🦃 EXPLORE THANKSGIVING IN NOVA 🦃
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Everything, Plotted
A real, zoomable map with every trot, parade, drive and meal in this guide. Click a pin for details and directions. Use the category toggles here, then use the county and week filters directly below the map to narrow the list.
🦃 Turkey Trots & Thanksgiving-Morning Runs (7)
Berryville Turkey Trot 5K & Kids Fun Run
A 5K and a kids' fun mile through downtown Berryville, the first confirmed Clarke County Thanksgiving-season race on record for 2026.
More info
5K starts 9:00 AM, kids fun mile at 10:00 AM.
Tysons Rotary 5K Turkey Trot
Rotary Club of Tysons' annual 5K, run two weeks ahead of Thanksgiving in the heart of Tysons.
More info
Confirm the exact location and route on the registration page before travel.
Freeze Your Gizzard 5K & 1 Mile
Town of Leesburg's cross-country 5K and family mile, run over grass and trail terrain.
More info
5K at 9:00 AM, one-mile at 10:00 AM. Cross-country terrain, strollers and dogs are not permitted.
Gobble Gobble Run or Wobble 5K
A family-friendly 5K in Warrenton with a dedicated kids' dash.
More info
Kids dash starts at 8:45 AM, right after the 5K.
Turkey Day 5K & 1 Mile
=PR= Races' long-running Thanksgiving-morning 5K and one-mile in Reston.
Reston Runners Thanksgiving Trail Trot
A free Thanksgiving-morning trail run hosted by Reston Runners, with a suggested nonperishable food donation at the start.
More info
Free to run; bring a nonperishable food item if you can. This is a separate event from the =PR= Turkey Day 5K.
Thanksgiving Day 5K & Kids Fun Run
A Thanksgiving-morning 5K and kids fun run at Sherando High School benefiting WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter).
More info
Kids fun runs start at 8:00 and 8:15 AM, ahead of the 8:45 AM 5K.
🍁 Thanksgiving-Weekend Parades (1)
Reston Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Reston Town Center's holiday parade and tree lighting, the day after Thanksgiving.
🌽 Food & Troop Drives (6)
Feed Fauquier Meal Packing
A volunteer meal-packing event ahead of Thanksgiving, organized by Feed Fauquier.
More info
The organizer's banner lists Nov 7, 2026, while older page copy still references Nov 8; confirm the exact time and venue with the organizer before attending.
Loudoun Hunger Relief Thanksgiving Dinner Bags
Loudoun Hunger Relief's Thanksgiving dinner bag drive; donation bags are due back by Nov 11.
More info
The 2026 request specifies bag contents; gift cards are not being requested this year.
RCC Thanksgiving Drive
Reston Community Center's annual Thanksgiving food drive, running most of November.
More info
Check the organizer page for suggested items and drop-off locations beginning Nov 1.
Encore Food Drive
A food drive run through Encore Performers' studio, timed to Thanksgiving.
More info
Intended for Encore families rather than the general public.
Reston Bible Church First Fruits
Volunteers do neighborhood odd jobs, then use what they earn to buy and deliver groceries and gift cards to families in need.
More info
Family-friendly; follow the organizer's own instructions for youth participation.
Epiphany Hot Meals Thanksgiving Service
A Thanksgiving hot-meals service through Epiphany's ongoing hot meals ministry.
More info
Check the program page for available volunteer shifts.
🥧 Friendsgiving & Community Meals (6)
OFC Ignite: Gobble Gobble Cooking Demo
A family drop-in Thanksgiving cooking demonstration at McLean Community Center.
More info
Drop-in family activity; no registration details beyond the calendar listing.
Community Dinner — Sterling
Tree of Life Ministries' weekly community dinner, held during Thanksgiving week.
More info
Check the calendar entry for the exact venue.
Still Waters Friendsgiving
A Friendsgiving gathering hosted by Tree of Life Ministries.
More info
Check the calendar entry for audience and registration details.
Community Dinner — Leesburg
Tree of Life Ministries' free weekly community dinner in Leesburg, falling in Thanksgiving week.
More info
A regular weekly dinner, not specifically marketed as a Thanksgiving feast.
Thanksgiving Together
Tree of Life Ministries' free Thanksgiving Day community meal at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 37018 Glendale Street, Purcellville.
Walking in a Winter Wonderland Opens
Frederick County Parks & Recreation's seasonal walk-through light display opens the day after Thanksgiving.
More info
The county has confirmed the return date but not yet posted public operating hours; don't treat any specific time as confirmed.
🏈 Thanksgiving at Home (6)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (100th)
The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs live from New York City.
More info
NBC has confirmed the 100th-anniversary parade and its NBC/Peacock platforms for 2026, but not yet the exact 2026 start time. 8:30 AM matches the 2025 start and is expected, not confirmed.
NFL: Packers at Rams
The Thanksgiving Eve game, streaming exclusively on Netflix.
More info
The first of the two Thanksgiving Eve games on Netflix.
NFL: Bears at Lions
Detroit's traditional early Thanksgiving Day game.
NFL: Eagles at Cowboys
Dallas's traditional Thanksgiving afternoon game.
More info
Recheck closer to game day in case of schedule changes.
NFL: Chiefs at Bills
The Thanksgiving night primetime game.
NFL: Broncos at Steelers
A Black Friday afternoon game, the weekend's first.
🍂 More Resources 🍂
🌽 Ongoing hunger relief
Loudoun Hunger Relief, Britepaths, Food For Others, and Blue Ridge Area Food Bank all accept donations year-round, not just at Thanksgiving.
🍁 More of the season
Looking for pumpkin patches and fall festivals too? Check the Fall in NOVA guide.
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