Thanksgiving in Savannah 2026: turkey trot, closings, trash

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. The United Way Turkey Trot starts at Daffin Park at 8:30 a.m.; city, county and library offices close Nov. 26-27.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Race details come from United Way of the Coastal Empire; closings come from the City of Savannah, Chatham County, Live Oak Public Libraries and Chatham Area Transit, each linked below.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. City, county and library offices close Thursday and Friday, and trash pickup shifts on some routes.

Thanksgiving at a glance

Thursday, Nov. 26, 8:30 a.m.: United Way Turkey Trot, Daffin Park

Nov. 26-27: City of Savannah, Chatham County and all library branches closed

Trash: Thursday garbage moves to Friday, Nov. 27; yard waste to Saturday, Nov. 28

Need help with a meal? Dial 211

The United Way Turkey Trot

United Way of the Coastal Empire holds its 18th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at Daffin Park. The 4-mile course leaves the park, loops through the Ardsley Park neighborhood and finishes back at Daffin Park, according to the United Way’s race page.

Time	Race	Who
8 a.m.	Kids K (0.62 mile)	Ages 10 and under, free
8:15 a.m.	Diaper Dash (35 yards)	Ages 3 and under, free
8:30 a.m.	4-mile run and walk	Everyone, registration required

Registration is on RunSignup and closes at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, unless the race sells out first. Only registered runners are allowed on the course.
Packet pickup is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 24-25, at Fleet Feet Sports, 3405 Waters Ave. Kids K bibs are handed out there too.
Costumes with a Thanksgiving theme are welcome. Pets may run only with a registered participant, and rollerblades are not allowed.
Awards, food and drinks follow at Daffin Park. Proceeds go to United Way’s Community Fund.

What is open and closed

Who	Thursday, Nov. 26	Friday, Nov. 27
City of Savannah offices	Closed	Closed
Chatham County offices	Closed	Closed
Live Oak Public Libraries, all branches	Closed	Closed
CAT buses and ferry	2026 schedule not announced	2026 schedule not announced

Chatham County says essential services keep running on its holidays. Live Oak Public Libraries’ eLibrary stays open online.

Chatham Area Transit has not posted its 2026 Thanksgiving schedule yet. In 2024 it suspended all fixed-route buses, on-demand service and the Savannah Belles Ferry on Thanksgiving Day, closed its ticket window and call center, and resumed service the next day. We will update this page when CAT announces this year’s plan.

Trash and recycling

The City of Savannah moves pickup to a later day, including Saturday, when a city holiday falls on a collection day. On the Thursday route calendar, garbage moves to Friday, Nov. 27, and yard waste to Saturday, Nov. 28. Monday routes are not affected. Other routes shift by their own calendars, so check your route’s 2026 collection calendar before you roll the cart out. More in our trash and recycling guide.

Thanksgiving meals and help

United Way of the Coastal Empire runs the 211 information and referral line, which points callers to meals, food pantries and other help across Chatham County. Shelters and missions announce their own Thanksgiving meals in November; we will list each one here with its time and address once the organizer posts it. If your church or nonprofit is serving a community dinner, send the details through our contact page.

The weekend after

The holiday season starts the same weekend. The Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District opens Nov. 19, and the Savannah Lighted Boat Parade is Saturday, Nov. 28. Dates and times are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page and the shopping guide at Black Friday and holiday shopping.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a turkey trot in Savannah on Thanksgiving 2026? Yes. The United Way Turkey Trot starts at Daffin Park at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, with kids’ races at 8 and 8:15 a.m.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Savannah? Some routes shift. Thursday garbage moves to Friday, Nov. 27, and yard waste to Saturday, Nov. 28; Monday routes are not affected.

Are Savannah city and Chatham County offices closed for Thanksgiving? Yes, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27. Library branches are closed both days too.

Do CAT buses run on Thanksgiving? The 2026 schedule is not out. In 2024 CAT suspended all service on Thanksgiving Day.

Where can I find a free Thanksgiving meal in Savannah? Dial 211 for meals and pantries open over the holiday.

What this means for you

Register for the Turkey Trot before 6 p.m. Nov. 25, and pick up your bib at Fleet Feet on Nov. 24 or 25.
Runners share the Ardsley Park streets on Thanksgiving morning, so allow extra time if you drive through the neighborhood that morning.
Plan library visits and county business for Wednesday, Nov. 25, or Monday, Nov. 30.