Thanksgiving 2026 in Alexandria: the 51st Turkey Trot at 9 a.m. Nov. 26, a free community meal at Meade Church, city closings and no change to trash pickup.
Last checked Nov. 1, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the Alexandria Turkey Trot, Meade Memorial Episcopal Church’s outreach page, the city’s events calendar, holiday collection calendar and Celebrating the Holidays page.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. In Alexandria it starts with the 51st Alexandria Turkey Trot through Del Ray at 9 a.m., and Meade Memorial Episcopal Church serves a free meal at noon for anyone who wants company. City offices close Thursday and Friday, but trash pickup does not change.
Updated Nov. 1: late Turkey Trot fees now apply ($15 for ages 12 and under, $25 for ages 13 to 21, $30 for adults) through Nov. 24.
Who to call
- City services, missed trash pickup: Alex311, 311 or 703-746-4311
- Meade Church meal and turkeys: 703-549-1334 or admin@meadechurch.org
- Fire or a kitchen emergency: 911
Alexandria Turkey Trot, Nov. 26
The race bills itself as the D.C. area’s premier turkey trot, with about 6,000 people on a flat, fast, USATF-certified 5-mile course that starts and ends at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. Dogs and families are welcome.
Race-day schedule, from the race information page:
- 7:30 a.m.: doors open at the school for registration and packet pickup
- 8:45 a.m.: invocation and announcements
- 9 a.m.: race start
- 10:30 a.m.: awards
| Age on race day | Online | Late, Nov. 1-24 | In person on race day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 and under | $10 | $15 | $25 |
| 13-21 | $20 | $25 | $35 |
| 22 and older | $25 | $30 | $40 |
Online registration stays open until 6 a.m. race day; in-person registration runs 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. There are no refunds or transfers, and minors need a parent or guardian present.
Packet pickup: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, through Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Jack Taylor’s Alexandria Toyota and at Pacers Running Old Town; 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at the school, and from 7:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning at the school.
Bring food: the race asks every runner to bring two nonperishable items for ALIVE!, a nonprofit that serves Alexandrians in need.
Getting there: take the Blue or Yellow line to Braddock Road and walk west along Braddock Road under the tracks; the school is on the right. The race prefers drop-offs on Main Line Boulevard. Expect road closures across Del Ray on Thanksgiving morning.
Free meals and food help
- Free Thanksgiving meal, noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at Meade Memorial Episcopal Church, 322 N. Alfred St. The church says all are welcome, whether you are alone, with family or simply want company.
- Free turkeys, Thursday, Nov. 19 (the church says the date may change), in the Meade Church parking lot. For Alexandria residents only, one per household, and you must sign up ahead.
Eating out
Restaurants post Thanksgiving plans on their own sites, and some sell out. Among those that have posted so far:
- Two Nineteen, 219 King St., says it is open on Thanksgiving Day with its regular menu plus a traditional Thanksgiving dinner special (restaurant site).
- Jula’s on the Potomac, 44 Canal Center Plaza, lists Thanksgiving on the Potomac from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (restaurant site).
- The Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, about eight miles south, lists its Thanksgiving buffet as sold out; Thanksgiving to-go meals are still listed (holiday menus).
What is open and closed
| Date | City offices | Recreation (RPCA) | Trash and recycling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Nov. 25 | Open | Holiday hours | Normal |
| Thursday, Nov. 26 | Closed | Closed | Normal: Thursday routes collected on Thanksgiving |
| Friday, Nov. 27 | Closed | Holiday hours | Normal |
Thanksgiving is the one city holiday when pickup does not slide a day. Leaf collection also runs on schedule. See our trash and recycling guide for your zone.
Kitchen safety
The city says Thanksgiving is the No. 1 day of the year for home cooking fires. From its holiday safety tips:
- Stay in the kitchen while anything is cooking, and keep children and pets three feet from the stove.
- If the oven catches fire, keep the door shut and call 911.
- Fry a turkey only outdoors, on a level surface away from the house and deck, and only when the bird is fully thawed and dry.
- Let the oil cool, put it in a sealed container and throw it in the trash; never pour it down the drain.
What this means for you
- Late Turkey Trot fees apply from Nov. 1; online registration is still the cheapest way in until 6 a.m. race day.
- Put Thursday trash out as usual on Thanksgiving morning.
- Holiday shopping starts the next day; see our Black Friday and holiday shopping guide.
Related guides: holiday lights and Christmas events, Christmas parade and tree lighting and trash and recycling.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Alexandria Turkey Trot 2026?
The 51st Alexandria Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. It is a 5-mile course through Del Ray. Online registration stays open until 6 a.m. race day.
Is there a free Thanksgiving dinner in Alexandria?
Yes. Meade Memorial Episcopal Church, 322 N. Alfred St., serves a free Thanksgiving meal from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26. All are welcome. Questions: 703-549-1334.
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Alexandria?
Yes. The city does not slide the schedule for Thanksgiving: Thursday trash, recycling, yard waste and leaf collection happens on Thanksgiving Day.
Are Alexandria city offices closed the day after Thanksgiving?
Yes. City offices are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27. City recreation facilities also list closures for Nov. 25, 26 and 27; check the department’s posted hours.
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