Thanksgiving in Cary is Thursday, Nov. 26: the Turkey Trot 8K, town offices closed Thursday and Friday, no GoCary buses Thursday, trash pickup changes.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the Town of Cary, GoCary, Wake County and each organizer, linked below.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. The Town of Cary closes its offices on Thursday and Friday. Here is what is on, what is closed and how trash pickup changes.
Who to call
- Town of Cary, including trash and recycling: Cary 311, or 919-469-4000 from outside town limits
- GoCary buses: 919-485-RIDE (7433); Door to Door, 919-481-2020
- Koka Booth Amphitheatre: 919-462-2025
- Emergency: 911
Thanksgiving week at a glance
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival opens at Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| Wednesday, Nov. 25 | Wake County libraries close at 6 p.m. |
| Nov. 25-29 | Turkey Leg Day fitness circuit, Downtown Cary Park, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Thursday, Nov. 26 | Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot, from 8:30 a.m.; town offices closed; no GoCary service |
| Thursday, Nov. 26 | Lantern festival open 6 to 9 p.m. |
| Friday, Nov. 27 | Town and county offices closed; GoCary on its regular schedule |
Turkey trot
The Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot runs Thanksgiving morning from 2002 Grisdale Lane, according to the race page:
- 8:30 a.m.: 1-mile walk
- 9 a.m.: 8K, with a medal for every finisher
- 10:30 a.m.: kids’ dash
The race says shirts are guaranteed for those registered before Nov. 13 and that it does not give refunds; you can switch to running it virtually or defer to next year.
Things to do over the holiday
Turkey Leg Day: Feast on Fitness, Nov. 25-29, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Downtown Cary Park. A free, self-led circuit of leg exercises and short bursts of cardio around the park. Snap a photo of the station map at the sign near Guest Services, then go at your own pace (park event page).
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway. The festival runs Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027, normally 6 to 10 p.m. nightly. On Thanksgiving the gates are open 6 to 9 p.m., stage shows are at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. only, and there is no early Twilight Session. Tickets are mobile only and the venue is cashless, according to the festival page. More on the festival and the rest of the season: our holiday lights and Christmas events guide.
Shopping the day after? See our Black Friday and holiday shopping guide.
Community meals
We found no community Thanksgiving dinner in Cary with 2026 details posted by its organizer as of Oct. 11. We will add meals here as churches and nonprofits announce them. If your group is serving one, tell us through the contact page.
What is open and closed
Town of Cary. Thanksgiving and the day after are both town holidays, and most town offices are closed, according to the town’s holiday list. The town says to call ahead before visiting any facility.
GoCary. No fixed-route or Door to Door service on Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, Nov. 27, both run on the regular schedule (GoCary holiday hours).
Wake County. From the county’s 2026 holiday schedule:
| Wed., Nov. 25 | Thu., Nov. 26 | Fri., Nov. 27 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| County offices | Open | Closed | Closed |
| Libraries, including Cary Regional and West Regional | Close at 6 p.m. | Closed | Closed |
| County parks | Open | Closed | Open |
| County convenience centers | Open | Closed | Open |
Trash and recycling
The town publishes its holiday collection changes through Cary Collects and its monthly utility bill newsletter. The 2026 Thanksgiving schedule was not out when we checked.
Last year’s pattern, from the town’s October 2025 newsletter: there was no curbside collection on Thanksgiving, Thursday pickups moved one day later to Friday, and the Citizen’s Convenience Center was closed on Thanksgiving and open the next day. We will update this section when the town posts 2026’s changes. Our trash and recycling guide has the full schedule.
What this means for you
- Thursday trash customers: expect your carts to go out a day late, and confirm in Cary Collects the week before.
- Riding GoCary on Thanksgiving? There is no service; plan another ride.
- Libraries close early Wednesday and stay closed through Friday, so pick up holds by 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a turkey trot in Cary on Thanksgiving?
Yes. The Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, at 2002 Grisdale Lane: a 1-mile walk at 8:30 a.m., the 8K at 9 a.m. and a kids’ dash at 10:30 a.m.
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Cary?
The town had not posted its 2026 holiday schedule when we checked. In 2025 there was no pickup on Thanksgiving; Thursday routes moved to Friday. Check Cary Collects or call 311.
Are Cary town offices open the day after Thanksgiving?
No. The Town of Cary observes both Thanksgiving and the Friday after it as holidays. Wake County offices and libraries are also closed both days.
Does GoCary run on Thanksgiving?
No. GoCary buses do not run on Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, Nov. 27, buses and Door to Door run on the regular schedule.
Is the Chinese Lantern Festival open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, with shorter hours. Gates are open 6 to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, with stage shows at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. and no early Twilight Session.
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