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Hair salons near you are the place to start, because Thanksgiving hairstyles are getting a softer, more playful update this November 2026. Across the U.S., holiday dinners and family photos are close, so it’s a good time to book one of the hair salons near you. Think bouncy blowouts, velvet bows, relaxed updos and easy braids, hairstyles that pair with fall fashion and beauty trends.
In a November 2026 look at fall’s biggest hair trends, celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos points to polished blowouts with natural-looking movement. Soft shapes and glossy finishes work with any Thanksgiving fashion and beauty look. Here are 10 hairstyle ideas to save for your appointment at one of the hair salons near you, with simple ways and instructions to recreate each at home.

A good blowout can make an ordinary Thanksgiving outfit feel a little more special, and this November’s version isn’t about perfectly arranged curls. Celebrity hairstylist David von Cannon recommends glossy blowouts with plenty of movement, especially when paired with soft layers. Ask your hairstylist for volume through the roots and loose, sweeping ends rather than tight curls. The result should move naturally when you turn your head. It’s especially pretty with long or medium-length hair, and you won’t need an elaborate accessory to make it look finished.
Try it at home: Apply a heat protectant, then use a round brush and blow-dryer to create volume while drying. Set the front sections with large rollers until cool, then gently brush everything into place.

There’s something charming about a hairstyle that looks slightly undone on purpose. A low chignon gathered at the nape of the neck feels dressy enough for Thanksgiving dinner, but a few loose pieces around the face keep it from looking too formal. Nicole Kidman’s soft, low updo at the 2026 Emmys is a good example of how this familiar hairstyle is becoming more relaxed. I’d keep the bun loosely twisted rather than tightly wrapped. It’s also a practical choice if you’re planning to wear statement earrings or a high-necked outfit.
Try it at home: Gather your hair into a loose low ponytail, twist it into a bun, and secure it with pins. Gently pull out a couple of face-framing strands and use a little flexible hairspray if needed.

Burgundy velvet and Thanksgiving outfits make a lovely combination, but the fabric doesn’t have to be part of your clothing. A small velvet bow securing a half-up hairstyle adds a cute seasonal detail without making the entire look feel overly decorated. This fall, hairstylists are embracing more expressive hair accessories, including bows and textured clips. I’d keep the hair underneath softly waved or naturally textured and let the bow do the work. Burgundy looks especially pretty with brown, cream, and dark-green outfits, though black velvet is just as versatile.
Try it at home: Gather the upper portion of your hair into a loose half-up style and secure it with a small elastic. Tie a burgundy velvet bow over the elastic, leaving the rest of your hair down.

Short hair deserves a little Thanksgiving attention, too. Instead of adding curls or decorative clips, try giving a bob a gentle inward curve at the ends. The shape makes the haircut look tidy while keeping its natural movement. Hairstylist Nick Stenson has discussed the return of softer, less rigid bobs, with subtle layers that are easier to wear than perfectly sculpted cuts. For a holiday dinner, tuck one side behind your ear and leave the other side loose. It’s a simple styling decision that makes the entire haircut feel intentional.
Try it at home: Apply a heat protectant and use a round brush while blow-drying, directing the ends slightly inward. Finish with a small amount of lightweight smoothing cream if needed.

Forget the tightly pulled ponytail for a moment. The 1970s-inspired version has a little volume at the crown, soft pieces around the face, and a relaxed finish that looks better with movement. A November 2026 hairstyle feature drew attention to Jenna Ortega’s modern take on the retro ponytail, showing how easily the style can move between everyday wear and dressier occasions. For Thanksgiving, I’d wear it at medium height with a simple elastic and gently loosen the hair near the crown. It has personality without looking like you’ve spent the entire morning styling it.
Try it at home: Make a loose ponytail and secure it without pulling too tightly. Gently lift a little hair at the crown for volume, then let a few shorter pieces fall naturally around your face.

Sometimes the prettiest Thanksgiving hairstyle is the one that lets your natural texture take center stage. A clean center part adds a little structure, while defined curls or coils provide movement and volume. Celebrity hairstylist Sophie Rose Gutterman has recommended center-parted curls for fall 2026, encouraging a finish that preserves the hair’s natural character. There’s no need to flatten the roots or force every curl into the same shape. For a holiday look, you could add small decorative clips near the temples, but the curls are beautiful on their own.
Try it at home: Work a curl-defining product through damp hair, make a gentle center part, and allow the curls to dry naturally or with a diffuser on low heat. Separate only where you want more volume.

A halo braid looks elaborate, but there’s a clever shortcut that makes it more approachable. Instead of creating one continuous braid around your head, make two braids and pin them across the crown. The result resembles a woven headband and keeps hair neatly gathered for a long family gathering. New York hairstylist Stephanie Angelone explains how halo braids can be adapted for different hair lengths, including half-up versions. For Thanksgiving, I’d loosen the braids slightly rather than pulling them completely tight. The softer finish pairs beautifully with simple dresses and cozy knitwear.
Try it at home: Part your hair into two sections and braid each side. Bring the braids over the crown, secure them with bobby pins, and gently loosen a few sections for a softer appearance.

Some hairstyles look much more complicated than they actually are, and a French-pin twist is one of them. Gather your hair at the back, twist it upward, and secure it with a decorative pin rather than a collection of visible elastics. This autumn, beauty experts are recommending earth-toned French pins and sculptural hair accessories as an easy way to dress up everyday hairstyles. A tortoiseshell or warm-brown pin works particularly well for Thanksgiving because it introduces a little seasonal color without requiring a completely new hairstyle. Keep the twist comfortable rather than tightly pulled.
Try it at home: Gather the hair loosely at the nape, twist it upward, and tuck the ends inward. Slide a French pin through the twist, catching some hair close to the scalp to help secure it.

There’s no need to reinvent a classic braid when one beautiful accessory can give it an entirely different character. A long, softly woven braid tied with a satin ribbon feels particularly sweet for Thanksgiving, especially in chocolate brown, cream, or dusty rose. Sarah Jessica Parker recently wore a ribbon-finished braid to a New York City fall gala, offering a lovely example of how this familiar hairstyle can feel special for an occasion. I’d keep the braid slightly loose instead of tightly woven. A little natural texture makes the ribbon look more relaxed and less like a formal hair accessory.
Try it at home: Make a regular three-strand braid, secure the end with a small elastic, and tie a satin ribbon around it. Gently loosen a few sections to create a softer shape.

This one’s especially pretty if you’re wearing an off-the-shoulder top or want your earrings to get some attention. Start with a deep side part and create a smooth, sweeping section across the front before letting the rest of the hair fall into loose waves. Professional hairstylists have explored sculpted side swoops as a modern take on vintage occasion hair, borrowing the elegant curves of classic Hollywood styling without making the entire hairstyle stiff. For Thanksgiving, I’d keep the front section defined but the lengths soft and touchable. It offers a dressed-up finish without requiring an intricate updo.
Try it at home: Create a deep side part, shape the front section with a round brush and blow-dryer, and let it cool in position. Style the remaining lengths into loose waves, using a little flexible hairspray to help the front section hold.
Which of these 10 hairstyles would you wear to your Thanksgiving gathering? Tell us in the comments!











