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Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26, and the Triangle's holiday week runs from the Apex Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 21, to the Christmas Carousel gift market at the NC State Fairgrounds over Thanksgiving weekend. In between, there are Thanksgiving farmers markets, Thanksgiving morning 5Ks, places to volunteer, and a few holiday office closings and trash-day reminders worth knowing about.
Every date, time and place below comes from the town, venue or organizer. For the rest of the month, including the Raleigh Christmas Parade, tree lightings and the Thanksgiving Day turkey trots in Raleigh, Durham and Wake Forest, see our guide to the best events in the Triangle this November 2026. This guide covers Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Carrboro, Durham, Raleigh and Cary.
Quick look: Thanksgiving week 2026
- Sat, Nov 21: Apex Turkey Trot 5K, a Thanksgiving food drive at the Western Wake Farmers Market in Morrisville, and the Pre-Thanksgiving Market at the Wake Forest Farmers Market
- Tue, Nov 24: Thanksgiving farmers markets in Carrboro and at Hub RTP in Durham
- Thu, Nov 26: Thanksgiving Day, with turkey trots in Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, Durham and Wake Forest
- Fri, Nov 27 to Sun, Nov 29: Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
- Sat, Nov 28: Small Business Saturday in Apex and Fuquay-Varina
Turkey trots
Apex Turkey Trot 5K
Location:Apex Community Park, Apex
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 10 a.m.
Apex's Town-run Turkey Trot turns 28 this year. The 5K course loops through Apex Community Park and around the lake. You can sign up as a competitive or recreational runner. Entry is $30 competitive, $25 recreational, and $15 or $12 for runners 12 and under. The race is capped at the first 600 runners, and the Town says it has filled about a month early in recent years, so sign up soon. The Lake Pine lot is closed on race day. Town of Apex Turkey Trot page.
Willow Spring High School Turkey Trot
Location:Willow Spring High School track, 1704 Old Honeycutt Road, Fuquay-Varina
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving Day), Competitive 5K at 7:45 a.m.
This Thanksgiving morning race starts at the school track, and the course runs down the Park-Depot Greenway Trail into South Lakes. The Competitive 5K has a 30-minute time limit and costs $40, with the price going up after November 23. There is also a Family Fun 5K at 8:30 a.m. that welcomes walkers and strollers (no pets) and has a costume contest, a Kids Fun Run for ages 9 and under, and a Diaper Dash for ages 4 and under. Proceeds support the Willow Spring High School cross country and track teams. Race details and registration.
Thanksgiving morning in Raleigh, Durham and Wake Forest
Gobbler's Run in Wake Forest, the TROSA Turkey Trot in Durham, the Raleigh Turkey Trot and the Trophy Trot at Dix Park all run on Thanksgiving morning. Start times and places are in our November 2026 events guide.
Thanksgiving farmers markets
Local markets are the easiest place to pick up produce, baked goods and other things for the Thanksgiving table. Many vendors take pre-orders for popular items, so check ahead.
Pre-Thanksgiving Market, Wake Forest Farmers Market
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026 (Saturday winter hours are 9 a.m. to noon)
The Wake Forest Farmers Market holds its Pre-Thanksgiving Market on the Saturday before the holiday. Market site. See our Wake Forest area guide.
Thanksgiving Food Drive, Western Wake Farmers Market
Location:Indian Creek Trailhead Park, 101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 8 a.m. to noon
Bring nonperishable food when you shop. Donations go to Dorcas Ministries. Note that the market is closed on Saturday, November 28, and reopens for the winter market on December 5. Market events page. See our Morrisville area guide.
Carrboro Farmers' Market Thanksgiving Market
Location:Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street, Carrboro
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 3 to 5 p.m.
Carrboro's market holds a special Thanksgiving market on the Tuesday before the holiday. Market hours. Carrboro sits next to Chapel Hill; see our Chapel Hill area guide.
Pre-Thanksgiving South Durham Farmers' Market at Hub RTP
Location:Hub RTP, 500 Park Offices Drive, Durham
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 3 to 5 p.m.
A special weekday edition of the South Durham Farmers' Market for stocking up before the holiday. Vendors take pre-orders. The regular Saturday market is closed on November 28. Event details. See our Durham area guide.
State Farmers Market, Raleigh
Location:State Farmers Market, 1201 Agriculture Street, Raleigh
The State Farmers Market is open year-round, and its posted hours are Monday to Saturday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday hours can differ, so check before you go. NC Department of Agriculture.
Thanksgiving weekend
Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market
Location:Jim Graham Building, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
Dates: Friday, November 27, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, November 29, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Thanksgiving weekend tradition for more than 38 years, the Christmas Carousel brings more than 250 exhibitors under one roof, and Santa visits. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and up and military, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and free for ages 5 and under. Parking is free. Show details and tickets.
Small Business Saturday
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
In Apex, local businesses run Small Business Saturday specials, and the Town suggests using Park and Ride with GoApex. Town of Apex Small Business Saturday. Fuquay-Varina's downtown Small Business Saturday is in our November guide. See our Apex and Fuquay-Varina area guides.
Coming up next: holiday season in Cary
Downtown Cary's holiday season starts the week after Thanksgiving, with the Tree Lighting Celebration at Downtown Cary Park on Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the Cary Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. Town of Cary Heart of the Holidays. See our Cary area guide.
Ways to give back Thanksgiving week
- Volunteer at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh. New volunteers can sign up for shifts Tuesday through Saturday on the Food Bank's Raleigh page. The Food Bank is closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, so plan for earlier in the week. Volunteers enter at 2439 Crabtree Boulevard.
- Donate food at the Western Wake Farmers Market on Saturday, November 21 (see above).
- In Wake Forest, the annual Holiday Donation Drive kicks off on Saturday, November 21, at the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off (details in our November guide).
Trash day and office changes
- Raleigh: Check your address in the Raleigh Reuse tool and app for any holiday collection changes. City of Raleigh offices are closed November 26 and 27.
- Cary: The Town observes Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday, and most Town offices are closed. See the Town Holidays page, and check the Cary Collects app for any collection changes.
- Durham: Check your route's holiday schedule on the City of Durham collection page.
- Other towns: Most Triangle towns post holiday collection changes a week or two ahead on their own websites and apps.
Selling your home over the holidays?
Thanksgiving week is quieter for showings, but it is not a stop. Some buyers use holiday trips to visit the Triangle and tour homes. If your home is on the market, a few things help.
- Tell your agent your travel dates early so showings can be set around them.
- Keep walkways clear of leaves and keep porch lights on. It gets dark early this time of year.
- If you host, give the home a quick reset before any showings that weekend.
Thinking about selling this winter? Start with our home value estimate or see how we help sellers.
Frequently asked questions
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26. In the Triangle, Thanksgiving week events run from the Apex Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 21, through the Christmas Carousel gift market in Raleigh, which ends Sunday, November 29.
What turkey trots are in the Triangle in 2026?
The Apex Turkey Trot 5K is Saturday, November 21, at 10 a.m. at Apex Community Park. On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, the Willow Spring High School Turkey Trot in Fuquay-Varina starts at 7:45 a.m., and Raleigh, Durham and Wake Forest have Thanksgiving morning races too.
Where can I buy local food for Thanksgiving in the Triangle?
The Wake Forest Farmers Market has a Pre-Thanksgiving Market on Saturday, November 21. On Tuesday, November 24, Carrboro's Thanksgiving Market and a special South Durham Farmers' Market at Hub RTP both run from 3 to 5 p.m. The State Farmers Market in Raleigh is open year-round.
When is the Christmas Carousel in Raleigh in 2026?
The Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market is Friday, November 27, to Sunday, November 29, 2026, in the Jim Graham Building at the NC State Fairgrounds. Adult tickets are $12.
Where can I volunteer at Thanksgiving in Raleigh?
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh has volunteer shifts Tuesday through Saturday, but it is closed November 26 and 27. The Western Wake Farmers Market in Morrisville also collects food donations on Saturday, November 21.
Thinking about calling the Triangle home?
Holiday weeks are a good time to see how a town feels, from a lake loop 5K in Apex to a weekday market in Carrboro and a gift show at the fairgrounds. If you are thinking about a move, our team can help you compare towns across the Triangle. Start with our Raleigh area guide.
- Contact us or call (919) 263-7653
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