Run it Thursday morning.
Eat it Thursday afternoon.
Light it up all weekend.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Turkey trots run that morning in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Gilbert, and the holiday lights come on across the Valley from Wednesday to Saturday. Start times, prices, packet pickup and the rules on dogs and strollers, from each race's own pages.
Thanksgiving week, soonest first
- Monday, November 23 to Wednesday, November 25: packet pickup.Phoenix Turkey Trot packets at Sole Sports in Scottsdale and Tempe. Mesa Turkey Trot drive-thru pickup at Red Mountain Park on Wednesday.
- Wednesday, November 25: ZooLights opens.Phoenix Zoo, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. nightly through January 15, 2027. Holiday lights guide
- Thursday, November 26: Thanksgiving and four turkey trots.Phoenix from 7:30 a.m., Mesa from 8:00 a.m., Scottsdale and Gilbert from 8:30 a.m.
- Friday, November 27: the lights come on.Las Noches de las Luminarias opens at the Desert Botanical Garden, the Mesa Temple Christmas Lights start, and Merry Main Street kicks off in Downtown Mesa with its tree lighting.
- Saturday, November 28: Tempe's parade.Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting, 4 to 8 p.m., Centerpoint on Mill, Downtown Tempe.
The Phoenix Turkey Trot, Wesley Bolin Plaza
- Start times.1 Mile Gobbler Dash 7:30 a.m., 10K 7:50 a.m., 5K run and walk 8:40 a.m., Tot Trot 9:40 a.m.
- Packet pickup.Sole Sports Scottsdale, 7001 N. Scottsdale Rd.: Monday, November 23, 3 to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, November 24, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sole Sports Tempe, 1006 E. Warner Rd.: Wednesday, November 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Race day: from 6:30 a.m. at Wesley Bolin Plaza.
- What you get.A shirt and a finisher medal for every participant. A costume contest with categories for best dressed turkey, most creative, best dressed family, couple and team of 10 or more.
- The charity.Paws for Youth, which brings free pet therapy programs to Title I schools, shelters, behavioral treatment centers and other youth programs.
- Register.Registration is open. phoenixturkeytrot.com
The Scottsdale Turkey Trot, year two
- Thursday, November 26, 8:30 a.m.A 5K run or walk from the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Rd. A wellness festival sits at the finish line.
- Entries.General 5K, VIP 5K and a Kids 5K for ages 12 and under. All chip timed. Prices are shown at checkout on the race's registration page.
- Parking.Free parking at the Embassy Suites is limited and first come, first served. VIP entries include upfront parking.
- Strollers and dogs.Walkers, joggers, runners and strollers are welcome. Dogs stay home.
- Packet pickup.The race says pickup details will be announced. scottsdaleturkeytrot.com
The Mesa Turkey Trot, 58 years running
- Start times.1 Mile Fun Run and Walk 8:00 a.m., 10K 8:20 a.m., 5K 8:40 a.m. Courses finish in the Red Mountain Park parking lot, on East Brown Road.
- Packet pickup.Wednesday, November 25, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., drive-thru in the North parking lot at Sunvalley Boulevard and Brown Road. Stay in your vehicle. Race-day pickup opens at 6:30 a.m. Teams and large families pick up before race day.
- Pets and strollers.Stroller and wheelchair friendly, and leashed pets are allowed. Both start at the back of the pack. No bicycles, wagons or scooters, and no bag check.
- Refunds.None. Switching to the virtual run or transferring an entry is by email to the race by Tuesday, November 24, at 5 p.m. Race-day payment is cash or card, not checks.
- Who runs it.The Sertoma Club of Mesa, with StartLine Racing. Proceeds benefit the Mesa Sertoma Club. Race information and registration
The Gilbert Turkey Trot, San Tan Village
- Thursday, November 26.The 1 Mile Family Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9:00 a.m., at San Tan Village.
- Prices.5K $39.95, rising to $45.95 after the first 3,000 registrants. Family Fun Run $26.95, rising to $31.95 after the first 1,200. Both get a medal.
- Shirts.Registering after Monday, November 16, does not guarantee a shirt.
- Dogs and strollers.Dogs are no longer allowed on the course; leashed dogs are welcome as spectators. Strollers line up at the back of the 5K.
- Where it goes.All proceeds go to local nonprofits, including Arizona Brainfood and Families Fighting Blindness. gilbertturkeytrot.com
The weekend the lights come on
- ZooLights, from Wednesday.Phoenix Zoo, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. General $35, members $30, children 2 and under free.
- Las Noches de las Luminarias, from Friday.Desert Botanical Garden, 5 to 9:30 p.m. on November 27 to 29, then select nights through January 3. General adult $39.95 to $44.95, child $18.95.
- Mesa Temple Christmas Lights, from Friday.101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, 5 to 10 p.m. nightly through December 30. Admission and nearby parking are free.
- Merry Main Street kickoff, Friday.Downtown Mesa, 5 to 10 p.m., with the Christmas tree lighting. Free.
- Fantasy of Lights Street Parade, Saturday.Downtown Tempe, 4 to 8 p.m., with the tree lighting at Centerpoint Plaza.
- Glendale Glitters, Friday and Saturday.Murphy Park in Historic Downtown Glendale, 5 to 10 p.m., with the lighting ceremony Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Shows, prices and dates for the season: the holiday lights guide. Not this year: the Arizona International Auto Show will not be held in 2026; it returns Thanksgiving weekend, November 25 to 28, 2027.
Thanksgiving, answered
Is there a turkey trot in Phoenix?
Yes. The Phoenix Turkey Trot is Thursday, November 26, 2026, at Wesley Bolin Plaza, with a 1 Mile Gobbler Dash at 7:30 a.m., a 10K at 7:50 a.m., a 5K run and walk at 8:40 a.m. and a Tot Trot at 9:40 a.m.
What time does the Phoenix Turkey Trot start?
The first start is the 1 Mile Gobbler Dash at 7:30 a.m. The 10K follows at 7:50 a.m., the 5K at 8:40 a.m. and the Tot Trot at 9:40 a.m. Race-day check-in opens at 6:30 a.m. at Wesley Bolin Plaza.
Where do you pick up your Phoenix Turkey Trot packet?
Sole Sports Scottsdale, 7001 N. Scottsdale Rd., on Monday, November 23, 3 to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, November 24, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sole Sports Tempe, 1006 E. Warner Rd., on Wednesday, November 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; or on race day from 6:30 a.m. at Wesley Bolin Plaza.
Is there a turkey trot in Scottsdale?
Yes. The second Scottsdale Turkey Trot is a 5K run or walk on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Rd. Entries are General, VIP and a Kids 5K for ages 12 and under, all chip timed.
When is the Mesa Turkey Trot?
Thursday, November 26, 2026, at Red Mountain Park on East Brown Road. The 1 Mile Fun Run and Walk starts at 8:00 a.m., the 10K at 8:20 a.m. and the 5K at 8:40 a.m. It is the 58th year of the race, put on by the Sertoma Club of Mesa.
How much is the Mesa Turkey Trot?
From November 1 to 25 the 10K and 5K are $40 and the 1 Mile Fun Run is $30. On race day they are $50 and $40. The online prices shown at checkout include processing fees.
When is the Gilbert Turkey Trot?
Thursday, November 26, 2026, at San Tan Village in Gilbert. The 1 Mile Family Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9:00 a.m. The 5K is $39.95 and the Fun Run is $26.95 until the first price step.
Can you bring your dog to a turkey trot in the Valley?
It depends on the race. Mesa allows leashed pets, starting at the back of the pack. Gilbert no longer allows dogs on the course, though leashed dogs can watch. Scottsdale asks that dogs stay home. The Phoenix race page does not state a rule.
Are strollers allowed at the turkey trots?
Scottsdale welcomes strollers. Mesa is stroller and wheelchair friendly, starting at the back. Gilbert allows strollers in the 5K at the back of the line. The Phoenix race page does not state a rule.
What opens Thanksgiving weekend in the Valley?
ZooLights opens Wednesday, November 25. On Friday, November 27, Las Noches de las Luminarias opens at the Desert Botanical Garden, the Mesa Temple Christmas Lights come on, and Merry Main Street starts in Downtown Mesa. Tempe's Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting is Saturday, November 28.
Is the Arizona International Auto Show on Thanksgiving weekend in 2026?
No. The Valley Automobile Dealers Association decided not to hold the show in 2026. The next show is listed for Thanksgiving weekend, November 25 to 28, 2027, at the Phoenix Convention Center.
The holidays are part of living here
A 5K on Thanksgiving morning and a lit-up Main Street by Friday night. If you are weighing where to live, I can walk you through the neighborhoods near the places you would go most and what is on the market there.
Checked 3 November 2026. Phoenix Turkey Trot date, start times, location, packet pickup, shirt, medal and costume contest: Phoenix Turkey Trot; charity: Phoenix Turkey Trot charity page. Scottsdale Turkey Trot: Scottsdale Turkey Trot. Mesa Turkey Trot date, start times, location, prices, packet pickup, rules and organizer: Mesa Turkey Trot race page. Gilbert Turkey Trot start time, dogs and beneficiaries: Gilbert Turkey Trot; start windows, prices, strollers and medals: Gilbert Turkey Trot race page. ZooLights: Phoenix Zoo. Las Noches de las Luminarias: Desert Botanical Garden. Mesa Temple Christmas Lights: Mesa Arizona Temple. Merry Main Street kickoff: City of Mesa. Fantasy of Lights Street Parade: Downtown Tempe. Glendale Glitters: City of Glendale. Auto show: Arizona International Auto Show. Hero photo: east front of the Arizona State Capitol, Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS ARIZ,7-PHEN,12-1), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.