Big Bear Turkey Trot 2026: Your Guide to the Thanksgiving Morning Tradition

Few things start Thanksgiving better than a cold mountain morning, a costume, and a 3-mile jog through the pines before the feast. The Big Bear Turkey Trot has been the valley’s favorite Thanksgiving Day tradition for more than a decade, and in 2026 it returns on Thursday, November 26. It is a fun run and walk, not a serious race, built for families, first-timers, and anyone who wants to earn their turkey. Here is everything you need to know to sign up, show up, and make a weekend of it.

The short answer

The Big Bear Turkey Trot is a 3-mile fun run and walk (plus a free kids’ run) held on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026, starting at 9:30 a.m. from Dank Donuts on Moonridge Road in Big Bear Lake. Registration in 2026 is $40 for adults, $25 for youth under 18, and free for the kids’ run, with the price rising after November 24. Expect a costume contest, a pumpkin-pie aid station, a holiday finisher ornament, and a festive finish-line party. Proceeds support Bear Valley food banks. Strollers are welcome, dogs are not.

Costumed runners at the Big Bear Turkey Trot start line on a frosty Thanksgiving morning — the costumed Turkey Trot start line in Moonridge.

What is the Big Bear Turkey Trot?

The Big Bear Turkey Trot is a community fun run and walk held every Thanksgiving morning in the Moonridge area of Big Bear Lake. It is a 3-mile route on paved trail through the pines, joined by a separate free kids’ run, and it draws costumed families, visiting runners, and locals who have made it a holiday habit. The tone is festive rather than competitive: some people race it, most jog or walk it, and nearly everyone is in some kind of turkey, pilgrim, or holiday getup. Proceeds support Bear Valley food banks, so the morning does some good on the way to dinner.

The 2026 event at a glance

Here are the key details for Thanksgiving 2026 in one place.

Date	Thursday, November 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving Day)
Distance	3-mile fun run or walk, plus a free kids’ run
Start and finish	Dank Donuts, 42612 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake
Route	Paved, through the pines along the Rathbun Creek Trail in Moonridge
Cost (2026)	Adults $40, youth under 18 $25, kids’ run free; $5 local discount with ID
Register	Online through RunSignUp (price increases after November 24, 2026)
Benefits	Bear Valley food banks

Thanksgiving morning schedule

The Turkey Trot runs on a simple morning timeline. Here is how a typical year unfolds so you can plan your arrival.

Time	What happens
8:00 a.m.	Race-morning packet pickup and registration open at Dank Donuts
9:25 a.m.	Group yoga warm-up
9:30 a.m.	The 3-mile run and walk starts
10:30 a.m.	Costume contest awards and the Danksgiving finish party

These times reflect the event’s recent format. Start times can shift slightly, so confirm the 2026 schedule on the official site when you register.

How to register

Registration is handled online through the Big Bear Turkey Trot page on RunSignUp. For 2026 the entry fee is $40 for adults and $25 for youth under 18, while the kids’ run is free. Locals get $5 off by showing ID at packet pickup. The online price rises after November 24, 2026, so it pays to sign up early, and you can add a donation to Bear Valley food banks at checkout.

Packet pickup is typically offered on the few days leading up to the race (Monday through Wednesday, November 23 to 25 in 2026) at The Yellow Post on Pine Knot Boulevard, plus race morning from about 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Dank Donuts. Bring your confirmation email or a photo ID. For the latest schedule, pricing, and route details, check the official Big Bear Turkey Trot website before the holiday, since specifics can change year to year.

Families crossing the Big Bear Turkey Trot

What to expect on the course

The 3-mile route is paved and rolls through the pines of Moonridge along the Rathbun Creek Trail, so it is scenic and manageable for most fitness levels. A few things make it more party than race:

A costume contest with prizes. Turkeys, pilgrims, and full family themes are the norm, and it is half the fun of the morning.
A pumpkin-pie aid station. Yes, actual pie on the course, because it is Thanksgiving.
A group yoga warm-up just before the start to loosen up in the cold.
A holiday finisher ornament instead of a standard medal, one you can hang on the tree.
The Danksgiving finish party with live music and beverages to celebrate before everyone heads off to cook.

Bringing the family

The Turkey Trot is built for families. All ages are welcome, and strollers are fine as long as they line up at the back of the start. Every child needs their own registration to receive a shirt, medal, and bib, and there is a free kids’ run for the little ones. Two practical notes: dogs are not allowed on the course due to the event’s insurance policy, so leave pets at your cabin, and parking is in the Bear Mountain parking lot next to Moonridge Road, where you should follow posted signs and avoid blocking driveways. The event goes on rain, snow, or shine, and there are no refunds, so dress for a cold mountain morning with layers, gloves, and a hat.

Make a weekend of it

The Turkey Trot is even better as the anchor of a full Thanksgiving weekend in the mountains. Book a cabin with a big kitchen and you can run in the morning, cook the feast in the afternoon, and spend the long weekend catching the Village tree lighting, snow play, and holiday shopping. For the full rundown of what is open and what to do, see our guide to enjoying Thanksgiving in Big Bear. Because Thanksgiving weekend is popular, the best cabins book up early, so it is worth reserving your stay as soon as your plans are set.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Big Bear Turkey Trot in 2026?

The Big Bear Turkey Trot is on Thursday, November 26, 2026, on Thanksgiving morning. The 3-mile run and walk starts at 9:30 a.m. from Dank Donuts on Moonridge Road, with packet pickup and registration opening earlier that morning. Confirm the exact start time when you register, since the schedule can shift slightly from year to year.

How long is the Turkey Trot, and is it a race?

It is a 3-mile fun run or walk rather than a competitive race, plus a separate free kids’ run. The paved route winds through the pines of Moonridge along the Rathbun Creek Trail. You can run it hard, jog it, or walk the whole way with family, since the atmosphere is festive rather than fast. Costumes are very much encouraged.

How much does it cost and how do I register?

In 2026 it is $40 for adults, $25 for youth under 18, and free for the kids’ run, with a $5 local discount if you show ID at packet pickup. You register online through RunSignUp, and the price increases after November 24, 2026, so sign up early. Proceeds from the event support Bear Valley food banks, and you can add a donation at checkout.

Can I bring my kids, a stroller, or my dog?

Kids and strollers are welcome, and strollers simply line up at the back of the start. Each child needs their own registration to receive a shirt, medal, and bib. Dogs are not allowed on the course because of the event’s insurance policy, so it is best to leave pets back at the cabin. This is a family event first and foremost.

Where do I park and pick up my packet?

Parking is in the Bear Mountain parking lot next to Moonridge Road, so follow the posted signs and avoid blocking driveways or private property. Packet pickup is typically offered the few days before the race at The Yellow Post on Pine Knot Boulevard, plus race morning at Dank Donuts. Confirm the current pickup windows on the official event site before you go.

What is included, and what makes it fun?

Your registration gets you the 3-mile course, a holiday finisher ornament, a group yoga warm-up, a costume contest with prizes, and a pumpkin-pie aid station with actual pie. The morning wraps up with a Danksgiving finish party featuring live music and beverages. It is a genuinely festive way to earn your Thanksgiving dinner before you sit down to eat.

Is it held rain or shine?

Yes. The Turkey Trot happens rain, snow, or shine, and there are no refunds under any circumstances, so plan to show up and dress for the weather. Late-November mornings in Big Bear often start below freezing, so layers, gloves, and a warm hat are a good idea. Many runners build the cold into their costume with themed hats and jackets.