Thanksgiving 2026 in Winchester: the Thanksgiving Day 5K at Sherando Park, the trash and recycling shift to Friday, the Holiday Parade on Nov. 30.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Every date comes from the organizer’s own page, linked below.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. In Winchester that means a holiday shift in trash pickup, a morning 5K just south of the city, and, four days later, the city’s Holiday Parade through Old Town.

Who to call

  • Trash and recycling: City of Winchester, 540-667-1815, or the city’s waste and recycling page
  • Parks and Recreation: 540-662-4946
  • Help with a holiday meal: Congregational Community Action Project (CCAP), 112 S. Kent St., 540-662-4318
  • Emergency: 911

Thanksgiving week at a glance

Date What Where
Saturday, Nov. 21 Festival of Trees Youth Development Center, 302 S. Loudoun St.
Nov. 25-27 HIVE and HIVE Club closed City after-school program
Thursday, Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day 5K, 8 a.m. Sherando Park, Stephens City
Thursday, Nov. 26 No trash or recycling pickup Citywide
Friday, Nov. 27 Thursday trash routes collected Citywide
Sunday, Nov. 29 Museum Store Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
Monday, Nov. 30 Holiday Parade and tree lighting, 7 p.m. Old Town

Turkey trot: the Thanksgiving Day 5K

The Thanksgiving Day 5K runs Thursday, Nov. 26, on the track, pavement and woodland trails of Sherando Park in Stephens City, according to the organizer, RunAtTheTop. The kids’ fun run and tot trot go off at 8 and 8:15 a.m., and the chip-timed 5K starts at 8:45 a.m. Runners and walkers are both welcome.

In 2025 the race listed no race-day registration and raised money for the Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter (WATTS), according to the visitors bureau listing. Register ahead on the race page.

Trash, recycling and city services

From the city’s holiday collection schedule:

  • No trash or recycling service on Thursday, Nov. 26. Thursday service moves one day later, to Friday, Nov. 27.
  • Yard waste is canceled for Thanksgiving week.
  • Monday to Wednesday routes run as usual.

Winchester Parks and Recreation lists its HIVE and HIVE Club after-school programs as closed Nov. 25-27. Our trash and recycling guide has the full holiday calendar and your ward’s pickup day.

Things to do in November

  • Tiny Tales Story Time: Giving Thanks, Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 or 11 a.m. at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, 901 Amherst St. Stories and songs for ages 2 to 5; no registration needed.
  • Art Ability: Gather Together, Thursday, Nov. 19, 6 to 7 p.m. at the museum, a Thanksgiving-themed program for teens and adults with developmental and sensory disabilities. Registration required.
  • Festival of Trees, Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Youth Development Center, 302 S. Loudoun St. (listing).
  • Museum Store Sunday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the MSV, with local vendors and artisans (museum events).

Thanksgiving weekend tours (2025 dates)

Belle Grove, 336 Belle Grove Road in Middletown, opened for tours on Thanksgiving weekend in 2025: Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28-29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 30, from 1 to 5 p.m., with tours at 15 minutes past each hour and groups of up to 10 (2025 listing). Belle Grove had not posted 2026 times when we checked; call 540-869-2028 or see bellegrove.org.

After Thanksgiving

Community meals

No free community Thanksgiving dinner in Winchester had been announced when we checked. The Congregational Community Action Project (CCAP), 112 S. Kent St., takes calls about holiday help at 540-662-4318. We will add community dinners here as organizers announce them.

What this means for you

  • If your trash day is Thursday, put the cart out Friday, Nov. 27, instead.
  • Register for the 5K ahead of time; the race does not take race-day sign-ups.
  • Plan for downtown road closures on the evening of Monday, Nov. 30, for the parade.

Related: things to do this month and farmers markets.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a turkey trot in Winchester, Virginia, on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. The Thanksgiving Day 5K is Thursday, Nov. 26, at Sherando Park in Stephens City, with a kids’ fun run and tot trot at 8 and 8:15 a.m. and the 5K at 8:45 a.m. There is no race-day registration.

Is there trash pickup in Winchester on Thanksgiving?

No. The city collects no trash or recycling on Thursday, Nov. 26. Thursday routes move to Friday, Nov. 27, and yard waste is canceled that week.

When is the Winchester Christmas parade after Thanksgiving?

The city’s Holiday Parade is at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 2026, followed by the tree lighting in Old Town.

Is the HIVE after-school program open Thanksgiving week?

No. Winchester Parks and Recreation lists HIVE and HIVE Club as closed Nov. 25-27, 2026.