When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 26, 2026, in the 🇺🇸 United States.
Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is centered on giving thanks and gathering with family, friends and communities. Its history includes Indigenous traditions, colonial-era thanksgiving observances and the later development of a U.S. national holiday.
When did Thanksgiving start?
Thanksgiving does not have one single starting date. The commonly referenced Plymouth harvest celebration occurred in 1621, while the national U.S. holiday developed over subsequent centuries
Which country started Thanksgiving?
The modern national Thanksgiving holiday described on this page developed in the United States, although thanksgiving traditions existed among Indigenous peoples and in different parts of North America before the modern U.S. holiday.
Is Thanksgiving the same as Friendsgiving?
No. Friendsgiving is an informal gathering of friends around Thanksgiving, while Thanksgiving is the official U.S. holiday.
What do people eat on Thanksgiving?
Common Thanksgiving foods include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry dishes and pumpkin pie, although menus vary by family and region.
How can I celebrate Thanksgiving?
You can celebrate by preparing a meal, spending time with family or friends, expressing gratitude, decorating your home, participating in community activities or hosting a Friendsgiving gathering.
Thanksgiving Around the World: Country-Wise History, Dates, Traditions and Celebrations
Thanksgiving is a special occasion celebrated in different parts of the world to express gratitude for life’s blessings, successful harvests, family, community, and prosperity. Although Thanksgiving is most popular in the United States and Canada, several other countries and territories have their own Thanksgiving celebrations, religious observances, and harvest festivals.
The meaning, history, celebration dates, traditional foods, and customs of Thanksgiving vary from country to country. Some nations recognize Thanksgiving as a public holiday, while others celebrate similar occasions through religious ceremonies, family gatherings, and cultural festivals.
1. Thanksgiving in the United States, Thanksgiving Day 2027: Thursday, November 25
Thanksgiving in the United States is a major federal holiday celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a time when families and friends come together to express gratitude, enjoy traditional meals, and appreciate the important people in their lives.
History of Thanksgiving in America
The history of American Thanksgiving is commonly associated with a harvest gathering in 1621 involving English settlers at Plymouth and members of the Wampanoag people. However, Indigenous communities had practiced their own traditions of thanksgiving and harvest celebrations long before European settlement.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving observance during the American Civil War. Thanksgiving later became an established federal holiday, with the fourth Thursday of November officially designated in 1941.
The history of Thanksgiving also includes difficult aspects of colonialism and the treatment of Native Americans. Some Indigenous communities observe the National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving to recognise this history. American Thanksgiving Traditions. Thanksgiving celebrations in America typically include family gatherings, festive dinners, community events, charitable activities, and expressions of gratitude.
Traditional Thanksgiving dinner often features roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie.
Other popular Thanksgiving activities include watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, enjoying NFL football games, volunteering at food banks, and preparing for Black Friday shopping.
Thanksgiving weekend is also one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, as millions of Americans visit relatives and friends.
Thanksgiving in Canada – Canadian Thanksgiving 2027: Monday, October 11
Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated annually on the second Monday of October. Known as Canadian Thanksgiving or Action de grâce in French, the holiday focuses on gratitude, family, and appreciation for the harvest season.
History of Canadian Thanksgiving
Canadian Thanksgiving has developed from various historical traditions, including European ceremonies of gratitude and autumn harvest celebrations.
One frequently cited historical event is the Thanksgiving ceremony associated with English explorer Martin Frobisher in 1578. However, Canada’s Thanksgiving traditions have multiple historical influences.
In 1957, the Canadian government formally established the second Monday of October as Thanksgiving Day.