Thanksgiving morning and turkey trots go together around Milwaukee almost as naturally as turkey and stuffing.

Whether your family wants a serious timed race, a stroller-friendly walk, a kids dash or simply an excuse to get outside before Thanksgiving dinner, southeastern Wisconsin has plenty of options in 2026.

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and several of the area's biggest races are already confirmed — including runs at American Family Field, Milwaukee's lakefront, Thiensville Village Park, Oconomowoc and Cedarburg.

Here are the best Milwaukee-area turkey trots to know about for Thanksgiving 2026.

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trots — Thursday, November 26, 2026

Festival Foods Turkey Trot Milwaukee

If you're looking for one of Milwaukee's largest Thanksgiving morning events, the Festival Foods Turkey Trot returns to American Family Field.

Location: American Family Field, 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee
Time: 8 a.m.
Distances: Timed 5-mile run; untimed 2-mile fun run/walk; 2-mile Dog Jog

The event accommodates runners, walkers and strollers, with dogs joining the 2-mile course after the other participants.

Every participant also gets a personal pumpkin pie after finishing.

2026 pricing:

Early Bird through Oct. 31:
Adults: $27
Youth under 18: $15
Dogs: $5

Nov. 1–22:
Adults: $35
Youth: $15
Dogs: $5

Race Week, Nov. 23–26:
Adults: $40
Youth: $15
Dogs: $5

Race-week registrants aren't guaranteed their preferred shirt size.

Packet pickup:
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2–6 p.m. in the SKYY Lounge at American Family Field
Thanksgiving morning, 6:30–7:30 a.m. at the Field Level Concourse

The Milwaukee race benefits the Southwest and West Suburban YMCAs, helping support access to YMCA programs and memberships.

This is also one of the easiest options for families who want the spectacle of a big race without committing to a traditional 5K.

Milwaukee Turkey Trot 5K & 8K

For a Thanksgiving run with Lake Michigan views, the Milwaukee Turkey Trot 5K & 8K returns to Veterans Park.

Location: Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Main race time: 9 a.m.
Distances: 5K Run/Walk, untimed 5K Walk and 8K Run

There's also a free 100-meter Kids Dash for children 8 and younger, plus a discounted 5K Kids Division for participants 11 and younger.

Current registration prices include:

5K Run/Walk: $39.99
Untimed 5K Walk: $39.99
8K Run: $49.99
Kids 5K division: $12.99
Kids Dash: Free

Prices can increase closer to race day.

The biggest draw here is the setting: you'll be running or walking along Milwaukee's lakefront rather than through a neighborhood or parking lot.

Junior Woman's Club of Mequon-Thiensville Turkey Trot

North Shore families don't have to head downtown for a Thanksgiving race.

The Junior Woman's Club of Mequon-Thiensville Turkey Trot returns to Thiensville Village Park with an in-person chip-timed 5K.

Location: Village Park, 250 Elm Street, Thiensville
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
5K start: 9 a.m.
Distance: 5K Run/Walk
Cost: $30 currently
Virtual option: Available

The in-person race is chip timed and includes medals. A short-sleeve 2026 Turkey Trot shirt is included while supplies last, with a long-sleeve upgrade available for $10.

Packet pickup:
Wednesday, Nov. 25, noon–4 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 26, 7:30–8:30 a.m.

Both take place at Thiensville Village Park.

This has become one of the best options for families in Mequon, Thiensville, Cedarburg and Milwaukee's North Shore who want a community-oriented race without driving into downtown Milwaukee.

The Turkey Trot is the Junior Woman's Club's largest annual fundraiser and supports its charitable work in the community.

Great Gobble Wobble — Oconomowoc

This one has gotten significantly bigger for 2026.

The Great Gobble Wobble is being held at Oconomowoc High School, with races using the Lake Country Trail.

Location: Oconomowoc High School, 641 E. Forest St.
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Main start: 9 a.m.

Choose from:

10K Run: 9 a.m.
5K Run: 9 a.m.
5K Ruck: 9 a.m.
5K Walk: 9:05 a.m.
1K Kiddo's Race: 8:40 a.m.
Tom & Hen Turkey Costume 1K: 8:50 a.m.

Current pricing starts at $34.99 for the 5K/5K Walk/5K Ruck and $39.99 for the 10K, with increases beginning Sept. 30.

Families get a few nice perks here, too:

Warm indoor space and restrooms at Oconomowoc High School
Free on-site parking
Free hot chocolate bar
Kids race
Walker-friendly options
Flat courses using the Lake Country Trail

New for 2026 is the Tom & Hen 1K, where participants actually have to dress as turkeys. The top male and female "turkeys" each win a pumpkin pie and custom award.

If your priority is finding an event with lots of choices for different ages and abilities, this may be one of the strongest family options of the year.

SFB Turkey Trot "Wobble 'Til You Gobble" — Cedarburg

Here's one that deserves to be added to this guide for 2026.

The 18th Annual SFB Turkey Trot "Wobble 'Til You Gobble" takes place Thanksgiving morning in Cedarburg.

Location: 1375 Covered Bridge Road, Cedarburg
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Time: 10 a.m.
Distances: 3.4-mile "5K-ish" run and 2-mile walk
Cost: $25

Shirt and bib pickup begins at 8:45 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning.

Organizers specifically welcome families, dogs and strollers, giving this one a particularly laid-back community feel.

And in one of the more entertaining turkey trot traditions around, the top three male and female runners take home turkey leg or turkey wing trophies.

For readers in Cedarburg, Mequon and the northern suburbs, this is another excellent alternative to driving into Milwaukee.

A Little Farther Away

Kenosha Mayor's Turkey Day Run

The historic Kenosha Mayor's Turkey Day Run returns on Thanksgiving morning.

The event traces its history to 1906, making it one of the region's oldest Thanksgiving running traditions.

Location: Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Avenue
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Time: 9 a.m.
Distances: 10K and 2-mile run/walk

The routes use city streets and the lakefront bike path between downtown Kenosha and Carthage College.

There's also a free 50-yard Kids Race for children 8 and younger with a paid registration.

Registration through Nov. 22 is:

Ages 14 and younger: $20
Ages 15+: $25

Packet-pickup registration on Nov. 25 rises to $25/$30.

Important: There is no race-day registration.

Racine Turkey Trot 5K

Racine offers another lakefront Thanksgiving morning race — with one unusually generous bonus afterward.

Location: Festival Park, 5 Fifth Street, Racine
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Time: 9 a.m.
Distance: 5K

The course travels along the Lake Michigan Pathway and offers both competitive chip-timed and recreational options.

Then runners, their families and friends are invited to a complimentary Thanksgiving meal from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Festival Hall.

Same-day registration is available.

Packet pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at Festival Hall, with race-morning pickup from 7:30–8:45 a.m.

Burlington Turkey Trot

The Burlington Turkey Trot returns Thanksgiving morning with a family-friendly 5K.

Location: Burlington High School, 400 McCanna Parkway
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26
Distance: 5K Run/Walk

2026 pricing for ages 14+ rises as Thanksgiving approaches:

August: $25
September: $30
October: $35
November: $40

Youth ages 6–13 are $25.

The event also partners with myTEAM TRIUMPH, which pairs "Captains" — athletes with disabilities — with "Angels" who help them participate in the race.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Kelly Johnson Foundation Turkey Trot 5K — Brookfield

Didn't get your run in before Thanksgiving dinner? You still have an option two days later.

The 9th Annual Kelly Johnson Foundation Turkey Trot 5K takes place Saturday, Nov. 28 at Fox Brook Park.

Location: Fox Brook Park, 2925 N. Barker Road, Brookfield
Date: Saturday, Nov. 28
Distance: 5K
Field limit: 250 participants

2026 registration:

Youth 14 and younger: $20
Seniors 65+: $30
Adults 15–64: $35

Race-day registration is available from 8–8:45 a.m., space permitting.

The 5K is chip timed and starts near Fox Brook Park Lodge before following the park bike path, crossing Barker Road and heading onto River Road.

Packet pickup: Wednesday, Nov. 25 from noon–4 p.m. at Wisconsin Athletic Club Brookfield.

Proceeds support Kelly Johnson Foundation scholarships.

What About the Lake Park Turkey Trot?

North Shore Family Adventures readers may remember the longtime Lake Park Turkey Trot, historically a free Thanksgiving morning run/walk starting near Lake Park Pavilion.

It was included prominently in our 2025 guide as a free four-mile community event with shorter route options.

As of Sept. 22, however, we haven't found a clearly published official 2026 event announcement with enough information to confidently list a date, time and format.

We'll update this guide if organizers announce the 2026 event.

The same goes for the Badgerland Striders Turkey Trot Prediction Run and the Elite Sports Club River Glen Turkey Trot. Rather than assume their 2025 details carry forward, we're waiting for confirmed 2026 information.

Which Milwaukee-Area Turkey Trot Should You Choose?

For the big-event experience: Festival Foods Turkey Trot at American Family Field

For Lake Michigan scenery: Milwaukee Turkey Trot at Veterans Park

For North Shore families: Mequon-Thiensville Turkey Trot

For Cedarburg families: SFB "Wobble 'Til You Gobble"

For lots of distance choices: Great Gobble Wobble in Oconomowoc

For kids: Great Gobble Wobble, Milwaukee Turkey Trot or Kenosha Mayor's Turkey Day Run

For dogs: Festival Foods or Cedarburg

For a historic race: Kenosha Mayor's Turkey Day Run

For Thanksgiving dinner after the race: Racine Turkey Trot

For Thanksgiving weekend instead of Thanksgiving morning: Kelly Johnson Foundation Turkey Trot in Brookfield

Turkey Trot Tips for Families

Register early. Several races increase prices throughout October and November, and some limit shirt availability for late registrations.

Pick up your packet Wednesday when possible. Thanksgiving-morning pickup means one more thing to fit into an already busy morning.

Dress in layers. Late November in Wisconsin can deliver almost anything.

Check stroller and dog rules. Policies aren't universal. Festival Foods specifically offers a Dog Jog, while Cedarburg welcomes dogs and strollers.

Give yourself extra driving time. Large races can create traffic and parking backups around American Family Field, the lakefront and race start areas.

Most importantly, don't worry about being the fastest person in the family. These events range from competitive chip-timed races to casual walks, kids dashes and turkey-costume sprints.

For many families, that's really the point: get outside, have some fun together, earn that extra slice of pie and start Thanksgiving with a little adventure.