Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, and in Canada on the second Monday of October. It originated as a harvest festival and has grown into the most-travelled holiday in America — with more than 55 million people flying or driving to be with family and friends over the long weekend. The holiday centres on a large shared meal, traditionally featuring roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.
The historical roots of US Thanksgiving are usually traced to a 1621 feast shared between English Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts and the Wampanoag people who had helped them survive their first harsh winter in the New World. The event was not then called Thanksgiving; the holiday as we know it today developed over centuries. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, as a call for national unity. Canada's Thanksgiving has separate roots and was officially established in 1879.
Beyond the family meal, Thanksgiving in the US is now synonymous with American football (the NFL has scheduled games on Thanksgiving since 1920), the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and — on the following day — Black Friday, the start of the Christmas shopping season. Over 46 million turkeys are eaten in the United States on Thanksgiving Day alone.
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
US Thanksgiving 2026 is on November 26. Canadian Thanksgiving 2026 is on October 12.
When is Thanksgiving 2027?
US Thanksgiving 2027 is on November 25. Canadian Thanksgiving 2027 is on October 11.
Why is Thanksgiving on a Thursday?
President Lincoln's 1863 proclamation set it on the last Thursday of November. FDR moved it to the fourth Thursday in 1939 to extend the Christmas shopping season, which caused controversy ('Franksgiving') before Congress made the fourth Thursday permanent in 1941.
What do people eat on Thanksgiving?
The traditional Thanksgiving meal features roast turkey, stuffing (or dressing), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, corn bread, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie. Regional variations abound.
Do other countries celebrate Thanksgiving?
The US and Canada both celebrate Thanksgiving, on different dates. Liberia holds a Thanksgiving in November, and some Caribbean nations have related harvest traditions. It is not observed in the UK, Australia or most other countries.
What NFL games are on Thanksgiving?
The NFL traditionally schedules three games on Thanksgiving: two in the afternoon (Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys always host one each) and a third primetime game in the evening.
What is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual event in New York City held every Thanksgiving morning since 1924. It features giant character balloons, floats, marching bands and celebrity performances, watched by millions on television.
Is Thanksgiving a good time to travel?
Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest travel period in the United States. Book flights and hotels well in advance if travelling. Many attractions, museums and stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day itself.
When do Black Friday sales start?
Many US retailers now launch Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday) evening or even earlier in the week. The biggest online sales start at midnight on Friday.
What is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving is an informal celebration of Thanksgiving with friends rather than family, typically held the weekend before or after Thanksgiving Day. It has grown in popularity since the 2010s.