Thanksgiving 2026 in Wilmington is Nov. 26: the Turkey Trot moves downtown, trash pickup shifts to Wednesday, schools close Nov. 25-27 and buses stop.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the City of Wilmington’s 2026 trash and recycling calendar, the New Hanover County Schools 2026-27 calendar, Wave Transit and each organizer’s page, linked below.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. The big change this year: the Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot, a Wrightsville Beach tradition for more than 20 years, moves to downtown Wilmington, starting and finishing at the Live Oak Bank Pavilion in Riverfront Park. City trash pickup moves up a day, schools are out from Wednesday and the buses do not run on the holiday.

Thanksgiving at a glance
Turkey Trot Thursday, Nov. 26: 1 mile 8 a.m., 5K 8:30 a.m., Live Oak Bank Pavilion
City trash and recycling No pickup Thursday; collected Wednesday, Nov. 25
New Hanover County Schools No classes Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 25-27
Wave Transit buses No service on Thanksgiving (2025 schedule)
Downtown street parking Free on Thanksgiving Day
Holiday Parade Sunday, Nov. 29, 6 p.m., Front Street

Who to call

  • City trash and recycling: Solid Waste Services, 910-341-7875
  • Wave Transit: 910-343-0106
  • Emergency: 911

The Turkey Trot moves downtown

The 22nd annual Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot (formerly the Wrightsville Beach Turkey Trot) moves from the beach to downtown Wilmington “due to construction at the beach,” the race page says. Runners and walkers go 1 mile or 5K along the Cape Fear River. Proceeds go to Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity’s home building.

  • Where: Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St.
  • Schedule: registration and packet pickup open at 6:45 a.m.; costume judging 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.; the untimed 1-mile run and walk starts at 8 a.m. and the timed 5K at 8:30 a.m.; costume awards at 9:15 a.m. and 5K awards at 9:30 a.m., according to the race schedule.
  • Price: $45 for either distance; the price goes up after 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25.
  • Packet pickup: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at The Eagle’s Dare, 420 N. Third St. Friends or family can collect your packet.
  • Costumes: turkey costumes for runners and pets are encouraged; visit the costume tent to be judged.
  • Parking: any legal street space or downtown parking deck. Street parking is free on Thanksgiving, the parking page says.

What is open and closed

Trash and recycling. Solid Waste Services is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, and collects on Wednesday, Nov. 25 instead, the city’s 2026 calendar says. Call 910-341-7875 with questions. The full schedule is in our trash and recycling guide.

Schools. New Hanover County Schools lists Wednesday, Nov. 25, as a teacher workday and Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, as the Thanksgiving holidays on its 2026-27 calendar, so students are off for five days counting the weekend.

Buses. Wave Transit runs no fixed-route bus, RideMICRO or paratransit (DART) service on Thanksgiving, its holiday page shows for 2025. Check the page for the 2026 list before you travel.

Children’s Museum. The Children’s Museum of Wilmington, 116 Orange St., is closed on Thanksgiving, its website says.

The New Hanover County Public Library had not posted its Thanksgiving hours when we checked; see its hours page.

Help for older residents

Last year the city held a free Thanksgiving Senior Luncheon, a drive-thru meal for residents 55 and older, on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MLK Community Center, 401 S. Eighth St., with an online RSVP, according to the city’s 2025 listing. The 2026 date is not out yet; we will add it when the city posts it.

The holiday weekend

What this means for you

  • Thursday trash customers: roll your cart out on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
  • Pick up your Turkey Trot packet Wednesday to skip the race-morning line.
  • Plan on no buses Thanksgiving Day.

Related: Halloween events, New Year’s Eve and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Is there trash pickup in Wilmington on Thanksgiving 2026?

No. The city’s Solid Waste Services is closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and collects that route on Wednesday, Nov. 25, according to the city’s 2026 recycling and trash calendar.

Where is the Wilmington Turkey Trot in 2026?

The Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot moves from Wrightsville Beach to the Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St., downtown. The 1-mile starts at 8 a.m. and the 5K at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

When is Thanksgiving break for New Hanover County Schools in 2026?

Wednesday, Nov. 25, is a teacher workday with no classes, and Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, are the Thanksgiving holidays on the district’s 2026-27 calendar.

Do Wave Transit buses run on Thanksgiving?

Wave Transit lists Thanksgiving among the holidays with no fixed-route bus, RideMICRO or paratransit service.

Is downtown Wilmington parking free on Thanksgiving?

Street parking downtown is free on Thanksgiving Day, the Turkey Trot organizers say.