Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. Two turkey trots, City Hall closed, Thursday trash moves to Friday and Alachua County schools are out all week.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: the City of Gainesville’s garbage and recycling holiday schedule, the Alachua County Public Schools calendar, the Alachua County Library District’s 2025 Thanksgiving notice and each race’s registration page. City Solid Waste: 352-334-2330.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Gainesville’s city offices close for the day, Thursday trash pickups slide to Friday, and Alachua County Public Schools give students the whole week off. Two turkey trots are on the calendar: a trail race through a farm sanctuary on Thanksgiving morning and a road 5K and 10K at Veterans Memorial Park that Saturday.

What this means for you

  • City offices: closed Thursday, Nov. 26
  • Trash and recycling: Thursday routes move to Friday, Nov. 27; other days as usual
  • Schools: out Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 27
  • Library: expect branches to close early Wednesday and stay shut Thursday and Friday

Turkey trots

Date Race Where
8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26 Turkey Trot Trail 5K and 10K Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary, 12626 NW County Road 231
Saturday, Nov. 28 Gobbler 5K and 10K Veterans Memorial Park

The Turkey Trot Trail race is Gainesville’s Thanksgiving Day run, its organizer says, and is held with Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary, a nonprofit that rescues farm animals. The course is a 3.1-mile loop through the sanctuary’s fields, forest and single-track trail; 10K runners go around twice. Check-in starts at 7 a.m., registration stays open online through race day, and part of each entry goes to the sanctuary. The farm is a vegan property, so post-race food has no animal products. Online prices rise after Nov. 12.

The Gobbler 5K and 10K is a small lap race run by US Road Running, with finisher medals. The organizer says EMS is not stationed on site and water is only at the end of each lap, so bring what you need.

What is open and closed

  • City of Gainesville offices, including the Solid Waste Division, are closed on Thanksgiving Day, according to the city’s 2026 closure list.
  • Alachua County Library District: in 2025 all branches closed at 5 p.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and stayed closed Thursday and Friday, reopening Saturday. Book drops and online services stayed open. We will add the 2026 hours when the district posts them.
  • Schools: Alachua County Public Schools mark Nov. 23 and 24 as student and teacher holidays and Nov. 25 to 27 as the Thanksgiving holiday, so classes resume Monday, Nov. 30.

Trash and recycling

The city’s holiday rule for Thanksgiving 2026 is simple: only Thursday collections move, to Friday, Nov. 27. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday customers keep their normal day. Put carts out by the usual time on the new day. The full schedule and the year’s other holidays are on our trash and recycling guide. If you live outside city limits, your pickup is through Alachua County, not the city.

Community meals and giving

Churches, food pantries and nonprofits hold Thanksgiving meals and food giveaways in the week before the holiday, and most announce them in early November. We list them here once the organizer posts the date, time and address. Hosting one? Send the details through our contact page.

Plan the weekend

Frequently asked questions

Is there a turkey trot in Gainesville on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. The Turkey Trot Trail 5K and 10K runs from 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, at Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary, 12626 NW County Road 231. Check-in opens at 7 a.m.

Is there trash pickup in Gainesville on Thanksgiving?

City of Gainesville collections set for Thursday, Nov. 26, move to Friday, Nov. 27. Monday through Wednesday pickups are not affected.

Are Alachua County schools closed for Thanksgiving week?

Yes. Alachua County Public Schools are out Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 27, 2026: two student and teacher holidays followed by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Is the Gainesville library open on Thanksgiving?

No. In 2025 every Alachua County Library District branch closed at 5 p.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and stayed closed Thursday and Friday. The 2026 notice is not out yet.