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Thanksgiving events in New York

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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 New York

All Thanksgiving events in New York 2026

On now

Sat, Nov 1437 Warner Avenue, Jersey City

Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway

Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is excited to host our annual Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway! We’re providing families in our community with Thanksgiving groceries, including perishable and non-perishable food items. We’ll also have winter clothing an

12:00 PM

Sponsored

Sun, Nov 15JEWEL YACHT

LATIN CRUISE | Fiesta En El Barco | Jewel Yacht

Baila toda la noche al ritmo de una vibrante selección de éxitos latinos, incluyendo salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaetón y los mejores temas 🌅 Fiesta En El Barco - Sunset Cruise ________________

5:00 PM

$60.54

Sun, Nov 15JEWEL YACHT

Fiesta En El Barco | Thanksgiving Gala Cruise - Jewel Yacht

Dance the night away to an electrifying mix of Latin favorites, including salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaeton, and nonstop party anthems. 🗽🛳️ FIESTA EN EL BARCO • THANKSGIVING GALA CRUISE! 🦃🍾<

5:00 PM

$60.54

Thu, Nov 19254 E Fordham Rd, Bronx

Food Distribution - Bronx

Join EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care as we celebrate the importance of healthy nutrition! Enjoy a variety of free food items, including fresh fruits, seasonal vegetables, and non-perishable goods. Turkey giveaways will also be available while supplies last

2:00 PM

Fri, Nov 20160-05 Jamaica Ave, Queens

GET READY, JAMAICA, QUEENS! OUR THANKSGIVING PARTY IS ON!

Who is ready for a FREE TURKEY VOUCHER GIVEAWAY? Boost Mobile is back and helping you get Thanksgiving-ready! 160-05 JAMAICA AVE, JAMAICA NY 🦃🍁 GET READY, JAMAICA, QUEENS! OUR THANKSGIVING PARTY IS

1:00 PM

Free

Sponsored

Nov 20–24200 Baychester Ave, Bronx5 days

FREE Turkey Giveaway

Celebrate the season of giving with The Mall at Bay Plaza at our 9th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting! We're giving back to our Bronx community with a FREE Turkey Giveaway to help make your Thanksgiving celebration extra special. Join us on Friday, Novembe

5:00 PM

Volunteer

Fri, Nov 20Eataly NYC Downtown

Paint & Sip: Friendsgiving Edition

Pour the wine, grab a brush, and celebrate Friendsgiving in style. Gather the crew, the chosen family, and the creative minds. It’s time to swap holiday stress for a glass of wine and a blank canvas. We’re

6:00 PM

$100.62Friendsgiving

Sat, Nov 21St. James Park Basketball Courts, The Bronx

The Gardiner Foundation Annual Turkey Giveaway!

Join us in person for The Gardiner Foundation's Annual Free Turkey Giveaway – grab your turkey and celebrate! The Gardiner Foundation Annual Free Turkey Giveaway! Get ready for <stro

9:00 AM

Free

Sat, Nov 2156 Pennsylvania Ave, Brooklyn

Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

Giving away free turkeys for the Thanksgiving Holidays. Join Council Member Sandy Nurse and our office as we give back to families in District 37 this Thanksgiving season! We will be distributing <str

11:00 AM

Free

Sat, Nov 21Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Queens

D27 Turkey Drive 2026

Please join Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams as we continue our annual tradition of giving back to our community. Join Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams for our annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway as we

11:00 AM

FreeVolunteer

Sponsored

Sat, Nov 21PS 69Q The Jackson Heights School, Queens

A Whole Lot to be Thankful For

Free turkey & meal distribution! Entrega de Pavos y Comida Gratis! Presented by Public Health Solutions' WholeYouNYC, in partnership with the Queens Borough President’s Office, Medrite, Rethink Food

11:00 AM

Free

Nov 21–22Elsie Rooftop2 days

Elsie Rooftop Friendsgiving Bottomless Brunch

Celebrate Friendsgiving at Elsie Rooftop! One entrée + 90 mins of bottomless mimosas & bellinis. Round up your crew for a feast with a view, featuring your choice of one delicious entrée and 90 minutes

11:00 AM

$108.55 – $428.67Dinner & brunchFriendsgiving

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 New York

Turkey trots, dinners and parades in the towns nearby

Sponsored

Nov 25–26Moonlight Corner, Jamaica2 days

FOREVER THANKFUL

10:00 PM

$30Family friendly

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 New York: frequently asked questions

When are Thanksgiving events in New York in 2026?

Thanksgiving events in New York run from Nov 14 to Nov 28, 2026: 100 events.

What is on in New York on Thanksgiving Day?

24 events are listed for Thursday, November 26, including Macy’s 100th Thanksgiving Parade at New York City, Thanksgiving Parade Viewing Brunch | TEN32 Midtown and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 at NewYork City.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in New York?

19 dinners, brunches and buffets are listed, including Elsie Rooftop Friendsgiving Bottomless Brunch, RUN & BRUNCH "Friendsgiving 5K" at Blend Williamsburg and NJ Community FriendsGiving Bottomless Brunch at Dream Venue NJ. Tables go early for the holiday, so book ahead where you can.

Are there turkey trots in New York?

Yes: RUN & BRUNCH "Friendsgiving 5K" at Blend Williamsburg (Sun, Nov 22), 15th Annual Harbor Point 5K Turkey Trot Fun Run at Harbor Point Square (Thu, Nov 26) and Five-Alarm Turkey Trot - hosted by Pequannock Engine Co. #1 Volunteer Fire Department at Greenview Park (Thu, Nov 26).

Where can I volunteer this Thanksgiving in New York?

FREE Turkey Giveaway, D27 Turkey Drive 2026 at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and Five-Alarm Turkey Trot - hosted by Pequannock Engine Co. #1 Volunteer Fire Department at Greenview Park are looking for helping hands.

Are there free Thanksgiving events in New York?

Yes: 32 of the 100 listed are free, including GET READY, JAMAICA, QUEENS! OUR THANKSGIVING PARTY IS ON!, The Gardiner Foundation Annual Turkey Giveaway! at St. James Park Basketball Courts and Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway. Tickets for the rest run from $7.12 to $6,324.

What are the best Thanksgiving events in New York?

The most popular on AllEvents right now are Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 at NewYork City (Thu, Nov 26), Macy’s 100th Thanksgiving Parade at New York City (Thu, Nov 26) and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 at New York City,United States of America (Thu, Nov 26).

Are there Thanksgiving events near New York?

Yes: 9 more events are listed within reach, in New Haven, Asbury Park, Wallington and Jamaica 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.