Thanksgiving 2026 in Winston-Salem: the Turkey Strut 5K Nov. 26, city offices and libraries closed Nov. 26-27, no WSTA buses, trash runs a day late.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Holiday closings come from the City of Winston-Salem, the Forsyth County Public Library and the Winston-Salem Transit Authority. City questions: CityLink, 311 or 336-727-8000.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. In Winston-Salem the day starts with the Turkey Strut 5K at the fairgrounds, and city government takes Thursday and Friday off. Trash pickup slides a day for Thursday and Friday routes, and the buses do not run on Thanksgiving Day.

What this means for you

  • Thursday trash routes go out Friday, Nov. 27; Friday routes go out Saturday, Nov. 28.
  • City offices and county libraries are closed Thursday and Friday.
  • No WSTA buses or Trans-AID on Thanksgiving Day; plan rides ahead.

Turkey Strut 5K, Thursday, Nov. 26

The Turkey Strut 5K is in its 19th year, according to the race page. The 5K starts at 9 a.m. and the 1-mile fun run and walk at 8:30 a.m., at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds off Deacon Boulevard, across from the football stadium. The course is USATF certified and runs near the stadium, Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the baseball park.

  • Strollers and dogs are welcome; dogs must be leashed and calm around crowds.
  • Bring food: the race benefits the We Care House, an outreach of St. Peter’s that gives food to the community. Each runner is asked to bring at least three canned items; breakfast foods such as grits, pancake mix, syrup and oatmeal run out fastest.
  • Virtual option: run anywhere from Thanksgiving Day through the following Sunday.
  • Packet pickup is on Wednesday; the fairgrounds has plenty of parking.

Sign up on the race’s registration page.

What is open and closed

Thursday, Nov. 26 Friday, Nov. 27
City of Winston-Salem offices Closed Closed
Forsyth County Public Library branches Closed Closed
WSTA buses and Trans-AID No service See WSTA
City garbage and recycling Moved to Friday Moved to Saturday

The city’s holiday schedule lists Thanksgiving and the day after as city holidays. The library’s holiday closings list both days. WSTA does not provide transportation on Thanksgiving, according to its holiday schedule. Stores and restaurants set their own hours; check with each business. For Black Friday, see Black Friday and holiday shopping.

Trash and recycling changes

From the city’s 2026 holiday collection schedule on its collections page (Thanksgiving falls in a red recycling week):

  • Garbage: Tuesday and Wednesday routes run as normal. Thursday is collected Friday, and Friday is collected Saturday, Nov. 28.
  • Recycling: Monday to Wednesday as normal; Thursday on Friday; Friday on Saturday, Nov. 28.
  • Yard waste carts: Monday to Wednesday as normal; Thursday collected Saturday, Nov. 28.

Fall leaf collection starts Nov. 2, so the city’s leaf crews are working through the holiday weeks. See trash and recycling for leaf rules and the full year.

Day camp for the school break

Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks runs a School’s Out Day Camp for grades K-5 on Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Miller Park, Polo Park and Sedge Garden community centers. It costs $30 a day for city residents and $45 for nonresidents; children bring a bagged lunch and snack, and registration opens 30 days before, according to the city calendar.

Need a meal or want to give

Churches and nonprofits announce free Thanksgiving meals and food drives in November. As of Oct. 11, none had posted 2026 details we could confirm; we will add them here as they do. To find food help any day, call 211 or search NC 211. The Turkey Strut’s food drive for the We Care House is one easy way to give on the day.

More for the holiday weekend

Frequently asked questions

Is there a turkey trot in Winston-Salem on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. The Turkey Strut 5K starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds off Deacon Boulevard, with a 1-mile fun run at 8:30 a.m. Runners are asked to bring at least three canned food items for the We Care House.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Winston-Salem?

No. Thursday garbage and recycling are collected Friday, Nov. 27, and Friday routes on Saturday, Nov. 28. Monday through Wednesday routes run as normal.

Are Winston-Salem city offices open the day after Thanksgiving?

No. City offices are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, and Forsyth County Public Library branches are closed both days too.

Do WSTA buses run on Thanksgiving?

No. The Winston-Salem Transit Authority does not run fixed-route or Trans-AID service on Thanksgiving Day.