Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. Rock Hill skips garbage pickup that day and collects Friday, Nov. 27; county drop-off centers close and schools are out Nov. 25-27.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Trash rules come from the city’s residential garbage page, school dates from the Rock Hill Schools 2026-27 calendar, mall hours from the Rock Hill Galleria and the race from its registration page.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26. The City of Rock Hill does not collect garbage that day; Thursday’s carts are emptied Friday, Nov. 27. The York County drop-off centers are closed Thursday, and Rock Hill Schools students are off Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 25-27. This page will grow as churches, restaurants and the city post their holiday plans.

What this means for you

  • Trash: no pickup Thursday, Nov. 26; Thanksgiving collections run Friday, Nov. 27
  • Drop-off centers: York County collection and recycling centers closed Nov. 26
  • Schools: Rock Hill Schools closed Nov. 25-27
  • Garbage questions: City of Rock Hill customer service, 803-325-2500
  • Parks questions: Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism, 803-329-5620

Trash and recycling

The city collects garbage on every holiday except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and “Thanksgiving holiday collections are provided each year on the Friday after Thanksgiving,” according to its garbage page. In 2026 that is Friday, Nov. 27. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday routes run as usual.

Carts go to the curb no earlier than noon the day before collection and come back in by 7 a.m. the day after. Expect extra bags after the holiday: anything left outside the green cart is collected, but the city adds a charge to your utility account. Extra garbage can go to a York County collection and recycling center, which are closed Thursday, Nov. 26. Leaf season is underway too; the full routine, including leaf and bulky pickup, is on our trash and recycling guide.

Schools and closures

  • Rock Hill Schools: Thanksgiving break is Nov. 25-27 on the district’s 2026-27 calendar. More on our schools guide.
  • City offices: we will add the city’s holiday office closings here when it posts them. Call City Hall at 803-329-5620 before you make a trip.
  • Parks: Glencairn Garden, 725 Crest St., and the Catawba River Trail are open daily from dawn to dusk, according to the city. Fall is when Glencairn’s sasanquas bloom and its hardwoods turn, the city says. More on our parks and trails guide.

Shopping on Thanksgiving week

As of Oct. 12 the Rock Hill Galleria, 2301 Dave Lyle Blvd., listed 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, on its hours calendar. Stores and restaurants inside set their own hours, and malls often change holiday hours late, so check that page the week of Thanksgiving or call 803-324-1711. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and the holiday markets are on our holiday shopping page.

Turkey trot

The Great Turkey Trot 5K starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Allison Creek Park in York County, according to its registration page, which says the price goes up after Oct. 31. We have not found a race inside Rock Hill on Thanksgiving morning this year. Organizing one? Send us the link.

Thanksgiving meals

Rock Hill churches and nonprofits have served free Thanksgiving meals in past years, but none had posted 2026 plans when we checked. Run a community dinner or a meal giveaway that is open to the public? Tell us with the date, time, address and your own announcement, and we will add it here. Restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner will be listed only from their own announcements.

The week after

Rock Hill’s holiday season starts right after Thanksgiving. ChristmasVille fills Old Town Dec. 3-6, and the Christmas Parade is 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Details are on our Christmas parade page, and lights, Santa visits and markets are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page.

Related: Halloween events, Black Friday and holiday shopping, things to do this month and walking and biking trails.

Frequently asked questions

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving in Rock Hill?

No. The City of Rock Hill collects garbage on every holiday except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Thanksgiving collections are made on the Friday after, which in 2026 is Nov. 27.

Are York County recycling centers open on Thanksgiving?

No. The York County collection and recycling centers are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, for Thanksgiving.

When is Thanksgiving break for Rock Hill Schools?

On the Rock Hill Schools 2026-27 calendar, Thanksgiving break is Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 25-27.

Is there a turkey trot near Rock Hill?

The Great Turkey Trot 5K is at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Allison Creek Park in York County, according to its registration page. We have not found a Thanksgiving Day race inside Rock Hill this year.

Is the Rock Hill Galleria open on Thanksgiving?

As of Oct. 12, the mall’s online hours calendar listed 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27. Stores set their own holiday hours, so check the mall’s hours page that week.