Countdown to Thanksgiving
When is Thanksgiving (USA)? Date, facts & history →Countdown Location
By default, holidays are counted down to midnight in your local time. You can change this below.
Thanksgiving is the American holiday of gratitude, gathering, and a generous shared meal, observed every autumn across the United States. Centered on family, food, and giving thanks, Thanksgiving anchors the long weekend that opens the holiday season, and the countdown above shows exactly how long until the feast.
From roast turkey to pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving brings households together around the table. Whether you are hosting a crowd or traveling to see relatives, watch the timer above tick toward the fourth Thursday of November and start planning the menu, the seating, and the dishes early so the day itself stays relaxed.
When is Thanksgiving?
In the United States, Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November every year, so the exact date changes annually while always landing in late November. The following day, often called Black Friday, kicks off the shopping season. The countdown above points to the next Thanksgiving Thursday. To plan your cooking schedule, the kitchen timer and the date duration calculator are handy companions.
Origins and history of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving traces its popular origin to a 1621 harvest feast shared by English settlers in Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. Days of thanksgiving were proclaimed irregularly for generations afterward. Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving during the Civil War, and the holiday was later fixed by Congress to the fourth Thursday of November. Today it blends harvest gratitude with distinctly American customs.
How Thanksgiving is celebrated
- Roasting a turkey with stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce.
- Serving sides such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and green beans.
- Finishing with pumpkin or pecan pie.
- Watching parades and football with family and friends.
- Going around the table to share what each person is thankful for.
Counting work days before the long weekend? The business days calculator can help.
Thanksgiving FAQ
When exactly is Thanksgiving?
In the United States, Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, so the calendar date changes each year but stays in late November.
Why do Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Turkey became the centerpiece because it was a large, affordable bird native to North America, well suited to feeding a big gathering. Tradition cemented it over time.
What is the difference between US and Canadian Thanksgiving?
Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October, weeks earlier than the US holiday, reflecting an earlier harvest in the north.
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, widely regarded as the start of the holiday shopping season, known for major retail sales.
How early should I start planning Thanksgiving dinner?
Many cooks plan the menu a week or two ahead and start preparing some dishes a day before, since the turkey alone can take several hours to roast.