Thanksgiving 2026 · Thursday, Nov 26 · checked October 10, 2026
Thanksgiving in Northwest Arkansas, 2026
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov 26, and most NWA schools are out the whole week (Nov 23–27). Here are the Thanksgiving-morning turkey trots in Bentonville, Springdale, Rogers and Fayetteville, what's open and closed on the day itself, and the long weekend's tree lightings, holiday markets and lights, with 2026 dates, times and fees from each organizer's own page as of Oct 10. Nobody paid to be listed.
Orange pins and badges are open this weekend, from each place's posted schedule.
The essentials
Thanksgiving week at a glance
- The date
- Thursday, Nov 26, 2026. Black Friday is Nov 27; Small Business Saturday is Nov 28.
- School's out
- Every NWA district we track is out Mon Nov 23 – Fri Nov 27 (in Farmington, Mon and Tue are teacher flex days, so students are off). Decatur stays out through Mon Nov 30. Every district's dates are on our school calendars page.
- Turkey trots
- Four in-person races on Thanksgiving morning: Bentonville 7:30 AM, Springdale 8 AM, Rogers 9 AM, Fayetteville 9 AM (1K) and 9:30 AM (5K).
- Open Thanksgiving Day
- Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge 8:30 AM–1 PM · Crystal Bridges trails and grounds sunrise to sunset · state park campgrounds (visitor centers closed) · Lights of the Ozarks 5 PM–1 AM
- Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Crystal Bridges, the Momentary, the Amazeum, the Walmart Museum, the Museum of Native American History, Shiloh Museum, Rogers Historical Museum, the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (closed every Thursday), the Jones Center, and the Devil's Den and Hobbs visitor centers
- Saturday, Nov 28
- No Fayetteville Farmers Market on the square that day (its one Saturday off). Its holiday markets pick up Dec 5.
Turkey trots
Fees are as posted Oct 10, 2026, before RunSignup's processing fee, and most go up closer to race day.
- Opens Nov 26Family-friendly
5K and 1K Thanksgiving run/walk (The Spark Foundation)
Turkey Trot-n-Trek
Upper Ramble, 251 N West Ave, Fayetteville
- When:
- Thursday, Nov 26, 2026
- Hours:
- 1K Turkey Trek 9 AM · 5K Turkey Trot 9:30 AM
- Admission:
- 5K $35 through Nov 15, $40 Nov 16–24, $45 Nov 25–26 · 1K $15, then $20 from Nov 25
- What's there:
- Benefits The Spark Foundation, a 501(c)(3) supporting schools and community health and fitness. A hilly downtown course, and no age-group awards by design. 1K finishers get a medal.
- Opens Nov 26Family-friendly
5K and 1-mile fun run (16th year)
Downtown Springdale Turkey Trot
Turnbow Park, 106 E Emma Ave, Springdale
- When:
- Thursday, Nov 26, 2026
- Hours:
- Shotgun start 8 AM for both races
- Admission:
- 5K $32 · 1-mile fun run $15 · a $30 "Sleep In" entry opens Nov 9
- What's there:
- Run by the RedDog Club for the Springdale High School Bulldog football program. The course uses the Razorback Greenway. Every finisher gets a medal; register before Nov 13 to be sure of a shirt in your size.
- Opens Nov 26Family-friendly
5K, Wild Gobbler 5K with workout stations, and 1-mile fun run/walk
SDIA Turkey Trot for Heroes
Center for Nonprofits, 1200 W Walnut St, Rogers
- When:
- Thursday, Nov 26, 2026
- Hours:
- All races start at 9 AM · race-morning packet pickup and day-of registration from 7:45 AM · early pickup the evening before, 5–7 PM in McAuley Hall
- Admission:
- 5K $35 through Oct 30, then $40 · Wild Gobbler $40, then $45 · 1-mile fun run/walk $20 · a virtual 5K is also offered
- What's there:
- Proceeds fund Sheep Dog Impact Assistance's programs; Rogers Fraternal Order of Police partners. The Wild Gobbler adds five exercise stations along the route. Best-dressed award, so wear the turkey costume.
- Opens Nov 26Family-friendly
5K and 1-mile fun run (TeamE Multi Sport, 5th year)
Bentonville Gobbler 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
Back soccer field parking lot, Bentonville Community Center, 1101 SW Citizens Circle
- When:
- Thursday, Nov 26, 2026
- Hours:
- 7:30 AM · packet pickup Wednesday 4–6 PM inside the Community Center, or race morning 6:45–7:15 AM
- Admission:
- 5K $35 · 1 mile $30 (plus a small fee) · registration closes Tue Nov 24, 11:59 PM
- What's there:
- Professionally timed, with medals and water for every finisher. Kids under 12 run with an adult; the course is marked but roads stay open to traffic. No charity is named on the page.
- Family-friendly
Virtual 5K run/walk, no group start
Virtual Turkey Trot 5K (Bella Vista)
Run or walk anywhere; the registration lists 222 Glasgow Rd, Bella Vista
- When:
- Any day Oct 31 – Nov 29, 2026
- Admission:
- $25; registration closes Nov 29, 11 PM
- What's there:
- Every entry helps buy shoes for children in Cobán, Guatemala. In 2026 it's virtual only; the page doesn't name the organizer.
- Opens Nov 15Family-friendly
Thanksgiving-themed 5K, 10K and half marathon, two weeks early
Turkey Trails Fayetteville
Fayetteville (the race page still lists the start as TBD)
- When:
- Sunday, Nov 15, 2026 (11 days before Thanksgiving)
- Hours:
- 8 AM
- Admission:
- 5K or 10K $39 through Oct 24, $43 from Oct 25, $47 from Nov 13 · half marathon $73, $79, then $85 · 1 mile $22 · kids' dash (10 and under) $17, or free without the swag
- What's there:
- Shirt and finisher medal for every distance; register by the second Thursday before race day to be sure of a shirt. No charity is named.
Open on Thanksgiving Day
Most indoor attractions close on Thanksgiving. These are open, per each place's own hours page.
- Opens Nov 26Family-friendly
Big-cat sanctuary
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs
- When:
- Open Thanksgiving Day, short hours
- Hours:
- Thanksgiving 8:30 AM–1 PM (regular winter hours 8:30 AM–4 PM)
- Admission:
- Tickets online in advance; prices are on the refuge's ticket page
- What's there:
- General admission and guided tours. 479-253-5841.
- Family-friendly
Museum trails and outdoor art (the galleries are closed)
Crystal Bridges trails & grounds
600 Museum Way, Bentonville
- When:
- The museum is closed Thanksgiving; the trails and grounds keep their own hours
- Hours:
- Trails and grounds sunrise to sunset
- What's there:
- A walk between the turkey and the pie. The Momentary Green is also open daily, though the Momentary itself is closed.
- Family-friendly
State park: campground, picnic area & trails
Devil's Den State Park
11333 W Arkansas Hwy 74, West Fork
- When:
- Campground and picnic area open all year
- Hours:
- Visitor center closed Thanksgiving Day (otherwise daily 8 AM–5 PM) · 479-761-3325
- Family-friendly
State park: trails & primitive campsites
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
20201 E Hwy 12, Rogers
- When:
- Primitive campsites open all year
- Hours:
- Visitor center closed Thanksgiving Day (otherwise daily 8 AM–5 PM) · 479-789-5000
- What's there:
- Parts of the park host fall hunts; the park page lists the hunt dates.
- Opens Nov 20Family-friendly
Downtown lights (free)
Lights of the Ozarks on Thanksgiving night
Historic Downtown Square, Fayetteville
- When:
- Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
- Hours:
- Nightly 5 PM–1 AM, Thanksgiving included
- Admission:
- Free
- What's there:
- 500,000+ LED lights on the square. The full season is in our Christmas lights guide.
Closed Thursday, open Friday: museums & indoor spots
Good Black Friday plans for a house full of cousins. Hours below are for Friday, Nov 27.
- Family-friendly
Art museum
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
600 Museum Way, Bentonville
- When:
- Closed Thanksgiving; open Black Friday
- Hours:
- Fri 11 AM–8 PM (lobby opens 10 AM) · Sat–Sun 10 AM–6 PM
Contemporary art space
The Momentary
507 SE E St, Bentonville
- When:
- Closed Thanksgiving; open Black Friday
- Hours:
- Fri–Sat 10 AM–8 PM · Sun 10 AM–6 PM
- Admission:
- Free general admission
- Family-friendly
Hands-on children's museum
Scott Family Amazeum
1009 Museum Way, Bentonville
- When:
- Closed Thanksgiving; open Black Friday
- Hours:
- Fri–Sat 10 AM–5 PM · Sun 1–5 PM
- Admission:
- $17 adults and kids; under 2 and members free · 479-696-9280
- Family-friendly
Company history museum on the square
Walmart Museum
105 N Main St, Bentonville
- When:
- Closed Thanksgiving; open Black Friday
- Hours:
- Fri–Sat 10 AM–10 PM · Sun noon–6 PM
- Admission:
- Free
- Family-friendly
History museum
Museum of Native American History
202 SW O St, Bentonville
- When:
- Closed Thanksgiving; open Black Friday
- Hours:
- Fri–Sat 11 AM–5 PM (closed Sunday) · 479-273-2456
- Admission:
- Free
- Family-friendly
Regional history museum
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
118 W Johnson Ave, Springdale
- When:
- Closed Thanksgiving; open Black Friday
- Hours:
- Fri–Sat 10 AM–5 PM
- Admission:
- Free (donations accepted)
- Family-friendly
Botanical garden
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
4703 N Crossover Rd, Fayetteville
- When:
- Closed every Thursday, so closed Thanksgiving; open Black Friday
- Hours:
- Fri–Sun 9 AM–5 PM, last entry 4:15 PM
- Admission:
- $14 adults · $7 ages 4–17 · 3 and under and members free
- What's there:
- The Butterfly House is closed for the 2026 season.
History museum
Rogers Historical Museum
313 S 2nd St, Rogers
- When:
- Closed Thanksgiving and Black Friday; open Saturday, Nov 28
- Hours:
- Sat 10 AM–4 PM · 479-621-1154
- Admission:
- Free
Thanksgiving weekend: lights, markets & tree lightings
The holiday season starts the weekend before Thanksgiving. Full details live in our Christmas lights and Christmas guides; this is what lands Nov 27–29.
- Opens Nov 27Family-friendly
Hotel tree lighting
Tree Lighting at the 1886 Crescent Hotel
75 Prospect Ave, Eureka Springs
- When:
- Friday, Nov 27, 2026, 6 PM
- What's there:
- The Holiday Hangout opens the same day on the 4th floor (Top of the Crest), daily 4–8 PM. The Christmas Tree Forest runs all December.
- Opens Nov 27Family-friendly
Holiday vendor market
Winter Market of NWA
Benton County Fairgrounds, 7640 SW Regional Airport Blvd, Bentonville
- When:
- Fri Nov 27 – Sat Nov 28, 2026
- Hours:
- Fri 4–9 PM · Sat 10 AM–7 PM
- Admission:
- Free admission and free parking
- What's there:
- Local vendors and photos with Santa, billed for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
- Opens Nov 28Family-friendly
Town tree lighting (free)
Eureka Springs Tree Lighting Ceremony
Basin Spring Park, 4 Spring St, Eureka Springs
- When:
- Saturday, Nov 28, 2026, 5:30–6 PM
- Admission:
- Free
- What's there:
- Fiddling Santa and his elves light the town tree.
- Opens Nov 28
Holiday arts market (Mount Sequoyah's Festival of Trees)
Winter Wonderland Arts Market
Mount Sequoyah, 150 N Skyline Dr, Fayetteville
- When:
- Sat Nov 28 – Sun Nov 29, 2026
- Hours:
- Sat 10 AM–4 PM · Sun 11 AM–5 PM
- Admission:
- Open to everyone; no price posted
- What's there:
- Local makers and artisans on the mountain, a good Small Business Saturday stop.
- Opens Nov 28Family-friendly
Holiday train ride, Arkansas & Missouri Railroad
Holiday Express Pajama Train
Springdale depot, 306 E Emma Ave, Springdale
- When:
- First rides of the season: Sat Nov 28 and Sun Nov 29, 2026
- Hours:
- Sat 11 AM, 1, 3 and 8 PM · Sun noon, 2 and 4 PM (booking calendar, Oct 10)
- Admission:
- Prices on the booking page · 479-725-4017
- What's there:
- A one-hour round trip from Springdale to Johnson with hot cocoa, cookies and Santa. More dates in our Christmas guide.
- Opens Nov 28Family-friendly
Cave tours, last weekend of the season
War Eagle Cavern
21494 Cavern Rd, Rogers
- When:
- Open through Thanksgiving weekend, then closed December–February for the bats
- Hours:
- Thanksgiving weekend Sat–Sun 9:30 AM–5 PM; last tour an hour before close. The page doesn't say whether Thanksgiving Day itself is open: 479-789-2909.
- Family-friendly
Outdoor ice rink (Bentonville Parks)
The Rink at Lawrence Plaza
214 NE A St, Bentonville
- When:
- Opens Saturday, Nov 21, 2026
- Hours:
- Session times vary week to week; the 2026–27 calendar isn't posted yet, so check before Thanksgiving weekend · 479-271-3390
- Admission:
- $7 a session, skate rental included · tickets on sale Nov 1
- Opens Nov 20Family-friendly
Ticketed drive-through light show
The Light Show NWA
Washington County Fairgrounds, 2537 N McConnell Ave, Fayetteville
- When:
- Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
- Admission:
- $25–35 per car plus taxes and fees, depending on the night; season pass $85
- What's there:
- Sunday–Thursday is usually drive right in. The site doesn't say whether it runs Thanksgiving night; check the ticket calendar.
On the calendar
Verified events for the season, updated every night.
- Sat, Oct 318AM
Virtual Turkey Trot 5K
Outdoor & Active:Bella Vista
$25 - Sat, Nov 78AM
Gobbler 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Springdale, AR (45)
Outdoor & Active:Shaw Family Park· Springdale
- Sun, Nov 158AM
Turkey Trails - Fayetteville
Outdoor & Active:Fayetteville
$17-$67 - Thu, Nov 1911AM
Club55: Thanksgiving potluck
Community:The Jones Center· Springdale
Free - Thu, Nov 269AM
Turkey Trot-n-Trek
Outdoor & Active:Fayetteville
$15-$45 - Thu, Nov 268AM
16th Annual Downtown Springdale Turkey Trot
Outdoor & Active:Walter Turnbow Park· Springdale
$15-$32
Call ahead
These come up in older roundups, but nothing official confirms a 2026 season yet.
- Siloam Springs Turkey Trot (Parks & Recreation). A 5K and free 1-mile fun run downtown at Washington and Main. 2025's was the Saturday before Thanksgiving (Nov 22); no 2026 date is posted yet. Call Parks & Rec at 479-524-5779.
- Rodeo of the Ozarks Christmas Parade (Springdale). Listed for Saturday, Nov 28 in our Christmas guide, but the organizer's page sits behind a bot wall and we couldn't recheck it; no start time is posted. Confirm on the Springdale Benevolent Foundation's site before you go.
- Great Passion Play drive-through lights (Eureka Springs). Its Christmas page still shows last season, which ran Thanksgiving night through Jan 3, by donation. 2026 dates aren't posted: 479-253-9200.
- Free community Thanksgiving meals. No NWA church or nonprofit had posted a 2026 Thanksgiving Day meal as of Oct 10; they usually announce in November. The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas (479-521-2151) is a good first call.
Quick answers
- When is Thanksgiving 2026?
- Thursday, Nov 26, 2026. Most Northwest Arkansas schools are out all week, Nov 23–27.
- Is there a turkey trot in Fayetteville, AR?
- Yes: the Turkey Trot-n-Trek on Thursday, Nov 26, 2026, from the Upper Ramble, with the 1K at 9 AM and the 5K at 9:30 AM. The 5K is $35 through Nov 15, then $40, then $45 on Nov 25–26; it benefits The Spark Foundation.
- What turkey trots are on Thanksgiving morning in NWA?
- Four on Thursday, Nov 26, 2026: the Bentonville Gobbler at 7:30 AM, the Downtown Springdale Turkey Trot at 8 AM, the SDIA Turkey Trot for Heroes in Rogers at 9 AM, and Fayetteville's Turkey Trot-n-Trek at 9 AM (1K) and 9:30 AM (5K).
- Is Crystal Bridges open on Thanksgiving?
- No, the museum is closed on Thanksgiving, but its trails and grounds stay open sunrise to sunset. It reopens Friday, Nov 27, with galleries open 11 AM–8 PM.
- Is the Amazeum open on Thanksgiving?
- No. The Amazeum is closed Thanksgiving Day and open Black Friday, Nov 27, 10 AM–5 PM.
- What is open on Thanksgiving Day in Northwest Arkansas?
- Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is open 8:30 AM–1 PM, Crystal Bridges' trails and grounds are open sunrise to sunset, and the Devil's Den and Hobbs state parks stay open even though their visitor centers close. Lights of the Ozarks is on 5 PM–1 AM on the Fayetteville square.
- Is the Fayetteville Farmers Market open the Saturday after Thanksgiving?
- No. Nov 28 is the market's one Saturday off; its holiday markets on the square start again Dec 5.
Dates, hours and prices are as each business posted them on October 10, 2026, and they change. Spot something out of date, or run one we missed? Tell us.
Nobody paid to be on this list. Inclusion is editorial.