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Thanksgiving Events in Waco 2026

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Waco 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 Waco.

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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 Waco

All Thanksgiving events in Waco 2026

Sun, Nov 15635 N Robinson Dr Ste E

Sunday Market November 15th

🍂 Save the date! 🍂 Join us for our Thanksgiving Sunday Market on November 15, 12–5 PM! Shop local vendors, enjoy some treats, and visit the Hat Bar inside Michelle’s Bling. 🦃🛍️ 📍 Robinson Square 635 N Robinson Dr, Ste E Robinson, TX 76706 BRING YOUR F

12:00 PM

Market

Sponsored

Sun, Nov 15Community Center, Troy, TX, United States, Texas 76579, Moody

2026 Troy Community Thanksgiving Meal

Mark your calendars for this year's Troy Community Thanksgiving Meal November 15th, 12pm-2pm, at the Troy Community Center. Drive-thru only. Free Thanksgiving Meals provided by the Troy Thanksgiving Meal Ministry. Donations accepted.

12:00 PM

Volunteer

Sun, Nov 15582 FM 1713, Whitney

Thanksgiving Dinner - bring side listed below

Please bring food according to the first letter of your last name A-G = salads H-N = veggies O-U = desserts V-Z = bread Church will provide the turkey

5:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

Wed, Nov 18500 River Fair Blvd, Belton

Stoney Brook’s Thanksgiving Luncheon

We will be having our annual Thanksgiving luncheon on Wednesday November 18th. Please see attached flyer for additional information and seating times. As a reminder we are unable to accept cash payments for guest meals. You can write a check or have meals

11:30 AM

Sponsored

Wed, Nov 18The Commonwealth Texas, Temple

Don't Tell Gradma

A Thanksgiving Cocktail Class & Culinary Pairing Experience 🦃🍸 Don’t Tell Grandma! Some traditions are better broken. This Thanksgiving, we’re shak

7:00 PM

Free

Thu, Nov 19609 Johnson Drive, Mc Gregor

Family and Friends Thanksgiving Dinner

� Welcome, November! A Month of Gratitude � At St. Joseph’s Care Center, we’re grateful for a new month filled with opportunities to share kindness, make memories, and celebrate our wonderful residents, families, friends, and staff. � Please join us for

6:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

2 dates · from Nov 19The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hewitt

Mission: Friendsgiving - Hewitt Ward

Mission: Friendsgiving - Hewitt Ward Join fellow sisters for an evening of undercover assignments, unexpected connections, laughter, creativity, and gratitude.

6:30 PM

FreeFriendsgiving

Fri, Nov 20KWTX News 10

FOOD FOR FAMILIES - Food Drive

HELP FEED THE HUNGRY IN CENTRAL TEXAS! Food For Families is an annual project for the Longhorn Council, Scouting America; H-E-B; and KWTX News 10. Together with food pantries all across Central Texas, this one-day food drive collects non-perishable food

6:00 AM

Volunteer

Fri, Nov 20303 South Ave G, Clifton

Clifton Food Bank Food Drive

As most of you know, our annual food drive is coming up soon! November 20th is the big day, but you may drop off donations anytime during our open hours. M 6:30pm - 8pm; T and Th 9:30am - noon.

7:00 AM

Volunteer

Sponsored

Nov 20–29Camp Fimfo Waco10 days

Campsgiving

Gather together for a heartwarming celebration at Camp Fimfo! 🥘 Harvest Potluck – Share favorite dishes with family and friends 🏈 Football Game Watch Party – Cheer on your team together 🎁 Donation Drive – Give back and spread the holiday spirit 🦃 Turkey

11:00 AM

Volunteer

Fri, Nov 209000 Chapel Rd.

Thanksgiving Dinner

�� Saddlebrook neighbors, you're invited! Join us for a Thanksgiving Dinner on November 20th from 4–6 PM! Come enjoy some good food, great company, and a little holiday cheer. We can't wait to celebrate with you! �

4:00 PM

Dinner & brunch

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 Waco

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

Sponsored

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 Waco: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in Waco in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in Waco run from Nov 15 to Nov 29, 2026: 39 events.

What is on in Waco on Thanksgiving Day?

7 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Uff Da Turkey Trot 2026, 16th Annual Carlson Law Firm Turkey Trot at Pepper Creek Trail, 530 N. Kegley Rd., Temple, TX and MMF 2nd Annual Turkey Trot 🦃 at Whitehall Park.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Waco?

9 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Thanksgiving Dinner - bring side listed below, Family and Friends Thanksgiving Dinner and Thanksgiving Dinner. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in Waco?

Yes: The Hub’s Turkey Trot (Sat, Nov 21), Turkey Trot & Tumble: Parents' Night Out! (Sat, Nov 21) and Uff Da Turkey Trot 2026 (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in Waco?

FOOD FOR FAMILIES - Food Drive at KWTX News 10, Clifton Food Bank Food Drive and Coffee & Kickstands are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in Waco?

Yes: 4 of the 39 listed are free, including Don't Tell Gradma at The Commonwealth Texas, Mission: Friendsgiving - Hewitt Ward at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Thanksgiving Fest at Canales Furniture Waco at Canales Furniture / Mueblería Waco.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in Waco?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are 16th Annual Carlson Law Firm Turkey Trot at Pepper Creek Trail, 530 N. Kegley Rd., Temple, TX (Thu, Nov 26), Uff Da Turkey Trot 2026 (Thu, Nov 26) and Thanksgiving Fest at Canales Furniture Waco at Canales Furniture / Mueblería Waco (Mon, Nov 23).

Are there Thanksgiving events near Waco?

Yes: 7 more events are listed within reach, in Copperas Cove, Belton, Cleburne and Killeen and more.

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.