The 21st Arlington Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, in Lyon Park. County offices, libraries and community centers close Nov. 26-27.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Race details come from the Arlington VA Turkey Trot; closings from Arlington County’s holiday schedule, the Parks and Recreation holiday schedule and the library holiday closings; school dates from the Arlington Public Schools calendar.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Arlington’s big public event is the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning in Lyon Park. County offices, libraries and most community centers close Thursday and Friday, and trash routes usually shift by a day. For county services, call the main county line at 703-228-3000; for trash questions, the DES Customer Contact Center at 703-228-5000.
What this means for you
- Run: Arlington Turkey Trot 5K, 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, in front of the Lyon Park Community Center. Registration closes at midnight Sunday, Nov. 22.
- Trash: in 2025, Thursday routes moved to Friday and Friday routes to Saturday. Check the county’s holiday page the week of Nov. 23.
- School: Arlington Public Schools are off Nov. 25-27.
- Libraries: close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and stay closed Nov. 26-27.
The Arlington Turkey Trot
The Arlington Turkey Trot is in its 21st year. Arlington Bridge Builders hosts it, and the money goes to local nonprofits that provide food, shelter and other help to Arlington residents. The organizers list the 2026 beneficiaries on their site.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| When | 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26 |
| Start | Pershing Drive, in front of the Lyon Park Community Center |
| Course | The Lyon Park course, at the corner of Garfield Street and Pershing Drive, one block from Christ Church of Arlington, 3020 N. Pershing Drive |
| Price | Adults $50; children 6 to 17 $25; under 6 free |
| Register | Online at RunSignup until midnight Sunday, Nov. 22, or until it sells out |
| Timing | Chip timing by Commonwealth Race Management |
Packet pickup is at Christ Church of Arlington, 3020 N. Pershing Drive:
- Tuesday, Nov. 24, noon to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 25, noon to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 26, 6:30 to 8 a.m.
Everyone who registers by Nov. 1 gets a white cotton race shirt. A long-sleeve performance shirt costs $20 more at registration. Can’t run? The race takes volunteers and donations.
Holiday food help
The Arlington Food Assistance Center gives each pre-registered Arlington family one whole frozen chicken the week before Thanksgiving, Nov. 16-21, on top of its usual groceries, according to its holiday groceries page. AFAC services need a referral, a photo ID and proof of an Arlington address. Referrals come from the Department of Human Services Customer Service Center, 2100 Washington Blvd., first floor, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 703-228-1300. Residents 60 and older can call the Arlington Area Agency on Aging at 703-228-1700.
We have not found a public community Thanksgiving dinner in Arlington announced for 2026. Hosting one? Send it through our contact page and we will list it.
What is open and closed
| Service | Wednesday, Nov. 25 | Thursday, Nov. 26 | Friday, Nov. 27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| County government offices | Open | Closed | Closed |
| Public libraries | Close at 5 p.m. | Closed | Closed |
| Community centers | Close at 5 p.m. | Closed | Closed |
| Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center | Closes at 5 p.m. | Closed | 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Arlington Public Schools | Off | Off | Off |
The county’s holiday schedule says parking meters are not enforced on county holidays, but residential permit parking stays in effect unless a sign says otherwise. The Treasurer’s Office closes; tax and bill payments can still be made online through the county’s CAPP payment site.
Trash, recycling and leaves
Arlington County posts each year’s Thanksgiving trash schedule in a news release the week before the holiday. In 2025:
- No curbside collection on Thanksgiving Day. Thursday routes ran on Friday, and Friday routes ran on Saturday.
- Brush, metal and e-waste pickups shifted the same way.
- Leaf vacuuming skipped Thanksgiving Day and resumed Friday.
- The Household Hazardous Materials and Electronics Recycling Center and the Earth Products Yard stayed closed until the next Monday.
We will update this section when the county posts the 2026 notice. The fall leaf vacuum schedule and cart rules are on our trash and recycling guide.
After Thanksgiving
- Rosslyn’s holiday market is Saturday, Nov. 21, and its tree lighting is Thursday, Dec. 3. See Christmas parade and tree lighting.
- Store hours and Small Business Saturday are on our Black Friday and holiday shopping guide.
Related guides: things to do this month, getting around Arlington and farmers markets.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Arlington Turkey Trot in 2026?
Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. on Pershing Drive in front of the Lyon Park Community Center. Online registration closes at midnight Sunday, Nov. 22, or sooner if it sells out.
How much does the Arlington Turkey Trot cost?
The race page lists $50 for adults, $25 for children 6 to 17, and free entry for children under 6.
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Arlington, Virginia?
In 2025 there was no county collection on Thanksgiving Day: Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. The county posts the 2026 schedule on its holiday page the week before.
Are Arlington libraries open the day after Thanksgiving?
No. Arlington Public Library closes at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and stays closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, 2026.
When is Thanksgiving break for Arlington Public Schools?
Arlington Public Schools’ 2026-27 calendar has Thanksgiving break Nov. 25-27.
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