Thanksgiving in Raleigh 2026: 10 Best Turkey Trots, Tree Lightings & Holiday Kickoffs

Updated October 2026 · We added quick links to search homes and check market reports in Apex and Holly Springs.

Planning Thanksgiving in Raleigh this year? Good news: the week around the holiday is one of the most festive stretches on the Triangle calendar.

In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, and the weekend before it is packed. Downtown Raleigh lights its tree on Friday, the Raleigh Christmas Parade marches through downtown on Saturday morning, North Hills lights its tree that afternoon, and the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival opens in Cary that same night.

Then Thanksgiving morning brings turkey trots in Raleigh, Cary and Fuquay-Varina before everyone heads home for the big meal.

So whether you are hosting the whole family, showing out-of-town guests around, or just looking for a reason to get out of the kitchen, here is our list of the best ways to spend Thanksgiving in Raleigh and the surrounding towns. Save it, share it with the group chat, and start planning.

Thanksgiving in Raleigh: The Weekend Before the Holiday

The Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving are when Raleigh officially kicks off the holiday season. If you only plan one outing this month, make it this weekend.

1. Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting at Moore Square

The Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting returns to Moore Square on Friday, November 20. Along with the tree itself, there is a Holiday Vendor Market where the Downtown Raleigh Alliance says its 4,000+ attendees can shop from local vendors, plus photos with Santa and local performers.

It is part of the City of Raleigh’s Raleigh for the Holidays celebration, and it is free.

This is a great one to pair with dinner downtown. Grab a table on Blount or Wilmington Street afterward and you have an easy, festive Friday night.

Date: Friday, November 20
Time: 5:30–8 p.m.
Location: Moore Square, 201 S. Blount St., Raleigh
Cost: Free

2. The 82nd Raleigh Christmas Parade

The Raleigh Christmas Parade, presented by Shop Local Raleigh, is a true Raleigh tradition. It has been running since the 1940s and is billed as the largest parade of its kind between Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Visit Raleigh says it draws a crowd of about 60,000 spectators along its 1.4-mile route, with marching bands, dancers, giant balloons and more.

The parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, and lasts about two and a half hours. It begins on Hillsborough Street at St. Mary’s Street, heads toward the State Capitol, turns onto Salisbury and Morgan streets, and finishes along Fayetteville Street.

Not a crowd person? The Raleigh Christmas Parade airs live on ABC11 from 9:30 a.m. to noon, so you can watch with a cup of coffee from the couch.

Date: Saturday, November 21
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Downtown Raleigh (Hillsborough St. to Fayetteville St.)
Cost: Free

3. Christmas at North Hills

After the Raleigh Christmas Parade, head up to Midtown for Christmas at North Hills that afternoon. The annual tree lighting celebration at North Hills Commons has live entertainment, kids crafts and a vendor village. Then Santa arrives and the 41-foot Christmas tree lights up to a chorus of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”

Parade in the morning, tree lighting in the evening? That might be the most Raleigh holiday Saturday there is.

Date: Saturday, November 21
Time: 4–7 p.m.
Location: North Hills Commons, Midtown Raleigh
Cost: Free

4. Apex Turkey Trot 5K at Apex Community Park

Apex does its turkey trot the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The Town of Apex’s 28th Annual Turkey Trot 5K runs on Saturday, November 21 at 10 a.m. at Apex Community Park, with a course through the park and around the lake.

You can sign up as Competitive (chip timed and eligible for awards) or Recreational (untimed, same race t-shirt). Registration is limited to the first 600 people, and the town notes the race has filled about a month ahead the last few years. If this one is on your list, register now.

Date: Saturday, November 21
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Apex Community Park (the Lake Pine lot will be closed)
Cost: $30 competitive, $25 recreational; $15 / $12 for youth 12 and under

5. NC Chinese Lantern Festival Opens in Cary

One of the Triangle’s most magical holiday traditions opens the same weekend. The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival returns to Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary for its eleventh year, running November 21, 2026 through January 10, 2027.

Expect all-new, larger-than-life lantern displays made by Chinese artisans and lit by thousands of LED lights, plus nightly cultural performances on the main stage.

A few things to know before you go:

• The festival is open daily from 6–10 p.m. and closed Christmas Day. Holiday hours may vary, so check the festival page before Thanksgiving night.
• Twilight Session tickets get you in early at 4:30 p.m. for “Golden Hour” photos with smaller crowds (not offered on Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve).
• Tickets are mobile only, the venue is cashless, and kids 2 and under are free.
• A Sensory-Friendly Night is planned for December 1.

Dates: November 21, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary

Thanksgiving Morning: Raleigh Turkey Trot & More

Nothing says Thanksgiving in Raleigh quite like a crowd of runners in turkey hats working up an appetite before the pies come out. Here are the Thanksgiving Day races around the Triangle on Thursday, November 26.

6. The Raleigh Turkey Trot 8K at Ridgewood

The Raleigh Turkey Trot calls itself the Triangle’s favorite Thanksgiving morning event. It is based at Ridgewood Shopping Center, with an 8K run/walk and a Kids Dash for the little ones. Wear your favorite Thanksgiving hat or enter the costume contest.

The Raleigh Turkey Trot benefits the National MS Society and is part of the Triangle Race Series. A few details from the race page:

• Parking for all participants is at Meredith College, using the Faircloth Rd entrance.
• The 8K starts at 8:30 a.m. on Ridge Road; the Kids Dash (ages 7 and under) follows as the last runners finish.
• Walkers are welcome, but the City of Raleigh requires at least a 12-minute-per-mile pace on city streets.
• Dogs are not allowed on the course; strollers are, toward the back.

Cost: 8K $37 (Nov. 1–17), $40 (Nov. 18–26 or until sold out); Kids Dash $7

7. Trophy Trot 5K at Dorothea Dix Park

Prefer a 5K? The Trophy Trot 5K kicks off Thanksgiving Day at Dorothea Dix Park, which the park calls Raleigh’s premier park, and it supports Healing Transitions. There is a kids race at 8:45 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9 a.m., followed by an afterparty at Trophy Brewing.

The park expects a very large crowd, so carpooling is encouraged. Street parking is available near Trophy Maywood. If you park inside Dix Park, you will not be able to leave until the racers finish, around 10:15 a.m.

Date: Thursday, November 26
Time: 8:45 a.m. kids race, 9 a.m. 5K
Location: Race start at 1251 Goode Street, Raleigh

8. Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot in Cary

In Cary, the Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot starts from 2002 Grisdale Lane on Thanksgiving morning, with something for the whole family:

• 8:30 a.m.: 1-mile walk
• 9 a.m.: 8K, with a medal for every finisher
• 10:30 a.m.: kids dash

Costumes are encouraged. Cary Daily’s Thanksgiving guide also has the town’s holiday closings and GoCary schedule, which is handy if you have guests in town.

9. Willow Spring High School Turkey Trot in Fuquay-Varina

Down in Fuquay-Varina, the Willow Spring High School Turkey Trot is back for Thanksgiving morning. Their slogan: “Storm the Spring Before You Gobble!”

The USATF-certified 5K starts and ends on the school track and loops around campus, down the Park-Depot Greenway Trail and into the South Lakes neighborhood. Proceeds benefit the school’s cross country and track teams.

• 7:45 a.m.: Competitive 5K (30-minute time limit)
• 8:30 a.m.: Family Fun 5K for walkers, runners and strollers, with a costume contest and a medal for every finisher
• 9:30 a.m.: Kids Fun Run (9 and under)
• 9:45 a.m.: Diaper Dash (4 and under)

Location: Willow Spring High School, 1704 Old Honeycutt Rd., Fuquay-Varina (race-day parking is off Kennebec Road)
Cost: $40 for the 5Ks and $15 for kids events, plus sign-up fees; registration runs through November 23

After Thanksgiving: Keep the Holiday Season Going

10. Save the Date: Light the Springs in Holly Springs

Holly Springs saves its big tree lighting for early December. Light the Springs is on Saturday, December 5, from 5–8 p.m. at the Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 West Ballentine St.

Expect live music, festive food and drinks, and free holiday crafts. Kids can drop their letter to Santa in the mailbox before meeting him. The night kicks off with the menorah lighting and ends with Santa and the mayor lighting the town tree.

Looking for even more December plans? Our Raleigh holiday activities guide covers more lights, markets and festivals around the Triangle. And if you missed it, our Ultimate Fall Bucket List has plenty of fall fun that runs into November.

Tips for Planning Thanksgiving in Raleigh

• Register early. Turkey trot prices go up as race day gets closer, and some races (like Apex) fill weeks ahead.
• Check holiday closings. Town offices in Cary close Thursday and Friday, Wake County libraries close early the day before Thanksgiving, and there is no GoCary bus service on Thanksgiving Day.
• Book lantern tickets ahead. Koka Booth says tickets may not be available the night of, and prices increase on the event date.
• Make it a weekend. Tree lighting Friday, the Raleigh Christmas Parade and North Hills on Saturday, lanterns Saturday night: it is a full holiday weekend without leaving the Triangle.

Thanksgiving in Raleigh FAQ

When is Thanksgiving in 2026?

Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. The big Raleigh kickoff weekend (tree lighting, Raleigh Christmas Parade and North Hills) is the weekend before, November 20–21.

When is the Raleigh Christmas Parade 2026?

The 82nd Raleigh Christmas Parade is Saturday, November 21, 2026, starting at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Raleigh. It is free to watch in person, and it airs live on ABC11 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

What time does the Raleigh Turkey Trot start?

The Raleigh Turkey Trot 8K starts at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning at Ridgewood Shopping Center, with runner parking at Meredith College.

Are there turkey trots in Cary, Apex and Fuquay-Varina too?

Yes! Cary’s Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot (1-mile walk, 8K and kids dash) and Fuquay-Varina’s Willow Spring High School Turkey Trot (two 5Ks, a Kids Fun Run and a Diaper Dash) both run on Thanksgiving morning. Apex is the exception: the Town of Apex holds its Turkey Trot 5K on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 21, at Apex Community Park, and it usually fills about a month ahead.

Is the Chinese Lantern Festival open on Thanksgiving?

The festival opens November 21 and runs nightly through January 10, 2027 (closed Christmas Day). Holiday hours may vary and Twilight Sessions are not offered on Thanksgiving, so check Koka Booth Amphitheatre’s festival page for Thanksgiving night times.

What are free things to do for Thanksgiving in Raleigh?

The Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting at Moore Square, the Raleigh Christmas Parade and Christmas at North Hills are all free.

There’s So Much to Be Thankful for Around Here

One of our favorite things about living in the Triangle is how every town shows up for the holidays. You can watch the Raleigh Christmas Parade downtown on Saturday, wander through glowing lanterns in Cary that night, run a turkey trot in Fuquay-Varina on Thursday morning, and still make it home before the turkey comes out of the oven.

If spending Thanksgiving in Raleigh has you dreaming about calling this place home, start with our guide to the best neighborhoods in Raleigh, our Fuquay-Varina vs. Holly Springs comparison, or what it is really like moving to Raleigh in 2026.

At Jacie & Company Real Estate, we don’t just help you find a house. We help you find the community that feels like home, traditions and all.

Ready to Make the Triangle Home?

If a holiday weekend here has you picturing yourself staying for good, we’d love to help you find the right town and the right home, whether that’s near the Apex parade route, the Holly Springs tree lighting or anywhere in between.

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Thinking about making a move in the Raleigh area? Let’s connect. Whether you’re ready to tour this month or just starting to explore, we’d love to help, with honest guidance and zero pressure. 💛

See you at the next blog,
XO Jacie & Co ✨