Gather and give thanks
Turkey trots, community dinners, volunteer opportunities and family events around Thanksgiving in Des Moines, updated every day from local calendars.
Annual events, checked against each organizer's own page. Confirm details there before you go.
Thursday, November 26 · 5K and 5 Mile 9:00AM CST; Tot Trot 10:15AM CST
Thanksgiving morning 5K, 5-mile and kids' Tot Trot downtown. Organizers call it Iowa's largest Thanksgiving Day tradition.
208 Court Ave, downtown Des Moines
The Des Moines Turkey Trot (RunSignup registration) →Thanksgiving Day · this year's date not yet announced
Hope Ministries serves and delivers free Thanksgiving meals across the area. It also holds a food donation day at its Bethel Mission just before Thanksgiving.
Hope Ministries Bethel Mission, 1310 6th Avenue, Des Moines
Hope Ministries →7 Thanksgiving events for 2026 on Des Moines’s local calendars. Updated every day.
Run or walk it off before dinner.
Thanksgiving dinners and gatherings open to the community.
Food drives and ways to help neighbors this season.
Crafts, story times and family activities.
Everything else on local calendars this season.
Add your event to the Des Moines calendar. Staff review every submission before publication.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026.
This page lists upcoming Thanksgiving events in Des Moines from local calendars, including libraries, the city, venues and organizers. It updates every day as calendars post new dates.
Use the "Share an event" form. Include the date, time, place and the organizer’s link; a person reviews it before it appears.
