Thanksgiving is Nov. 26: three Knoxville turkey trots, KAT buses and libraries closed, Knox County Schools off Nov. 25-27 and the tree lighting Nov. 27.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Race details come from each race’s registration page, closings from Knoxville Area Transit and the Knox County Public Library, and school dates from the Knox County Schools calendar.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Three turkey trots fill the morning, buses and libraries close for the day, Knox County students are off from Wednesday, and the holiday season starts downtown the next evening with the tree lighting on Market Square.
What this means for you
- Run: Hot to Trot at 7:30 a.m. in Turkey Creek, the Hawk Trot at 8 a.m. in Hardin Valley or the Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot at 8:45 a.m. downtown.
- Buses: No KAT service Thursday. Sunday schedule Friday, Nov. 27.
- Libraries: Closed Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.
- School: Knox County Schools closed Nov. 25-27.
- Trash: Pickup does not run as scheduled on Thanksgiving. Knoxville 311, 865-215-4311.
Turkey trots
| Race | Start | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Hot to Trot 5K, 10K and Fun Run | 5K and 10K 7:30 a.m.; Fun Run 9 a.m. | Fleet Feet Knoxville, 11619 Parkside Drive |
| Hardin Valley Hawk Trot 5K | Kids Mile 7:30 a.m.; 5K 8 a.m. | Hardin Valley Academy, 11345 Hardin Valley Road |
| Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot | Little Gobbler Kid’s Run 8 a.m.; 5K 8:45 a.m. | The Mill and Mine, 227 W. Depot Ave. |
Hot to Trot. The 5K starts on Parkside Drive in front of Fleet Feet Knoxville, runs through the Turkey Creek area and loops back. The 10K is two loops, and the 1-mile Fun Run is out and back on Parkside Drive. The course is USATF certified. Packet pickup is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 24-25, at the store, and 6 to 6:45 a.m. on race morning at the Fleet Feet tent at the start. Shirt sizes are not guaranteed after Nov. 8. Store: 865-675-3338.
Hardin Valley Hawk Trot. The 5K for ages 10 and up starts at 8 a.m. from Hardin Valley Academy, follows campus roads past the high, middle and elementary schools and finishes on the track in the football stadium. The Little Hawk Kids Mile, for children under 10, starts at 7:30 a.m. and is capped at 100 runners; every child gets a medal. Packet pickup is race morning only, from 6:30 a.m. at the football and track complex. Park in front of the high school.
Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot. The Little Gobbler Kid’s Run, for ages 12 and under, starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K at 8:45 a.m., both at The Mill and Mine downtown. Prices rise after Nov. 12, and online registration stays open until 9:30 a.m. on race day. The charity partner is Variety, the Children’s Charity of East Tennessee.
What is open and closed
- Knoxville Area Transit: closed Thursday, Nov. 26, with no fixed-route or LIFT paratransit service; customer service and offices are closed too. Buses run a Sunday schedule on Friday, Nov. 27. KAT
- Knox County Public Library: every location is closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27. Library closings
- Knox County Schools: closed Wednesday, Nov. 25, through Friday, Nov. 27. Wednesday, Nov. 18, is a half day for students. District calendar
- Stores: holiday hours for the malls and shopping centers are on our Black Friday and holiday shopping page as each one publishes them.
Trash and recycling
The City of Knoxville says Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only planned days of the year when curbside trash and recycling are not picked up as scheduled. If your pickup day is a Thursday, check your make-up day with Knoxville 311 (865-215-4311) or the city’s service day lookup. Our trash and recycling guide has the drop-off centers for the extra boxes and packaging after the holiday. Glass is not collected at the curb.
Giving back
Knox Area Rescue Ministries has turned its chapel into a restaurant for a Thanksgiving meal for its guests for 39 years, with set tables and a host stand. The ministry asks volunteers and donors to reach it through its events page. We will add public community dinners here as churches and nonprofits announce them; send yours through our contact page.
The next day: tree lighting
The holiday season starts downtown on Friday, Nov. 27, with the Regal Celebration of Lights and tree lighting at the Krutch Park Extension, 5:15 to 9 p.m., and the opening of the Holidays on Ice rink on Market Square. Details are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.
Related: holiday lights and Christmas events and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a turkey trot in Knoxville on Thanksgiving 2026?
Yes, three. The Hot to Trot 5K and 10K start at 7:30 a.m. at Fleet Feet on Parkside Drive, the Hardin Valley Hawk Trot 5K starts at 8 a.m. at Hardin Valley Academy, and the Regal Knoxville Turkey Trot 5K starts at 8:45 a.m. at The Mill and Mine.
Is KAT running on Thanksgiving?
No. Knoxville Area Transit has no fixed-route or LIFT service on Thursday, Nov. 26, and runs a Sunday schedule on Friday, Nov. 27.
Is the Knox County library open on Thanksgiving?
No. All Knox County Public Library locations are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27.
When is Thanksgiving break for Knox County Schools?
Schools are closed Wednesday, Nov. 25, through Friday, Nov. 27, on the district’s 2026-27 calendar. Wednesday, Nov. 18, is a half day.
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Knoxville?
The city says Thanksgiving is one of two days a year, with Christmas, when curbside trash and recycling are not picked up as scheduled. Call 311 at 865-215-4311 for your make-up day.
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