Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Jacksonville: Trash Pickup Changes, a Free Meal, the Turkey Trot and What's Closed

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Thanksgiving Day 2026 falls on Thursday, Nov. 26, and it brings a few changes to everyday routines in Jacksonville. Trash pickup shifts for one group of customers, schools are out for the entire week, and government offices, banks and post offices close for the holiday. Here is what to know, plus a free community meal and the area's biggest Thanksgiving morning race.

Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, so the changes start with anything run by the federal government. Post offices are closed and there is no regular mail delivery on Thursday, Nov. 26. Most banks are also closed because the Federal Reserve observes the holiday, though ATMs and online banking keep working.

Trash and Recycling Pickup

Only one set of customers sees a change. The City of Jacksonville says customers with a Thursday pickup will be serviced on Saturday, Nov. 28, instead of on Thanksgiving Day. Customers with Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday pickups keep their normal schedule.

The city's rule is simple and worth remembering for the rest of the year. Jacksonville changes its waste collection schedule for only two holidays a year, Thanksgiving Day among them, no matter how many days city offices are closed. That keeps most households on their usual routine for the entire holiday week.

Schools Are Out All Week

Families with children in public schools get a full week off. Both Duval County Public Schools and the St. Johns County School District are closed for all five days of Thanksgiving week, Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 27. This is the first year Duval has closed for the entire week, after the School Board approved an updated calendar in April.

St. Johns County families should keep an eye on two of those days. The St. Johns calendar marks Monday, Nov. 23, and Tuesday, Nov. 24, as possible hurricane make-up days. If the district has to make up days lost to a storm, students could be called back for those two days.

City Offices, Libraries and Buses

City of Jacksonville offices typically close on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after. Last year, City Hall and other city facilities were closed on both Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week, and the city usually announces its holiday closures a week or two ahead. Residents who need permits or other city services should plan to handle them by Wednesday, Nov. 25.

The Jacksonville Public Library has also closed for both days in past years. In 2024, the library closed early, at 6 p.m., on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and stayed closed Thursday and Friday. Check jaxpl.org for this year's hours before heading to a branch.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority runs reduced service on the holiday. In past years, JTA buses have run on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day while some services, such as the Skyway, have closed. JTA posts its holiday schedule on its service alerts page, so riders should check it before Thanksgiving week.

A Free Thanksgiving Meal

City Rescue Mission is serving a free Thanksgiving meal the day before the holiday. The meal is Wednesday, Nov. 25, at the mission's New Life Inn, 234 W. State St. in downtown Jacksonville. The day starts with coffee, snacks and fellowship at 10 a.m., followed by a worship service at 10:30 a.m., and the meal is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The mission describes the event as a Thanksgiving meal for people in need. People who want to volunteer can contact the mission's volunteer coordinator at [email protected] or (904) 421-5147. Volunteer spots for holiday meals often fill early, so it helps to reach out a few weeks ahead.

The UF Health Turkey Trot

The largest Thanksgiving morning race near Jacksonville is in Atlantic Beach. UF Health Jacksonville's 12th annual Turkey Trot 5K starts and finishes at the Dune House Hotel & Spa on Ocean Boulevard, the former One Ocean Resort & Spa. The race supports brain injury awareness and care for traumatic brain injury survivors treated at UF Health Jacksonville.

The 5K starts in waves so runners and walkers can spread out. The competitive wave leaves at 7:30 a.m., runners at an 8- to 12-minute pace start at 7:45 a.m., and walkers at a 13-minute pace or slower start at 8 a.m. A sensory-friendly 5K begins at 8:10 a.m., and a 1-mile fun run starts at 9 a.m.

Packet pickup is at the hotel, 1 Ocean Blvd. in Atlantic Beach. Runners can pick up their packets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and Wednesday, Nov. 25, or from 6 to 8 a.m. on race day. Parking near the oceanfront fills quickly on Thanksgiving morning, so arriving early is a good idea.