Thanksgiving 2026Raleigh · The City of Oaks

Thanksgiving weekend in Raleigh, with little ones.

We haven’t found a 2026 Thanksgiving parade in Raleigh with posted details yet. In all we found two Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Raleigh: two turkey trots with kids’ races. 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?Raleigh Turkey Trot at Ridgewood (+1 more)2 racesWhat’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

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

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
Raleigh Turkey Trot at RidgewoodSee detailsTrophy Trot 5KKids' race 8:45 a.m.
Friday
Nov 27

Nothing posted yet

Saturday
Nov 28

Nothing posted yet

Sunday
Nov 29

Nothing posted yet

Thursday morning

Thanksgiving parade in Raleigh

Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.

No 2026 parade posted yet.

We check the organizers every week. The 2 outings below are confirmed on their official pages.

Email me when it’s posted

Run it off

Turkey trots with kids’ races

Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page.

Nov26Thu

Raleigh Turkey Trot at Ridgewood

Ridgewood Shopping Center · West Raleigh

Kids’ race
Time
Not listed
Price
Kids Dash $7 (ages 7 and under); 8K $33–$40

For kids: Kids Dash for ages 7 and under, plus a costume contest

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov26Thu

Trophy Trot 5K

Dix Park · Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh, NC

Kids’ race
Time
Kids' race 8:45 a.m.; 5K 9 a.m.
Price
See the race site

For kids: A kids' race before the 5K

With littles: Benefits Healing Transitions. Park roads are closed until about 10:30 a.m.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Thanksgiving Day

Open or closed on Thursday

Holiday hours from each place’s own page. Worth a quick check that morning.

PlaceThursdayNoteChecked
Museum of Life and ScienceClosed—Hours page ↗ · Oct 18
North Carolina ZooClosed—Hours page ↗ · Oct 18
North Carolina Museum of ArtClosed—Hours page ↗ · Oct 18

Friday to Sunday

Black Friday weekend with little kids

Tree lightings, light-display openings, farm days and other easy outings Friday through Sunday.

Nothing posted for Friday to Sunday yet.

Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We recheck every Thursday.

Email me when it’s posted

Keep planning

More for little kids in Raleigh

Free things to do in RaleighFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in RaleighIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with pricesNoon Year’s Eve in RaleighKid-friendly countdowns, home by napThis week in RaleighDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Thanksgiving in Raleigh: the FAQ

We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Raleigh yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.

Raleigh Turkey Trot at Ridgewood: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Kids Dash for ages 7 and under, plus a costume contest. Trophy Trot 5K: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. A kids' race before the 5K.

Closed on Thanksgiving: Museum of Life and Science, North Carolina Zoo and North Carolina Museum of Art. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.

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

Thanksgiving in another city

or nearby:
CharlotteRichmondColumbiaCharleston
All 51 cities

Holiday weekends, planned by Friday.

One short email every Friday morning: the best things to do with little kids in Raleigh that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.

Raleigh skyline