The SPC Turkey Waddle starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, on Salisbury Road. County offices close Nov. 26-27; schools are off Nov. 25-27.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Race details come from each race’s own registration page, closings from Chesterfield County and school dates from the Chesterfield County Public Schools calendar.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. Midlothian’s own turkey trot, the SPC Turkey Waddle, starts at 9 a.m. on Salisbury Road, and a free cross-country homecoming run fills the front field at Pocahontas State Park at the same hour. County offices and convenience centers close Thursday and Friday, and Chesterfield students are off Wednesday through Friday.

What this means for you

  • Run: SPC Turkey Waddle, 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, 13621 Salisbury Road
  • School: Chesterfield County Public Schools are closed Nov. 25-27
  • County offices and convenience centers: closed Nov. 26-27
  • Curbside trash: set by your private hauler; see our trash guide
  • Food help: Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center, 804-414-8885

Turkey trots

Race When Where Price on Oct. 19
SPC Turkey Waddle 5K 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26 Salisbury Presbyterian Church, 13621 Salisbury Road $10; $5 for 13 and under
Chesterfield Alumni Run 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26 Pocahontas State Park, 10301 State Park Road Free; registration required
Gobbler 5K and 10K 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 Mid-Lothian Mines Park, 13301 N. Woolridge Road See race page

The SPC Turkey Waddle is in its 19th year. Proceeds go to FeedMore and local hunger relief. The church calls it family friendly and “very low key,” with a simple race clock and a few refreshments at the finish. The course is stroller and dog friendly, but there are about 29 steps after the earth dam on the lake, so bring a hand for the stroller. A shorter 1.6-mile route stays on Kings Mill Road back to Salisbury Road. Registration is open until 11:59 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

The Chesterfield Alumni Run is in its 31st year. It runs the classic 5K cross-country course at Pocahontas State Park, starting in the front field near the main entrance, with a Kids’ Fun Run in the front field. The run was co-founded by the late Stan Morgan, longtime coach at Midlothian High School, and the hosts, =PR= Run Club RVA, collect optional donations for an award in his name. The first 50 young finishers get a gingerbread cookie.

The Hallsley Turkey Trot has been held on Thanksgiving morning at the Hallsley Clubhouse, 3900 Brightwalton Road. The 2025 race was at 9 a.m. Nov. 27, 2025, with proceeds to the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center. The 2026 date was not posted when we checked.

Help with a Thanksgiving meal

The Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center has taken over the long-running Thanksgiving Program that CCHASM ran for more than 35 years. Each registered family receives a full nonperishable Thanksgiving meal bag.

  • Bag pickup: Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
  • To give: pledge forms are due Oct. 31; food and $20 grocery gift cards go to the fairgrounds between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17
  • Questions: 804-414-8885, 12211 Iron Bridge Road, Chester; office hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays

Thanksgiving weekend

Henricus Historical Park holds Thanksgiving Food and Drink Traditions of Early Virginia from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, its annual fall event with wood fires, iron-pot cooking and clay oven bread. The Bon Air Library runs Victorian Holiday Ornament Decorating for children the same morning.

What is open and closed

Wednesday, Nov. 25 Thursday, Nov. 26 Friday, Nov. 27
Chesterfield County Public Schools Closed Closed Closed
County offices Open Closed Closed
County convenience centers Open Closed Closed
Curbside trash Your hauler’s schedule Your hauler’s schedule Your hauler’s schedule

The county lists Thanksgiving Day and the day after as county holidays. Midlothian has no county curbside trash service: your pickup day and any holiday delay come from the private hauler you pay, so check its website or app. The Northern Area Convenience Center on Warbro Road keeps its usual 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours on the other days; see our trash guide. Store hours for Black Friday are on our holiday shopping page.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a turkey trot in Midlothian on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. The 19th annual SPC Turkey Waddle 5K starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at Salisbury Presbyterian Church, 13621 Salisbury Road. Registration was $10, or $5 for ages 13 and under, on Oct. 19.

Is the Chesterfield Alumni Run free?

Yes. The 31st annual Chesterfield Alumni Run at Pocahontas State Park is free, but registration is required. It starts at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day in the front field near the main entrance.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Midlothian?

Curbside pickup in Midlothian comes from private haulers, so ask yours. The county’s convenience centers close Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27.

When is Thanksgiving break for Chesterfield County Public Schools?

Schools and offices are closed Wednesday, Nov. 25, through Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, on the division calendar.

Where can a family get a Thanksgiving meal bag in Chesterfield?

The Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center runs the Thanksgiving Program, with bag pickup at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Nov. 21. Call 804-414-8885 for details.