Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. City offices close Nov. 26-27, Thursday trash moves to Friday, schools are out Nov. 23-27, and two 5K turkey trots run.

Last checked Nov. 1, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address; the dates below are for Thanksgiving 2026. Facts come from the City of Huntsville’s garbage holiday schedule and office closing notice, the RANA recycling schedule, Huntsville City Schools’ calendar and each organizer’s own page, linked below.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Huntsville City Schools are out all week, city offices close Thursday and Friday, and Thursday’s garbage routes run a day late. The holiday morning brings two 5K turkey trots, and Village of Promise serves a free citywide Thanksgiving meal in Big Spring Park on the Monday before.

Updated Nov. 1: Crisis Services Turkey Trot bib pickup dates added (Fleet Feet Huntsville only); Theatre Turkey Trot early prices ended Oct. 31.

What this means for you

  • Garbage: Thursday routes are collected Friday, Nov. 27. Sanitation: 256-883-3964.
  • Recycling: RANA delays routes for Thanksgiving; if the holiday is on or before your day that week, pickup moves to the next day, Saturday included. RANA: 256-801-2278.
  • City offices: closed Nov. 26-27; reopen 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30.
  • Schools: Huntsville City Schools closed Nov. 23-27.
  • Emergencies: 911. Huntsville police non-emergency: 256-722-7100.

Trash, recycling and city offices

The city’s holiday schedule lists Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, with Thursday routes collected Friday. Monday through Wednesday routes run as normal. City offices are closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, and reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, the city says.

Curbside recycling is run by the Recycling Alliance of North Alabama (RANA) on its own calendar. Thanksgiving is one of six holidays that delay its 2026 routes: if a holiday marked on its color-coded calendar falls on or before your collection day in the same week, your cart is collected the next day, Saturdays included.

Your garbage day, cart rules and bulk pickup are on our trash and recycling guide.

Schools and offices

Who Thanksgiving week 2026
Huntsville City Schools, students and teachers Thanksgiving holiday, Monday to Friday, Nov. 23-27
Huntsville City Schools central office Closed Wednesday to Friday, Nov. 25-27
City of Huntsville offices Closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27
Post offices and federal offices Closed Thursday, Nov. 26, a federal holiday

The school dates are from the Huntsville City Schools district calendar. Madison City and Madison County families should check their own district’s calendar. More on schools is on our schools guide.

Turkey trots, Thursday, Nov. 26

  • 33rd Annual Crisis Services of North Alabama Turkey Trot 5K: 8 a.m. from Spragins Hall on the University of Alabama in Huntsville campus, on a USA Track and Field certified course, the same route as the Huntsville Track Club’s Twilight Run. Kids 5 and under can run the 100-yard Tiny Tot Turkey Trot at 9 a.m. Race-day bib pickup and late registration run 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. at Spragins Hall. Before race day, bibs are handed out only at Fleet Feet Huntsville, 2722 Carl T Jones Drive SE: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24, and 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 25. There is no Madison pickup this year. The Spragins Hall lot is closed for parking, so check the parking map. Proceeds support the agency’s crisis counseling, domestic violence shelter and advocacy. Register and see race information.
  • TTT: Theatre Turkey Trot: a holiday-themed 5K at 8 a.m. at Ditto Landing, 293 Ditto Landing Road SE, with a 1-mile fun run. Check-in opens at 7 a.m. Early prices of $25 for the 5K and $15 for the fun run ended Oct. 31, and prices have gone up since. Packets can be picked up Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Running Lane, 2407 Memorial Parkway. Proceeds support Around the Curtain Community Children’s Theatre. Register.

Community meal

One Table Huntsville, hosted by Village of Promise, is a free citywide Thanksgiving meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, in Big Spring Park downtown. The meal is catered, and vegan options are available, Village of Promise says.

Other free Thanksgiving meals are added here when the organizer posts the date, time and place. For food help any time of year, dial 211 to reach Alabama’s community resource line.

The weekend before and after

  • Saturday, Nov. 21: Gobble Gobble Hey!, a free zine and small press fest, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Drive SW.
  • Galaxy of Lights at the Huntsville Botanical Garden opens Nov. 13 and runs through the holiday; see our holiday lights page.
  • Friday, Nov. 27: the Rocket City Tree lights at 6 p.m. in Big Spring Park, opening Tinsel Trail, with a Black Friday Market from 3 to 9 p.m. Details are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.
  • Saturday, Nov. 28: Small Business Saturday; store hours and markets are on our Black Friday and holiday shopping page.

Frequently asked questions

Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Huntsville?

Thursday garbage routes are collected Friday, Nov. 27, the city says. Recycling, run by RANA, also shifts: if Thanksgiving falls on or before your recycling day that week, pickup moves to the next day.

Are Huntsville city offices open the day after Thanksgiving?

No. City of Huntsville offices close Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, 2026, and reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30.

When is Thanksgiving break for Huntsville City Schools in 2026?

Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 27, for students and teachers, according to the district’s calendar.

Is there a turkey trot in Huntsville on Thanksgiving?

Two. The 33rd Annual Crisis Services of North Alabama Turkey Trot 5K starts at 8 a.m. at Spragins Hall on the UAH campus, and the Theatre Turkey Trot 5K starts at 8 a.m. at Ditto Landing. Both are Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026.

Is there a free Thanksgiving meal in Huntsville?

Village of Promise hosts One Table Huntsville, a free citywide Thanksgiving meal, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 2026, in Big Spring Park. Vegan options are available.