Thanksgiving 2026 in Raleigh: the Raleigh Turkey Trot 8K and Leesville 5K on Nov. 26, city offices closed Nov. 26-27, no GoRaleigh buses Thanksgiving Day.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Dates come from the organizers and the City of Raleigh’s holiday calendar.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Raleigh starts the day with two turkey trots, then most of the city shuts down: city offices close Thursday and Friday, and GoRaleigh buses do not run on Thanksgiving Day. Downtown’s tree lighting and the Raleigh Christmas Parade come the weekend before, on Nov. 20-21; see our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Who to call

  • City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services: 919-996-3245
  • GoRaleigh and regional transit info: 919-485-7433
  • Wake County waste and recycling: 919-856-7400
  • Emergency: 911

Turkey trots

Raleigh Turkey Trot, Thursday, Nov. 26, 8:30 a.m. The 8K run and walk is based at Ridgewood Shopping Center and starts on Ridge Road just north of Wade Avenue. Runners gather at 8:15 a.m., awards follow at 9:20 a.m., and the Kids Dash for ages 7 and under runs a few hundred feet through the shopping center lot as the last runners finish. Parking for everyone is at Meredith College through its Faircloth entrance, opening at 6:30 a.m. Race-day check-in is 6:45 to 8:15 a.m.; early packet pickup is noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21-22, in the shopping center’s lower lot.

Entry is $35 through Oct. 31, $37 from Nov. 1 to Nov. 17 and $40 after that, or until it sells out; the Kids Dash is $7. Dogs are not allowed on the course. Walkers are welcome, but the city requires at least a 12-minute-mile pace on its streets, so slower walkers may be moved to the sidewalk. The race benefits the National MS Society (race page).

Leesville Community Turkey Trot, Thursday, Nov. 26, 8:30 a.m. A 5K from the Harrington Grove Swim and Racquet Clubhouse, 12201 New Leesville Blvd., in north Raleigh. It raises money for the Murphy Scholarship at Leesville Road High School. Registration opens Oct. 15 (registration page).

Thanksgiving meals

Raleigh Rescue Mission and Meals on Wheels plan to prepare more than 1,500 meals to give out and deliver across Wake County on Thanksgiving Day. Meals are packed and handed out at Christ the King Presbyterian Church, 1417 Clifton St. Volunteers can sign up to pack Nov. 22-25 and deliver on Nov. 26, and no training is needed for the holiday meal shifts, according to the mission’s volunteer page. Call 984-272-2001 with questions.

Churches and nonprofits usually post free community dinners and turkey giveaways in early November. We will add them here as organizers announce them.

What is open and closed

Service Thanksgiving week 2026
City of Raleigh offices Closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27
GoRaleigh buses No service Thursday, Nov. 26; regular schedule Friday
Wake County waste and recycling drop-off sites Closed Thursday, Nov. 26
Emergency police, fire and rescue Normal service; call 911

City office dates are from the city’s holiday calendar. Bus service is from GoRaleigh’s holiday hours, and the drop-off closures are from Wake County.

Trash pickup changes

The city had not posted its 2026 Thanksgiving pickup notice when we checked. Last year, the city’s holiday alert moved collection back one day: Thursday routes were picked up Friday and Friday routes on Saturday. The Yard Waste Center closed on Thanksgiving Day and kept its regular hours the rest of the week. For your own address, check the Raleigh Reuse app or call Solid Waste Services at 919-996-3245. More on pickup days is in our trash and recycling guide.

What this means for you

  • Running the 8K? Pick up your bib the weekend before to skip the race-morning line.
  • No buses on Thanksgiving Day: plan rides to family dinners ahead of time.
  • If your pickup day is Thursday or Friday, expect it to slide a day; confirm in the app.
  • Black Friday store hours and holiday markets are on our holiday shopping page.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a turkey trot in Raleigh on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. The Raleigh Turkey Trot 8K starts at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, on Ridge Road by Ridgewood Shopping Center, and the Leesville Community Turkey Trot 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. the same day in north Raleigh.

Are Raleigh city offices closed for Thanksgiving?

Yes. City of Raleigh administrative offices are closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, 2026, according to the city’s holiday calendar.

Does GoRaleigh run on Thanksgiving?

No. GoRaleigh does not run buses on Thanksgiving Day. It runs on its regular schedule again on Friday.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Raleigh?

In 2025 the city moved Thursday and Friday pickup back one day for Thanksgiving. The 2026 notice was not out yet when we checked; the Raleigh Reuse app shows the change for your address.

Are Wake County convenience centers open on Thanksgiving?

No. Wake County’s waste and recycling drop-off facilities close on Thanksgiving Day.