Thanksgiving 2026 Checked Nov 2, 2026
Thanksgiving in Fargo-Moorhead: buffets, dinners to go and the turkey trot
Thursday, Nov. 26. Somebody has to cook, and it doesn't have to be you. Every buffet, meal kit and race below is on the restaurant's or organizer's own page, with prices as posted. Book early; the turkey waits for no one.
Updated Nov 2, 2026 · 15 checked listings · calendar parts refreshed Nov 2, 2026, 4:41 p.m. CT · All guides
Thanksgiving buffets and dinner out
Restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 26 that post it themselves. Both take reservations.
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Rosewild Thanksgiving Day Buffet
Thu, Nov 26 · mid-day buffet
A carving station with roasted turkey and prime rib, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and the rest. Kids under 12 are $20. Parties over 8 should call.
Source: Rosewild's reservation page · checked Nov 2, 2026
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Granite City Thanksgiving Day Buffet
Thu, Nov 26 · 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Roast turkey breast and gravy, pot roast, butternut squash ravioli, sage stuffing, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, pumpkin and pecan pie. Kids 6–12 are $12.
Source: Granite City's reservation page · checked Nov 2, 2026
Thanksgiving dinners to go and meal kits
Heat it, plate it, take the credit.
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Hornbacher's Holiday Meals
Pre-order online
Classic ($79.99, serves 4: turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy), Traditional ($99.99, serves 6–8, a fully cooked 11–13 lb turkey) and Deluxe ($139.99, adds green bean casserole and sweet potato soufflé).
Source: Hornbacher's holiday meal order page · checked Nov 2, 2026
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Cash Wise Holiday Meals
Pre-order online
Same three heat-and-serve turkey dinners: Classic $79.99 (serves 4), Traditional $99.99 and Deluxe $139.99 (serve 6–8).
Source: Cash Wise holiday meal order page · checked Nov 2, 2026
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Chef's Table Thanksgiving Meal Kit
Order by Tue, Nov 24 · pickup Wed, Nov 25
A complete, fully cooked Thanksgiving dinner for 4–6, ready to heat and serve. Limited quantity.
Source: Chef's Table Catering · checked Nov 2, 2026
The turkey trot: Burn the Bird 5K & 10K
The metro's Thanksgiving morning run. Earn the second plate.
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Burn the Bird 5K & 10K
Thu, Nov 26 · 8:30 a.m. start
5K run/walk and 10K from the Fercho YMCA, 400 1st Ave S. Through Nov. 8: 5K $45.52, 10K $51.88; after that $50.82 and $57.18 (fees included). Kids 12 and under run the 5K for $34.92. Pre-registration is required and closes Nov. 24. Packet pickup Wed, Nov 25, 3–6 p.m., or race morning 7–8:15 a.m. Strollers welcome.
Source: YMCA of the Northern Sky · checked Nov 2, 2026
What's open, what's closed
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West Acres: closed Thanksgiving, open early Black Friday
Thanksgiving: closed · Black Friday: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
The mall is closed on Thanksgiving Day and opens at 7 a.m. on Black Friday. Some store hours vary, so check the store too.
Source: West Acres · checked Nov 2, 2026
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Small Business Saturday at Overbooked
Sat, Nov 28 · 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
The downtown bookstore at 619 2nd Ave N lists Small Business Saturday on its own events page.
Source: Overbooked · checked Nov 2, 2026
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Fargo Air Museum: closed Nov 26–30
Closed Thu, Nov 26 – Mon, Nov 30
Back to normal hours Tuesday, Dec. 1. Plan the plane day for later.
Source: Fargo Air Museum · checked Nov 2, 2026
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The Fargo woodchipper at the I-94 Visitors Center
Daily, 9 AM–4 PM (closed Thanksgiving)
Get your picture with the woodchipper from the Coen brothers' Fargo, then compare handprints on the Celebrity Walk of Fame. It's inside a grain elevator at 2001 44th St S, I-94 exit 348.
Source: Visit Fargo-Moorhead · checked Nov 1, 2026
The rest of the long weekend
The short version. The full list is on the calendar below.
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Cookies with the Claus Family
Fri, Nov 27, 1–4 p.m.
Santa arrives by horse-drawn sleigh at 1. Cookie decorating, sleigh rides, face painting, a bouncy house and Santa photos. Hosted by Fraser, Ltd.
Source: FARGODOME / Fraser, Ltd. · checked Nov 1, 2026
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Santa Village at Rheault Farm
Weekends Nov 28–Dec 20 plus Dec 17, 18, 21, 22 · sensory-friendly night Fri, Dec 11, 4–6 p.m.
Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, cookie decorating, model trains and light displays. Carriage rides $2.50 (3 and under free) on weekend afternoons. The Santa line closes early, so don't cut it close. Bring a canned good or toy.
Source: Fargo Parks · checked Nov 1, 2026
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Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds opens
Opens Sat, Nov 28 · 5–10 p.m. nightly
About 1.5 miles of drive-through lights at 1805 Main Ave W. Takes 25–30 minutes at 5 mph. Buses and limos are $60.
Source: Red River Valley Fair · checked Nov 2, 2026
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Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos
Sat, Nov 28 · 7:30 p.m.
Two pianos, requests, all ages welcome.
Source: Fargo Theatre · checked Nov 2, 2026
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Emo Orchestra with The Spill Canvas
Sun, Nov 29 · 7 p.m.
An evening of emo, with strings. All ages welcome.
Source: Fargo Theatre · checked Nov 2, 2026
Also on the calendars, Thanksgiving weekend
Everything the venue, library and city calendars list for Thursday through Sunday, refreshed nightly. Check hours; holiday weekends move things.
- Thu Nov 26 Joy is a party, grief is a protest The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum, Moorhead + 3 more dates
- Thu Nov 26 Rene'e Danz: All of Us Creatures The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum, Moorhead + 3 more dates
- Thu Nov 26 The Great American Quilt ~ (a metaphor & an exhibit) The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum, Moorhead + 3 more dates
- Thu Nov 26 John Scott Postovit: Deep Cuts and B Sides The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum, Moorhead + 3 more dates
- Thu Nov 26 Free Dog Night and Rock & Roll Bingo! Dempsey’s Public House, Fargo
- Thu Nov 26 High School Art Show Concordia College, Moorhead + 3 more dates
- Thu Nov 26 Thursday Night Board Game Night Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Thu Nov 26 Gundam CGE Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo + 1 more dates
- Thu Nov 26 Star Wars Unlimited: Weekly Booster Draft Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Thu Nov 26 One Piece Thursdays Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Thu Nov 26 Night City Brawl Thursdays Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Fri Nov 27 Hideout Fest ’26: Music from the Mint The Aquarium, Fargo
- Fri Nov 27 Fargo Force Men's Ice Hockey vs Tri-City Storm Scheels Arena, Fargo + 1 more dates
- Fri Nov 27 Dan Brekke Band Dempsey’s Public House, Fargo
- Fri Nov 27 Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) Fargo Parks, Fargo
- Fri Nov 27 Adult Night Skate City, Fargo + 1 more dates
- Fri Nov 27 Theatre B Theatre B, Moorhead + 2 more dates
- Fri Nov 27 Public Skating Skate City, Fargo + 2 more dates
- Fri Nov 27 Ross Hilgers: Unexpected Objects from Liminal Spaces The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum, Moorhead + 2 more dates
- Fri Nov 27 Tuesday Night Magic: Commander Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Fri Nov 27 Friday Night Magic: Modern Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Fri Nov 27 Trivia with Michael Hansen Dempsey’s Public House, Fargo
- Sat Nov 28 upNout: Daft Punk Tribute The Aquarium, Fargo
- Sat Nov 28 MSUM Men's Basketball vs Southwest Minnesota State University Nemzek Fieldhouse - Basketball, Moorhead
- Sat Nov 28 Family Puzzle Competition Fargo Public Library, Main Library, Fargo
- Sat Nov 28 America 250: The Birth of Our Nation Film Series Fargo Public Library, Main Library, Fargo
- Sat Nov 28 Karaoke at Dempsey’s Dempsey’s Public House, Fargo
- Sat Nov 28 Saturday Morning Magic – To Boldly Go Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Sat Nov 28 Pokemon League Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Sat Nov 28 Lorcana Weekly Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Sun Nov 29 MSUM Men's Basketball vs Concordia-St. Paul Nemzek Fieldhouse - Basketball, Moorhead
- Sun Nov 29 Alt RPG Day Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Sun Nov 29 One Piece Pirates Party 2026 Vol. 4 Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Sun Nov 29 Sunday Game Day Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
- Sun Nov 29 Riftbound – Nexus Nights Paradox Comics-N-Cards, Fargo
Questions, answered
Which Fargo restaurants have a Thanksgiving buffet in 2026?
Rosewild in the Jasper Hotel (mid-day buffet, adults $65, kids under 12 $20) and Granite City Food & Brewery (11 a.m.–6 p.m., adults $36, kids 6–12 $12). Both take reservations on their booking pages.
Where can I get a Thanksgiving dinner to go in Fargo?
Hornbacher's and Cash Wise both sell pre-ordered turkey dinners: Classic $79.99 (serves 4), Traditional $99.99 and Deluxe $139.99 (serve 6–8). Chef's Table Catering has a $90 meal kit for 4–6; order by Nov. 24, pick up Nov. 25.
Is there a Thanksgiving 5K or turkey trot in Fargo?
Yes. Burn the Bird 5K & 10K starts at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the Fercho YMCA downtown. Pre-registration is required and closes Nov. 24.
Is West Acres open on Thanksgiving?
No. West Acres is closed on Thanksgiving and opens at 7 a.m. on Black Friday, closing at 8 p.m.
Is Burn the Bird kid-friendly?
Yes. There's a 5K price for kids 12 and under ($34.92), and strollers are welcome on the course.
Keep going
Every listing links to the venue's or organizer's own page, and that page wins if it disagrees with us. Spotted something wrong or missing? Email [email protected].