Thanksgiving
America's feast of gratitude — turkey, family, and a tradition that defines autumn.
Origin
Thanksgiving is one of the United States' most widely observed national holidays, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is primarily a domestic, family-centred holiday centred on a large shared meal and expressions of gratitude. Originally framed as a harvest celebration and day of thanks, Thanksgiving in its modern form has become an anchor of American autumn — the start of the holiday season, the launch of Christmas shopping, and the occasion for the country's largest single-day travel surge.
History
The foundational myth of Thanksgiving points to a harvest celebration in 1621 between English Puritan settlers (the Pilgrims) at Plymouth Colony and members of the Wampanoag people, who had helped the settlers survive their first difficult year in the Americas. The historical reality is complex: the 1621 feast was likely a 3-day English harvest celebration, not a solemn thanksgiving, and relations between settlers and Indigenous peoples deteriorated rapidly thereafter. Annual days of thanksgiving were declared throughout American colonial history, but a unified national holiday was only established when President Abraham Lincoln, influenced by Sarah Josepha Hale's decades-long advocacy, proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 during the Civil War. FDR controversially moved the date in 1939 to extend the shopping season before Christmas.
Modern Celebration
Thanksgiving is primarily experienced as a family gathering. The centrepiece is a large communal meal, typically including roast turkey (hence 'Turkey Day'), stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and pies. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, broadcast nationally since 1924, marks the morning. NFL football games air throughout the day. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is informally called 'Drinksgiving' or 'Blackout Wednesday' — one of the busiest bar nights of the year. Thanksgiving is also the eve of Black Friday, the traditional start of Christmas shopping season. The concept of 'Friendsgiving' — sharing the holiday with friends rather than family — has grown significantly since the 2010s.
Traditional Foods
Roast Turkey
The centrepiece of Thanksgiving dinner — a whole roasted turkey, often brined or dry-rubbed for days in advance. Debates about spatchcocking vs. traditional roasting, stuffing inside vs. separate, and dry vs. wet brine are a Thanksgiving tradition in themselves.
Stuffing / Dressing
Bread-based mixture baked inside the turkey (stuffing) or in a separate dish (dressing), incorporating celery, onion, sage, and butter. Regional variations include cornbread dressing in the South, oyster stuffing in New England, and sausage stuffing in the Midwest.
Pumpkin Pie
The quintessential Thanksgiving dessert — a spiced custard of pumpkin purée and evaporated milk baked in a pastry shell, topped with whipped cream. Pecan pie and apple pie are also common.
Cranberry Sauce
Either canned (the iconic cylindrical jelly that retains the shape of the can) or freshly made with orange zest and sugar. A tart counterpoint to the richness of turkey and gravy.
Green Bean Casserole
Created by Campbell Soup Company in 1955, this mix of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy French fried onions has become a Thanksgiving institution in its own right.
How to Participate
- 01Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC — giant balloon floats and performances fill Central Park West
- 02Cook or host a Thanksgiving dinner — the meal itself is the event
- 03Volunteer at a local food bank or community Thanksgiving dinner
- 04Watch NFL football — the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys games are traditional fixtures
- 05Organise a Friendsgiving for friends who cannot travel home
- 06Start planning Black Friday or Cyber Monday purchases — or consciously opt out
Travel Tips
Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel period in the United States. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest air travel day of the year. Roads are heavily congested Wednesday afternoon and Sunday evening. Book flights 2–3 months in advance and expect higher prices. Airports on Wednesday evening can be chaotic — arrive 2+ hours early. Many restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving Day itself; those that open often require reservations made months ahead. Hotels near airports may be overpriced mid-week; consider driving rather than flying for trips under 5 hours.
Frequently asked questions
When is Thanksgiving?+
Thanksgiving falls on 4th Thursday of November. The date is fixed and does not change year to year.
Is Thanksgiving a public holiday?+
Thanksgiving is a public holiday in United States. Most businesses, government offices, and schools are closed on this day. It is one of the most significant national holidays in the country.
What do people eat during Thanksgiving?+
Traditional foods eaten during Thanksgiving include Roast Turkey, Stuffing / Dressing, Pumpkin Pie. The centrepiece of Thanksgiving dinner — a whole roasted turkey, often brined or dry-rubbed for days in advance. Debates about spatchcocking vs. traditional roasting, stuffing inside vs. separate, and dry vs. wet brine are a Thanksgiving tradition in themselves.
What are some activities associated with Thanksgiving?+
Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC — giant balloon floats and performances fill Central Park West Cook or host a Thanksgiving dinner — the meal itself is the event Volunteer at a local food bank or community Thanksgiving dinner
Is Thanksgiving a good time to visit United States?+
Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel period in the United States. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest air travel day of the year. Roads are heavily congested Wednesday afternoon and Sunday evening. Book flights 2–3 months in advance and expect higher prices. Airports on Wednesday evening can be chaotic — arrive 2+ hours early. Many restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving Day itself; those that open often require reservations made months ahead. Hotels near airports may be overpriced mid-week; consider driving rather than flying for trips under 5 hours.
Printable Calendars
Download a free printable calendar for Thanksgiving — includes all public holidays.
🇺🇸 United States