Sat, Nov 214:00 PM
Thanksgiving Family Meal & Community Celebration
MacArthur High School
Thanksgiving Events in Springfield 2026
Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Springfield 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 Springfield.
Listings updated
Curated by the AllEvents team, for you
Top Thanksgiving events in Springfield
All Thanksgiving events in Springfield 2026
On nowWed, Nov 11Lincoln Land Community College
Friendsgiving Potluck
🍂🦃 YOU’RE INVITED TO A 🍁 🍂 THANKSGIVING POTLUCK NEURODIVERGENT YOUNG ADULT HANGOUT! 🦃 🍁✨ COME AS YOU ARE & CELEBRATE COMMUNITY! ✨🍁 As the weather gets cooler and Thanksgiving approaches, come warm up with good company, fun activities, cozy fall vi
Friendsgiving
Fri, Nov 13428 E College Ave, Jacksonville
Night Of Worship
Mark your calendars for November 13th at 7PM. Our annual Night of Worship is a time to gather before Thanksgiving to give God the praise, honor, and thanks He is due. As we enter the Thanksgiving season, we set aside this evening to worship Him, remember
Sat, Nov 142242 S. 6th Street
Second Saturday at The Railyard | Friendsgiving Brunch
While we're waiting on Thanksgiving dinner, let's make brunch plans! We're giving our November Second Saturday a little Friendsgiving twist! Each of our food vendors will be putting their own spin on Thanksgiving, bringing a little holiday inspiration to
Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving
Sat, Nov 14908 S Martin Luther King Jr Dr
William “Bil” & Cecelia Upshaw Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
🦃🍂 PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH INVITES YOU! ❤️ Join us for our Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner! We look forward to sharing the love, fellowship, and spirit of giving with our community. 🙌🏾 🚗 Drive-Through Dinner Bring a friend and help spread th
Dinner & brunch
Sat, Nov 1424199 Duncheon Street Oakford il
🌻🦃 Wildflowers Friendsgiving“A Heart & Home Open to God” Bible Study: Lydia Acts 16:11–15,40 🦃 🌻
🌻🦃 Wildflowers Friendsgiving 🦃🌻 “A Heart & Home Open to God” Come gather with your Wildflowers for an afternoon of faith, food, friendship & fellowship! 🍂🤎 📅 Saturday, November 14 🕛 Gather around noon 🍽️ Turkey, mashed potatoes & stuffing
Friendsgiving
Sun, Nov 151815 W Lafayette Ave, Jacksonville
Thanksgiving Service, Dinner and Dessert Auction
Join us for a day filled will faith, family, food, and fun as we celebrate Thanksgiving as a community! We will have our regular worship service at 10am followed by a Thanksgiving feast. Plan to bring your family's favorite thanksgiving dishes as well as
Dinner & brunch
Sun, Nov 15Reimagine Mason City Foundation
Candy Class
Our 2nd annual candy class is being held during Thanksgiving season this round. All ages welcome, 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. $30 per person, includes luncheon. Your choice of Italian Chicken or Pulled Pork. You also get to take your han
Family friendly
Sun, Nov 15870 West College, Jacksonville
Messy Church - Thanks a Lot!
Join us for fall-themed fun, family worship, and a free dinner!
Dinner & brunch
Nov 15–256445 Old Route 54, New Berlin11 days
Mississippi Leghound
Thanksgiving Eve Music by Mississippi Leghound! Come Join the Fun and Hear Some Great Tunes!
Fri, Nov 202650 North Monroe Street, Decatur
The Carriages of Decatur Annual Senior Turkey Hunt!
🦃🍁 GOBBLE, GOBBLE! THE HUNT IS ON! 🍁🦃 Who says turkey hunting is just for the outdoors?! 😂 The Carriages of Decatur is excited to invite our friends, families, and community members to join us for our ANNUAL SENIOR TURKEY HUNT! 🦃🏆 Get ready for an afte
Live music
Sat, Nov 212800 Montvale Drive
Food Drive for Micropantries! by Junior League & AAUW
Join AAUW and Junior League for a "Drive & Drop" Food Drive to fill our local Micropantries on Saturday, November 21, from 10:00a.m.-12 Noon at Prevention First (2800 Montvale Dr., Springfield, IL). *** Food & Hygiene Product Donations Will Be Un
Volunteer
Sat, Nov 21Café Amulet, Petersburg
A Thankful Morning with Mr. Razz | Jay the Bluejay Storytime & Book Signing
🍂 Join us for A Thankful Morning with Mr. Razz! 🍂 Come spend a cozy Saturday morning at Café Amulet in Petersburg celebrating the newest Jay the Bluejay adventure, Jay the Bluejay and the Thankful Tree! 💙📚 📅 Saturday, November 21 ⏰ 10:00 AM 📍 Café Amulet
Family friendly
Sat, Nov 2111812 Water Plant Rd. Modesto
Sloanville Friendsgiving
Menu… Brisket Homemade Mac n cheese Deviled eggs Cowboy beans Bring a side, snack or dessert to share. BYOB
Friendsgiving
Sat, Nov 21Dance Creations Dance Studio
Givings Gathering: Grace & Gratitude
Give thanks for how far you’ve come. Join us for guided meditation, reflection, sound, and a comforting plate before Thanksgiving. Before Thanksgiving asks us what we’re grateful for, let’s take a moment to
$7.18 – $39.19
Sat, Nov 211255 W Morton Avenue, Jacksonville
Kids Club Fall Craft Party: 11/21
🦃 Get creative with us at Hy-Vee Kids Club! Join us Saturday, November 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a fun-filled morning of Thanksgiving crafting. Kids can show off their creativity by making their very own hand-print turkeys. It's a fun way to celebra
Family friendly
Sun, Nov 22305 North Kickapoo Street, Lincoln
Planksgiving 2026
🦃💪 **PLANKSGIVING 2026 IS COMING!** 💪🦃 Get ready to plank, compete, and give back! Join us at **the pilates club of lincoln** for a fun-filled fundraiser benefiting our local food pantries! 📅 **Sunday, November 22, 2026** 🏆 **COMPETE** - Individual pla
Volunteer
Sun, Nov 22555 W Imboden Dr, Decatur
Maranatha's Friendsgiving
Join us for a Great Big Family & Friends Day! Starting with Sunday School for all ages at 9am, followed by our main service at 10am, then on to a free Thanksgiving Meal with turkey, ham, pumpkin pie and all the fixins! We will also have a pie & ca
FriendsgivingFamily friendly
Sun, Nov 22131 N Water St, Decatur
Friendsgiving
Join Theatre 7 for an afternoon of friends, food and fun! We will be gathering on the third floor of headquarters. Bring a dish or snack to share if you are able! Everyone is welcome to attend! We hope to see you there!
Friendsgiving
Sun, Nov 22Eastland Retirement Community, Auburn
Eastland Retirement Door Decorating & Pizza Party
Join the Auburn PTO in spreading holiday cheer! We invite families to help decorate resident doors at Eastland Retirement Center on Sunday, November 22, from 3:00-5:00 PM. Stay afterward and enjoy a pizza party with fellow volunteers! Materials will be
Volunteer
Sun, Nov 221321 Route 10, Lincoln
Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner
It's almost time for our FREE Community Thanksgiving Dinner!! We will be in the cafe at Henderson Hall, serving Thanksgiving meals from 4-6PM on Sunday, November 22nd. This is completely FREE, for everyone in our community. We are wanting to show Lincoln
Dinner & brunch
Sun, Nov 22Obed & Isaac's Beer Garden Ale House
FRIENDSGIVING TRIVIA NIGHT AT OBED & ISAAC'S THE CIDERY!
🦃🛋️ Friendsgiving: A Friends Trivia Night ☕🦃 Could this BE any more fun? Join us for a special Friendsgiving edition of trivia where every single question is about your favorite six New Yorkers! From Ross's pivot, to Monica's turkey hat, to Joey not sha
Friendsgiving
Sun, Nov 22117 W 2nd South St, Carlinville
Thanksgiving Dinner
Join us for our Thanksgiving Dinner! The turkey and trimmings will be provided. Please bring a salad or a dessert! Please sign up with how many will be in your group to Laura at secretary@ebccarlinville.org!
Dinner & brunch
Mon, Nov 233236 Ginger Creek Dr
Friendsgiving Trivia at The Spot
Could we BE any more excited?! ☕🦃 Gather your favorite people for FRIENDSGIVING TRIVIA at The Spot! Test your FRIENDS knowledge, grab some food and drinks, win prizes, and prove you’re the ultimate Central Perk crew! The One Where Everyone Comes to Tri
Friendsgiving
Tue, Nov 24Saputo's
Thanksgiving Flower Workshop with Trendsetters Floral
🍂 Create Something Beautiful While Giving Back! 🍁 Join us Tuesday, November 24th at 6 PM at Saputo’s for a fun evening of flowers, friends, and giving back! 🌻 With guided instruction from Trendsetters Floral, you’ll create your very own beautiful Thanks
Volunteer
Wed, Nov 251500 N Mclean Street Suite 5, Lincoln
Grateful & Grounded at Imago Dei Pilates Studio
Thanksgiving is a beautiful reminder of all the many blessings in our life. It’s a time to pause and be grateful for things both big & small. Join us for a restorative pilates session and walk away grounded & grateful! All Sessions: 5a 6a 8:30a 3
Thu, Nov 261007 ZEPHER DRIVE, Athens
Thanksgiving Day AB Class Extravaganza!!!
It's almost time for... Our ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY AB CLASS EXTRAVAGANZA!!! (aka MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY) -Thanksgiving Morning Thursday, November 26, 2026 -6:00am - 6:30am (YES. AM!!!) We're kicking off the holiday with: -Tons of FUN -Prize Drawings
Thu, Nov 261521 W Walnut St, Jacksonville
Fitness World Turkey Trot
Join us for our annual 5K! Bring your friends and family out to walk, jog or run our classic route! There is no charge to participate. We will be accepting food or donations, all of which will go to the Jacksonville Food Bank.
Turkey trotVolunteer
Thu, Nov 26TRAC-UIS
UIS-BOS Turkey Trot 5K
Deadline to be guaranteed a T-shirt is November 14th. “All registration fees and donations go directly to the UIS Cross Country and Track Program” Packet Pick-up is on Nov. 25th from 3 to 6 p
Turkey trotVolunteer
Thu, Nov 262650 North Monroe Street, Decatur
The Carriages of Decatur Thanksgiving Dinner
🦃🍁 THANKSGIVING DINNER AT THE CARRIAGES OF DECATUR! 🍁🦃 Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and making special memories together! ❤️ We are looking forward to celebrating this wonderful holiday with our residents and their loved ones, and we wo
Dinner & brunch
Nov 27–29Boy Scout Camp Illinek3 days
LARP Chronicles Season 6 - Thanksgiving
Explore the world of Evren, fight off your enemies, and live as the hero of your own story. Event Registration: Sign up for the potluck dinner with your registration! --------- Check out our site!
Dinner & brunch
Nov 28–29121 W Jackson St, Petersburg2 days
Small Business Saturday
This is one of our favorite days. We love to see all our old and new local friends and customers shop small businesses locally. Stop by to enjoy some holiday cheer and pick up a gift or two to mark off your holiday list. Keep the date and check back to
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.
- Host
Instant-read thermometerThe one tool between a dry bird and a juicy oneShop on Amazon - Host
Roasting pan with rackLifts the turkey so it browns all overShop on Amazon - Host
Food warming matEvery side still warm when the last guest sitsShop on Amazon - Guest
Casserole carrierFor the dish you promised to bring, 9×13Shop on Amazon - Table
Thanksgiving tableclothAutumn leaves for the long tableShop on Amazon - Table
Cheesecloth table runnerSoft and gathered, this year’s table lookShop on Amazon - Table
Gratitude conversation cardsSomething to talk about besides the gameShop on Amazon - Kids
Coloring tableclothKeeps the kids’ table busy till pieShop on Amazon - Friendsgiving
Plates and napkins setFor Friendsgiving, and no washing upShop on Amazon - Run
Turkey hatRun the Turkey Trot dressed for dinnerShop on Amazon
Thanksgiving events near Springfield
Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby
Thu, Nov 191403 N Veterans Pkwy, Bloomington
Hy-Vee Autumn Blooms Design Class: 11/19
Sat, Nov 28The Orr Building, Sherman
Illinois Local Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday 2026
Family friendlyMarket
Sat, Nov 28400 S. Madison St., Bloomington
Edward David Anderson | Friendsgiving Throwdown
FriendsgivingLive music
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.
- 1621After their first harvest, the Plymouth colonists hold three days of feasting. Massasoit arrives with about 90 Wampanoag men, who bring five deer.
- 1789George Washington proclaims the first national day of thanksgiving, for Thursday, 26 November.
- 1846–63Sarah Josepha Hale, the magazine editor who wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, writes to five presidents asking for one national day.
- 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.
- 1896Buffalo runs its first YMCA Turkey Trot, now the oldest footrace held every year in North America — a year older than the Boston Marathon.
- 1924Macy’s holds its first parade in New York, with animals from the Central Park Zoo. The giant balloons arrive in 1927.
- 1934The Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving for the first time, and football becomes part of the afternoon.
- 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.
- 1957Canada settles on the second Monday of October for its own Thanksgiving, which goes back to 1578.
- 1989George H. W. Bush gives the first formal presidential turkey pardon, now a White House tradition.
Thanksgiving in Springfield: frequently asked questions
When are Thanksgiving events in Springfield in 2026?
Thanksgiving events in Springfield run from Nov 11 to Nov 28, 2026: 34 events.
What is on in Springfield on Thanksgiving Day?
4 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Thanksgiving Day AB Class Extravaganza!!!, Fitness World Turkey Trot and UIS-BOS Turkey Trot 5K at TRAC-UIS.
Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Springfield?
8 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Second Saturday at The Railyard | Friendsgiving Brunch, William “Bil” & Cecelia Upshaw Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Thanksgiving Service, Dinner and Dessert Auction. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.
Are there turkey trots in Springfield?
Yes: Fitness World Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26) and UIS-BOS Turkey Trot 5K at TRAC-UIS (Thu, Nov 26).
Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Springfield?
Food Drive for Micropantries! by Junior League & AAUW, Eastland Retirement Door Decorating & Pizza Party at Eastland Retirement Community and Thanksgiving Flower Workshop with Trendsetters Floral at Saputo's are looking for helping hands.
Are there free Thanksgiving events in Springfield?
Yes: 1 of the 34 listed is free, including Thanksgiving Family Meal & Community Celebration at MacArthur High School. Tickets for the rest run from $7.18 to $39.19.
What are the best Thanksgiving events in Springfield?
The most popular on AllEvents right now are Thanksgiving Family Meal & Community Celebration at MacArthur High School (Sat, Nov 21), Annual Turkey Giveaway (Sat, Nov 21) and Not Petty @ The Backyard | Taylorville, IL | Tom Petty Music & More! (Wed, Nov 25).
Are there Thanksgiving events near Springfield?
Yes: 5 more events are listed within reach, in Bloomington, Canton and Sherman.
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.