AllEvents

AllEvents in your city

Popular cities

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.

See all events

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

AllEvents

Invite your family to dinner

Fill it in, then send it.

Listings updated

Curated by the AllEvents team, for you

Top Thanksgiving events in Springfield

All Thanksgiving events in Springfield 2026

Sat, Nov 7802 Finley Farms Lane, Ozark

Yoga & Sound Healing at The Chapel

Take in scenic river views during a Gentle Yoga Flow led by E-RYT200 Leslie Smith, harmonized with an immersive Sound Bath guided by a Certified Sound Healer. This unique experience combines the healing tones of crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, drum

10:00 AM

Wed, Nov 11405 N Jefferson Ave

Member Social: Friendsgiving Potluck

We're inviting our efactory members to come feast, laugh, and celebrate the season of gratitude at our annual Friendsgiving. Not a member? Why not? We're connecting people, ideas and opportunities to accelerate business growth, develop talent and streng

12:00 PM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Thu, Nov 125176 N Fremont Rd, Nixa

Dried Flower Pumpkin Workshop

Get creative with us this fall! Join Cassidy Flower Co. for a cozy, hands-on workshop where you'll hollow out a pumpkin and transform it into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind centerpiece using dried flowers and seasonal textures on Thursday, November 12th (11/1

6:00 PM

Sat, Nov 141700 B South Hudson, Aurora

Turkey Trot

It’s that time of the year!!! We are so excited for our turkey trot!! Last year we had an amazing turn out for this event!! We are hoping for an even better one this year!! The proceeds from this event go towards the residents holidays. There will be 1st,

9:00 AM

Turkey trot

Tue, Nov 17First Watch - National Ave (2946 National Ave)

Plant Bingo! 🍂November🦃

🍂 NOVEMBER | Thankful for Plants Bingo Let’s give thanks for our leafy friends! Learn how to keep your houseplants happy as colder weather settles in, followed by a cozy night of Plant Bingo with fun prizes! 🌿🧡 🎟️ $20 includes plant education, bingo, unli

6:00 PM

Wed, Nov 18558 S Golden Ave

🦃 Community Thanksgiving Dinner & Small Gifts Store 🎁

🦃 Community Thanksgiving Dinner & Small Gifts Store 🎁 Hosted by Golden Avenue Baptist Church 📅 Wednesday, November 18, 2026 ⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM in our FAMILY LIFE CENTER 📍 558 South Golden Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802 This Thanksgiving season, Golden

6:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Thu, Nov 19Andy B's - Springfield

Friendsgiving Happy Hour

Friendsgiving Happy Hour is open to Signature, Access, and Academy* Class alumni! You are invited to enjoy some time to reminisce with your old classmates and mix 'n mingle with other graduates from years past as we kick off the holiday season. Bring a fr

4:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Thu, Nov 19Keller Williams Realty Local

Friendsgiving

🦃 Friendsgiving: 3 Groups, 1 Event! 🍂 Three local women's groups are coming together for one BIG Friendsgiving! WAVE Springfield, 417 Social, and Hey Girl, Are You Free? are teaming up for a Thanksgiving-style potluck dinner, and you're invited! Come h

5:30 PM

Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

Thu, Nov 191254 E Republic Rd

Friendsgiving with Mount to Coast

Join us and Mount to Coast at Friendsgiving! This free run/walk will have free post-run Thanksgiving pies, fun games including mobile mini golf by The Valley, MTC demo shoes, and giveaways! So bring a plus one and let's all become friends! Demo Shoes: MT

5:45 PM

Friendsgiving

Thu, Nov 19Firehouse Pottery

Cycle Connect FriendsGiving

Save the date! More details will be posted at a later date.

6:00 PM

Friendsgiving

Sat, Nov 212409 S Scenic Ave

PGA Turkey Scramble

Gobble up your spot on the green! 🦃⛳ Registration is officially OPEN for the PGA Turkey Scramble at Horton Smith Golf Course on Saturday, November 21st! Bring the whole family out for a fun 9-Hole Par 3 Event. Teams can be 2–4 players, composed of gra

9:00 AM

Family friendly

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 Springfield

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 Springfield: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Springfield in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Springfield run from Nov 7 to Nov 27, 2026: 31 events.

What is on in Springfield on Thanksgiving Day?

8 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including 14th Anniversary at RCCG Covenant House Springfield, DRUMSTICK DASH 2026 at Jamestown Boulevard and Women Who Explore: Missouri - 32nd Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk at Springfield Expo Center.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Springfield?

6 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Member Social: Friendsgiving Potluck, 🦃 Community Thanksgiving Dinner & Small Gifts Store 🎁 and Friendsgiving at Keller Williams Realty Local. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Springfield?

Yes: Turkey Trot (Sat, Nov 14), DRUMSTICK DASH 2026 at Jamestown Boulevard (Thu, Nov 26) and Women Who Explore: Missouri - 32nd Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk at Springfield Expo Center (Thu, Nov 26).

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Springfield?

Yes: 1 of the 31 listed is free, including Women Who Explore: Missouri - 32nd Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk at Springfield Expo Center. Tickets for the rest run from $13.52 to $42.36.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Springfield?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Autumn Piemaking Hands-On Baking Class (Sat, Nov 14), Moxie Flix: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) at Moxie Cinema (Sat, Nov 14) and Tree farm photo shoot! at Delaware Town Christmas Tree Farm (Sun, Nov 22).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Springfield?

Yes: 4 more events are listed within reach, in Branson, Ridgedale, Flemington and Point Lookout.

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.