Skip to ContentThanksgiving Day is Thursday, November 26, 2026, and the one Chico event we can confirm for the holiday week is The Gobble Games on Friday, November 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Chico Ice Rink in Downtown Chico. Admission is free and skating is $15 per person. The ice rink is closed on Thanksgiving Day itself. For a Thanksgiving morning 5K, the closest one we found is the Lake Almanor Chamber Turkey Trot, 8 a.m. on November 26. We did not find a Chico turkey trot or a Chico community dinner announced for 2026.
At a Glance
- Thanksgiving Day
- Thursday, November 26, 2026
- The Gobble Games
- Friday, November 20, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Chico Ice Rink, 132 W 4th St, Chico Starts in 13 days
- Chico Ice Rink
- Closed Thanksgiving Day; open 12 to 10 p.m. Friday, November 27
- Turkey Trot
- Lake Almanor Chamber Turkey Trot 5K, Thursday, November 26, 8:00 a.m. (check-in 7:00 to 7:45)
- Price
- Gobble Games: free to enter; skating $15 per person ($12 if bought online)
- Organizer
- Chico Area Recreation and Park District
The Gobble Games
The Chico Area Recreation and Park District holds this Thanksgiving-themed night at the Chico Ice Rink. The page lists turkey-trot-inspired ice rink games with prizes, fall crafts and music, and says the night ends with the Turkey Bowl at 7:30 p.m., where two community teams use a frozen turkey as a bowling ball. Entering the games is included with skating admission. Kids and families are the target; ask the organizer about age limits for the games.
Chico Ice Rink Hours Around Thanksgiving
| Date | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, November 25 | 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving) | Closed |
| Friday, November 27 | 12:00 to 10:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, November 28 | 12:00 to 10:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, November 29 | 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. |
The rink opens for the season on Thursday, November 12. December hours are not posted yet.
Turkey Trot Near Chico
The Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce runs a 5K around the Bailey Creek community on Thanksgiving morning, starting at the Bailey Creek Golf Course parking lot. Check-in and same-day sign-up run 7:00 to 7:45 a.m., and the trot starts at 8:00. Proceeds benefit the town’s Fourth of July fireworks. It is a long drive from Chico, so plan on leaving early. See the Lake Almanor and Feather River guide.
After Thanksgiving in Downtown Chico
Downtown Chico’s holiday run starts with Christmas Preview on Sunday, November 22, and Small Business Saturday on November 28. Full details are in the Downtown Chico holiday guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thursday, November 26, 2026.
What is The Gobble Games in Chico?
A Thanksgiving-themed night of ice rink games, crafts and a frozen-turkey bowling match at the Chico Ice Rink on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free; skating costs $15 per person.
Is the Chico Ice Rink open on Thanksgiving?
No. The organizer lists Thursday, November 26 as closed. It reopens at noon on Friday, November 27.
Is there a turkey trot in Chico?
We have not found one announced for 2026. The nearest we found is the Lake Almanor Chamber Turkey Trot 5K at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning.
More Events
Sources
- The Gobble Games, Chico Area Recreation and Park District. Read November 3, 2026.
- Chico Ice Rink (November hours), Chico Area Recreation and Park District. Read November 3, 2026.
- Chamber Turkey Trot 5K, Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce. Read November 3, 2026.
- Salvation Army Chico serves Thanksgiving dinner (2025 dinner, press corroboration only), KRCR. Read November 3, 2026.
Cite this page: “Thanksgiving in Chico 2026.” It’s Chico, checked November 3, 2026. https://itschico.com/events/thanksgiving-in-chico/