Thanksgiving in Austin 2026 guide

The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot is the big one. The 36th annual Trot is Thanksgiving morning at the Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, and 100% of event proceeds go to Caritas of Austin. Last year's Trot drew a record 26,000 participants and raised $615,000.

Here is the Thanksgiving morning schedule:

Registration is $40 for the timed 5-mile, $35 for the untimed 5-mile, $30 for the 1-mile, and $15 for the Kids K, plus a sign-up fee. Prices go up after November 18 for most events. Packet pickup runs November 20 through 26, and T-shirts are not guaranteed if you wait until Thanksgiving morning. Costumes are encouraged.

Free parking is listed at the Palmer Events Center, State Garage N at 300 San Antonio St, and the Silicon Labs garage at 166 Colorado St. If you are traveling or hosting, there is a virtual option you can run or walk from anywhere.

Round Rock Turkey Trot, Thursday, November 26, 8 a.m. The 10th annual Fleet Feet Round Rock Turkey Trot is an untimed 5K fun run through Old Settlers Park, starting at the Lakeview Pavilion, 1501 Harrell Pkwy. Entry is $25, the field is capped at 3,000, and every finisher gets a medal. Strollers start last and leashed dogs are welcome. Bib pickup is November 24 and 25, noon to 6:30 p.m., at Fleet Feet Round Rock, 3750 Gattis School Rd, with no race-day pickup. Bring nonperishable food for the Round Rock Serving Center and an unwrapped toy for Operation Blue Santa.

Cedar Park Turkey Day 5K, Thursday, November 26, 9 a.m. The Cedar Park Turkey Day 5K starts at 200 Gupton Way, by John Gupton Stadium. The timed 5K goes at 9 a.m., the untimed 5K at 9:05, the Shake A Leg 1 Mile at 9:15, and the Little Gobbler 1K for kids at 10. Entry is $30 for the 5K and $23 for the mile and the 1K through November 15, then prices rise. Packet pickup and in-person registration are Wednesday, November 25, and race morning from 7:30 a.m.

Gobbler 5K, 10K and half marathon, Saturday, November 21, 8 a.m. Want to earn the pie a few days early? The Gobbler runs from Richard Moya Park in southeast Austin. Entry is $30 for the 5K, $45 for the 10K, and $65 for the half, with $5 entry for ages 1 to 15.

Turkey Shuffle, Saturday, November 28, 9 a.m. Walk off the leftovers at the Turkey Shuffle at Southeast Metro Park, 4511 E Hwy 71 in Del Valle. Distances run from a kids dash to a 10K.

Operation Turkey. Volunteers with Operation Turkey cook, plate, package, and deliver Thanksgiving meals, care packages, and clothing to neighbors in need. On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, Austin-area sites run from 8 a.m. to noon:

The day before, Wednesday, November 25, the Turkey Tailgate runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Dave & Buster's, 9333 Research Blvd. That is the prep day, when volunteers smoke turkeys and sort donations, and the group's biggest need is smokers and pitmasters. A volunteer orientation is set for Saturday, November 21, 11 a.m. to noon.

To help, fill out the volunteer intake form and pick a location and a job. Each volunteer 16 and older registers separately. Kids are welcome with a parent or guardian, and families with volunteers under 16 should email volunteers@operationturkey.com. Plan to arrive at 8 a.m. in comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.

Central Texas Food Bank. You can book warehouse, kitchen, garden, and mobile pantry shifts on the Central Texas Food Bank volunteer page. On Sunday, November 22, the Austin Empty Bowl Project is at the food bank, 6500 Metropolis Dr. Buy a handmade bowl from a local potter for $30, have it filled with soup from local restaurants, and take the bowl home. Proceeds go to the food bank's Kids Cafe and Meals on Wheels Central Texas.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Volunteer shifts, including at Community First! Village, are posted on the Mobile Loaves & Fishes volunteer page. Village of Lights opens there on Friday, December 4, if you want to plan a return visit.

Zilker Holiday Tree lighting, Sunday, November 29. The Zilker Holiday Tree lights up at 6 p.m., with pre-event music from the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble at 5:15. The tree is 155 feet tall with 3,309 lights, built around a historic moonlight tower at 2100 Barton Springs Rd. Parking is free and first come, first served. After that night, the tree is open to visit from 6 to 10 p.m. through January 1.

A Who-Liday Holiday at Domain NORTHSIDE, Saturday, November 21. For an early start the weekend before, A Who-Liday Holiday begins at 2 p.m. on the Lawn across from Apple, with photos with the Grinch, snow globe making, and holiday crafts. The official tree lighting is at 6 p.m., and after that the tree dances to holiday music every hour, on the hour.

Blue Genie Art Bazaar, open daily through December 24. The Blue Genie Art Bazaar at 6100 Airport Blvd is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, including Thanksgiving. It is a good stop for Black Friday gifts from local artists.

Holiday Reuse Art Market, Saturday, November 28. For Small Business Saturday, the Holiday Reuse Art Market runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Austin Creative Reuse, 2005 Wheless Ln, with handmade work from more than 100 local artists using reused materials.

Coffee & Cocoa Crawl in Georgetown, Saturday, November 28. Downtown Georgetown pairs Small Business Saturday with its Coffee & Cocoa Crawl, with coffee and cocoa tastings at shops around the square starting at 10 a.m.

Coming up in December. The Mueller Tower Lighting is Tuesday, December 8, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Roger Taylor Plaza, and it is free. The Austin Trail of Lights runs December 10 through 23 in Zilker Park, 7 to 10 p.m. General admission is free on December 10, 11, and 13 through 17.

If you would rather host than cook, these Austin restaurants have posted 2026 Thanksgiving pickup menus. Most want orders in by the Monday or Tuesday before.

The Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake is an easy way to fit in a walk between meals, and you can start from almost anywhere downtown. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at 4801 La Crosse Ave is closed Thanksgiving Day and open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the weekend, with last entry at 4. Buy tickets ahead.

A simple plan for the four days: trot Thursday morning, shop local Friday, catch a market or the Georgetown crawl on Saturday, and finish at the Zilker tree lighting Sunday night.

If a move is on your list for the new year, I am happy to talk it through whenever you are ready. Call or text me at 512-576-0288 or email brian@coplandpg.com.