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Naperville, Illinois · Thanksgiving 2026

Thanksgiving in Naperville, IL — the 2026 Guide

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year, and Naperville starts it the way it has since 1998: thousands of runners at the Noon Lions Turkey Trot before breakfast. Here's everything confirmed for the holiday and the week around it — two 5Ks, the Park District's Turkey Shoot golf weekend, and where you can actually eat out on the day.

Thu, Nov 26 — Thanksgiving Day 2026
8:00 AM — Turkey Trot start
2 Thanksgiving morning 5Ks
Updated October 18, 2026

How to use this page: every event below is confirmed for 2026 from its organizer or an official source, and each card names that source. Prices and times can still change — check the source link before you register or drive over. Planning the days after the holiday instead? See Christmas in Naperville 2026, the daily Naperville events calendar, and our construction & road alerts before you cross town.

Thanksgiving morning: two 5Ks

Naperville Noon Lions Turkey Trot 5KThanksgiving Day

Naperville's Thanksgiving tradition since 1998, hosted by the Naperville Noon Lions. The race is the club's big fundraiser for vision and hearing care and diabetes support — the Lions say runners have helped more than 4,000 local children and families since the first Trot. After the finish, Belgio's Catering serves a free pancake breakfast in the high school cafeteria.

When: Thursday, November 26, 2026 — 8:00 AM start
Where: Starts on Hillside Rd at Naperville Central High School, 440 Aurora Ave
Cost: $35+fee (ages 15+) through Oct 31, then $40 to Nov 21 and $45 after · $30 ages 10–14 · $25 ages 9 & under · Long-sleeve shirt included
Packet pickup: Naperville Running Company, 34 W Jefferson Ave — Sat Nov 21 (10–6), Sun Nov 22 (11–5), Mon–Tue Nov 23–24 (10–8), Wed Nov 25 (10–2); limited race-morning pickup 7–7:30 AM
Good to know: Running strollers allowed; no dogs (service dogs welcome); gear check 7:30–9:30 AM; parking at the school lots and downtown municipal lots
Source: Naperville Noon Lions / Naperville Turkey Trot — napervilleturkeytrot.com

Turkey Day 5K at DanadaThanksgiving Day

The trail alternative: a chip-timed 5K along the Danada Trail through Danada Forest Preserve, on Naperville's east side. Thanksgiving costumes are encouraged, and registration includes a soft short-sleeve shirt, a turkey finisher's medal, age-group awards and free race photos.

When: Thursday, November 26, 2026 — 9:00 AM start
Where: Danada Forest Preserve, 3S580 Naperville Rd
Cost: Early registration $39.99 on RunSignup — sign up early, the listing flags the price as an early rate
Race morning: Packet pickup 7:30–8:45 AM at the preserve
Source: Race organizer's registration page — RunSignup

Thanksgiving week with the Park District

Turkey Shoot Golf — Naperbrook & SpringbrookNov 21–22

The Park District's season-ending golf tradition closes out the Brooks Tournament Series: a 9-hole "cross country" scramble where the regular course is re-routed into a one-off layout, played by five-person teams. Every player takes home a prize turkey — or can donate its value to Operation Support Our Troops, the district's 2026 Turkey Shoot beneficiary. Lunch is included.

When: Saturday, November 21 at Naperbrook Golf Course · Sunday, November 22 at Springbrook Golf Course · 10:00 AM both days
Where: Naperbrook Golf Course, 22204 W 111th St · Springbrook Golf Course, 2220 W 83rd St
Cost: $45 per player ($225 per fivesome), including lunch and the turkey
How to enter: Team spots are awarded by lottery — the registration lottery is Saturday, November 14, 9:00 AM at Naperbrook (registration opens 8:00 AM)
Source: Naperville Park District — golfnaperville.org

Kids Night Out — Gobble Gobble FunNov 20

The Park District's Kids Night Out gets a Thanksgiving theme on the Friday before the holiday — a parents' night off and a turkey-themed evening for the kids, one week before the feast. Register through the Park District before it fills.

When: Friday, November 20, 2026 — 6:00–9:00 PM
How to join: Advance registration through the Naperville Park District
Source: Naperville Park District — napervilleparks.org event calendar

Eating out on Thanksgiving Day

Sullivan's Steakhouse — Thanksgiving prix fixeOpen Nov 26

The downtown steakhouse is Naperville's confirmed sit-down Thanksgiving option: a three-course turkey dinner — hand-carved roasted turkey with sweet onion apple stuffing, brown gravy and cranberry relish, two sides, and dessert (the pumpkin-anglaise cheesecake is the seasonal pick) — with the regular dinner menu also served all day.

When: Thursday, November 26, 2026 — open 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Where: 244 S Main St, downtown Naperville
Cost: $55 per person · $30 for children · Reservations strongly recommended
Source: Sullivan's Steakhouse — the restaurant's OpenTable listing

Cooking at home? Read this before Thursday

Most Naperville restaurants close on Thanksgiving, and grocery plans need the same caution: as of October 18, the big chains had not posted Thanksgiving Day hours for their Naperville stores, and hours are set store by store. Finish the main shop by Wednesday, November 25, and check your store's own locator page before relying on a Thursday-morning run for the forgotten cranberry sauce.

One fun exception: Christkindlmarket Aurora is open on Thanksgiving Day itself, 11 AM–4 PM — see our Christmas in Naperville guide
Sources: City & Park District holiday schedules; Christkindlmarket — christkindlmarket.com/aurora

Thanksgiving Day logistics

  • Road closures Thanksgiving morning: the Turkey Trot runs through downtown streets around Naperville Central High School. The race directs runners and neighbors to the City of Naperville's Naper Notify alerts for closure details — allow extra time downtown before 8 AM.
  • Nature center closed: Knoch Knolls Nature Center is closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 for the holiday (Naperville Park District calendar). Trails and parks themselves stay open dawn to dusk.
  • Still in fall mode? Our Halloween guide covers the run-up to Oct 31, and the fall foliage guide tracks the last of the color.
  • Driving to family? Check the Naperville construction & road alerts — Route 59 lane closures and the Book Road detours are still active through the holiday week.

Thanksgiving FAQ

When is the Naperville Turkey Trot in 2026, and how much does it cost?

Thanksgiving morning — Thursday, November 26, 2026 — starting at 8:00 AM on Hillside Road at Naperville Central High School (440 Aurora Ave). Entry is $35 plus fee for ages 15+ through October 31 ($40 until November 21, $45 after), $30 for ages 10–14 and $25 for ages 9 and under. Every entry includes a long-sleeve shirt and the free Belgio's pancake breakfast after the race.

Is there a second Thanksgiving Day race in Naperville?

Yes. The Turkey Day 5K runs the same morning at Danada Forest Preserve (3S580 Naperville Rd) with a 9:00 AM start. It's chip-timed on the Danada Trail, includes a finisher's medal and free photos, and early registration on RunSignup is $39.99.

What restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day in Naperville?

Sullivan's Steakhouse (244 S Main St) is confirmed open 11 AM–8 PM with a three-course turkey prix fixe at $55 per person ($30 for children) plus its regular dinner menu. Most other Naperville restaurants close for the holiday — for any favorite not listed here, verify on the restaurant's own site before making plans.

Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving Day in Naperville?

Not confirmed yet: as of mid-October, the chains hadn't posted Thanksgiving hours for Naperville stores, and hours vary by location. Shop by Wednesday, November 25 to be safe, and confirm your store's hours on its official locator page.

What's closed in Naperville on Thanksgiving?

Knoch Knolls Nature Center is closed November 26–27, and many public facilities keep holiday hours across the weekend. Downtown also sees Turkey Trot road closures on Thanksgiving morning around Naperville Central High School.

Sources & verification. Details verified October 18, 2026 against the Naperville Noon Lions' Turkey Trot site, the Turkey Day 5K's RunSignup registration page, Naperville Park District pages (event calendar, Santa's Workshop announcement and golf tournament pages at golfnaperville.org), Sullivan's Steakhouse's own reservation listing, and Christkindlmarket's Aurora page. Times, prices and menus change — confirm with the organizer before heading out.