Nov26Thu
Madison Turkey Trot
Alliant Energy Center · South side
- Time
- Kids Dash 8:15 a.m.; 5K 8:30 a.m.
- Price
- See the registration page
For kids: Kids Dash with a finisher award for every child
Thanksgiving 2026Madison · Mad City
Thanksgiving weekend in Madison, with little ones.
We haven’t found a 2026 Thanksgiving parade in Madison with posted details yet. In all we found three Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Madison: one turkey trot with a kids’ race and two Black Friday weekend picks. We also list two 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?Madison Turkey Trot · Kids Dash 8:15 a.m.1 raceWhat’s open on Thursday?Open: Henry Vilas Zoo.1 of 2 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
Sunday
Nov 29
Thursday morning
Thanksgiving parade in Madison
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 3 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.
Nov27to Jan 2
Holiday Light Show (30th year)
Rotary Botanical Gardens · 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI 53545
- Time
- Doors 4:30 p.m.; last admission 8:30; dark at 9
- Price
- Adults $18; kids 3–12 $5; 2 and under free (online and door)
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. Holiday Market Dec 12–23.
Nov28Sat
PJs & Pancakes with Santa
The Edgewater Hotel, Grand Ballroom · Madison, WI
- Time
- 9–11 a.m.
- Price
- Adults $48; 12 and under $32
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Matching pajamas encouraged; crafts, cookie decorating, photos with Santa.
Keep planning
More for little kids in Madison
Free things to do in Madison
Indoor play in Madison
Noon Year’s Eve in Madison
This week in Madison
Good questions
Thanksgiving in Madison: the FAQ
We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Madison yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.
Madison Turkey Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Kids Dash with a finisher award for every child.
Open on Thanksgiving: Henry Vilas Zoo (Morning only; the zoo closes at noon). Closed on Thanksgiving: UW–Madison Arboretum Visitor Center. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.
Holiday Light Show (30th year) and PJs & 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 Madison that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
