Thanksgiving in Rosemary Beach Starts on the Sunday Before
October 8, 2026
October 8, 2026
Thanksgiving Day in Rosemary Beach falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, but most of the week's deadlines come earlier. The first is Sunday, November 22, at 3 p.m., the cutoff for ordering Edward's to-go feast. Then comes a Tuesday evening run at a brewery in Watersound. On Wednesday, packet pickup happens a few miles west at The Big Chill, and there is no pickup on race day. By the time Thursday arrives, the schedule has already been set and Highway 30A is closed.
The race behind most of these dates is the 15th annual 30A 10K Thanksgiving Day Races, which start and finish in Rosemary Beach. According to the volunteer page, it takes 200 volunteers to run an event for "3500+ runners and spectators." At that size, the race affects anyone in town that week, whether or not they're running.
| Date | What happens | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Nov. 22 | Edward's Thanksgiving to-go orders close at 3 p.m. | Edward's |
| Tuesday, Nov. 24 | 5 p.m. shakeout run; 1-mile fun run registration closes at 11:59 p.m. | Idyll Hounds Brewery |
| Wednesday, Nov. 25 | Packet pickup, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Edward's pickup, 2 to 5 p.m. | The Big Chill; Edward's |
| Thursday, Nov. 26 | 10K at 7:30 a.m., 1-mile at 7:35 a.m., 5K at 9:30 a.m.; Highway 30A closed from 7 a.m. | Start and finish on East Water Street |
| Thursday, Nov. 26 | Thanksgiving Day buffet, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Havana Beach Bar & Grill at The Pearl |
| Sunday, Nov. 29 | 30A Farmers' Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Rosemary Beach |
Edward's has posted its 2026 Thanksgiving to-go menu. Orders are open until Sunday, November 22, at 3 p.m., or until supplies run out. Pickup is the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. The menu is priced in large portions:
The pickup timing matters more than it looks. Since food is collected on Wednesday afternoon, Thursday morning stays free, and on Thursday morning the road in front of town is closed. That makes the order cutoff, four days before the holiday, the first decision of the week.
Racers can't skip Wednesday. The organizers say plainly that there is no race-day registration and no race-day packet pickup. Pickup is at The Big Chill, which the FAQ notes was formerly The Hub, at 7000 E County Hwy 30A in Watersound, on Wednesday, November 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On the race-week schedule, Wednesday comes after a 5 p.m. shakeout run at Idyll Hounds Brewery on Tuesday, November 24.
Registration has its own deadlines. Registration opened June 3, 2026, and the organizers say they expect all three races to sell out. The 10K and 5K both cost $95 right now, and that price goes up after October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central. The 1-mile fun run costs $45, and its registration closes November 24. The organizers don't offer refunds.
Households planning a family morning should know the rules. Dogs aren't allowed in any of the races. Strollers are allowed only in the 1-mile fun run, and they start behind all the runners and walkers.
The 10K starts at 7:30 a.m. and the 1-mile fun run at 7:35. The 5K doesn't start until 9:30 a.m. The 2025 results explain why that gap matters. Last year 1,432 runners finished the 5K and 967 finished the 10K. The biggest field of the morning goes out two hours after the opening race, so the course stays busy long after the 10K runners have finished.
The organizer's course text describes the closure. Highway 30A will be closed to all traffic on Thursday, November 26, from East Water Street, where the race starts and finishes in Rosemary Beach, to the 10K turnaround at Bridge Lane just east of The Big Chill. Watersound Parkway will also be closed for the 5K route, from its intersection with 30A north to the Camp Creek Inn entrance.
The organizer's own pages list two end times. The main race page, course maps and event schedule say 7:00 to 10:30 a.m. The FAQ says 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. If you're driving in or out of town that morning, or arranging a guest's ride, plan around 11 a.m.
The FAQ also has the only parking advice the organizers publish:
Limited parking is available. If you choose to park on the north side of Hwy 98 at 30Avenue and walk into Rosemary, please use the underground walking path provided for safety.
The organizers don't offer shuttles and don't name spectator viewing areas. They do encourage families to come out and cheer. The only route detail they publish is the start, the turnaround and the closure boundaries. Spectators should treat the finish on East Water Street as the one fixed meeting point.
Two things are new this year. First, the 30A 10K is the RRCA Florida State Championship 10K for 2026. Besides the race's own awards, the Road Runners Club of America will give signature awards to the overall male and female finishers, the 40+, 50+ and 60+ age groups, and adaptive male and female champions. Both the 10K and 5K are USATF-certified courses, and the race will be live, in person and timed. With a state championship on the line, the 7:30 a.m. start will likely be more competitive than a typical holiday run.
Second, the money goes to new partners. The 2026 charity partners are Children in Crisis, Bailey Brigade, Children's Volunteer Health Network and Habitat for Humanity of Walton County. The series runs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and reports raising more than $1 million for its charity partners so far. Neighbors who would rather give than run can donate through the 30A 10K site or sign up as volunteers, since those 200 volunteer spots are what keep race morning running.
After the races, the awards ceremony and post-race party move to North Barrett Square. Runners get breakfast and a complimentary mimosa and Bloody Mary bar for those 21 and older.
By late morning, the Thanksgiving meal takes over. Havana Beach Bar & Grill at The Pearl is hosting a Thanksgiving Day brunch buffet on November 26 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in its Main Dining Room, Hemingway Room and Ballroom. It costs $85++ per adult and $45++ for children 12 and under. You'll need a reservation and a credit card. Cancellations within 72 hours carry a $50 fee, and a 22% gratuity is added automatically. The 11 a.m. start lines up with the end of the road closure. Anyone eating there can watch the 5K finish and still sit down for the first seating.
The rest of the long weekend has fewer firm dates. Last year, the Rosemary Beach Merchants Association held the Christmas tree lighting on November 28, 2025, from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. in South Barrett Square. A third-party events calendar lists the 2026 tree lighting for November 27. We couldn't find that date on an official Rosemary Beach page, so check the town calendar closer to the date. The 30A Farmers' Market is confirmed, though. It runs Sundays year-round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., which puts it on November 29, the last day of the long weekend.
If you're hosting family in Rosemary Beach this Thanksgiving and want to know how holiday weeks like this affect a property's calendar and value, The Fitzpatrick Group can help. Request a complimentary market valuation, and we'll explain what a season like this means for your home.
Specializing in 30A luxury properties, Tom offers an unparalleled level of service, marketing expertise, and personalized attention, ensuring your real estate needs are met with honesty and integrity.