🦃 Countdown to Thanksgiving 2026

When Is Thanksgiving 2026?

Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States. It is a time for families to gather and give thanks, typically featuring a large meal with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

🏛️ Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States.

Thanksgiving Dates for the Next 10 Years

About Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States. It is a time for families to gather and give thanks, typically featuring a large meal with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. The holiday traces its origins to 1621 harvest celebrations.

History & Origins of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving traces its roots to a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag people. However, days of thanksgiving were common in New England long before this. President George Washington proclaimed the first nationwide Thanksgiving in 1789, and President Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday in 1863, setting it on the last Thursday of November. In 1941, Congress officially established Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November. The holiday has evolved from a religious day of gratitude into a secular celebration centered around family, food, and football.

Traditions & How to Celebrate Thanksgiving

• Preparing a Thanksgiving feast with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie
• Gathering with extended family and friends for a large meal
• Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television
• Watching NFL football games throughout the day
• Going around the table sharing what each person is thankful for
• Volunteering at soup kitchens or donating to food banks
• Black Friday shopping the day after Thanksgiving
• Breaking the turkey wishbone for good luck

Fun Facts About Thanksgiving

Frequently Asked Questions

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