Thanksgiving 2026 in Minneapolis–St. Paul is Thursday, November 26: 22 Twin Cities restaurants serve Thanksgiving dinner, from $39 at McCormick & Schmick's in Edina to $79.95 for the buffet at 6Smith in Wayzata, while Mall of America, Target, Walmart, Costco, Mia and the Science Museum close and Minnesota law keeps liquor stores shut all day.
This guide compares those restaurants' hours and prices, the dinners to take home, what is open and closed on the day, the free community dinner, Thanksgiving Eve and the long weekend, when the Minnesota Hmong New Year fills the Saint Paul RiverCentre on November 28–29.
Checked November 3, 2026. Not announced yet: the Salvation Army's community dinners, the Four Seasons' and Nicollet Island Inn's Thanksgiving prices, the St. Paul Grill's plans, Cub's and Lunds & Byerlys' Thanksgiving hours and the 2026 Winterapolis kickoff.
Restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Minneapolis 2026
These 22 Twin Cities restaurants have published a 2026 Thanksgiving Day menu or opening hours for dining in on Thursday, November 26:
| Restaurant | Where | Hours | Menu | Price per adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jax Cafe | Northeast Minneapolis | Not published | Traditional turkey dinner or the regular menu | $56; children $24 |
| Breva Bar & Grill | Downtown Minneapolis | 11 a.m.–9 p.m. | Three courses | $55 |
| Stock & Bond | Downtown Minneapolis | 11 a.m.–10 p.m. | Turkey with sausage stuffing, candied yams and pie | Not published |
| Ruth's Chris | Downtown Minneapolis | Not published | Three-course turkey dinner | From $49; children from $20 |
| Tavola | Elliot Park Hotel, Minneapolis | 7 a.m.–9 p.m. | Thanksgiving feast, booked on Tock | Not published |
| Fogo de Chão | Downtown Minneapolis | 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m. | Brazilian steakhouse, dinner price all day | Not published |
| The Capital Grille | Downtown Minneapolis | Not published | Turkey plate and the full menu | Not published |
| Holman's Table | Holman Field, St. Paul | Not published | Three courses (menu) | $65; children $25 |
| The Lexington | Grand Avenue, St. Paul | 11 a.m.–8 p.m. | Thanksgiving dinner; book at 651-289-4990 | Not published |
| Buca di Beppo | Gannon Road, St. Paul | 11 a.m.–8 p.m. | Italian menu; Thanksgiving feasts to go | Not published |
| FireLake Grill House | Mall of America, Bloomington | 11 a.m.–8 p.m. | Three courses | $55; children $25 |
| Lela | Bloomington | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Brunch buffet | $60; ages 5–12 $22 |
| McCormick & Schmick's | Galleria, Edina | Not published | Starter and turkey plate | $39; children $17 |
| Wildfire | Eden Prairie | Not published | Family-style | $76.95; 12 and under $29.95 |
| 6Smith | Wayzata | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Buffet with a seafood bar and carving station | $79.95; ages 5–12 $34.95 |
| Birch's on the Lake | Long Lake | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Buffet | Not published |
| Lord Fletcher's | Spring Park | 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Brunch | $69.95; ages 6–12 $24.95 |
| Rodizio Grill | Maple Grove | Noon–7 p.m. | Rodizio with turkey added | $52.99; 11 and under $16.99 |
| Kendall's Tavern & Chophouse | Coon Rapids | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Buffet | $44.95; ages 4–11 $19.95; plus tax and 18% gratuity |
| Tria | North Oaks | 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | Three courses | $55 |
| Lowell Inn | Stillwater | Seatings 11 a.m.–5:45 p.m. | Turkey or pot roast dinner | $40.50 plus tax; ages 4–12 $23 |
| Afton House Inn | Afton | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Buffet | $45; 10 and under $24 |
Prices are as each restaurant lists them on November 3, 2026, before tax unless the row says otherwise. Most of them ask you to book.
Five of these restaurants serve a Thanksgiving buffet: Lela in Bloomington (brunch, $60), 6Smith in Wayzata ($79.95), Birch's on the Lake in Long Lake, Kendall's in Coon Rapids ($44.95 plus tax and 18% gratuity) and the Afton House Inn ($45).
The Eagles Club #34 at 2507 East 25th Street in Minneapolis serves a Thanksgiving dinner with dessert, turkey with all the trimmings for $15, from noon to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, according to the club's events page.
The Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis pairs Thanksgiving dinner with music: its Thanksgiving with Davina and the Vagabonds starts at 7 p.m., tickets from $47.10, and the Dakota takes pre-orders for a chef's turkey dinner with the ticket until 4 p.m. that day.
Thanksgiving dinner in St. Paul and the east metro
Three restaurants in St. Paul have published Thanksgiving Day 2026 plans: Holman's Table, in the historic terminal of Holman Field airport at 644 Bayfield Street, serves three courses on November 26 only; The Lexington, 1096 Grand Avenue, is open 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and takes bookings at 651-289-4990; and Buca di Beppo on Gannon Road is open 11 a.m.–8 p.m. The St. Paul Grill and the Saint Paul Hotel had posted no Thanksgiving plans on November 3.
East of the city, the Lowell Inn in Stillwater seats its Thanksgiving dinner at 11 a.m., 1:15, 3:30 and 5:45 p.m.; book by phone at 651-439-1100.
Thanksgiving dinner to go in the Twin Cities
Twin Cities grocers and restaurants sell Thanksgiving dinner to go for Thursday, November 26, 2026, most for pickup between November 23 and Thanksgiving morning:
- Kowalski's Markets: a fully cooked turkey dinner for two costs $39.99, for 4–6 people $149.99 and for 10–12 people $239.99, picked up or delivered on Tuesday, November 24 or Wednesday, November 25 (pickup by 7 p.m.), according to Kowalski's. The dinners come cold, with reheating instructions.
- Cub: holiday dinners for 4, 6–8 and 10–12 people, picked up or delivered through November 26; the turkey breast dinner for four costs $79.99, according to Cub.
- Kincaid's, St. Paul and Bloomington: a turkey family meal for three to four people costs $143 and prime rib $165; order by 4 p.m. on Friday, November 20 and pick up on Tuesday, November 24 or Wednesday, November 25, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., according to Kincaid's.
- Buca di Beppo, St. Paul: Thanksgiving feasts for 2–3 or 4–6 people with turkey, sausage stuffing and pumpkin pie, picked up or delivered from November 23 to 26 (Thanksgiving Day pickup 10 a.m.–8 p.m.); orders placed by November 10 get 10% off, according to Buca St. Paul.
- Breva, downtown Minneapolis: a two-course dinner to go for $45, picked up on Thursday, November 26, according to Breva.
- The Capital Grille: sides to pre-order by Tuesday, November 24, for pickup on Wednesday or on Thanksgiving morning, according to the Capital Grille.
What's open and closed on Thanksgiving in Minnesota?
On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026, Mall of America, Target, Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, Hy-Vee and Kowalski's close in the Twin Cities, and so do the museums in this table, while restaurants, the Como Park Zoo, the Heights Theater and the state parks stay open:
| Place | Nov. 26 |
|---|---|
| Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe | Closed; Black Friday 7 a.m.–9 p.m. (Nickelodeon Universe 10 a.m.–9 p.m.) |
| Liquor stores | Closed all day by state law |
| Target | Closed, as every Thanksgiving since 2020 |
| Walmart | Closed |
| Costco | Closed |
| Best Buy | Closed |
| Hy-Vee | Twin Cities stores closed |
| Kowalski's Markets | All stores closed |
| Cub, Lunds & Byerlys | Store hours not posted on November 3; Cub's holiday dinners can be picked up through November 26 |
| Minneapolis Institute of Art | Closed |
| Walker Art Center | Closed |
| Science Museum of Minnesota | Closed |
| Bell Museum and Landmark Center | Closed |
| Hennepin County Library | Closed; open again on Friday |
| Northern Lights at the Arboretum | Closed; open Friday from 4:30 p.m. |
| Como Park Zoo | Open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Minnesota state parks | Open |
The Como Park Zoo in St. Paul lists no Thanksgiving closure, and Evenitto has its Thanksgiving-morning Sparky and Friends show at 11:30 a.m.
The Heights Theater in Columbia Heights is open on Thanksgiving and screens Chinatown at 7 p.m.
Gingerbread Wonderland at Norway House in Minneapolis is closed on Thanksgiving, and the Minneapolis Christkindl Market opens only Fridays to Sundays; both are in our Christmas events guide.
Are liquor stores open on Thanksgiving in Minnesota?
Liquor stores in Minnesota may not sell wine, spirits or strong beer on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026. Minnesota Statutes 340A.504, subdivision 4, bans off-sale on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and after 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
On Wednesday, November 25, the day before Thanksgiving, Minnesota liquor stores can sell until 10 p.m., the statute's closing time on weekdays, unless the city sets earlier hours.
The Thanksgiving ban covers off-sale of intoxicating liquor only: 3.2 percent beer is not in it, and bars and restaurants with an on-sale license can serve drinks on Thanksgiving as on any Thursday.
Free Thanksgiving dinner in Minneapolis and St. Paul 2026
Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities serves a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 26, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Men's Campus, 435 University Avenue East in St. Paul. The Mission says the meal is open to anyone in the community who needs one.
The Mission's turkey and grocery giveaway on Monday, November 23 is fully booked; leftover turkeys and grocery bags go out from 4:15 to 6 p.m. that day, first come, first served.
Seven Loaves & Fishes meal sites in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the suburbs, among them the Salvation Army Temple Corps, serve no meal on Thanksgiving, according to its closures list. The Salvation Army's 2026 Thanksgiving dinners were not announced on November 3.
Volunteering on Thanksgiving in the Twin Cities
Four organizations in the Twin Cities take volunteers in Thanksgiving week 2026:
- Union Gospel Mission, St. Paul: Thanksgiving shifts through the sign-up link on its Thanksgiving page.
- Loaves & Fishes, meal sites in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the suburbs: shifts open about six weeks ahead, according to Loaves & Fishes.
- Feed My Starving Children, Chanhassen, Coon Rapids and Eagan: meal-packing sessions from age 5, children with an adult, according to its FAQ.
- Second Harvest Heartland, Brooklyn Park: individuals and groups from age 8, according to Second Harvest.
Thanksgiving week 2026 in Minneapolis–St. Paul at a glance
The main events of Thanksgiving week 2026 in Minneapolis–St. Paul, from Wednesday, November 25 to Sunday, November 29, are in this table and described below it.
| When | What | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Nov. 25, 8 p.m. | Salsa del Soul Thanksgiving Eve | Granada Theater, Minneapolis | From $26 |
| Wednesday, Nov. 25, 8 p.m. | Planes, Trains and Automobiles | Parkway Theater, Minneapolis | $14.43 with fees |
| Thursday, Nov. 26, 7:30–9:30 a.m. | Turkey trots | Minneapolis, St. Paul and suburbs | From $32.80 |
| Thursday, Nov. 26, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | Community Thanksgiving dinner | Union Gospel Mission, St. Paul | Free |
| Friday, Nov. 27, all day | Free Park Friday | Every Minnesota state park | Free entry |
| Friday, Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m. | Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies | Target Center, Minneapolis | See the listing |
| Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 | Christmas in Excelsior | Water Street, Excelsior | Free |
| Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. | Minnesota Hmong New Year | Saint Paul RiverCentre | $17.51 online; $15 cash at the door |
| Sunday, Nov. 29, noon | Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis | See the team's schedule |
Prices are per adult as listed on November 3, 2026.
Things to do on Thanksgiving Day in Minneapolis
Thanksgiving Day in Minneapolis, Thursday, November 26, 2026, starts with turkey trots: eleven races in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the suburbs set off between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m., and every start time and price is in our turkey trot guide.
- Thanksgiving Day Mass at the Basilica of Saint Mary, 1600 Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, at 8:30 a.m., and at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, which holds one Mass at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
- The Como Conservatory's Fall Flower Show in St. Paul runs through Sunday, November 29; the Holiday Flower Show opens on December 4, according to Como.
The Children's Theatre Company's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! has no performance on Thanksgiving Day, First Avenue, the Fine Line, the Turf Club and the Fitzgerald Theater have no show on November 26, and the Vikings play no Thanksgiving game in 2026.
Thanksgiving Eve in Minneapolis: Wednesday, November 25
Thanksgiving Eve 2026 in Minneapolis, Wednesday, November 25, has dance nights, a bar crawl, concerts and a Thanksgiving movie:
- Salsa del Soul at the Granada Theater in Uptown: a free lesson at 8 p.m., live music 8:30–10:30 p.m., all ages.
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles at the Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Avenue: Meatraffle Ska at 7 p.m., the 1987 film at 8; $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
- Minneapolis Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl in downtown Minneapolis from 7 p.m., 21 and older, tickets on Eventbrite.
- Brandon Commodore Hosts: Family & Friends at Crooners in Fridley, 7–8:30 p.m., $25–$35.
- The Ike Reilly Assassination with Tommy Stinson at First Avenue, show 7:15 p.m., 18 and older.
- Drinksgiving with ELnO and DJ TimeMachine at the Hook and Ladder Theater, 7:30 p.m., 21 and older, $27–$35 general admission.
- Twin Cities Country Dancers' Thanksgiving Dance at the Eagles Club #34, 7 p.m.
- Minnesota Wild vs. Utah at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, 7 p.m.
- For families: Turkey Bingo for ages 6–12 at 11 a.m. ($8 for St. Louis Park residents, $11 for others; register by November 16, according to St. Louis Park), then free skating at Turkeys on Ice from noon to 1:30 p.m., both at the Rec Center in St. Louis Park, and the Grinch at 2 and 7 p.m.
Thanksgiving weekend 2026 in the Twin Cities
Thanksgiving weekend 2026 in the Twin Cities, Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29, opens the Christmas season and brings the two-day Minnesota Hmong New Year to St. Paul.
Black Friday: Friday, November 27
- Free Park Friday: entry to every Minnesota state park and state recreation area is free, with no vehicle permit needed, according to the Minnesota DNR.
- Christmas markets: the free European Christmas Market at Union Depot in St. Paul opens early, 1–9 p.m., and the Minneapolis Christkindl Market on North Loop Green 4–9 p.m.; both are open again on Saturday and Sunday.
- Christmas in Excelsior on Water Street, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.: live reindeer, a holiday market, Santa and carriage rides. Saturday, November 28 is also Small Business Saturday.
- Christmas lights: the free Holiday Lights Drive-Thru at Martin Luther Campus in Bloomington and Light the Night in Delano open on November 27; every display is in our Christmas lights guide. The Waconia Tree Lighting is at 6 p.m. in City Square Park.
- History HiJinx: Thanksgiving Break at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, Friday to Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m., with museum admission ($15, ages 5–17 $8).
- Sports: Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado at 3 p.m. at Grand Casino Arena and Gophers men's hockey vs. Minnesota State at 4 p.m. at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
- Evening: Truthsgiving: A Decolonized Thanksgiving Show at the Hook and Ladder (doors 5 p.m., 21 and older) and Petty Comes Alive at the Parkway (7:30 p.m., from $25).
Hmong New Year 2026 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre
The Minnesota Hmong New Year fills the Saint Paul RiverCentre, 175 West Kellogg Boulevard, on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days. The organizer, United Hmong Family, lists singing and dance competitions, the Hmong Minnesota Pageant, food and vendors.
A day ticket costs $17.51 online with the fee or $15 in cash at the door ($15.51 by card), according to the RiverCentre.
At the Hmong New Year, seniors 65 and older enter free at the door with ID, and children under 42 inches enter free. The RiverCentre ramp across Kellogg Boulevard is connected by skyway. Brooklyn Park holds a smaller Hmong New Year on Saturday, December 12, 5–8 p.m.
Concerts and shows on Thanksgiving weekend 2026
Concerts and shows in the Twin Cities on Thanksgiving weekend 2026, November 27–29, include:
- The SPCO's Williams' Zodiac Suite with the Aaron Diehl Trio at the Ordway Concert Hall in St. Paul, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., according to the SPCO.
- Minnesota's Last Waltz, a tribute to The Band, at the Parkway on Saturday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. ($40 in advance).
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at the Children's Theatre: Saturday, November 28 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sunday, November 29 at 2 p.m. and a sensory-friendly show at 5 p.m.
Thanksgiving weather and getting around
Minneapolis averages a high of 35°F and a low of 20°F on November 26, according to NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for MSP airport, so turkey trotters and park walkers need winter layers.
Metro Transit runs a holiday schedule on Thanksgiving Day and a special schedule on Black Friday in its published 2026 timetables, with fewer buses than on a weekday; check trips in Metro Transit's trip planner before you go.
Quick answers
What restaurants are open on Thanksgiving 2026 in Minneapolis? Restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Minneapolis include Jax Cafe ($56), Breva downtown (three courses, $55, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.), Stock & Bond (11 a.m.–10 p.m.), Ruth's Chris (from $49), Fogo de Chão (11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.), Tavola at the Elliot Park Hotel and FireLake Grill House at Mall of America ($55, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.).
What's open on Thanksgiving in Minneapolis? On Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Minneapolis, restaurants, the Como Park Zoo (10 a.m.–4 p.m.), the Heights Theater and the state parks are open. Mall of America, Target, Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, Hy-Vee, Kowalski's, liquor stores, Mia, the Walker and the Science Museum are closed.
Is Mall of America open on Thanksgiving 2026? No. Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026. On Black Friday the mall opens 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Are liquor stores open on Thanksgiving in Minnesota? No. Minnesota law bans liquor store sales on Thanksgiving Day; liquor stores can sell until 10 p.m. on the Wednesday before, unless the city sets earlier hours. Bars and restaurants can still serve drinks on Thanksgiving.
Where can I get a free Thanksgiving dinner in St. Paul or Minneapolis? Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities serves a free Thanksgiving dinner, open to anyone, on Thursday, November 26, 2026, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., at 435 University Avenue East in St. Paul.
What restaurants are open on Thanksgiving in St. Paul? Restaurants open in St. Paul on Thanksgiving Day 2026 include Holman's Table at Holman Field (three courses, $65, children $25), The Lexington on Grand Avenue (11 a.m.–8 p.m.) and Buca di Beppo on Gannon Road (11 a.m.–8 p.m.).
When is Hmong New Year 2026 in St. Paul? The Minnesota Hmong New Year is on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29, 2026, 8 a.m.–8 p.m., at the Saint Paul RiverCentre; a day ticket is $17.51 online or $15 in cash at the door.
Are Minnesota state parks free on Black Friday? Yes. Friday, November 27, 2026 is a free entrance day at every Minnesota state park and state recreation area.
After Thanksgiving, the Christmas markets, lights and concerts are in Christmas events in Minneapolis–St. Paul 2026, what is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Minneapolis–St. Paul 2026, and the night of December 31 in New Year's Eve in Minneapolis–St. Paul 2026.
Cover photo: a roast turkey ready for Thanksgiving dinner, November 24, 2022, slgckgc, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; illustrative photo.