Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. The Turkey Trot 5K starts 7:30 a.m. on McGregor, city trash slides a day, and LeeTran buses do not run.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: the City of Fort Myers holiday week collection delays, Lee County’s holiday schedule and LeeTran, the School District of Lee County’s 2026-27 instructional calendar (PDF), the Turkey Trot registration page and the Edison and Ford Winter Estates 2026-27 events list (PDF). City solid waste: 239-321-8050.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. In Fort Myers the day starts with thousands of runners on McGregor Boulevard for the Turkey Trot. City trash routes slide a day late in the week, Lee County offices close Thursday and Friday, LeeTran buses stay in the garage, and Lee County students have the whole week off.

What this means for you

  • Trash: Thursday routes go out Friday, Nov. 27; Friday routes go out Saturday, Nov. 28.
  • Buses: no LeeTran service on Thanksgiving Day.
  • County offices: closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27.
  • School: out Nov. 23-27.
  • Run: Turkey Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, McGregor Boulevard.

Trash and recycling

The City of Fort Myers’ holiday week schedule moves the last two collection days of the week:

Normal day Thanksgiving week
Monday, Nov. 23 No change
Tuesday, Nov. 24 No change
Wednesday No residential collection, as every week
Thursday, Nov. 26 Friday, Nov. 27
Friday, Nov. 27 Saturday, Nov. 28

The city schedule covers city customers only. Homes in unincorporated Lee County, including Villas, Cypress Lake and North Fort Myers, follow Lee County’s schedule instead. Our full guide: trash and recycling in Fort Myers.

What is open and closed

  • Lee County government offices: closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, on the county’s 2026 holiday schedule.
  • LeeTran: no bus service on Thanksgiving Day, according to LeeTran’s holiday list. Customer service: 239-533-8726.
  • The School District of Lee County: students are off Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 27. See our schools guide.
  • Edison Mall, 4125 Cleveland Ave.: closed on Thanksgiving Day, according to the mall’s Santa schedule. It reopens Friday, Nov. 27; see our Black Friday and holiday shopping guide.
  • City of Fort Myers offices: the city had not posted its 2026 holiday closures when we checked. City Hall: 239-321-7000.

The Turkey Trot

The Fort Myers Track Club and the Edison and Ford Winter Estates hold the 47th annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K on Thursday, Nov. 26. The organizers say the 2025 race drew visitors from more than 42 states.

  • 5K run and walk: 7:30 a.m. A new course this year starts on McGregor Boulevard and finishes at the estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd.
  • Tot Trot: a 100-yard dash for children 6 and younger, 8:45 a.m.
  • Packet pickup: race morning from 6 a.m. at the tent; the club urges runners to use an early pickup listed on the race page.
  • Registration: online until 11:59 p.m. Nov. 25. Register by Nov. 1 to be sure of your shirt size; shirts go to the first 4,000 registered.

Expect McGregor Boulevard near the estates to be busy or closed early Thanksgiving morning. Our road construction and closures page carries any city traffic notice.

Community dinners

No free community Thanksgiving dinner in Fort Myers had been announced for 2026 when we checked. Churches and nonprofits serving a meal can send us the details and we will add them here with a link.

The weekend after

Holiday Nights, the light display at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, opens Friday, Nov. 27, and runs through Jan. 3, 2027. Gulf Coast Town Center lights its tree on Saturday, Nov. 28. Both are on holiday lights and Christmas events, and the parade and tree lighting downtown are on Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Frequently asked questions

Is there trash pickup in Fort Myers on Thanksgiving 2026?

No. The City of Fort Myers moves Thursday, Nov. 26, collections to Friday, Nov. 27, and Friday collections to Saturday, Nov. 28. Monday and Tuesday routes are not affected.

What time is the Fort Myers Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving?

The 47th Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K starts at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, on McGregor Boulevard and finishes at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. The Tot Trot is at 8:45 a.m.

Does LeeTran run on Thanksgiving?

No. LeeTran lists Thanksgiving Day among the holidays with no bus service.

When is Thanksgiving break for Lee County schools in 2026?

The School District of Lee County’s 2026-27 calendar gives students the whole week off, Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 27.

Is Edison Mall open on Thanksgiving Day?

No. Edison Mall’s holiday schedule lists the mall as closed on Thursday, Nov. 26.