Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. Thursday trash goes out Wednesday, Nov. 25, schools are off Nov. 23-27 and the Egg Bowl is in Oxford Friday, Nov. 27.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Trash changes come from the City of Oxford’s 2026 holiday schedule (PDF), school dates from the Oxford School District and Lafayette County School District calendars, and events from each organizer’s listing. Environmental Services: 662-232-2359.
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. Trash routes run a day early, both school districts take the whole week off, and the Egg Bowl comes to Oxford the next day. This page grows as churches, nonprofits and the university announce more.
What this means for you
- Trash: Thursday garbage and recycling go out Wednesday, Nov. 25. Friday routes as normal.
- Transfer station: closed Thursday, Nov. 26.
- City offices: closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27.
- School: no classes Nov. 23-27 in either district.
- Game day: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State, Friday, Nov. 27.
Turkey trot
Ole Miss Turkey Trot. University of Mississippi Campus Recreation runs a Thanksgiving morning fun run and walk on the South Campus Rail Trail, at whatever distance you choose. The 2025 edition, the 10th, was 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day from the trailhead at 980 Whirlpool Drive, with light refreshments and coffee. Runners who donated 10 canned goods got an event T-shirt while supplies lasted, and donations went to the Grove Grocery and the Oxford Food Pantry. The 2026 date is not posted yet; we will add it when Campus Recreation does (662-915-4079).
No other Oxford turkey trot was registered on the major race sites as of Oct. 12.
Trash pickup and closings
From the city’s 2026 holiday schedule:
| Day | What changes |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, Nov. 25 | Thursday garbage and recycling routes picked up a day early. Thursday and Friday bulk trash routes also picked up |
| Thursday, Nov. 26 | Entire Environmental Services Department closed; no collection. Transfer station closed |
| Friday, Nov. 27 | City offices closed. Friday garbage and recycling picked up as normal |
The city says holiday schedules can change and posts updates on its website and the City of Oxford Environmental Services Facebook page. Full routes are on our trash and recycling guide.
The Oxford Park Commission’s Coach Howell Activity Center desk closes for Thanksgiving, the commission says.
School break
Both districts are off the full week, Nov. 23-27:
- Oxford School District: all schools and offices closed.
- Lafayette County School District: Thanksgiving break.
The Park Commission runs a “Pilgrim’s” day camp for ages 5 to 13 over the school break at the Coach Howell Activity Center; registration is through the Park Commission’s day camp page.
Thanksgiving weekend
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State | Friday, Nov. 27 | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium |
| Holly Jolly Holidays: Walk of Lights and Oxford on Ice | Opens Saturday, Nov. 21 | mTrade Park, 4259 Old Sardis Road |
| Oxford Community Market Hometown Hootenanny | 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 | The Lyric, 1006 Van Buren Ave. |
Holly Jolly Holidays closed on Thanksgiving Day last year, its 2025 hours show; check its page for 2026 hours. The Hootenanny, the second, benefits the Oxford Community Market with a farmers market family meal, live music, a silent auction and a pie walk.
Shopping that weekend, including Small Business Saturday, is on our Black Friday and holiday shopping page. Getting to and from the Egg Bowl: see getting around Oxford.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a turkey trot in Oxford, Mississippi?
Ole Miss Campus Recreation holds a Thanksgiving morning fun run and walk on the South Campus Rail Trail. In 2025 it was 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, with canned goods collected for the Grove Grocery and the Oxford Food Pantry; 2026 details are not out yet.
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Oxford?
No. Thursday garbage and recycling, and Thursday and Friday bulk trash, are picked up a day early on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Friday garbage and recycling run as normal, and the transfer station is closed Thanksgiving Day.
When is Thanksgiving break for Oxford schools in 2026?
Nov. 23-27 for both the Oxford School District and the Lafayette County School District.
When is the Egg Bowl in 2026?
Ole Miss hosts Mississippi State at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, according to Visit Oxford’s events calendar.
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