Thanksgiving in Orlando 2026: turkey trot, closings and trash

Last checked Oct. 14, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Race details come from the Track Shack race page, road closures from the city’s notice, closings from the City of Orlando observed holidays page and school dates from the OCPS 2026-27 calendar.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. Orlando’s biggest tradition that morning is the Seniors First Turkey Trot around Lake Eola, now in its 37th year. City Hall is closed Thursday and Friday, there is no residential garbage pickup on Thanksgiving Day, and Orange County Public Schools are off all week. We will add community dinners, church services and restaurant notes here as organizers announce them.

Updated Oct. 14: the city posted the Turkey Trot road closures around Lake Eola, 3 to 11 a.m.

What this means for you

• Run: Turkey Trot 5K, 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, Lake Eola Park; free Tot Trot at 9:15 a.m.
• Trash: no city garbage pickup Thanksgiving Day. Check your pickup calendar for the week.
• City Hall: closed Nov. 26 and Nov. 27. Street meters are not enforced either day.
• School: OCPS is out Nov. 23-27.
• Solid Waste Division: 407-246-2314

The Turkey Trot

The Seniors First Turkey Trot began in 1989 with fewer than 200 runners and now draws close to 5,000, the race site says. Many run in costume. Money raised supports Seniors First’s Meals on Wheels and other programs for older adults in Central Florida.

The race-day schedule on Thursday, Nov. 26, from the Track Shack event page:

The race starts and finishes at Lake Eola Park, 227 N. Eola Drive. It is a noncompetitive fun run: only the top five men and top five women get awards, and no other times are recorded. There is a virtual option. Entry fees rise in steps through race week, with $10 off for runners 17 and under or 65 and over; see the race page for the current fee. Kids’ runs are free, with sign-up on race week.

Road closures

The City of Orlando’s Turkey Trot closure notice lists these closures on Thursday, Nov. 26:

• 3 to 11 a.m., staging area: Robinson Street from Rosalind Avenue to Eola Drive, and Eola Drive from Robinson Street to Washington Street.
• 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., race route: Rosalind Avenue from Robinson Street to Concord Street; Concord Street from Magnolia Avenue to Hyer Avenue; Hyer Avenue from Concord Street to Church Street, with the jog on Jefferson Street; Church Street from Hyer Avenue to Rosalind Avenue; two lanes of Rosalind Avenue from Church Street to Robinson Street; and Robinson Street from Rosalind Avenue to Hillman Avenue.

Temporary no-parking signs may go up, and Orlando police will be on the route, the city says. Other city work zones are on our road closures page.

Trash and recycling

The city collects residential garbage on every holiday except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, its observed holidays page says. If Thursday is your pickup day, look up your address on the city’s pickup schedule, which shows holiday collection changes, or call the Solid Waste Division at 407-246-2314. Our trash and recycling guide has the cart rules and bulk pickup.

What is open and closed

The Orange County Library System has not yet posted its 2026-27 holiday list. Last year it closed at 6 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving and stayed closed Thursday and Friday, reopening Saturday, its holiday hours page shows. Book drops stay open when branches are closed. Harry P. Leu Gardens is closed on Thanksgiving Day, its hours page says.

Before the holiday

• Wrapped in Thanks: A Toast to You, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center, 1723 Bruton Blvd. A Thanksgiving meal and celebration for seniors, the city says.
• Thanksgiving Community Cleanup, 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at George Barker Park, 1820 W. Gore St. Volunteers pick up litter around the park and lake shore, and the city collects donations for United Against Poverty’s emergency food pantry; sign up on the city’s page.
• Fall Fiesta in the Park, Nov. 7-8 at Lake Eola, is on our fall festivals page.

The weekend before and after

The holiday season starts before the turkey. Jingle Eve in Ivanhoe Village is Saturday, Nov. 21, and Leu Gardens’ holiday displays open Nov. 20. The city’s tree lighting at Lake Eola is Friday, Dec. 4. Details are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page and our holiday lights and Christmas events page. Store hours for the weekend are on our Black Friday and holiday shopping page.

Serving a meal?

If your church, nonprofit or restaurant is serving a Thanksgiving meal in Orlando, send us the link to your announcement and we will add it here.

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

Frequently asked questions

Is there a turkey trot in Orlando on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. The 37th Seniors First Turkey Trot 5K starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at Lake Eola Park, with a free Tot Trot for kids at 9:15 a.m.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Orlando?

No. Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day are the only holidays when the city does not collect residential garbage. Check the city’s pickup calendar for your address that week.

Is Orlando City Hall open the day after Thanksgiving?

No. The city lists both Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, and the day after, Nov. 27, as observed holidays when it is closed for business.

When is Thanksgiving break for Orange County Public Schools?

Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 27, on the district’s 2026-27 calendar.

Are Orlando parking meters enforced on Thanksgiving?

No. The city does not enforce on-street meters on its observed holidays, which include Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.