Local Guides  โ€บ  Thanksgiving in Utah County: Turkey Trots and What to Do
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Thanksgiving in Utah County: Turkey Trots and What to Do

Thanksgiving in Utah County means a turkey trot in Lehi, Orem or Springville on Nov. 26, then the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights or Luminaria in Lehi after dinner. The trots are Runtastic THANKFUL, Earn Your Turkey and Hobble Before You Gobble, and the Gobbler race in Highland runs Saturday, Nov. 21.

At a glance

Most distancesRuntastic THANKFUL, Lehi
Running since 1982Earn Your Turkey, Orem
Profits to refugeesHobble Before You Gobble, Springville
Thanksgiving nightSpanish Fork Festival of Lights
1

Runtastic THANKFUL

๐Ÿ“ Lehi (Thanksgiving Point area)
Serious runners and families

A Thanksgiving morning race on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, with a half marathon, 10K, 5K and a half-mile kids run for ages 1 to 12, on the Jordan River Trail in Lehi near Thanksgiving Point. Every runner gets a long-sleeve shirt and a finisher medal.

Tip: The kids run starts well after the adult races, so one parent can run the 5K and still make it.
2

Earn Your Turkey

๐Ÿ“ Orem (Orem Fitness Center)
A short family run

Runner's Corner and the Orem Fitness Center have put on this Thanksgiving Day run and walk since 1982. On Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, it has a timed 4-mile run and an untimed 2-mile walk/run, both starting at the fitness center on Center Street, plus kids races by age group on the Mountain View Track.

Tip: The 2-mile walk is untimed, so walkers and grandparents can go at their own pace.
3

Hobble Before You Gobble

๐Ÿ“ Springville (Ray Arthur Wing Park)
A small, local race

A 10K, 5K and untimed 1K kids fun run at Ray Arthur Wing Park on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. All profits go to Utah Valley Refugees.

Tip: The 10K is two laps of the 5K course. The organizer expects to hit its registration cap, so sign up early.
4

Gobbler 5K, 10K and Half Marathon

๐Ÿ“ Highland (Highland Glen Park)
Racing before the holiday

A road race series at Highland Glen Park on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, the weekend before Thanksgiving, with a 5K, 10K and half marathon. It suits families who spend Thursday morning cooking.

Tip: Online sign-up closes the morning of the race, and spots are limited, so register ahead.
5

Spanish Fork Festival of Lights

๐Ÿ“ Spanish Fork (Canyon View Park)
Thanksgiving night

A drive-through light display at Canyon View Park that opens on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2026, and runs through New Year's Day. Everyone stays in the car, so it works for a full carload after dinner.

Tip: Tickets go on sale Nov. 12 at sfcitytix.com. The city sells none at the gate, and your ticket time is when you join the line.
6

Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point

๐Ÿ“ Lehi
Thanksgiving night or the long weekend

A walking light path through Ashton Gardens in Lehi that opens Nov. 12, 2026, and runs to Jan. 9, 2027. The 2026 schedule lists time slots on Thanksgiving night, Nov. 26, and the path is stroller and wagon accessible.

Tip: Luminaria is closed Sundays, so Sunday, Nov. 29 is out. It is open the other days of that weekend, so Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 are open if Thursday is full.
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Local note: Race start times, distances and ticket details come from each organizer and can change. Check the registration or ticket page before you go.

How to pick the right one

Pick a race by distance and drive time. Runtastic THANKFUL in Lehi has the widest spread: a half marathon, 10K, 5K and a half-mile kids run on the Jordan River Trail. Earn Your Turkey in Orem has run since 1982 and stays short, a timed 4-mile run and an untimed 2-mile walk/run from the Orem Family Fitness Center on Center Street, plus kids races on the Mountain View Track. Hobble Before You Gobble at Ray Arthur Wing Park in Springville has a 10K, 5K and 1K fun run, and all profits go to Utah Valley Refugees. If Thursday morning is for cooking, the Gobbler races at Highland Glen Park run the Saturday before, Nov. 21.

After dinner, you can drive or walk to see lights. The Spanish Fork Festival of Lights at Canyon View Park opens on Thanksgiving Day, and you stay in the car. Luminaria at Ashton Gardens in Lehi is a walking path with Thanksgiving night time slots. Spanish Fork requires tickets bought online, on sale Nov. 12 at sfcitytix.com.

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Common questions

Is there a turkey trot in Utah County on Thanksgiving 2026?
Yes, three run on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026: Runtastic THANKFUL in Lehi, Earn Your Turkey in Orem and Hobble Before You Gobble at Ray Arthur Wing Park in Springville.
Is there a turkey trot in Provo?
This page lists no Provo race for 2026. The nearest Thanksgiving morning runs are Earn Your Turkey in Orem and Hobble Before You Gobble in Springville, both on Nov. 26.
When is Thanksgiving in 2026?
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. The Utah County turkey trots on this page run that morning, and the Gobbler races in Highland run the Saturday before, Nov. 21.
Is Luminaria open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, the 2026 Luminaria schedule at Thanksgiving Point lists time slots on Thanksgiving night, Nov. 26. It is closed Sundays, so it is closed Sunday, Nov. 29.
What can you do on Thanksgiving night in Utah County?
You can drive through the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights at Canyon View Park, which opens on Thanksgiving Day, or walk Luminaria at Ashton Gardens in Lehi, which has Thanksgiving night time slots.
Do you need tickets for the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights?
Yes, you buy tickets online in advance, and sales open Nov. 12 at sfcitytix.com. Spanish Fork sells no tickets at the gate, and your ticket window is the time you get in line.
Which Utah County turkey trot is good for young kids?
Runtastic THANKFUL has a half-mile kids run for ages 1 to 12. Earn Your Turkey in Orem has kids races by age group, and Hobble Before You Gobble has an untimed 1K fun run.
Is there a Thanksgiving race in Utah County the weekend before?
Yes, the Gobbler 5K, 10K and half marathon runs at Highland Glen Park in Highland on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026. Register online, since sign-up closes the morning of the race.

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