Thanksgiving Day (United States) 2026
A US national holiday on the fourth Thursday of November for giving thanks, centred on a family meal, parades and American football.
Quick facts
- Date
- Fourth Thursday of November
- Day of the week
- Thursday in 2026
- Type
- National
- Observed in
- USA
- First observed
- 1863 (date fixed by law in 1941)
- Established by
- President Abraham Lincoln's proclamation
- Public holiday
- Federal holiday
- Hashtag
- #Thanksgiving
Overview
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November. Families and friends gather for a large meal — often roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie — to give thanks. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and NFL games are part of the tradition.
Canada celebrates its own Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October.
History
Thanksgiving is traditionally linked to a harvest feast shared by the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people in 1621. Days of thanksgiving were proclaimed irregularly for many years. In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. In 1941 Congress fixed the date as the fourth Thursday of November.
- 1621Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag share a harvest feast.
- 1863Abraham Lincoln proclaims a national Thanksgiving Day.
- 1924The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held in New York.
- 1941Congress sets Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.
How to celebrate
Cook together
Share the cooking so everyone has a part in the meal.
Go around the table
Ask each person to share one thing they are thankful for.
Give back
Volunteer at a food bank or deliver a meal to a neighbour.
Wishes and messages
Greeting card
A 1080 × 1080 image, ready for WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram.
Social media captions
Grateful, thankful, blessed. 🦃 #Thanksgiving
Turkey, pie and the people I love.
Gratitude turns what we have into enough.
Thanksgiving Day (United States) dates
| Year | Date | Day of the week | Days from today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 26 | Thursday | 24 |
| 2027 | November 25 | Thursday | 388 |
| 2028 | November 23 | Thursday | 752 |
| 2029 | November 22 | Thursday | 1,116 |
| 2030 | November 28 | Thursday | 1,487 |
| 2031 | November 27 | Thursday | 1,851 |
Frequently asked questions
When is Thanksgiving in the US?
On the fourth Thursday of November.
When is Canadian Thanksgiving?
On the second Monday of October.
Last updated November 2, 2026