Turkey trots, food & troop drives, parades and Friendsgiving meals across Loudoun, Fairfax, Fauquier, Clarke & Frederick Counties.
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5Ks, fun runs and races timed around Thanksgiving morning — most benefit a local scholarship fund, food pantry or veterans' cause.
Run, walk or wobble to the finish on Thanksgiving morning at South Lakes High School — live or virtual options, commemorative race shirt, medal and free digital finisher photos.
The 11th annual race steps off from the Old Courthouse on Main Street in Old Town Warrenton, with a 2.6K walkers' course and a Kids Dash. Benefits Learning Starts Early, supporting Fauquier preschoolers.
Herndon's cross-country-style signature fall race, starting and ending at the Herndon Community Center. Bring a canned food donation for LINK; runners 21+ get a beer token from Aslin Beer Co.
A hilly 5K and 1K fun run starting and finishing at the Lansdowne Potomac Club, benefiting the Beat the Odds Scholarship Program for Loudoun students who've overcome adversity. Virtual option available.
A scenic, hilly trail race through Lake Fairfax Park billed as a "post-Thanksgiving" run to wrap up the holiday weekend, benefiting the EOD Warrior Foundation, which supports wounded military bomb-disposal veterans.
A longtime fundraiser for the Loudoun Valley Community Center Advisory Board's childcare and preschool scholarships, run through downtown Purcellville.
This corner of Virginia leans more toward Thanksgiving-morning races and December holiday parades — but one big Thanksgiving-weekend parade tradition anchors the calendar.
A Northern Virginia institution since 1991, held every year the Friday after Thanksgiving — Macy's-style balloons, marching bands, antique cars and Santa's horse-drawn carriage arrival down Market Street, followed by a tree lighting.
Where to bring a bag of groceries, a frozen turkey or a donation this November — plus a few places actively looking for hands to help cook, pack and serve. Where to find help if you need it, too.
Loudoun's largest food pantry packages and distributes thousands of Thanksgiving dinner kits each November, and accepts food and grocery-card donations year-round at its Leesburg warehouse and grocery-style market.
Fairfax County's Britepaths (formerly Our Daily Bread) runs seasonal food and turkey collection drives each fall, and is the beneficiary of several local Turkey Trot races — a good landing page for anyone in Fairfax who wants to donate or ask for help.
One of Northern Virginia's largest food banks, serving over 3,000 families and 3,900 school children weekly. Runs a dedicated Thanksgiving turkey collection each November and takes volunteers year-round for sorting, packing and distribution — individuals, families and groups all welcome.
A hands-on volunteer morning: show up at Burke Community Church to portion out full Thanksgiving plates — turkey, stuffing, sides and pie — then help deliver and serve them at shelters and homeless encampments around the DMV. In a recent year the goal was 2,500 meals.
Fauquier County's own food pantry (FISH = For Immediate Sympathetic Help), run by 50+ volunteers, serving nearly 3,500 residents a year with nutrition-focused DASH meal kits. Accepts turkey donations for holiday baskets and welcomes volunteers, including Scout troops and school groups.
The regional food bank's Winchester distribution center, serving Frederick, Clarke, Fauquier and neighboring counties through a network of 400+ community partner pantries. Runs seasonal turkey drives and takes warehouse volunteers for sorting and packing.
Free and low-cost community Thanksgiving meals, open to all — no reservation-only fine dining here, just tables set for the neighborhood.
"A Gift to the Community" — a free Thanksgiving meal made possible by corporate sponsors, church partners and volunteers, offered as take-out on the Loudoun Street Mall and as home delivery on Thanksgiving Day itself.
An annual Thanksgiving-week candlelight service with special singing and scripture readings, followed by light refreshments in the Fellowship Hall — all are welcome.
A free, hot Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day itself at St. Peter's Episcopal Church — dine in and share in fellowship, or take a meal to-go. A Loudoun tradition running well over a decade; served about 225 meals in a recent year.
Loudoun County's leading food-assistance nonprofit — donate, volunteer, or find help if you need groceries this season.
Fairfax County emergency assistance, financial literacy and family mentoring — the beneficiary of several local Turkey Trots.
Fauquier County's food pantry and holiday-basket program — donate, volunteer, or find help if you need groceries.
Serves Frederick, Clarke, Fauquier and neighboring counties through 400+ partner pantries out of its Winchester branch.
Virginia's Thanksgiving-week travel forecast and any work-zone or lane-closure suspensions around the holiday.
thanksgiving.joyinnova.com