Woodstock starts its holiday season early, and Thanksgiving week has something for most mornings and evenings. Four events fall between November 23 and December 1, 2026, from four different organizers: a Thanksgiving morning 5K near Towne Lake, the city's Santa's Mailbox at The Park at City Center, a Black Friday breakfast at Reformation Brewery, and a drive-through light display at Dixie Speedway. Each entry lists what the organizer has published and what to confirm before you go. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, and several listings do not publish holiday hours, so a quick call is worthwhile.
Tavern at Towne Lake Turkey Trot 5K
This Thanksgiving morning race starts and finishes at the Tavern at Towne Lake and runs along Towne Lake Parkway.
When
Thursday, November 26, 2026, with the race starting at 8:00 a.m. Packet pick-up is Tuesday, November 24, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at HEW Fitness, 1428 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 106, and on race day from 7:00 to 7:55 a.m. at the Tavern.
Where
Tavern at Towne Lake, 1003 Towne Lake Hills East, Woodstock, GA 30189.
Cost and tickets
The 5K registration fee is listed at $40 plus fees and taxes, for a total of $44.79 when the page was checked, and the page says the price will change soon. Registration is open through November 25 and is handled through Race Roster, and the page does not mention race day sign-up, so register ahead. Registrations are non-refundable unless the Refund Protection Program was purchased, and transfers are available.
Good to know
The organizer describes the event as family-friendly and open to walkers, people pushing strollers and runners of all ages. The page does not list a separate children's race or youth pricing. Packet pick-up on Tuesday evening means you can skip the early morning line on race day. Proceeds support the Cherokee County Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Tavern at Towne Lake Race Team can be reached at [email protected].
Santa's Mailbox at The Park at City Center
The City of Woodstock puts a mailbox for letters to Santa in the gazebo at The Park at City Center for the holiday season.
When
The mailbox goes up on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and runs through December 13. The city's special events page does not list daily hours.
Where
The gazebo at The Park at City Center in downtown Woodstock. The City of Woodstock's Parks and Recreation Department lists the event on its special events page. The park is also the city's setting for its Brown Bag Concerts, its Fourth of July festival and the Christmas Jubilee, so it is easy to find on a city map.
Cost and tickets
No price is listed, and the city does not describe a ticket or registration process for the mailbox.
Good to know
The park is the same downtown space where the city holds its Christmas Jubilee festival on Sunday, December 6, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., so a visit to the mailbox is an easy way to see the park before the larger event. Because no hours are posted, an afternoon or daytime visit is the simplest plan. Check the city's website or social media for any weather related changes, since the city notes that event dates can change for weather.
Black Friday Breakfast at Reformation Brewery
Reformation's Woodstock taproom opens early on the Friday after Thanksgiving for an annual breakfast and bottle release.
When
Friday, November 27, 2026, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with doors opening at 6:30 a.m.
Where
Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock, GA 30188. The phone number is (678) 341-0828.
Cost and tickets
A $5 Together Breakfast gives two pancakes and three pieces of bacon per ticket, available by preorder or on site. A $12 Breakfast and Beverage includes a breakfast plate with a draft pour or coffee, and holiday pours such as an Espresso Martini or a glass of Coquito are $10. The page says the pancakes and bacon are served while supplies last.
Good to know
Two bottle releases are part of the morning: The Unicorn, a nine-year single barrel wheated bourbon, and the 2026 Coquito Liqueur. The page does not list bottle prices, an age policy or if seating needs a reservation, and it links to Eventbrite for tickets. Because the brewery serves alcohol, call before bringing children. The brewery's calendar also lists Friday Flights from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and a Curator's Journey bourbon and whiskey drop from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. that same day, plus Saturday Specials on November 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Elm Street is in the heart of downtown Woodstock, so the breakfast pairs easily with a morning walk to the shops.
Holiday Lights of Woodstock at Dixie Speedway
The drive-through display opened on November 20 and is in full swing by Thanksgiving week.
When
Nightly from November 20 through December 31, 2026, except December 24 and 25. Hours are 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, so Thanksgiving evening falls on a Thursday schedule if the display is open that night. Confirm that with the organizer. The organizer's page does not list Thanksgiving Day hours.
Where
Dixie Speedway, 150 Dixie Drive, Woodstock, GA 30189.
Cost and tickets
Admission is priced per vehicle, and the price includes access to Santa's Village. A season pass is sold for repeat visits, and a new Golden Ticket covers all four Holiday Lights locations. Published prices differ between sources and the organizer's page warned of a price increase, so confirm the current price on its site before you buy.
Good to know
The organizer describes the event as family-friendly. Because Friday and Saturday hours run an hour later than the rest of the week, the Friday after Thanksgiving and Saturday, November 28 offer the longest evening windows in this guide.
Woodstock Thanksgiving Week Questions
Is the Christmas Jubilee inside this window? No. The city lists the Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights for Sunday, December 6, with the festival from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The Park at City Center and the parade at 5:30 p.m., so it falls after these dates.
What is on the Woodstock Arts calendar? The Local Artist Showcase by Amanda Banks, who works in textiles, paper and mosaic, continues through December 3. A Christmas Carol the Musical opens December 4 at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street, with online tickets at $21 to $22 and door prices of $23 to $25. The show runs about 90 minutes including a 15-minute intermission and is rated all ages. Festival Woodstock Winter Wonderland follows on Saturday, December 5 at 10:00 a.m. The arts calendar lists no events between November 21 and December 4, so these fall just outside the window.
Can I attend more than one of these? Yes. The Turkey Trot is a morning event on Thursday, the breakfast is a Friday morning event, and the lights open in the evening, so all four fit into one holiday weekend. After the holidays, the city also lists Christmas Tree Chip and Dip, a free mulch program at Olde Rope Mill Park, from December 26 through January 17.
Where do I confirm details? Use the Turkey Trot registration page and the Holiday Lights of Woodstock page.
