 Thanksgiving Feast at Community Center, 25 Ford Road, CV 939924. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Salinas?

Yes: Garlic City Turkey Trot at Gilroy, California (Thu, Nov 26) and Gobble Wobble - 2026 Marina Dunes Promenade Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Salinas?

3rd Annual "A Day of Thanks" Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Greenfield Memorial Hall and Grateful for the Groove! are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Salinas?

Yes: 4 of the 32 listed are free, including Scarlett Fyre "Weir All Grateful" Thanksgiving Party, Cena de rama de Accion de Gracias/Thanksgiving Branch Dinner at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Congregation Emeth Morgan Hill. Tickets for the rest run from $7.18 to $132.77.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Salinas?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Santa Cruz Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Santa Cruz (Wed, Nov 25), R&BEEZY Presents BLVCK OUT WEDNESDAY at Deja Blue Soul Food Restaurant & Club/Event Center (Nov 25–26) and Thanksgiving Feast at the River Inn (Thu, Nov 26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Salinas?

Yes: 7 more events are listed within reach, in Mountain View, San Jose, Sunnyvale and Palo Alto.

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.