Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026, and Orange County has plenty of ways to get moving before the holiday meal. Below are Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trots plus fall and holiday races held before and after Thanksgiving. Turkey Trots have a long history in the United States: the Buffalo YMCA Turkey Trot dates to 1896.
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trots in Orange County
| Race | City | Date | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Rock ‘n’ Run | Anaheim | Nov. 26, 2026 | 5K, 10K, 10 Mile, Kids Runs |
| Turkey Trot 5K OC | Tustin | Nov. 26, 2026 | 5K |
| Orange County Turkey Trot | Irvine | Nov. 26, 2026 | 1 Mile, 5K, Kids Gobble Wobble |
| Dana Point Turkey Trot | Dana Point | Nov. 26, 2026 | 5K, 10K, Combo 15K, Kids Mile |
| Huntington Beach Turkey Wobble | Huntington Beach | Nov. 26, 2026 | 1K, 5K, 10K |
| Turkey Trot on the Ranch | Rancho Mission Viejo | Nov. 26, 2026 | 1K, 5K, 10K |
Plymouth Rock ‘n’ Run
Where: Yorba Regional Park, 7600 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Starts: 10K and 10 Mile at 7:00 a.m.; 5K at 8:00 a.m.; Kids 1K at 9:00 a.m.; 100-yard Tot Trot at 9:15 a.m.
This North Orange County Turkey Trot offers 5K, 10K, 10-mile and kids races at Yorba Regional Park. The event is hosted by ResearchforCure, a nonprofit supporting spinal cord injury research at the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at UC Irvine.
Turkey Trot 5K OC
Where: Village of Hope, 1 Hope Drive, Tustin, CA 92782
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Starts: 8:00 a.m.
The 13th annual Turkey Trot OC 5K is hosted by the Orange County Rescue Mission. The Thanksgiving morning event welcomes families, dogs and competitive runners, and costumes are encouraged. Packet pickup is scheduled for November 23–24; check the registration page for current pickup details.
Orange County Turkey Trot
Where: Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Starts: 1-Mile Turkey Dash at 7:30 a.m.; 5K at 8:00 a.m.; Kids Gobble Wobble at 9:10 a.m.
This family-friendly Irvine Turkey Trot offers a 1-mile race, 5K, 5K + 1-Mile combo and Kids Gobble Wobble, with a virtual option also available. Runners, joggers and walkers are welcome.
Dana Point Turkey Trot
Where: Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point Harbor Drive & Golden Lantern
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Starts: 10K at 7:00 a.m.; 5K races at 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.; 5K Family Walk/Run at 10:00 a.m.; Kids’ 1-Mile Gobble Wobble at 10:30 a.m.
The 49th annual Dana Point Turkey Trot features a 5K, 10K, Combo 15K and Kids’ 1-Mile Gobble Wobble, plus a costume contest and Health & Fitness Expo. Packet pickup and the expo are scheduled for Wednesday, November 25 from noon–6:00 p.m., with race-day pickup also available.
Huntington Beach Turkey Wobble
Where: Huntington Beach, near Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Boulevard
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Starts: Wave starts from approximately 7:00–9:40 a.m.
The 1K, 5K and 10K routes are flat, out-and-back courses along the Huntington Beach coast, with ocean views and a festive Thanksgiving morning atmosphere.
Turkey Trot on the Ranch
Where: Starts at The Pavilion, 2 Tierno Road, Rancho Mission Viejo; finishes at Sendero Field
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Starts: 10K at 8:00 a.m.; 5K at 8:30 a.m.; Little Gobblers 1K at 10:00 a.m.
The 10th annual Turkey Trot on the Ranch features a 10K, 5K and 1K Little Gobblers run through Rancho Mission Viejo. Proceeds benefit The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.
Turkey Trots Before & After Thanksgiving
Seal Beach Turkey Trot
Where: 143 Main Street at Central Avenue, Seal Beach
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Starts: 5K/10K at 7:15 a.m.; Kids Don’t Be a Turkey Trot at 9:15 a.m.
The 8th annual Seal Beach Turkey Trot includes the kids 1K Don’t Be a Turkey Trot, 5K and 10K, with the run/walk starting and finishing on Main Street. Packet pickup is Friday, November 20 from 2:00–7:00 p.m.
Anaheim Turkey Trot 5K/10K & Fun Run
Where: Santa Ana River Trail near Katella Avenue and the Honda Center, Anaheim
When: Sunday, November 22, 2026
This family-friendly Anaheim race offers 5K, 10K and fun-run distances along the Santa Ana River Trail. Participants can run, jog or walk, and festive attire is welcome.
Turkey Trot Sunday – Irvine
Where: Irvine
When: Sunday, November 29, 2026
This post-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot gives runners and walkers another chance to join a holiday-themed race weekend in Irvine. Check the organizer’s current event listing for the course, distances, start times and registration details.
Other Fall & Holiday Runs
Harvest Hustle 5K/10K/Half Marathon
Where: Mile Square Regional Park, Fountain Valley
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026
A fall-themed race at Mile Square Regional Park with 5K, 10K and half marathon distances.
Elf Yourself 5K
Where: Lake Forest Sports Park, Lake Forest
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026
A holiday-themed 5K at Lake Forest Sports Park that kicks off the seasonal running calendar before Thanksgiving.
FIT FALL Halloween Harvest 5K/10K
Where: Bolsa Chica State Beach, 17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
A beachside fall run with a Halloween and harvest theme, including costumes and seasonal activities.
OC Pumpkin Run 5K
Where: North Justice Center, 1275 N. Berkeley Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
When: Saturday, October — date TBA
Starts: 5K at 7:30 a.m.; awards at 8:30 a.m.
This family-friendly costume run uses Fullerton-area trails and has included book donations, food, music and games after the race.
Monster Dash 5K – San Clemente
Where: Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
The annual Monster Dash includes a fun run, costume contest and Halloween activities for all ages. Preregistration is required.
Dino Dash
Where: The Market Place, 2771 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92782
When: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Starts: 7:00 a.m.
Dino Dash brings runners and walkers together to support Tustin Unified schools. Race options include multiple distances for adults and children.
Run for a Claus
Where: University of California, Irvine
When: Saturday, December 19, 2026
This holiday-themed event offers in-person and virtual participation, including a 5K and kids run, along with festive costumes and race-day activities.
Santa Claus for a Cause 5K/10K
Where: Bolsa Chica State Beach, 17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
When: Saturday, December 12, 2026
A Christmas-themed beach race featuring 5K and 10K distances and festive holiday touches.
Run in the New Years 5K/10K/Half Marathon
Where: 17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
When: Friday, January 1, 2027
Start the new year with a beachside 5K, 10K or half marathon on a paved coastal path. The event welcomes runners, joggers and walkers.
Orange County Turkey Trot FAQs
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Are there Orange County Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes. Thanksgiving Day races listed here include events in Anaheim, Tustin, Irvine, Dana Point, Huntington Beach and Rancho Mission Viejo.
Are there Turkey Trots for kids?
Several Orange County races offer shorter children’s events, including tot trots, youth races and one-mile runs. Check each race’s registration page for age requirements and current details.
Can walkers participate?
Many Turkey Trots welcome walkers as well as runners, although individual course rules and time limits vary by event.
Looking for more local events? Visit the Villa Park Event Calendar.