Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Austin (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Central Time
We list 4 family events around Austin for Nov 25 – Nov 29. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Round Rock Turkey Trot
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Starts 8am
- Cost
- $25 (everyone registers, including children in strollers)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Untimed Thanksgiving 5K fun run at Old Settlers Park. Strollers start last, friendly leashed dogs are welcome and every finisher gets a medal.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot (with Kids K)
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Kids K 8:15am; 5-mile run 8:30am
- Cost
- Registration required; Kids K is for ages 12 and under
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Austin's Thanksgiving morning run, walk or stroll since 1991, with a Kids K for children 12 and under. Costumes encouraged; proceeds go to Caritas of Austin.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Lighting of the Square
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · Entertainment 5:30–6:30pm; lights on about 6pm; Santa photos 6:30–8pm
- Cost
- No fee listed; Santa photos for an unwrapped toy or a monetary donation
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The courthouse and the lights around the Square switch on the day after Thanksgiving, with the Uptown Carolers. Brown Santa photos inside the courthouse after the lighting. The lights stay on every evening through Jan 1.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
- When
- Sun, Nov 29 · Music 5:15pm; lighting 6pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Lighting of the 155-foot Zilker Holiday Tree, lit by youth art contest winners, with live music and local entertainment. Free on-site parking is first come, first served. The tree stays lit nightly 6–10pm through Jan 1.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Austin over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 4 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, including Round Rock Turkey Trot (Round Rock, Thu, Nov 26), ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot (with Kids K, Austin, Thu, Nov 26), Lighting of the Square (Georgetown, Fri, Nov 27) and Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Austin, Sun, Nov 29).
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Austin need tickets or registration?
2 events on our list say on the official page that they need advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Round Rock Turkey Trot (Round Rock) and ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot (with Kids K, Austin). Book through each official page.
Which Austin-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 3 cities, including Austin (2), Round Rock (1) and Georgetown (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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