Thanksgiving 2026 in Murfreesboro: Borodash at 8 a.m. Nov. 26 downtown, a turkey trot Nov. 14, Thursday trash moves to Friday, county offices close.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Race details come from the organizers’ Borodash and Thankful Steps registration pages; closings from the city and Rutherford County.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. Murfreesboro starts the day with Borodash, a 4-mile charity race through downtown at 8 a.m. City trash pickup slides only for Thursday routes, and Rutherford County offices close Thursday and Friday.
Who to call
- City Solid Waste (trash pickup): 615-893-3681; text BoroGarbage to 38276 for holiday alerts
- Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation: 615-890-5333
- Outdoor Murfreesboro (Wilderness Station): 615-217-3017
- Need a meal or help: dial 211
- Police non-emergency: 615-893-1311; emergencies, 911
Thanksgiving week at a glance
| Date | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Fri., Nov. 13, 6 to 8 p.m. | Fall Harvest Hayride ($5 a person, $20 a family) | General Bragg Greenway Trailhead, 1540 W. College St. |
| Sat., Nov. 14, 8 a.m. | Thankful Steps 5K Turkey Trot | Gateway Island, 1875 W. College St. |
| Tue., Nov. 24, 1 to 2 p.m. | Animal Thanksgiving ($5) | Wilderness Station, 401 Volunteer Road |
| Wed., Nov. 25 | Borodash packet pickup | See the race’s RunSignup page |
| Thu., Nov. 26, 8 a.m. | Borodash 4-mile run and walk; 2K walk at 8:15 a.m. | Murfreesboro Civic Plaza, downtown |
| Thu., Nov. 26 | Thursday trash routes move to Friday | Citywide |
Turkey trots
Borodash: Thanksgiving morning
Borodash is a family-friendly, 4-mile race run every Thanksgiving morning through historic downtown Murfreesboro to raise money for charities and nonprofits. The 2026 race starts at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza:
- 4-mile run or walk: 8 a.m.
- 2K walk: 8:15 a.m., untimed.
- “Sleep-In Superstar”: order the race shirt without running and collect it at packet pickup on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Register on RunSignup. The race lists a price increase after 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31, so sign up early. Expect downtown streets around the Square to be busy with runners early Thanksgiving morning.
Thankful Steps 5K: Nov. 14
Barnabas Vision and Together as One hold the first Thankful Steps 5K Turkey Trot at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, from Gateway Island and Reception Center, 1875 W. College St. Runners, walkers and strollers are welcome, and proceeds are split between the two groups. Online registration closes at noon Nov. 13.
Family outings before the holiday
- Fall Harvest Hayride, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the General Bragg Greenway Trailhead: live music, s’mores by a campfire and a moonlit hayride along the greenway, with hot drinks from a food truck. $5 a person or $20 a family.
- Animal Thanksgiving, 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Wilderness Station in Barfield Crescent Park: the station’s animal ambassadors get a feast. $5; registration opens Nov. 1. A version for seniors runs at St. Clair Street Senior Center at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Trash pickup
The city’s 2026 holiday schedule changes only one route for Thanksgiving:
| Your normal day | Thanksgiving week |
|---|---|
| Monday to Wednesday | No change |
| Thursday, Nov. 26 | Friday, Nov. 27 |
| Friday | No change |
Roll your cart to the street before 6 a.m. More on our trash and recycling page.
What is open and closed
- Rutherford County government: closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27.
- County convenience centers: closed Thanksgiving Day. They are always closed on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Sports*Com: closed Thanksgiving Day.
- City offices and Murfreesboro Transit: the city had not posted Thanksgiving closings when we checked. Transit buses normally run weekdays only, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. We will add the city’s notice when it is out.
- Stores and restaurants: see our Black Friday and holiday shopping page for hours as each center posts them.
Community dinners
No free community Thanksgiving dinner in Murfreesboro had been announced for 2026 when we checked. We will list them here as churches and nonprofits post dates. To find a meal or food help now, dial 211 or visit 211.org.
What this means for you
- Signing up for Borodash? Do it before the Oct. 31 price increase.
- Thursday trash customers roll out on Friday, Nov. 27.
- County offices are shut for a four-day weekend, Nov. 26-29.
More guides: holiday lights and Christmas events, the Christmas parade and tree lighting and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a turkey trot in Murfreesboro on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Borodash, a 4-mile run and walk through historic downtown, starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza, with a 2K walk at 8:15 a.m. Register on RunSignup; the price goes up after Oct. 31.
Is trash pickup delayed for Thanksgiving in Murfreesboro?
Only Thursday routes. The city’s 2026 holiday schedule moves Thursday, Nov. 26, pickup to Friday, Nov. 27. Monday to Wednesday routes run as normal.
Are Rutherford County offices closed for Thanksgiving?
Yes. Rutherford County lists Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, 2026, as Thanksgiving holidays. The county’s convenience centers are closed on Thanksgiving Day.
When is the Thankful Steps 5K Turkey Trot?
8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Gateway Island and Reception Center, 1875 W. College St. Online registration ends at noon Nov. 13.
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