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Thanksgiving Events in Suffolk 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Suffolk 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 Suffolk.

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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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Top Thanksgiving events in Suffolk

All Thanksgiving events in Suffolk 2026

On now

Nov 28–29Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach367 days

Planes, Trains and Santa 2026

Kick off your Holiday Season at our annual Planes, Trains, and Santa on Thanksgiving weekend at the Military Aviation Museum! Join us for a festive Thanksgiving weekend at the Military Aviation Museum for o

9:00 AM

Free – $110VolunteerFamily friendly

On now

Nov 6–1370 Knells Ridge Blvd., Chesapeake8 days

Friday Farmers Market - November 6 Edition

😭Sad, but we need the rain. The November 6 Friday Farmers Market is CANCELED. ‼️Only TWO markets left in the season! Last market is November 20. 🦃🎄🤒 Now is the time to think about giving yourself the gift of healthy food before the holidays kick in. We

10:00 AM

Market

Wed, Nov 11BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (12090 Jefferson Ave Ste 1400, Newport News, VA)

STT November Meetup

It's the month of Thanksgiving, so let's come together, spend some time making new friends and sharing your business ideas for the last quarter of the year. Get your free ticket here:

6:00 PM

Sat, Nov 14500 E Bute St, Norfolk

PRE-THANKSGIVING FEAST!!

Join H.O.P.E. Foundation, Inc. for our FREE Pre-Thanksgiving Feast—a day of love, giving, and service for our community, especially neighbors experiencing homelessness. Come enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and fellowship. Free haircuts, bus tickets, winter coa

1:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Sat, Nov 14DROP Fitness, Virginia Beach

Sip, Sway, & Slay: A Friendsgiving

Slip into your cutest muumuu for mimosas, music, dancing, and new friendships. Come sip, sway, and enjoy a girls' day out! Sip, Sway, & Slay!: A Friendsgiving Cute muumuus. Cold mimosas. Good musi

5:00 PM

$71.21Friendsgiving

Sat, Nov 14Showtime Elite NC East, Elizabeth City

Thanksgiving Potluck 2026

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our families! We always look forward to celebrating the holidays with our village. If you’re new to our holiday meetings, here’s how it works: it’s a potluck! Each family brings a side dish or dessert, and we’ll provide a roa

6:00 PM

Sun, Nov 15South Harbor Clubhouse, Carrollton

FREE FAMILY PICTURE DAY

Free Family Picture Day! Join us for holiday photos, hot chocolate, cookies & giveaways. The holidays will be here before we know it, and we’d love to help you capture a family photo just in time for h

12:30 PM

FreeVolunteer

Sun, Nov 15The Garage Brewery, Chesapeake

Dollywood Thanksgiving Fundraiser

💕 A DOLLYWOOD THANKSGIVING 💕 Where big hair, bigger hearts, and a little bit of sparkle come together for a good cause. This Thanksgiving, we’re celebrating the spirit of Dolly Parton’s kindness, generosity, dreaming big, and always leaving a little mor

1:00 PM

Sun, Nov 15150 Kempsville Rd, Norfolk

Thanksgiving Dinner & Communion Service

Thanksgiving Dinner, Sunday, November 15th, 5:00 pm Please join your church family as we thank the Lord and share a meal. There will be a communion service after the dinner. Please bring your dish to share by 4:45pm so we may begin our meal promptly at

5:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Mon, Nov 161554 Laskin Road Suite 104, Virginia Beach

Kids Craft Event

A Little Spoonful of Thankfulness! This Thanksgiving, we’re giving the kids a special way to share what they’re thankful for! Come make your very own “Spoon of Thanks” — a fun, personalized Thanksgiving craft that your child can decorate and take home

10:00 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.

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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 Suffolk: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Suffolk in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Suffolk run from Nov 28 to Nov 28, 2026: 100 events.

What is on in Suffolk on Thanksgiving Day?

20 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including 🦃🥾 Turkey Trot Hike at First Landing State Park (5.5 Miles) 🍂🌲, Thanksgiving Gratitude Flow and A Yogi Thanksgiving VB.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Suffolk?

24 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including PRE-THANKSGIVING FEAST!!, Thanksgiving Dinner & Communion Service and Fort Eustis Serving Heroes - Thanksgiving Free Community Dinner at Fort Eustis Community Recreation Center. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Suffolk?

Yes: Glowing Gobbler 5K at Newport News Park (Wed, Nov 25), 🦃🥾 Turkey Trot Hike at First Landing State Park (5.5 Miles) 🍂🌲 (Thu, Nov 26) and 15th Annual Turkey Trot at Elizabeth City WaterFront Park. (Sat, Nov 28).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Suffolk?

Local 110 “Thanksgiving Throwdown” Food Drive, Annual Veterans Thanksgiving Dinner at American Legion post 280 Virginia and Thanksgiving Luncheon are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Suffolk?

Yes: 11 of the 100 listed are free, including Planes, Trains and Santa 2026 at Military Aviation Museum, FREE FAMILY PICTURE DAY at South Harbor Clubhouse and Thanksgiving Refresh at Cosmetic Surgery Center. Tickets for the rest run from $5.56 to $847.55.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Suffolk?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are 45th Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market (Nov 27–29), Norfolk Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026 at Downtown Norfolk (Nov 25–26) and Let’s Get Basted!! Thanksgiving Eve Party! at Scandals Live (Wed, Nov 25).

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.