Thanksgiving in Birmingham 2026: CrossPlex Turkey Trot Nov. 26, city offices closed Nov. 26-27, libraries Nov. 26-28, and how trash pickup shifts.

Last checked Oct. 25, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address; the dates below are for Thanksgiving 2026. Each fact links to the city, school district or organizer that published it.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Birmingham’s Thanksgiving morning race is the Turkey Trot at the Birmingham CrossPlex. City offices close for two days, the public library for three, and Birmingham City Schools are out the whole week. The city’s 2026 trash notice was not out on Oct. 25; last year’s pattern is below.

Updated Oct. 25: turkey trot entry fee and the library’s Nov. 19 staff-day closure added.

Who to call

  • City services and trash questions: 311, or 205-254-2489 (the 311 center is closed on city holidays)
  • Birmingham CrossPlex, 2340 CrossPlex Blvd.: city CrossPlex listings
  • Police non-emergency: 205-328-9311; 911 in an emergency

Thanksgiving week at a glance

Date What happens
Sunday, Nov. 15 Fall topiary workshop for the Thanksgiving table, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Thursday, Nov. 19 All Birmingham Public Library locations closed to the public for a staff day
Saturday, Nov. 21 Pepper Place Saturday Market, 7 a.m. to noon; Glow Wild opens at the zoo
Nov. 23-27 Birmingham City Schools Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, Nov. 26 Turkey Trot at the CrossPlex; city offices, libraries and Sloss Furnaces closed
Friday, Nov. 27 City offices, libraries and Sloss Furnaces still closed
Saturday, Nov. 28 Libraries closed; Pepper Place market open, 7 a.m. to noon

The turkey trot

The Turkey Trot 5K and Family Fun Run is on Thanksgiving morning at the Birmingham CrossPlex, 2340 CrossPlex Blvd. The city lists it from 7 to 10 a.m. and pitches it to competitive runners and families walking together, according to the city’s event listing. The race registration page, which calls it the Turkey Trot at the (CrossPlex) Junction, gives an 8 a.m. start, says online registration closes at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, lists the entry fee as $40, and says this year’s proceeds support swim lessons at the YMCA Northeast & Youth Center.

What is open and closed

  • City offices: closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, except police, fire and 911, according to the city’s holiday list.
  • Birmingham Public Library: all locations closed Thursday, Nov. 26, through Saturday, Nov. 28, and closed to the public the week before on Thursday, Nov. 19, for a staff day, according to the library’s holiday closures list.
  • Sloss Furnaces: closed Nov. 26 and 27, according to the city’s Sloss listing.
  • Birmingham Botanical Gardens: free and open every day of the year, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on fall and winter hours, according to its visit page.
  • Pepper Place Saturday Market: open the Saturdays before and after Thanksgiving, 7 a.m. to noon, rain or shine; its season runs through Dec. 12.
  • Birmingham City Schools: out Nov. 23-27 on the district’s 2026-27 calendar.

Trash pickup changes

The city had not posted its 2026 Thanksgiving trash notice on Oct. 25. Last year, there was no garbage or recycling pickup on Thanksgiving Day; homes normally served on Thursday were collected that Saturday, and all other days ran as scheduled, according to the city’s November 2025 notice. If the city repeats that in 2026, Thursday homes would be collected Saturday, Nov. 28. Check our trash and recycling guide, which we update when the notice is out.

Community meals and giving

As of Oct. 25 no Birmingham group had posted a 2026 Thanksgiving community dinner with a date, time and place. The Jimmie Hale Mission, which serves homeless men, women and children in Birmingham, says it provided 138,348 meals in 2025; its website lists ways to give and volunteer. Serving a free Thanksgiving meal? Send us the details and we will list it here.

The weekend after

The Birmingham Zoo’s Glow Wild lantern festival opens Saturday, Nov. 21, and runs on select nights through Jan. 3, 2027; see our holiday lights and Christmas events guide. For store hours, Small Business Saturday and holiday markets, see Black Friday and holiday shopping.

What this means for you

  • Put trash out as usual on Monday through Wednesday of Thanksgiving week, and watch for the city’s notice for Thursday routes.
  • Plan library visits early in the week; branches are closed Thursday to Saturday.
  • Register for the turkey trot online before 8 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Related: things to do this month and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a turkey trot in Birmingham on Thanksgiving 2026?

Yes. The Turkey Trot 5K and Family Fun Run is Thursday, Nov. 26, at the Birmingham CrossPlex, 2340 CrossPlex Blvd. The city lists it from 7 to 10 a.m., and the race registration page gives an 8 a.m. start.

Are Birmingham city offices closed for Thanksgiving?

Yes. City offices are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, except police, fire and 911.

Is Birmingham trash pickup delayed for Thanksgiving?

The city had not posted its 2026 notice by Oct. 17. In 2025 there was no pickup on Thanksgiving Day; Thursday homes were collected that Saturday and all other days ran as normal.

Are Birmingham libraries open the day after Thanksgiving?

No. The Birmingham Public Library is closed Thursday, Nov. 26, through Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, according to its holiday closures list.

When is Thanksgiving break for Birmingham City Schools?

Monday, Nov. 23, to Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, on the district’s 2026-27 calendar.