Nov26Thu
The Des Moines Turkey Trot
Downtown Des Moines
- Time
- Not listed
- Price
- See the registration page
For kids: Tot Trot for little ones, with a knit hat, bib and medal
With littles: 5K, 5-mile and Tot Trot, downtown on Thanksgiving morning.
Thanksgiving 2026Des Moines · Iowa’s capital
Thanksgiving weekend in Des Moines, with little ones.
We haven’t found a 2026 Thanksgiving parade in Des Moines with posted details yet. In all we found two Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Des Moines: one turkey trot with a kids’ race and one Black Friday weekend pick. We also list three places and whether they’re open on Thanksgiving Day.
The quick answersChecked
Is there a parade?No 2026 parade posted yet. We check weekly.Not yetTurkey trot with a kids’ race?The Des Moines Turkey Trot1 raceWhat’s open on Thursday?The 3 places we checked are all closed. Plan a park morning.0 of 3 openAnything free this weekend?Nothing free posted for the weekend yet.Not yet
Thursday to Sunday
The weekend at a glance.
Everything below, laid out by day. Tap any outing to jump to its details.
Thursday
Nov 26 · Thanksgiving
Friday
Nov 27
Nothing posted yet
Saturday
Nov 28
Nothing posted yet
Thursday morning
Thanksgiving parade in Des Moines
Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.
No 2026 parade posted yet.
Email me when it’s postedWe check the organizers every week. The 2 outings below are confirmed on their official pages.
Run it off
Turkey trots with kids’ races
Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page.
Thanksgiving Day
Open or closed on Thursday
Holiday hours from each place’s own page. Worth a quick check that morning.
PlaceThursdayNoteChecked
Friday to Sunday
Black Friday weekend with little kids
Tree lightings, light-display openings, farm days and other easy outings Friday through Sunday.
Nov29Sun
Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa
Des Moines Heritage Center · 120 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Time
- 9 a.m.–1 p.m., open-house style
- Price
- Family tickets $80 (2) to $180 (7); with professional Santa photos $180–$280; babies under 1 free
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Organizer: DSM Motherhood Collective (first year). Breakfast, crafts, tots music class; photo families get a reserved time. Come any time 9–1, which suits nap schedules.
More to come.Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We add them every Thursday.Get the Friday emailKeep planning
More for little kids in Des Moines
Free things to do in Des MoinesFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in Des MoinesIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with prices
Noon Year’s Eve in Des MoinesKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
This week in Des MoinesDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Thanksgiving in Des Moines: the FAQ
We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Des Moines yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.
The Des Moines Turkey Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Tot Trot for little ones, with a knit hat, bib and medal.
Closed on Thanksgiving: Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines Public Library and Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.
Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa. Dates and times are on each card.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 18, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday through Thanksgiving week. How we choose and check.
Littles Weekly
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Holiday weekends, planned by Friday.
One short email every Friday morning: the best things to do with little kids in Des Moines that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
