When Is Thanksgiving 2026? Date, History, Traditions

Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26. In the United States it is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, which means the date moves between November 22 and November 28 from year to year. This guide answers when is Thanksgiving 2026, explains why the date was fixed that way, tells the short history of the holiday and lists the traditions and the shopping and giving days that follow.

Thanksgiving 2026 date card: Thursday, November 26, 2026

Thanksgiving 2026 Date and the Days Around It

Thanksgiving Day (US): Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Black Friday: Friday, November 27, 2026.
Small Business Saturday: Saturday, November 28, 2026.
Cyber Monday: Monday, November 30, 2026.
Giving Tuesday: Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
Canadian Thanksgiving: Monday, October 12, 2026 (second Monday of October).
Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, 2026, 29 days after Thanksgiving.

Card explaining Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November

Festive Thanksgiving dinner table set with autumn decor

Why Is Thanksgiving on the Fourth Thursday?

For much of American history the date was set year by year. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving for the last Thursday of November in 1863, and later presidents followed the same pattern. In 1941 Congress passed a law fixing the holiday on the fourth Thursday of November, so the date is now the same rule every year. In 2026 November has four Thursdays (5, 12, 19 and 26), so the fourth Thursday is also the last one.

A Short History of Thanksgiving

The holiday is usually traced to a harvest feast shared in 1621 by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag people, who had helped them through their first year. Days of thanksgiving were proclaimed by colonies and states for generations, and George Washington issued a national proclamation of thanks in 1789. Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation, issued during the Civil War, began the tradition of an annual national holiday. Many families today also use the day to remember that the history is more complicated than the classic story, and to learn more about Native American perspectives.

Thanksgiving traditions card about gathering and gratitude

Classic Thanksgiving Traditions

A large family meal with roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
Watching televised parades and football games after or before dinner.
Going around the table and saying one thing each person is thankful for.
Travel to see relatives, making it one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
The President’s annual turkey pardon at the White House.
Volunteering, donating food or inviting someone who would be alone to the table.
Leftover sandwiches the next day, which many people say are the best part.

Thanksgiving week 2026 dates from Thanksgiving to Giving Tuesday

Thanksgiving Dates for the Next Four Years

2026: Thursday, November 26
2027: Thursday, November 25
2028: Thursday, November 23
2029: Thursday, November 22

Card explaining Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November since 1941

What to Do the Week Before Thanksgiving

Confirm the guest list and any dietary needs.
Order or buy the turkey, and start thawing it in the refrigerator if frozen.
Plan the menu and write one shopping list.
Clean the kitchen and clear fridge space.
Send your Thanksgiving wishes to family and friends who cannot join you.

Card listing the days after Thanksgiving 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Thanksgiving 2026? Thanksgiving in the United States is on Thursday, November 26, 2026.

Is Thanksgiving always on the fourth Thursday? Yes. A 1941 law fixed US Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, so the date falls between November 22 and November 28.

When is Black Friday 2026? Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving.

When is Canadian Thanksgiving 2026? Canadian Thanksgiving is on Monday, October 12, 2026, the second Monday of October.

How many days until Christmas after Thanksgiving 2026? Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2026, is 29 days after Thanksgiving.