Sat, Nov 219:00 AM
Gobble Waddle 5K & 10K Walk/Run
218 S 2nd St
Thanksgiving Events in Wilson 2026
Celebrate Thanksgiving 2026 in Wilson 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 Wilson.
Listings updated
Curated by the AllEvents team, for you
Top Thanksgiving events in Wilson
All Thanksgiving events in Wilson 2026
Wed, Nov 413821 NC Highway 43 N, Rocky Mount
Surviving the Holidays: Grief Share (2 week course)
Surviving the Holidays: A GriefShare Seminar Wednesdays, November 4 and 18 | 7:00 PM | West Edgecombe Baptist Church The holidays are supposed to be full of joy, but when you’ve lost someone you love, they can bring some of the hardest days of the year.
Sat, Nov 74221 Lee Street, Ayden
A Family Thanksgiving to Die For
Think your family holiday is chaotic? Wait unti you see ours. This holiday season, we're serving up a side of sabotage with your stuffing. Welcome to "A Family Thanksgiving to Die For"- a hilarious and downright deadly dinner theater experience. Grab a s
Dinner & brunch
Sat, Nov 7The Woman's Club Of Clayton
Friendsgiving: Pajama Edition
Listen... If you've been waiting for an excuse to wear your pajamas in public and eat somebody else's cooking, this is your moment. Leave the heels at home. Leave the bra if you can. Leave the stress
$28.52Friendsgiving
Sun, Nov 8Tapped650, Winterville
BYOBook Club: November Friendsgiving Meet-Up
It’s time to gather around for our November BYOBook Club Friendsgiving Meet-Up! 🍂🍻🍗📚 We’re taking our cozy reading community to Tapped 650 for an afternoon of great brews, delicious snacks, and zero-pressure book chats! Whether you're currently devouring
Friendsgiving
Sat, Nov 143114 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro
Holiday Treat Contest
Calling all home bakers! Our Holiday Treat Contest is coming to the Farm Credit Farmers Market on November 14!🎄🍪 Show off your holiday baking skills and enter your favorite homemade treats in one of three categories: cookies, bars & blondies, or can
Market
Sat, Nov 14The Free Gospel Church, Snow Hill
Ham and Turkey Giveaway
🦃🍂 Thanksgiving Ham & Turkey Giveaway! 🍂🦃 Join us for our annual Thanksgiving Ham & Turkey Giveaway as we come together to give back to our community this holiday season! We are excited to partner with several local organizations and businesses
Sat, Nov 14Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center
Swimsgiving
Bring four cans of food or 4 non-perishable food items per person. It is only for swimming. All food goes to families in our community. Fill out a feather for what you are thankful for. Enjoy the pool and support a great cause.
Sat, Nov 14The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Goldsboro
Friendsgiving
Potluck and Game night
Friendsgiving
Sun, Nov 152850 Stevens Chapel Rd, Smithfield
FROZEN Turkey Drop
We will collect frozen turkeys on this day for the Smithfield Rescue Mission's Thanksgiving outreach. Drop your FROZEN turkeys off in The Hub on your way to worship.
Fri, Nov 201700 Hodge Road (P.O. Box 1521), Knightdale
DAV Wake County Chapter #1 Thanksgiving Turkey Food Giveaway
DAV Wake County Chapter #1 Outreach is hosting a Thanksgiving Turkey Food Giveaway at the chapter (1700 Hodge Rd. Knightdale, NC. 27545 on Friday, November 20, 2026 11 am - 1 pm. Deadline to turn in veteran names and phone numbers to Past Commander LaMon
Fri, Nov 20725 S Barnes Street, Nashville
Thanksgiving Market
Join us on Friday, November 20 for our Thanksgiving Pop-Up Market! Fresh Produce, baked goods, local meats, eggs, crafts and gifts. *Free sweet potato samples while supplies last and of course a FREE Market Raffle!
Market
Fri, Nov 20Ascension Lutheran Church
Girl Scout Snacks-giving
Join us for a Girl Scout Snacks-Giving! Each Girl Scout will get to share in friendship, thankfulness, and fun!! We will play bingo and do a Thanksgiving craft activity. On Friday November 20th we will have fun together at Ascension Lutheran Church (251
Sat, Nov 21102 W. Railroad Street, La Grange
Food Fest
Come shop for some YUMMY food to enjoy during Thanksgiving. Shop local and reduce your cooking time, so you can enjoy your family over the holiday!
Sun, Nov 222850 Stevens Chapel Rd, Smithfield
Praise & Pie
Join us for this special service of praise and testimonies! You will be invited to come and share your testimonies of praise and thanksgiving. Bring your favorite pie, or treat, to share in the fellowship after the service!
Tue, Nov 241804 Carl Williamson Rd, Knightdale
Sound Bath at Walnut Hill: A Full Moon Gratitude Gathering
A Full Moon Gratitude Gathering Pause • Reflect • Receive Tuesday, November 24th | 6:45–8:00 PM Walnut Hill | 1804 Carl Williamson Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610 Before the holiday rush begins, give yourself one evening to slow down. Just two days before Thanks
Wed, Nov 25935 Shotwell Road, Clayton
Friendsgiving - Calvary Youth
We’re excited to invite all 6th–12th graders to join us for FRIENDSGIVING on Wednesday night, November 25, at 5:30 p.m. We’ll kick off the evening with a shared meal and some fun games together before our regular service time. This is always a great oppo
Friendsgiving
Wed, Nov 251151 Falls Rd, Rocky Mount
6th Annual Friendsgiving with Meredith & Chandler | Beer Garden
We're bringing back one of our favorite traditions on campus! Join us for the 6th Annual Friendsgiving with Chandler James and Meredith Davis Johnson! This fun night of music and friendship started six years ago with our friends at Koi Pond Brewing. Whil
Friendsgiving
Thu, Nov 26BoxHause Rocky Mount Boxing & Fitness
HauseNation Turkey Trot 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk
Get ready to burn some calories Thanksgiving morning and have fun with a 5k or 10k run/walk that’s all about good vibes and good times! HauseNation Turkey Trot 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk Join us for so
FreeTurkey trot
Thu, Nov 26Fleet Feet Greenville, NC
Beau's Buddies Turkey Trot for Tots
Beau’s Buddies Cancer Fund is back again with our annual Turkey Trot for Tots. All money raised stays in eastern NC to assist families that are battling cancer. Our race will be held on Thanksgiving Day (11/26/26), starting at 8:00 am. Hosted by Fleet F
Turkey trot
Thu, Nov 26Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
Join us for our 21st Annual Goldsboro YMCA Turkey Trot. Come start your Thanksgiving Day off right by supporting this benefit run/walk. Proceeds from this event will provide support to our community outreach programs here at the Goldsboro Family YMCA. F
Turkey trot
Thu, Nov 26Goldsboro Family YMCA
Goldsboro YMCA Turkey Trot 5K
Join us for our 21st Annual Goldsboro YMCA Turkey Trot. Come start your Thanksgiving Day off right by supporting this benefit run/walk. Proceeds from this event will provide support to our community outreach programs here at the Goldsboro Family YMCA.
Turkey trot
Nov 26–291243 Bryan Blvd, Goldsboro4 days
Thanksgiving Weekend
🍂🦃 Thanksgiving Weekend Lineup! 🦃🍂 Friday 11/27 ✨ Thanksgiving Supper at 7:00 PM 📍 White Building (in the field) Saturday 11/28 🌶️ 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Chili Cook-Off at 3:00 PM 💵 $500 Prize — bring your best recipe! 🌟 Glow-in-the-Dark Turkey Hunt a
Thu, Nov 26Uptown District, Greenville
2026 Greenville NC Free Turkey Trot 5k
Family and pet friendly. 5k without awards or bibs All fun. Bring canned good and toiletry donations if you wish
Turkey trotVolunteer
Thu, Nov 26214 W Barnes St, Clayton
Hicks Annual Thanksgiving
We are hosting thanksgiving again! As always... Come for a drink or stay all day! Dinner will be ready about 4pm! More details to be posted! Sorry I am having to repost this. I do this every year and make the event private and not public!
Dinner & brunch
Thu, Nov 263325 Rogers Rd, Wake Forest
Thanksgiving Lunch Buffet at Real McCoy's
**Thanksgiving Day Buffet** Thursday, November 26 · 11am–4pm All-you-can-eat Thanksgiving at Real McCoy’s. One menu. One plate. Come back as many times as you want. This is the only food we serve that day. The regular menu is not available. No burgers
Dinner & brunch
Thu, Nov 264879E hwy 42 east Clayton
Second Annual Thanksgiving night Shopping
🍂🛍️ SAVE THE DATE! 🛍️🍂 Our Second Annual Thanksgiving Night Shopping Event is almost here! 🗓️ Thursday, November 26 🕒 Open 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM Get ready for an evening filled with incredible shopping, festive fun, and amazing deals! ✨ What deals will we
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 Wilson
Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby
Sat, Nov 7Moore Square, Raleigh
LOVE RALEIGH FESTIVAL & MARKET. & RALEIGH'S INTERNATIONAL WINE & BEER FEST!
FreeLive musicMarket
Wed, Nov 11Chubby's Tacos, Durham
THE UNOFFICIAL OFFICE THANKSGIVING TRIVIA | Chubby’s Tacos Durham
Free
Wed, Nov 25Glenwood South, Raleigh
DRUNKSGIVING RALEIGH: The Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl
Sat, Nov 281610 Automotive Way, Raleigh
Santa Express Aboard The Great Raleigh Trolley
Family friendly
Sat, Nov 28The Venue Raleigh
Mimosas N Melodies: RnB vs Trap Karaoke Brunch
$7.70 – $70.65Dinner & brunch
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 Wilson: frequently asked questions
When are Thanksgiving events in Wilson in 2026?
Thanksgiving events in Wilson run from Nov 4 to Nov 26, 2026: 30 events.
What is on in Wilson on Thanksgiving Day?
9 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including HauseNation Turkey Trot 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk at BoxHause Rocky Mount Boxing & Fitness, Beau's Buddies Turkey Trot for Tots at Fleet Feet Greenville, NC and Goldsboro Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk at Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Wilson?
3 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including A Family Thanksgiving to Die For, Hicks Annual Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Lunch Buffet at Real McCoy's. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.
Are there turkey trots in Wilson?
Yes: Gobble Waddle 5K & 10K Walk/Run (Sat, Nov 21), HauseNation Turkey Trot 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk at BoxHause Rocky Mount Boxing & Fitness (Thu, Nov 26) and Beau's Buddies Turkey Trot for Tots at Fleet Feet Greenville, NC (Thu, Nov 26).
Are there free Thanksgiving events in Wilson?
Yes: 1 of the 30 listed is free, including HauseNation Turkey Trot 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk at BoxHause Rocky Mount Boxing & Fitness. Tickets for the rest run from $28.52 to $50.
What are the best Thanksgiving events in Wilson?
The most popular on AllEvents right now are Gobble Waddle 5K & 10K Walk/Run (Sat, Nov 21), WomanUp Annual Thanksgiving Feeding at Darden Alumni Center (Sun, Nov 15) and Gather, Give Thanks & Grow at Leaf Plant Shop (Sun, Nov 15).
Are there Thanksgiving events near Wilson?
Yes: 9 more events are listed within reach, in Raleigh, Durham, Smithfield and Garner.
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.