Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Bend’s long weekend is shaping up with a fully published I Like Pie schedule, confirmed Thanksgiving dining at Riverhouse Lodge, a nearby feast at The Suttle Lodge, and Downtown Bend’s Shop Small Saturday. Restaurant and takeout announcements will keep coming through October and November, so this guide separates confirmed 2026 details from places that are still worth watching. Last checked October 27, 2026.
Thanksgiving 2026: save these dates
| Date | Event | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 26 | I Like Pie at Riverbend Park | Confirmed: rolling starts 7:30–9:30 a.m. |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Riverhouse Grand Buffet | Confirmed: 1–5 p.m. |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Currents plated Thanksgiving dinner | Confirmed: 3–8 p.m. |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Suttle Lodge Thanksgiving Dinner | Confirmed: 4–7 p.m. |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Tetherow Gather Together Thanksgiving Feast | Confirmed: seatings 12–5 p.m. |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Elk Lake Resort Thanksgiving dinner | Check: no longer on Elk Lake’s holiday page (may be full) |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Black Butte Ranch Lodge Thanksgiving buffet | Confirmed: 12–4 p.m. |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Redmond Turkey Trot 5K, 10K and kids’ 1K | Confirmed: races from 9 a.m. |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Sunriver Resort Thanksgiving dinner at Lodge Kitchen | Confirmed: from 2 p.m. |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Santa flies into the Old Mill by AirLink helicopter | Confirmed: about 10 a.m. |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Shop Small Saturday downtown | Confirmed: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Sisters Holiday Palooza: parade, Santa, tree lighting | Confirmed: 3:30–5:30 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 28 | FERMENTOPIA FEST | Published: 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m. |
| Thu–Sun, Nov 26–29 | Thanksgiving long weekend | Outdoor plans remain weather-dependent |
I Like Pie: Thanksgiving morning in Bend
I Like Pie has now published its full 2026 event information, so there is no need to rely on last year’s logistics.
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Location: Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St.
Rolling start: 7:30–9:30 a.m.
Courses: 1.3 miles, 3.14 miles and 5.3 miles
Format: untimed fun run/walk
Beneficiary: Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend
2026 registration prices
- Early Action, Sept. 1–30: Adults $40; youth ages 2–17 $20
- Regular, Oct. 1–Nov. 25: Adults $45; youth $25
- Thanksgiving Day: Adults $55; youth $35
- Children in strollers can participate at no additional cost, but do not receive the event beanie.
The first 5,000 registrants are eligible for the annual I Like Pie beanie. Packet pickup is scheduled at FootZone, 842 NW Wall St., on Tuesday, November 24 from 1–6 p.m. and Wednesday, November 25 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thanksgiving-morning packet pickup and day-of registration run from 7–9:30 a.m. at Riverbend Park.
The start line stays open until 9:30 a.m., and the organizer says the last pie is served by 10:30 a.m.
Best move: register before Thanksgiving Day to get the regular $45 adult price instead of $55 day-of. The event works for runners, walkers, kids and families who simply want to get outside before dinner.
Good to know: the Riverbend Park parking lot is closed during the event, so walk, bike or park in the Old Mill District and stroll over. Dogs are welcome, there’s gluten-free pie, and registrations can’t be refunded but can be transferred to a friend.
Redmond Turkey Trot: 2026 registration is open
The Redmond Turkey Trot is celebrating its 10th year in 2026, and the full schedule is now posted:
- Where: Sam Johnson Park, 333 SW 15th St., Redmond, with a course through the Redmond canyon
- When: check-in and day-of registration 8–9 a.m.; free kids’ 1K (10 and under) at 9 a.m.; 10K at 9:15 a.m.; 5K waves from 9:20 a.m.
- Price: $30 through Oct. 31, $35 Nov. 1–24, $40 on race day. T-shirts aren’t guaranteed after Nov. 8.
- Beneficiary: Bright Eyes Bright Future (eye care for kids) and local youth programs
If you’re staying in Redmond, Eagle Crest or Terrebonne, this is the Central Oregon Thanksgiving race to watch instead of driving into Bend.
Thanksgiving dinner in Bend: confirmed 2026 options
This is the section most likely to change as fall goes on. These options have published 2026 Thanksgiving service already.
Thanksgiving dinner finder
Every 2026 Thanksgiving meal we could confirm, side by side. Tap a filter, then book on the venue’s site.
Riverhouse Thanksgiving Grand Buffet
Thu 1–5 p.m.
Riverhouse Lodge Conference & Event Center, on the Deschutes
Live music, a kids’ area and a football zone. 10% off when you buy 6+ tickets.
Currents plated dinner
Thu 3–8 p.m.
Currents at Riverhouse, river views
Tetherow Gather Together Feast
Thu, seatings noon–5 p.m.
The Pavilion at Tetherow, west Bend
Kids 5–14 get special pricing; 4 and under eat free.
Juniper Preserve Thanksgiving buffet
Thu from 11 a.m.
Iris at Juniper Preserve, east of Bend
Book through OpenTable or call 866-320-5024.
Black Butte Ranch Lodge buffet
Thu noon–4 p.m.
The Lodge at Black Butte Ranch, near Sisters
Sunriver Resort, Lodge Kitchen
Thu from 2 p.m.
The Lodge, Sunriver (20 min south)
Three courses. Call (541) 593-3740; card hold required.
The Suttle Lodge feast
Thu 4–7 p.m.
Suttle Lake, near Sisters
Family-style with welcome bubbles.
Elk Lake Resort
Thu (no longer listed)
Elk Lake, Cascade Lakes
Thanksgiving dropped off Elk Lake’s holiday dinners page in late October, so it may be full. Email reservations@elklakeresort.com.
McMenamins Old St. Francis
Thu noon–close
Old St. Francis Pub, downtown
Thanksgiving restaurant specials plus to-go. All ages.
Tetherow Thanksgiving To-Go
Order by Sun, Nov. 22
Pick up Wed 11/25, 2–4 p.m. or Thu 11/26, 8–10 a.m.
Turkey, sides and desserts to heat at home. Order online or call (844) 431-9701.
Jackson’s Corner pies & bread
Preorders coming soon
845 NW Delaware Ave, Old Bend
Thanksgiving pies, house-baked sourdough and morning treats.
Pie Maison
Holiday preorders open
920 NW Bond St #106, downtown
Pumpkin, pecan, salted caramel apple and marionberry streusel, plus a gluten-free marionberry.
Farmhouse Pies
Preorders open Nov. 1
Farm kitchen in Bend · order online
From-scratch pies with local ingredients.
Checked Oct. 27, 2026. BOSA is closed for Thanksgiving this year. Know a Bend restaurant serving Thanksgiving? Tell us.
Riverhouse Lodge: buffet and Currents dinner
Riverhouse Lodge has two confirmed Thanksgiving options on November 26:
- Thanksgiving Grand Buffet: 1–5 p.m. at the Conference & Event Center, with live music, a kids’ area and a football viewing zone. Tickets are on BendTicket; groups of 6 or more get 10% off.
- Currents plated Thanksgiving dinner: 3–8 p.m. at Currents Restaurant overlooking the Deschutes River.
Riverhouse is one of the clearest Bend options to book now because its 2026 page is already live. Check the current reservation page for ticket prices, menu details and availability.
The Suttle Lodge: family-style feast near Sisters
The Suttle Lodge has a Thanksgiving feast scheduled for 4–7 p.m. on November 26. The meal is served family-style and includes welcome bubbles and a multi-course menu.
This is outside Bend, but it is a useful option if you’re staying toward Sisters or want to make dinner part of a destination outing. BendTicket currently lists tickets in a range of roughly $55–$103 including fees, depending on ticket type.
Tetherow: Thanksgiving feast and Thanksgiving To-Go
Tetherow has two ways to do Thanksgiving in 2026, both with chef-prepared turkey, seasonal sides and house-made desserts:
- Gather Together Thanksgiving Feast: dine-in on November 26, with seatings between 12 and 5 p.m. in The Pavilion (reservations required; kids 5–14 get special pricing and 4 and under eat free), with high-desert mountain views and a fireside setting. See the 2026 menu and reserve on OpenTable.
- Thanksgiving To-Go: the full meal to heat and serve at home. See the to-go menu. More in takeout and heat-at-home meals.
Tetherow is at 61240 Skyline Ranch Road on Bend's west side, a good fit if you're staying near the mountain or want dinner with a view.
Elk Lake Resort: Thanksgiving dinner in the Cascades
For a Thanksgiving that feels like an adventure, Elk Lake Resort announced holiday dinner up on the Cascade Lakes on Thursday, November 26, with seatings at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Update, Oct. 27: Thanksgiving no longer appears on Elk Lake’s holiday dinners page (its Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners do), which usually means it’s full. Email reservations@elklakeresort.com to ask about a spot.
- Price: $79 per adult, $39 for kids 3–12
- Getting there: the Cascade Lakes Highway gate is closed for the season, so resort staff meet guests at Dutchman's Gate and escort them in. Guests have usually been able to drive in with four-wheel drive.
- If it snows: snowcat rides are available for an extra charge, limited to the first 20 guests who reserve them.
Mountain weather changes fast, so check roads and weather before you head up, and see our Cascade Lakes guide for the area.
Sunriver Resort: Thanksgiving dinner at Lodge Kitchen
Sunriver Resort is serving a plated, three-course Thanksgiving dinner at Lodge Kitchen in The Lodge on Thursday, November 26, starting at 2 p.m. It's a rustic take on the traditional meal, inspired by frontier family celebrations.
- Price: $95 per adult, $49 for kids 6–12, and kids 5 and under eat free with a paying adult
- Reservations: call (541) 593-3740. A credit card hold is required, with a $15-per-person fee for cancellations within 72 hours of your seating.
- Menu: see the Thanksgiving dinner menu
Sunriver is about 20 minutes south of Bend, so it pairs well with a Thanksgiving stay at the resort. See our Sunriver guide.
Black Butte Ranch: Thanksgiving buffet near Sisters
Black Butte Ranch has confirmed a Thanksgiving buffet at The Lodge on Thursday, November 26, 12–4 p.m. It’s $68 for adults and $18 for kids under 10, and reservations are required: book on Tock or call (541) 595-1260. The ranch is about 35 minutes northwest of Bend, past Sisters.
Other Bend restaurants and resorts to watch
Juniper Preserve lists a Thanksgiving buffet at Iris from 11 a.m. (reserve on OpenTable or call 866-320-5024), and McMenamins Old St. Francis has Thanksgiving specials and to-go from noon to close. These are not confirmed for 2026 yet, but they are worth checking:
- ROAM at the Oxford Hotel
- Brasada Ranch
- Pine Tavern (served its regular menu on Thanksgiving in past years)
BOSA is closed for Thanksgiving this year.
Do not assume normal daily hours mean Thanksgiving service.
Thanksgiving takeout and heat-at-home meals
Tetherow Thanksgiving To-Go
Want the whole meal without the cooking? Tetherow's Thanksgiving To-Go has posted its 2026 menu: chef-prepared turkey, seasonal sides and house-made desserts you heat and serve at home. See the menu, then use the order link on Tetherow's Thanksgiving page. Order by Sunday, November 22, online or at (844) 431-9701. Pickup is Wednesday, November 25, 2–4 p.m. or Thursday, November 26, 8–10 a.m.
As of October 27, the major Bend grocery and prepared-food providers still had not posted 2026 preorder windows. McMenamins Old St. Francis is doing Thanksgiving to-go alongside its restaurant specials (noon to close).
Useful places to monitor:
- Market of Choice Bend - prepared meals, bakery, sides and holiday groceries
- Newport Avenue Market - local prepared foods and bakery
- Whole Foods Market Bend - holiday catering and grocery pickup
- local caterers and restaurants as seasonal menus are announced
Last year, Market of Choice opened Thanksgiving ordering in late October. Treat that only as a timing clue, not a 2026 deadline. We’ll add current order cutoffs and pickup windows when the businesses publish them.
Where to order Thanksgiving pies and desserts
Jackson's Corner
The Old Bend bakery is getting its Thanksgiving menu ready: pies, house-baked sourdough and Thanksgiving-morning treats. Full menu and preorder details are coming soon, so check back here.
For dessert, check local bakeries early rather than waiting until Thanksgiving week. Good Bend businesses to watch include:
- Pie Maison (920 NW Bond St.): holiday pie preorders are open; fall flavors include pumpkin, pecan and salted caramel apple
- Farmhouse Pies: Thanksgiving preorders open November 1 at farmhousepies.com
- Nancy P’s Cafe & Bakery
- Sparrow Bakery
- Too Sweet Cakes
- Newport Avenue Market
- Market of Choice
Exact pie flavors, preorder deadlines and pickup windows should be confirmed directly for 2026 before ordering.
What to do on Thanksgiving Day
Walk the Deschutes River Trail
For an easy outing that stays in town, walk from Riverbend Park, Farewell Bend Park or the Old Mill riverfront. It’s a natural add-on after I Like Pie or before a later meal.
Drake Park and Downtown Bend
For visiting family, Drake Park and Mirror Pond give you a simple local walk without committing to mountain roads. Continue into downtown if coffee shops or restaurants are open.
Shevlin Park
Shevlin is a good low-elevation option when trails are clear. Wear traction-friendly shoes if overnight temperatures have dropped below freezing.
Smith Rock, if conditions cooperate
Smith Rock can be drier than Bend in late November, but icy trails are still possible. Check the weather, sunset time and trail conditions before driving north.
Walk it off: easy after-dinner walks in Bend
One of the best Bend Thanksgiving traditions happens after the pie: everyone grabs a jacket and heads outside before round two. Here are easy ways to walk off dinner without going far.
The river trail by the Old Mill
Loop the Deschutes River Trail from Riverbend Park or the Old Mill footbridges. Flat and easy, with river views the whole way, so it works for every age.
Shevlin Park
Want pines and a creek instead of pavement? Shevlin's trails along Tumalo Creek are a short drive from downtown. Go early afternoon for the best light, and wear grippy shoes if it's been freezing.
Pilot Butte
Hike the trail up Bend's in-town volcano for a view across the city to the Cascades. It's short but steep, so it counts double.
Drake Park and Mirror Pond
Loop Mirror Pond, cross the footbridge and wander back through quiet downtown streets. A good one for visiting family.
Around the neighborhood
The simplest Bend tradition of all: a loop around the block after dinner, waving at the neighbors and catching the last light over the mountains. Then home for pie.
Before you go: sunset is around 4:30 p.m. in late November, so bring a flashlight or headlamp, a warm layer and shoes with traction for icy spots.
Thanksgiving weekend: Friday through Sunday
Friday, November 27
Keep Friday flexible. Get outside in the morning, then choose one local shopping or dining district instead of driving all over town.
Good combinations:
- Shevlin Park → NorthWest Crossing
- Deschutes River Trail → Old Mill District
- Drake Park → Downtown Bend
Santa flies in Friday morning. The Old Mill District’s Santa arrival by AirLink helicopter is set for Friday, November 27, around 10 a.m. on the west event lawn by the river, and SantaLand opens the same day at 11 a.m. In Redmond, the Holiday Village Market starts at Centennial Park that morning. See our Christmas in Bend guide for the full holiday season.
Saturday, November 28: Shop Small Saturday
Downtown Bend Shop Small Saturday is confirmed for November 28. The DBBA says its raffle tent will be outside Bellatazza on Wall Street from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Bring a receipt from a same-day downtown purchase to enter the raffle; each receipt earns one entry.
This is an easy day to combine shopping with coffee, lunch and a downtown walk.
Also Saturday: Sisters’ Holiday Palooza runs 3:30–5:30 p.m. (parade down Main Street, Santa photos at Fir Street Park, tree lighting about 5 p.m.), and Prineville’s Santa’s Workshop & Craft Bazaar is at the Crook County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m.
Saturday, November 28: FERMENTOPIA FEST
Visit Bend currently lists FERMENTOPIA FEST at Open Space Event Studios from 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m. on November 28. It is a marketplace centered on fermented foods and drinks, with published admission in the $7–$12 range.
Check the current event listing before buying tickets or heading over.
Easy Thanksgiving weekend itineraries
The classic Bend Thanksgiving
Thursday: I Like Pie → downtime → Thanksgiving dinner → short walk
Friday: Shevlin Park → lunch → Downtown or Old Mill
Saturday: Shop Small Saturday → coffee or drinks → dinner
Sunday: brunch → weather-dependent hike or snow outing
Thanksgiving with kids
Thursday: short I Like Pie route or Riverbend Park walk → meal → movie/game night
Friday: High Desert Museum or an easy park outing
Saturday: downtown Shop Small + hot chocolate
Sunday: snow play only if coverage is actually good
No-cooking Thanksgiving
Book lodging with dining nearby → morning walk → Riverhouse or another confirmed reservation → Friday outdoor activity → Saturday downtown shopping.
Weather, roads and mountain planning
Late November is transition season. Bend may be dry while higher elevations are snowy.
- Check TripCheck before mountain or pass driving.
- In town, the Franklin Avenue underpass is set to reopen to drivers for the holidays (about November 20 through January 3); see local notices.
- Do not assume the full Cascade Lakes Highway is open.
- Bring shoes with traction for icy sidewalks and trails.
- Carry layers; sunset is early and temperatures drop quickly.
- If heading to a Sno-Park, verify access, snow coverage and permit requirements.
What is usually open and closed on Thanksgiving?
Do not treat normal business hours as holiday hours.
The Old Mill District says its shops are closed on Thanksgiving Day, while restaurants and other businesses may keep their own holiday schedules. Government offices, banks, USPS and many independent retailers are typically closed. Grocery stores and national chains may operate reduced hours.
Verify Thanksgiving hours directly before leaving home.
Local notices for Thanksgiving 2026
- Deschutes County offices: most are closed Thursday and Friday, November 26–27, and reopen Monday, November 30.
- Franklin Avenue underpass: closed to drivers for construction, but the City of Bend plans to reopen it for the holidays from the afternoon of November 20 through January 3, 2027. Dates are estimates, so check before you rely on it.
Visiting Bend for Thanksgiving: where to stay
- Downtown / Old Bend: easiest for restaurants, coffee, shops and Drake Park
- Old Mill: convenient for Riverbend Park, I Like Pie and the river trail
- West Bend / Tetherow: useful for mountain-oriented plans
- Sunriver: good for larger family groups and vacation rentals
- Sisters / Black Butte: better for a quieter destination-style holiday
See our places to stay in Bend guide for more.
Flying in for Thanksgiving? Redmond Airport tips from locals
Most people flying to Bend land at Redmond Airport (RDM), about 17 miles north of downtown and roughly 30 minutes down Highway 97. It's a small, easy airport, and that's mostly good news. Thanksgiving week just puts a lot more people through one little terminal, so a few minutes of planning goes a long way.
Line up your ride ahead of time
Uber and Lyft waits can get long on holiday weekends and late at night. If family isn't picking you up, reserve a rental car or an airport shuttle before you fly.
Give the Sunday rush extra time
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year, even at a small airport. Aim to be at RDM about 2 hours before your flight, and add a little more if it's snowing.
Watch your connection city
Most RDM trips connect through bigger hubs like Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City or San Francisco. A storm there can slow you down more than anything happening in Central Oregon.
Ask about winter tires
An SUV or all-wheel-drive rental doesn't guarantee winter tires. If you're heading up to Mt. Bachelor, Elk Lake or over a pass, ask at the counter and check TripCheck.
Flying into PDX instead?
Fares can be lower, but the drive is about 3 to 3.5 hours over the Cascades, and late-November passes can mean snow and traction rules. Check TripCheck first, or look at Central Oregon Breeze buses between Bend and the Portland area.
Leave a little early
The RDM curb is quick, but Highway 97 through Redmond backs up at commute times and on the busy days before the holiday. A 10-minute buffer saves a lot of circling.
Rental counters, rideshare pickup, shuttle phone numbers and a when-to-leave calculator are all in our Redmond Airport to Bend guide. Once you've landed, the hard part's over. Welcome to Bend for the holiday.
Thanksgiving 2026 planning checklist
Now through October
- Register for I Like Pie before the first price increase if you’re going
- Decide whether you want to cook, order takeout or dine out
- Book lodging if family is visiting
- Reserve Riverhouse or Suttle Lodge if either fits your plan
Early November
- Check for newly announced Bend restaurant menus
- Order pies and prepared meals
- Confirm all reservations and cancellation policies
- Start watching the weather pattern
Thanksgiving week
- Reconfirm holiday hours
- Pick up race packets and food orders on time
- Check TripCheck before mountain driving
- Leave one part of the weekend unscheduled
Hosting and planning beyond Thanksgiving
Compare holiday catering, party venues and host gifts. Browse celebrations throughout the year in Holidays in Bend.
What's your family's Thanksgiving tradition?
Every family has that one dish. In ours, it's clam dip in a hollowed-out bread bowl, with the extra bread torn up for dunking. It isn't Thanksgiving without it.
What's yours? A Thanksgiving-morning hike, a side dish nobody else has heard of, a Friday trip up the mountain? Tell us. We'd love to share a few reader traditions here.
Thanksgiving in Bend FAQ
When is Thanksgiving in 2026?
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. The long weekend runs through Sunday, November 29.
Is I Like Pie happening in 2026?
Yes. I Like Pie is scheduled for Thanksgiving morning at Riverbend Park, with a rolling start from 7:30–9:30 a.m. and three course options.
Which Bend restaurants have confirmed Thanksgiving dinner for 2026?
Riverhouse Lodge has published both a 1–4 p.m. Grand Buffet and 3–8 p.m. plated dinner at Currents. Tetherow has its 12–5:30 p.m. Gather Together Thanksgiving Feast at The Pavilion, plus Thanksgiving To-Go, Elk Lake Resort is serving dinner up in the Cascades at 12 and 3 p.m., and Sunriver Resort has a plated dinner at Lodge Kitchen from 2 p.m. Other Bend restaurants are still rolling out holiday menus.
Is there a Thanksgiving dinner near Sisters?
Yes. The Suttle Lodge has a Thanksgiving feast scheduled from 4–7 p.m. on November 26.
What is happening in Downtown Bend that weekend?
Shop Small Saturday is scheduled for November 28 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Downtown’s restaurants, shops and bars will set their own holiday-weekend hours.
Can you ski at Mt. Bachelor over Thanksgiving?
Probably not this year. Mt. Bachelor’s target opening day for 2026–27 is Friday, December 4, a week after Thanksgiving. Hoodoo and Willamette Pass set their own openings based on snow, so check their sites if you’re set on turkey-day turns.
Last checked October 27, 2026. Have a confirmed Thanksgiving event or 2026 dining menu we’re missing? Submit it to All Things Bend.