Thu, Nov 268:00 AM
Race Against Hunger 2026
Garden Street Plaza
Thanksgiving Events in Visalia 2026
Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Visalia 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 Visalia.
Listings updated
Curated by the AllEvents team, for you
Top Thanksgiving events in Visalia
All Thanksgiving events in Visalia 2026
On nowNov 13–15Riverway Sports Park3 days
VYB Thanksgiving Throwdown
🍂⚾️ GIVE THANKS & PLAY BALL! ⚾️🍂 Visalia Youth Baseball is excited to announce our THANKSGIVING THROWDOWN BASEBALL TOURNAMENT! 🦃🏆 Bring your team out for a weekend of great baseball, competition, and unforgettable memories! 🍁⚾️ 📅 November 13–15, 20
On now2 dates · from Nov 14The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Porterville
Porterville Giving Thanks Dinner
Porterville Giving Thanks Dinner Come join us for a special meal and a time to be grateful.
FreeDinner & brunch
Sun, Nov 1512536 Hanford Armona Rd
Thanksgiving Food Drive | November 1-15
Thanksgiving at the Kings Pantry! Our goal this Thanksgiving is to feed 275 families, who would otherwise not have a meal. We need your help! Whether you are able to donate your time or food items, we appreciate you! Food Donations Needed (Food items ca
Volunteer
Wed, Nov 1812695 Marks Ave., Caruthers
All Church Thanksgiving Dinner
Your invited to join us as we celebrate Thanksgiving together. You are invited to bring your favorite Thanksgiving dish.
Dinner & brunch
Sat, Nov 21Vintage Press
November Recipe Club: Lunch & Dinner Events
A THANKSGIVING FEAST! Thanksgiving is all about the traditions, flavors and special moments that bring everyone together around the table. Chef David is celebrating the season with two memorable Recipe Club menus inspired by the best of holiday dining. Wh
Dinner & brunch
Sun, Nov 221436 South Woodland Street
CWC's Thanksgiving Celebration
Join us in giving thanks to our Lord through message, song, and fellowship Nov. 22 @ 10 AM 1436 South Woodland Street, Visalia, CA, United States, California 93277 CWC Sanctuary
Sun, Nov 2247895 Dunlap Rd., Miramonte
Thanksgiving Worship Service and Dinner
Come join our family this Thanksgiving!
Dinner & brunch
Tue, Nov 24465 West Putnam Avenue, Porterville
Fall Blood Drive
We’re thankful for donors like you! Sierra View Medical Center, in partnership with the Central California Blood Center, is hosting a blood drive on November 24 from 11 AM to 3 PM in our South Parking Lot at the corner of N. Jaye St. and Oak Ave. Donors
Tue, Nov 24Downtown Visalia
La Aurora Cigars
Join us November 24th 4-7PM for a one night La Aurora Cigars event. Free swag, raffle prizes and cookies with qualifying La Aurora purchase. See you soon at Sequoia Cigar!
Wed, Nov 25House Of Pendragon Brewing Co., Sanger
Jaded - HopsGiving Celebration @ House of Pendragon - Sanger
Join us on November 25 from 6–9PM in Sanger for great beer, great people, and live music from Jaded for Hopsgiving! Kick off Thanksgiving week the right way. Bring the family and come out for an evening of music, beer, & fun! Jaded will be rockin
Live music
Thu, Nov 26Vintage Press
A Traditional Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is coming quickly, and reservations are already filling up! Make your holiday plans NOW and leave the cooking to us. Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast featuring Fresh All-Natural Roast Diestel Turkey, all the trimmings, festive seasonal
Dinner & brunch
Thu, Nov 2630733 E Kings Canyon Rd, Dunlap
Free Thanksgiving Dinner
Free Thanksgiving Dinner!! For Squaw Valley and the surrounding communities. 1pm-5pm. Come join us!!
Dinner & brunch
Thu, Nov 26Tony's Taverna, Three Rivers
Thanksgiving
🍁🦃 Celebrate Thanksgiving at Tony’s Taverna! 🦃🍁 Gather your family and friends and enjoy a delicious, homemade Thanksgiving feast with us in beautiful Three Rivers! 📅 Thursday, November 26, 2026 🕐 Serving 1 PM – 7 PM 🍽️ Thanksgiving Dinner * Adults:
Dinner & brunch
Sat, Nov 28El Nuevo 2, Porterville
10th annual Thanksgiving comedy bash
Porterville get ready to laugh your asses off come join the fun and don’t miss out
$17.85 – $28.52
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 Visalia
Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby
Thu, Nov 19Fresno Chaffee Zoo
ZooLights 2026
Fri, Nov 20Three Oaks Vineyard & Winery, Clovis
Friendsgiving at the Vineyard | Dinner + Wine
$128.82Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving
Nov 23–25Artfully Yours Parties & Workshops, Fresno3 days
Kids Art Camp: Thanksgiving break (choose 1, 2 , or 3 days)
$25Family friendly
Thu, Nov 26Old Town Clovis
Clovis Turkey Day Run [Holiday Series: run 2 of 3]
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 Visalia: frequently asked questions
When are Thanksgiving events in Visalia in 2026?
Thanksgiving events in Visalia run from Nov 13 to Nov 28, 2026: 17 events.
What is on in Visalia on Thanksgiving Day?
4 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Race Against Hunger 2026 at Garden Street Plaza, A Traditional Thanksgiving at Vintage Press and Free Thanksgiving Dinner.
Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Visalia?
8 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Porterville Giving Thanks Dinner at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, All Church Thanksgiving Dinner and November Recipe Club: Lunch & Dinner Events at Vintage Press. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.
Are there turkey trots in Visalia?
Yes: Race Against Hunger 2026 at Garden Street Plaza (Thu, Nov 26).
Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Visalia?
Thanksgiving Food Drive | November 1-15 is looking for helping hands.
Are there free Thanksgiving events in Visalia?
Yes: 2 of the 17 listed are free, including Porterville Giving Thanks Dinner at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Race Against Hunger 2026 at Garden Street Plaza. Tickets for the rest run from $17.85 to $28.52.
What are the best Thanksgiving events in Visalia?
The most popular on AllEvents right now are Race Against Hunger 2026 at Garden Street Plaza (Thu, Nov 26), District 5's 2nd Annual Turkey Giveaway at Sunnyside High School (Sat, Nov 21) and 2026 Gobbler Giveaway & Community Thanksgiving Worship at Church of God of Exeter (Tue, Nov 24).
Are there Thanksgiving events near Visalia?
Yes: 7 more events are listed within reach, in Fresno and Clovis.
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.