Thanksgiving weekend in Madison, WI (2026): turkey trots, dinner out and what's open

Thanksgiving morning races

• Birdie Derby (formerly the Berbee Derby), Fitchburg Business Park: a 10K at 8:30 a.m., a 5K run at 8:50 a.m. and an untimed 5K walk at 9 a.m., plus team divisions and a free Kids Dash for ages 2 to 6 at 8 a.m. Main registration closed November 1, but the Kids Dash takes sign-ups until race morning. Proceeds stay local through Active Youth Wisconsin, the nonprofit behind Tri 4 Schools.
• Madison Turkey Trot, Alliant Energy Center: a 5K (timed or untimed) starting at 8:30 a.m., a kids' fun run and a free Kids Dash, with free parking off Rimrock Road. It benefits UCP of Greater Dane County.

Thanksgiving dinner out

• The Edgewater, 1001 Wisconsin Place: a family-style feast in the Grand Ballroom, seatings every half hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ($62 adults, $35 ages 5 to 12, under 5 free, plus tax and gratuity). Some afternoon seatings were already sold out in early November.
• The Statehouse, also at The Edgewater: Thanksgiving specials from noon to 8 p.m. alongside the regular menu, including a cider-brined heritage turkey plate ($39).
• Madison Concourse Hotel, 1 W. Dayton St.: a Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with carved turkey and prime rib ($57 adults, $47 seniors, $25 kids under 10). Reserve through OpenTable.
• Seven Acre Dairy Co., 6858 Paoli Rd., Paoli: a country buffet with seatings from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ($49 adults, $24 ages 6 to 17), booked on Resy.
• Cooper's Hawk, 1611 Deming Way, Middleton: a traditional Thanksgiving meal ($36.99, kids $15.99) plus the regular menu, dine-in by reservation or to go. Call to confirm hours.

Thanksgiving to go

• Heritage Catering, Fitchburg: a complete dinner for five ($400, $325 vegetarian, wine pairings available) and à la carte sides, picked up Wednesday, November 25. Order by Thursday, November 19. A $100 donation buys a five-person dinner delivered to a family in need.
• Wisconsin Union Catering: heat-and-serve meals picked up at Memorial Union on November 25, from a meal for six ($185) to individual turkey, ham or butternut squash lasagna plates ($20). Ordering runs November 2 to 16, or until it sells out.
• Pasture and Plenty, 2433 University Ave.: a dinner crate ($310), a local turkey with gravy and brine kit ($140), a sides bundle and pies, picked up November 19 to 25 (fresh pies on the 25th).
• Buck & Honey's (Monona, Waunakee, Sun Prairie and Mount Horeb) takes Thanksgiving dinner pickup orders for each location online.
• Pies: Hubbard Avenue Diner in Middleton takes pie pre-orders through Friday, November 20, for pickup by Wednesday, November 25, with vegan options.
• Groceries: the Willy Street Co-op runs a Thanksgiving hot bar November 20 to 26 and takes turkey reservations online.

What's open and closed

• Metro buses run a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving (no Routes 81 to 84) and a Saturday schedule on Friday, November 27. See our getting around guide.
• Trash and recycling: Thursday pickups move up to Wednesday, November 25, and Friday pickups move to Monday, November 30. Other days aren't affected, and city drop-off sites are closed Thursday and Friday. Check your address on the city's collection schedule.
• Madison Public Library: all locations are closed Thursday and Friday.
• Parking meters are free on Thanksgiving but *are* enforced on Friday.
• Attractions: Henry Vilas Zoo closes at noon on Thanksgiving; Olbrich, the Chazen and the Madison Children's Museum are closed that day. The Arboretum's trails stay open.
• No farmers' market on Saturday, November 28. The Holiday Market at Monona Terrace runs November 21 and December 5, 12 and 19.

The rest of the weekend

• Badgers vs. Minnesota, Friday, November 27, 6:30 p.m. at Camp Randall: the Paul Bunyan's Axe game under the lights. See our game day guide for parking and bag rules.
• Edgewater tree lighting, Friday, November 27, 3 to 6 p.m.: a free lakeside party on the Grand Plaza with performances and family activities.
• Small Business Saturday, November 28: Monroe Street's merchants hold their 17th annual event, with a shopper drawing and in-store treats.
• Sun Prairie's Fire & Lights Parade, Saturday, November 28, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a tree lighting downtown.
• Maybe Happy Ending, the Broadway musical, plays Overture Hall through Sunday, November 29 (no Thanksgiving Day show).
• Holiday lights: Zoo Lights is open from November 20, and the free Holiday Fantasy in Lights drive-through at Olin Park lights up nightly from November 14. The Capitol's holiday tree is lit Tuesday, December 1.

For the rest of the season, see our holiday season guide and the events calendar.

Giving back

Second Harvest Foodbank and WMTV's Share Your Holidays drive starts November 9 with food donation barrels around town, and GivingTuesday donations on December 1 are matched. Its biggest volunteer day, the Sort-A-Thon at Alliant Energy Center, comes in mid-December.