Thanksgiving 2026 in Lexington: the Thoroughbred Classic 5K at Keeneland, the Gobbler half marathon, community meals, closings and the trash pickup change.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Race details come from each race’s registration page; closings come from the city, the Lexington Public Library and Fayette County Public Schools. City information: LexCall 311 or 859-425-2255.

Updated Oct. 19: the Lexington Rescue Mission has set its community meal for Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Lexington’s big Thanksgiving morning tradition is the Thoroughbred Classic 5K at Keeneland. Below: the races, community meals, what is closed and the trash pickup change.

At a glance

Date What Details
Tuesday, Nov. 17 Turkey Burn and Mini Health Fair 6 to 8 p.m., William Wells Brown Community Center
Sunday, Nov. 22 The Gobbler Half Marathon, 10K and 5K 8:30 a.m., Mereworth Farm
Wednesday, Nov. 25 Lexington Rescue Mission community meal Free; time not yet posted
Wednesday, Nov. 25 Trash makeup day for Thursday and Friday routes Carts out as usual
Wednesday, Nov. 25 Library closes early 5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 26 Thoroughbred Classic 5K 9 a.m., Keeneland
Nov. 26-27 City offices closed Thursday and Friday
Nov. 30 to Dec. 5 Gobble Grease Toss Electronics Recycle Center

Turkey trots

Thoroughbred Classic 5K, 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at Keeneland Race Course, 4201 Versailles Road. This is the 43rd year of the race, organized by the Bluegrass Runners club for several local charities; the club says the 2025 race raised $85,000. Runners and walkers are welcome, there is a team prize, and the Veterans VA 5K joins this year as a charity partner.

  • Fee: registration rose to $45 on Nov. 1; Bluegrass Runners members get a discount.
  • Packet pickup: 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, and Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Barn 1 at Keeneland. Race-day pickup opens at 7:30 a.m.; arrive at least an hour early for traffic and parking.
  • Strollers and dogs: they start behind all runners and walkers, and their bibs are untimed.
  • Deadlines: Nov. 4 to get your name printed on your bib; online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Nov. 25.

The Gobbler Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Mereworth Farm, 719 Dolan Lane. A half marathon, 10K and 5K on a horse farm in west Lexington, with a virtual option. The race benefits New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Community Thanksgiving meals

The Lexington Rescue Mission lists its free Thanksgiving community meal on Wednesday, Nov. 25, open to anyone who needs a place to go for the holiday, and its 2026 campaign says no reservation is needed. As of Oct. 19 it had not posted the time or place on its events page. We found no other Lexington community dinner with 2026 details on the organizer’s own website; we will add them as they are announced.

Before and after the holiday

  • Turkey Burn and Mini Health Fair, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, William Wells Brown Community Center, 548 E. Sixth St. Workouts, health resources and door prizes. Free.
  • Healthy Holiday Cooking, 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Eastside Branch library, 3000 Blake James Drive. Dietitians from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department share holiday recipes.
  • Free Family Holiday Photo, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Tates Creek Branch library, 3628 Walden Drive. The Creative Camera Club takes a free digital family photo.
  • Gobble Grease Toss, Monday, Nov. 30, through Saturday, Dec. 5, during business hours at the Electronics Recycle Center, 1306 Versailles Road. Frying a turkey? Bring the used cooking oil here instead of pouring it down the drain or into your recycling cart. Free.

What is open and closed

What this means for you

  • Trash, recycling and yard waste: no city collection Thursday, Nov. 26, or Friday, Nov. 27. Both days are collected early, on Wednesday, Nov. 25. The city notes the makeup day comes before the holiday. Details: trash and recycling.
  • City offices: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government offices are closed Nov. 26 and 27.
  • Library: all locations close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and are closed Thursday, Nov. 26. All locations are also closed Friday, Dec. 4, for staff training.
  • Schools: Fayette County Public Schools are closed Nov. 25-27 for Thanksgiving break. See schools.

Lextran buses. Lextran had not posted 2026 Thanksgiving service as of Oct. 12. In 2025 it ran a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day and waived fares on all fixed routes and Lextran Wheels, and the routes that do not run on Sundays did not run. Check lextran.com or call 859-253-INFO closer to the day.

Stores and restaurants set their own Thanksgiving hours. For shopping centers’ holiday hours and Small Business Saturday, see Black Friday and holiday shopping.

After Thanksgiving

The holiday season starts the next week. See holiday lights and Christmas events and the Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Thanksgiving turkey trot in Lexington, Kentucky?

Yes. The 43rd Thoroughbred Classic 5K starts at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, at Keeneland Race Course, 4201 Versailles Road. The Gobbler Half Marathon, 10K and 5K is Sunday, Nov. 22, at Mereworth Farm.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Lexington?

No. There is no city collection on Thursday, Nov. 26, or Friday, Nov. 27, 2026. Both days are picked up early, on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Is the Lexington Public Library open on Thanksgiving?

No. All locations close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and stay closed Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026.

Are Lexington city offices closed for Thanksgiving?

Yes. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government offices are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, 2026.

When is Thanksgiving break for Fayette County Public Schools?

Nov. 25-27, 2026. Schools and district offices are closed those three days, according to the 2026-27 instructional calendar.