Naperville Turkey Trot 2026: Prices, Times & Two Races
The Naperville Turkey Trot is not one race this Thanksgiving — it is two. The downtown Noon Lions 5K starts at 8 a.m., the Danada Turkey Day 5K starts at 9 a.m., and the Lions price jumps on Nov. 1. Here is both, priced side by side.
By Naperville Guide · Published October 19, 2026
If you are searching for the Naperville Turkey Trot, the decision to make this week is not which race — it is when you register. The Naperville Noon Lions Turkey Trot 5K costs $37.28 through Saturday, Oct. 31, then $42.60 from Nov. 1, then $47.93 in race week. That is a $10.65 difference per adult for the same fast, flat downtown course. Naperville also has a second Thanksgiving-morning option at Danada Forest Preserve, currently listed at $39.99. Both races run Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026.
The classic: Naperville Noon Lions Turkey Trot 5K, 8 a.m. downtown
Naperville Noon Lions Turkey Trot 5K — Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave.
This is Naperville's Thanksgiving tradition: the Lions have run it since 1998, and the club says the race has helped more than 5,000 local children and families with vision and hearing care and diabetes support. The course runs through downtown Naperville, every participant gets a long-sleeve t-shirt, and the morning ends with a free pancake breakfast from Belgio's Catering inside the school. About 6,500 spots were still listed when we checked on Oct. 19 — it fills, but the urgent deadline is the price, not the cap.
The later start: Turkey Day 5K at Danada, 9 a.m. on the trail
Turkey Day 5K (Danada – Naperville) — Danada Forest Preserve, 3S580 Naperville Rd.
The newer alternative trades downtown streets for the scenic Danada Trail. Registration is chip-timed and includes a Turkey finisher's medal, a super-soft short-sleeve shirt, age-group awards, and free photos — and Thanksgiving costumes are encouraged. There is also a virtual option if your crew would rather run its own route. The page checked for this post listed one adult price and no separate kids' tiers, so confirm the family total at checkout.
Naperville Turkey Trot prices, side by side
- Lions, through Oct. 31: $37.28 per adult — the cheapest Thanksgiving 5K entry in Naperville right now.
- Lions, Nov. 1–20: $42.60 per adult.
- Lions, Nov. 21–26: $47.93 per adult.
- Lions kids (flat all season): $30 for ages 10–14, $25 for ages 9 and under.
- Danada Turkey Day 5K: $39.99 currently listed, at any point until it changes or sells out.
Lions prices above already include mandatory registration fees, per the official registration page. For a family of four — two adults, one child age 10–14, one age 9 or under — the Lions total is $129.56 if you register by Oct. 31, $140.20 in early November, and $150.86 in race week. Waiting costs that family $21.30 and buys nothing extra.
What your entry buys at each Naperville Turkey Trot
- Course: Lions — paved, fast and flat through downtown, starting and finishing on Hillside Road. Danada — a trail 5K through Danada Forest Preserve.
- Shirt: Lions — long-sleeve tee for every participant. Danada — short-sleeve soft shirt, plus a finisher's medal (the Lions list no medal).
- After the finish: Lions — free pancake breakfast, water at the start, finish, and the 2-mile mark. Danada — age-group awards and free race photos.
- Timing: Danada is explicitly chip-timed; the Lions bib carries a timing chip on the back.
Packet pickup, parking, and race-morning logistics
For the Lions race, skip race morning: packet pickup runs at Naperville Running Company, 34 W. Jefferson Ave. — Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 23 and Tuesday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; and Wednesday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. A friend or family member can pick up for you. Race-morning pickup is limited to 7:00–7:30 a.m. Parking is in Naperville Central's east and west lots plus downtown municipal lots (Municipal Center, Riverwalk Rotary Hill, Centennial Beach), and gear check runs 7:30–9:30 a.m. on the east side of the Field House. Walkers are welcome at the Lions race but are asked to finish within an hour; running strollers are allowed, regular strollers and dogs are not (service dogs welcome).
Danada keeps it simpler: packet pickup is race morning only, 7:30–8:45 a.m., before the 9 a.m. start — budget the extra half hour if your Thanksgiving kitchen schedule is tight.
Which Thanksgiving 5K in Naperville fits your family?
Pick the Lions Trot if you want the big downtown tradition, the cheapest entry (register by Oct. 31), flat kids' pricing, and breakfast included. Pick Danada if a 9 a.m. start, a trail course, a finisher's medal, and free photos matter more than the downtown scene. Either way, you are home before the turkey needs attention — and our Thanksgiving in Naperville guide covers the rest of the holiday, including the restaurant confirmed open that day. More races and seasonal listings live on our Naperville events page.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Naperville Turkey Trot in 2026?
The Noon Lions Turkey Trot is $37.28 per adult through Oct. 31, $42.60 from Nov. 1–20, and $47.93 from Nov. 21–26, fees included. Kids are $30 (ages 10–14) and $25 (ages 9 and under) all season. The Danada Turkey Day 5K is currently listed at $39.99.
When and where is the Naperville Turkey Trot 2026?
Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. The Lions 5K starts at 8 a.m. at Naperville Central High School (440 W. Aurora Ave.), starting and finishing on Hillside Road. The Danada Turkey Day 5K starts at 9 a.m. at Danada Forest Preserve, 3S580 Naperville Rd.
What is the cheapest Thanksgiving 5K near Naperville?
The Lions Turkey Trot at $37.28 — but only if you register by Oct. 31. After Nov. 1 it rises to $42.60, which makes Danada's $39.99 the cheaper adult entry in November until Danada's price changes.
Can I walk the Naperville Turkey Trot, or bring a stroller?
Yes to walking the Lions race — walkers are asked to finish within one hour. Running strollers are allowed if you line up behind the 10-minute-mile sign; regular strollers, dogs, bikes, and scooters are not (service dogs are welcome).
Sources & verification. Details verified October 19, 2026 against organizer listings; hours and prices change — confirm before heading out.