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Thanksgiving Events in Schenectady 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Schenectady 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 Schenectady.

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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 Schenectady

All Thanksgiving events in Schenectady 2026

On now

Mon, Nov 9697 US Route 9, Gansevoort

Felt Pie Garland Workshop

Come make this adorable Thanksgiving decoration with us! We'll provide all the materials and instructions you need to create your own custom pie garland.

4:00 PM

Tue, Nov 10Paul Nigra Center For Creative Arts, Gloversville

Turkey Ink and Watercolor | Cheryl Bielli, instructor

Paint a beautiful turkey in celebration of Thanksgiving! This popular image can be yours to take home in time for Thanksgiving decorating! A tracing can be used to leave time for careful ink work and

6:00 PM

$39.19

Wed, Nov 11Canopy of Saratoga, Gansevoort

Mom & Me Movement, Music, & Planting at Canopy with FIT4MOM

Join us at Canopy for a fun, mini movement class! Admission is free with any donation for Ronald McDonald House Albany's Fall Wish List. An optional Thanksgiving planting activity will be available for purchase. Advanced registration required:

10:00 AM

Volunteer

Thu, Nov 121297 Brookview Station Road, Castleton On Hudson

DIY Craft Ceramic Turkeys

Get creative this Thanksgiving season with a fun and festive DIY painting workshop at Goold Hill Vineyard & Cidery! Join us for a hands-on crafting experience where you'll personalize your own ceramic turkey figurine and create a charming decoration t

12:00 PM

Thu, Nov 12Hamilton Parc, Guilderland

Friendsgiving Open House at Hamilton Parc

Join us for seasonal bites, good company, and a look at life at Hamilton Parc. Bring a friend, everyone’s welcome! PLUS Get the first look at our December Nutcracker raffle, and more!

5:00 PM

FreeFriendsgiving

Thu, Nov 12Paul Nigra Center For Creative Arts, Gloversville

Native American in Sepia | Cheryl Bielli, instructor

Paint a distinguished Native American portrait in honor of Thanksgiving! This spinoff of a successful 2024 class involves tracing your choice of one of a half-dozen Native American faces with classic, well-

6:00 PM

$39.19

Thu, Nov 12Malta Community Center, Ballston Spa

Thanksgiving-Themed Sugar Cookie Decorating Class 🍪🦃

Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to level up your royal icing skills, this class is for you! You’ll learn the basics of royal icing and practice piping techniques. Then, with step-by-step guidance, you’ll decorate six Thanksgiving-themed sugar

6:00 PM

Sat, Nov 141222 Troy Schenectady Rd., Latham

Food Drive sponsored by NiskyNOW

Capital Church Food Pantry is once again partnering with NiskyNOW to host a food drive to provide much needed food to those who need it in our community. We will have volunteers waiting so that you can easily drive right in and out at 1222 Troy Schenecta

10:00 AM

Volunteer

Nov 14–15Albany2 days

SHAKE THAT TURKEY 🦃

🦃🔥 **HIGH DEFINITION EVENTS PRESENTS: SHAKE THAT TURKEY!** 🔥🦃 This Thanksgiving weekend, we’re turning up the heat! 🍂 Get ready for a night full of **good music, good vibes, and even better energy** at one of Albany’s hottest college parties!\ \ HOSTED B

9:00 PM

Sun, Nov 15Rotterdam Community Center

Rotterdam Food Drive

Bring food to the Rotterdam Community Center on Sunday, November 15, anytime from 10 AM to 2 PM, and help stock the pantry shelves for our neighbors. Troop 3054 and Cub Scout Pack 3054 are collecting food for the RCC's food pantries, which serve more tha

10:00 AM

Volunteer

Sun, Nov 15Halfmoon, New York, Waterford

Seed & Soul Grateful Hangout @ Other One Brewing!

Join our duo for a fun pre-Thanksgiving hang out! Lots to be thankful for -bring some food to share grab or one of their great hot pretzels. Enjoy some of their amazing brews. But the best of all! Great company and fantastic music! What a great way to spe

1:00 PM

Sun, Nov 15Al’s Roadhouse 2, Broadalbin

Friendsgiving

Join us for Friendsgiving at Al’s If you would like to Bring a dish to share it’s greatly appreciated but not necessary just join us in celebrating friendships!! We are beyond thankful for all of our friends we have gained here at Al’s ..! Cash bar and

1:00 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.

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Thanksgiving events near Schenectady

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 Schenectady: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Schenectady in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Schenectady run from Nov 9 to Nov 29, 2026: 100 events.

What is on in Schenectady on Thanksgiving Day?

11 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Troy Turkey Trot, Ellis Medicine Cardiac Classic at Central Park, Schenectady and 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Schenectady?

11 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), Open Table Dinner at Burnt Hills United Methodist Church and Community Turkey Dinner at Rotterdam United Methodist Church. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Schenectady?

Yes: 2nd Annual Duanesburg Turkey Trot (Sat, Nov 21), Troy Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26) and 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Schenectady?

Food Drive sponsored by NiskyNOW, Rotterdam Food Drive at Rotterdam Community Center and Networking @ Night Mixer & Thanksgiving Food Drive at The Parting Glass are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Schenectady?

Yes: 4 of the 100 listed are free, including Friendsgiving Open House at Hamilton Parc, Networking @ Night Mixer & Thanksgiving Food Drive at The Parting Glass and WAMC "Fill the Truck" Food Drive at Food Pantry Offices. Tickets for the rest run from $8.24 to $65.87.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Schenectady?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Troy Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26), 2026 Our Towne Bethlehem Turkey Trot-5k at American Legion (Thu, Nov 26) and Regional Food Bank Thanksgiving Distribution at Rensselaer High School (Rensselaer County) (Sat, Nov 21).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Schenectady?

Yes: 2 more events are listed within reach, in Cooperstown and Glens Falls.

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.