Thanksgiving in Alpharetta, GA (2026): Turkey Trots, Dinner & Events

Thanksgiving in Alpharetta 2026: Your Holiday Week Guide

Thanksgiving lands on Thursday, November 26 this year, and Alpharetta has plenty going on around it: a turkey trot right here in town, a rooftop Thanksgiving dinner downtown, a full week off for Fulton County Schools students and a packed holiday kickoff the weekend before. Here's how to plan the whole week, with dates, times and prices pulled from the organizers themselves.

Key dates at a glance

Saturday, Nov. 14: last Alpharetta Farmers Market of the 2026 season, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Town Green. A good chance to stock up on local produce and baked goods before the holiday.
Friday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 22: three free tree lightings in three nights, plus the opening of Avalon on Ice.
Monday, Nov. 23 to Friday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Break for Fulton County Schools. There's no school all week.
Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day, with turkey trots in the morning and dinner out for anyone who'd rather skip the dishes.
Saturday, Nov. 28: the Alpharetta Symphony's holiday concert and an evening of jazz at The Velvet Note.

Turkey trots near Alpharetta

Running (or walking) a few miles before the big meal is a North Fulton tradition, and you don't have to drive far to do it.

Thanksgiving Day Gobble Wobble 5K and Kids Fun Run (Alpharetta): the 11th annual race starts at Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, with the 5K walk/run at 8 a.m. and the Kids Fun Run (ages 10 and under) at 9:15 a.m. Registration is $50 for the 5K, $30 for the Kids Fun Run and $40 for a virtual 5K. Sign up by Nov. 20 to guarantee your finisher medal and this year's new lightweight hoodie. There is no race-day packet pickup: packets are available Nov. 21 to 25, noon to 5 p.m., at Big Peach Running Co. in Cumming and Dawsonville. Donations benefit Meals by Grace, which provides meals to local children and families in need. It's rain or shine.
Five Star Thanksgiving Turkey Trot (Johns Creek): a 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathon that all start at 8 a.m. at 3890 Johns Creek Pkwy., with check-in opening at 6:30 a.m. Race-day registration is listed at $25, and the race supports a breast cancer charity partner. Runners who have finished another race this year may qualify for a free entry, so check the race page for the rules.
Tryptophan Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Fun Run (Cumming): also on Thanksgiving morning at 415 Peachtree Pkwy., with staggered starts from 7:30 a.m. (half marathon) to 9 a.m. (1K fun run).

Prefer to go at your own pace? The Big Creek Greenway and the Alpha Loop are free and open for a holiday morning walk with the family or the dog.

Thanksgiving dinner out

If nobody wants to host this year, eating out is easy to plan if you book early.

Up On The Roof in downtown Alpharetta, across from the Town Green, is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. It's serving a three-course Thanksgiving menu for $49 per person (before tax and gratuity), built around an oven-roasted turkey plate with a choice of starter, side and an apple dessert, alongside its full dinner menu. Reservations are through OpenTable.

Many other Alpharetta restaurants announce Thanksgiving hours and to-go feasts closer to the holiday, and some popular spots at Avalon have closed on Thanksgiving Day in past years. Call ahead before you go, and browse our Alpharetta restaurant guide or the best restaurants in Alpharetta for ideas. We'll add confirmed Thanksgiving Day openings here as restaurants post them.

With the kids off all week

Fulton County Schools is out Monday through Friday of Thanksgiving week, so you've got five days to fill. A few local ideas:

Skate at Avalon: Avalon on Ice opens Nov. 22 and runs through Jan. 18. Weekday hours are 3 to 9 p.m., and tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for ages 12 and under, skates included. Reservations are recommended.
Visit Santa early: Santa arrives at Avalon's Palmer Plaza on Nov. 23 for photos by appointment, with Monday Story Time and Tuesday pet portraits during the season.
Burn off energy indoors: Main Event, Topgolf Alpharetta and a movie at Regal Avalon are all easy rainy-day picks.
Get outside: our things to do in Alpharetta guide covers parks, trails and more, and the things to do directory has the full list.

The holiday kickoff weekend before

Alpharetta flips to holiday mode the weekend before Thanksgiving. All of these are free:

Friday, Nov. 20: The Hamilton Alpharetta Christmas Tree Lighting, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 25 Milton Ave.
Saturday, Nov. 21: the Alpharetta Arts Center's Artists Holiday Market (10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), then the city's Season of Celebration tree lighting in Downtown Alpharetta from 5 to 8 p.m., with the 50-foot tree lighting around 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22: the Lighting of Avalon, 2 to 7:30 p.m., with the 40-foot tree lighting at 7 p.m. Parking fills fast, so carpool or ride-share.

For everything from Lights on the Loop to the winter parade, see our full Christmas and holiday events in Alpharetta guide.

The weekend after Thanksgiving

Alpharetta Holiday with the Alpharetta Symphony: Saturday, Nov. 28, 3 to 5:30 p.m. at Innovation Academy, 125 Milton Ave.
Toni Byrd Live in Concert: Saturday, Nov. 28 at The Velvet Note, with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $42.
Shop local: Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to browse the independent shops downtown and at Avalon. Our Alpharetta business directory makes it easy to find them.

Our Alpharetta events calendar has every date in one place and is updated all season.

Ways to give back

Thanksgiving is a natural time to help neighbors. Signing up for the Gobble Wobble supports Meals by Grace, which serves local children and families, and many North Fulton nonprofits ramp up food drives this month. If your organization is collecting donations or hosting a community meal, let us know and we'll share it.

How does your family spend Thanksgiving in Alpharetta: turkey trot, dinner out or a full house at home? Know a restaurant serving Thanksgiving dinner or a local food drive we should add? Email hello@alpharettalist.com and we'll keep this guide updated through the holiday.

Frequently asked questions

When is Thanksgiving 2026?

Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026.

Is there a turkey trot in Alpharetta on Thanksgiving?

Yes. The 11th annual Thanksgiving Day Gobble Wobble 5K and Kids Fun Run starts at Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, on Nov. 26, 2026. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. and the Kids Fun Run at 9:15 a.m. Registration is $50 for the 5K and $30 for the Kids Fun Run, and donations benefit Meals by Grace.

When is Thanksgiving break for Fulton County Schools in 2026?

Fulton County Schools is closed for Thanksgiving Break from Monday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 27, 2026.

Which Alpharetta restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day 2026?

Up On The Roof in downtown Alpharetta is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day with a $49 three-course Thanksgiving menu. Other restaurants post holiday hours closer to the date, so call ahead before you go.

What holiday events are happening around Thanksgiving in Alpharetta?

The weekend before brings The Hamilton tree lighting (Nov. 20), the Season of Celebration tree lighting downtown (Nov. 21) and the Lighting of Avalon (Nov. 22), when Avalon on Ice opens. The Alpharetta Symphony's holiday concert is Saturday, Nov. 28.