Wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend 2026 activities in DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland including a Parade, Festivals, Story Times, Volunteering, Hiking, and of course LOTS of Turkey Trots!
Thanksgiving DC Area Family Events 2026 Table of Contents:
- DC Events (2)
- Virginia Events (8)
- Maryland Events (3)
- Other Ideas for Thanksgiving Weekend (5)
- Holiday Light Displays(20)
Washington DC Thanksgiving Family Events 2026
- America's Trot for Hunger - Freedom Plaza - Thursday, November 26, 2026.
- "20,000+ participants from 42 states and 6 countries. Benefiting SOME So Others May Eat. Great Youtube video on their website."
- Bib pickup opens 6:30 am, 1-Miler starts 7:30, 5K starts 8:15, start line closes 8:45, awards at 9:00, pet costume contest at 9:30, roads reopen 10:30.
- Important: everyone must register and pay online, there's no in-person registration or payment at packet pickup or on race morning, and packet pickup is Tuesday Nov 24 and Wednesday Nov 25 at Pacers Georgetown, Pacers Clarendon, and the Conrad Hotel downtown.
- Also note there's no water stop on the course and a virtual 5K option.
- The Capital Turkey Trot 5K & 10K – Fletcher's Boathouse, Washington DC – Thursday, November 26, 2026
- A scenic Thanksgiving morning turkey trot along the C&O Canal Path, starting and finishing at Fletcher's Boathouse (4940 Canal Rd NW).
- Great for families: walkers and strollers are welcome. The 5K is a flat out-and-back on the C&O Canal path, a light gravel trail with no major elevation gain — one of the easiest stroller pushes of any DMV trot.
- The race benefits Warriors Ethos, and restrooms are available in the building near the registration area and start/finish line at Fletcher's.
- In past years, packet pickup ran Thanksgiving Eve afternoon at Road Runner Sports in Falls Church, with day-of pickup also available at the race — arrive an hour before your start time to check in. Live results post to Athlinks.
- Register: Race Roster – 2026 Capital Turkey Trot | Organizer: bishopsevents.com
3. Cranberry Crawl 5K, 5 Miler & 10 Miler – Hains Point, Washington DC – Thursday, November 26, 2026
- A flat, scenic race at Hains Point in the heart of DC, with views of the city along the course. Walkers and strollers are welcome.
- Pick your distance: 5K, 5 Miler, or 10 Miler — the 5K is the family pick, and the longer options mean one parent can race while the other walks the 5K with the kids.
- Kid appeal: the race benefits City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue, a nonprofit that pulls animals from overcrowded, under-resourced shelters and relies on donations for veterinary care and volunteers for foster homes. An easy one to explain to little ones on the drive over.
- Water stations: two on the 5K course around miles 1 and 2.1, three on the 5 Miler, and five on the 10 Miler, with Gatorade at some stops. Restrooms are in facilities around the peninsula.
- This is an all-weather race company — rain, shine, sleet, or snow. Organizers email registered runners and post to social if a race is cancelled, but that's rare, so assume it's on. A virtual option is available.
- Register: bishopsevents.com
Virginia Turkey Trots for Thanksgiving
1) Alexandria Turkey Trot - Thursday, November 26, 2026
2)Arlington Turkey Trot - Thursday, November 26, 2026
- Support local nonprofits that provide food, shelter, and more for Arlington residents
- Arlington's Best Local Running Race 2019 "Arlington Magazine Reader Pick"
- Start Line directly in front of Lyon Park Community Center at 8 AM
3) Vienna Turkey Trot hosted by James Madison High School Band - Sunday, November 22, 2026
- "The James Madison High School Band will be hosting the 20th Annual Vienna Turkey Trot 5K/10K and Fun Run. All proceeds benefit the JMHS "Pride of Vienna" Band and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. Join us for a great run, super music, fun prizes, refreshments after the race and the Finish Line Festival!"
4) Prince William Turkey Trot and Mashed Potato Mile - Thursday, November 26, 2026
- TIME: 5k – 8:30 | 1 Mile – 9:30. LOCATION: Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center, 9100 Freedom Center Blvd, Manassas, VA. Fun Run Racing is partnering with Hero’s Bridge and the Sweet Julia Grace Foundation to bring you the Prince William Turkey Trot. A portion of race proceeds will benefit these two fantastic charitable organizations.
5) Gobble Wobble 5K Fun Run - Woodbridge - Thursday, November 26, 2026
- Run up your Thanksgiving appetite and join us for the Gobble Wobble 5K, benefiting Toys for Tots at Westridge Elementary School from 8 AM to 10 AM on Thanksgiving Day.
Virginia Thanksgiving Family Events
- Poplar Spring's Thanksgiving WITH the Turkeys at Poplar Springs Animal Shelter - Saturday, November 22, 2025 · 12 - 4pm - checking on their 2026 dates.
- Come celebrate Thanksgiving WITH the turkeys – join our friendly turkeys and all their friends in celebrating a cruelty-free Thanksgiving potluck. Please bring a vegan (no meat, dairy, or eggs) dinner or dessert item to serve 8. $10.00 donation to benefit the animals. No charge for children under 12. After the dinner we will gather the donated pumpkins to have the always fun feeding of the pumpkins to the rescued pigs! Stroll around and visit the rescued animals during the event.
- Info for 2025 below Thanksgiving Afterparty at Shipgarten at Shipgarten - Saturday, November 27, 2025 - checking on their 2026 dates.
- Shipgarten opens at 11 AM & the festival runs from 1 PM until 6 PM. Restaurant closes at 2 AM. EVENT SCHEDULE:
- 2:00 PM - Rubber Band Shooting
- 3:00 PM - Pie Eating Contest
- 3:30 PM - Cranberry Sauce Eating Contest
- 4:00 PM - Turkey Hand Competition
- ★Featuring 50+ beers & wines from local breweries and wineries to choose, Live Music, Local vendors, Great food, Dog Friendly (Check out our Dog menu, play in the dog park, or just bring your pup along), Kid Friendly (Playground, face painting, crafts corner), Yard Games, Bratwursts, Pretzels, Wings, and more!, Swag giveaways
- Reston Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting - Friday, November 27, 2026.
A day of celebration, beginning with the nationally ranked holiday parade (perennially a USA Today top ten) and ending with the tree lighting and other festivities. Train and carriage rides, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, ice skating, great shopping, and more throughout the day.
Maryland Thanksgiving Family Events
- Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade - Silver Spring - Saturday, November 21, 2026 - 10 AM to 12 PM
- "Larger than life inflatable turkeys and penguins, glittering floats, marching bands, dancing groups, and Santa and his elves! The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade is the only Thanksgiving Parade in the metro DC area."
- Gobble Wobble 5K and 1.5 mile fun Run/Walk - Greenbelt - 2026 dates not up yet. Website is here to see update.
- "Spend Thanksgiving morning with Greenbelt Recreation as we host the annual Gobble Wobble. The Gobble Wobble is roughly a 5K race (2 laps) and a 1.5-mile fun run/walk (1 lap) around Buddy Attick Park lake path. All registrants will receive a Gobble Wobble shirt. $15/individual, $50/family 4-pack (before 11/22) $20/individual, $70/family 4-pack (on 11/22)"
- Turkey Chase Charity Race - Thursday, November 26, 2026
- YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary are proud to bring back their popular 10k race to thousands of runners on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26th! Historically the largest race in Montgomery County, the Turkey Chase Charity Race returns in all of its glory with its classic 10k race and a 2-mile fun run. To ensure everyone can participate, this year's Chase also offers virtual walking, running, biking, and swimming events.
Other Ideas for Thanksgiving Weekend
- Visit a free museum in DC (20 Museums for Children - 17 Free!)
- Many Ice Skating Rinks will be open (Check ahead of time)
- 20 Kid-Friendly Walks and Hikes in Northern Virginia
- Indoor Play Areas (107 listed in the DMV Kids Database)
- Enjoy a local park (159 in the DMV Kids Database)
Holiday Light Displays in the DMV
Visiting Holiday Light Displays in the DC Area is our family's favorite tradition! I've updated the list here for 2026 in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. 18 are free this year and I added Parking & Metro information for each location.
