Thanksgiving 2025 falls on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Circle that date on your calendar right now.
You might wonder why Thanksgiving always changes dates but always stays in November.
There’s actually a fascinating story behind this tradition that involves presidential decisions, harvest celebrations, and a country trying to find unity during tough times.
Understanding when and why we celebrate Thanksgiving in November helps you appreciate the holiday beyond just the turkey and stuffing.
Let’s find out what makes this fourth Thursday in November so special and how you can make the most of it.
Why Thanksgiving Falls on the Fourth Thursday of November
Thanksgiving doesn’t have a fixed date like Christmas. It follows a simple rule: the fourth Thursday of November, every year.
President Abraham Lincoln started the November tradition in 1863, declaring it a national holiday on the last Thursday of the month.
This worked fine until November occasionally had five Thursdays, creating confusion about which one to celebrate.
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to move it earlier for more Christmas shopping time. People hated the change and called it “Franksgiving.”
The mess got so bad that Congress stepped in during 1941 and made it official: fourth Thursday of November, period. That’s been the rule ever since.
The History Behind Thanksgiving in November
Thanksgiving’s journey to becoming a November holiday took centuries.
The path from that famous 1621 feast to your modern turkey dinner involved magazine editors, presidents, and a country searching for unity during wartime.
- The First Thanksgiving (1621): The Pilgrims and Wampanoag people shared a harvest celebration, likely in September or October, not November.
- No Official Holiday (1621-1863): For over 200 years, colonies and states celebrated harvest festivals randomly, on different dates, different months, or not at all.
- Sarah Josepha Hale’s Campaign: A magazine editor spent 17 years writing letters to presidents, pushing for a unified national Thanksgiving holiday.
- Lincoln’s Proclamation (1863): President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday on the last Thursday of November during the Civil War to unite Americans.
- November Made Sense: The timing aligned perfectly with the end of harvest season, when farmers could finally rest and give thanks.
- Modern Tradition: That Civil War decision transformed scattered local celebrations into the consistent November holiday families celebrate today.
Fun Fact: Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who campaigned for Thanksgiving, also wrote the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” She shaped both American holidays and childhood memories!
How is Thanksgiving Celebrated Today?
Thanksgiving looks different depending on where you celebrate it.
While Americans feast on the fourth Thursday of November, other countries have their own versions of giving thanks with unique traditions and dates.
1. Thanksgiving in America
American Thanksgiving centers around turkey dinners with family, football games, and the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
About 46 million turkeys are served nationwide. Families travel across the country to gather together, share what they’re thankful for, and kick off the holiday shopping season with Black Friday the next day.
2. Thanksgiving in Canada
Canadian Thanksgiving happens on the second Monday of October, aligning with their earlier harvest season.
The celebration focuses more on harvest themes and outdoor activities during the three-day weekend.
Turkey and ham are popular, along with regional dishes like tourtière. It’s generally quieter and less commercialized than American Thanksgiving.
3. Thanksgiving Around the World
Many countries celebrate similar harvest festivals. Germany holds Erntedankfest in churches with food donations.
Japan observes Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23rd, honoring workers. The United Kingdom celebrates Harvest Festival in autumn.
Liberia, founded by Americans, celebrates Thanksgiving on the first Thursday of November with church services and family meals.
Planning for Thanksgiving 2025
Now that you know Thanksgiving 2025 falls on Thursday, November 27th, it’s time to think about how you’ll spend the long weekend.
- Request Time Off Early: If your parents work or you have a part-time job, mark November 27-30 on the calendar now. Many people request these days off, so getting ahead helps secure the time.
- Book Travel Soon: Thanksgiving is the busiest travel period of the year. Flights and train tickets get expensive and sell out quickly. Booking at least a month ahead saves money and guarantees seats.
- Plan Your Menu: Decide what dishes you’ll make and create a shopping list. Turkey takes days to thaw if frozen, so factor that into your timeline. Some families order pies from bakeries to reduce cooking stress.
- Coordinate with Family: If multiple households are gathering, divide up dishes so one person isn’t cooking everything. This teamwork makes preparation easier and gives everyone a chance to contribute their specialty.
- Consider Alternatives: Not everyone does the traditional dinner. Some families volunteer at food banks, go to restaurants, or even travel somewhere warm. Thanksgiving is about gratitude, however you choose to express it.
- Prep the Day Before: Chop vegetables, make casseroles, and set the table on Wednesday. This reduces Thanksgiving Day chaos and lets you actually enjoy the celebration instead of frantically cooking.
A little planning goes a long way toward avoiding stress and enjoying the holiday.
Thanksgiving Weekend 2025: What to Expect
Thanksgiving isn’t just one day; it’s a four-day weekend for most Americans.
Knowing what happens from Thursday through Sunday helps you plan activities, avoid crowds, and make the most of your time off.
Day
Date
What’s Happening
Thursday
November 27th
Thanksgiving Day: The main event! Family dinners, parades, and football games fill the day. Streets stay quiet in the morning as people cook, then calm down in the evening after big meals.
Friday
November 28th
Black Friday: Retail chaos begins. Stores open early with doorbusters and massive sales. Malls get packed, parking becomes impossible, and online deals flood inboxes.
Saturday
November 29th
Small Business Saturday: Support local shops instead of big chains. Downtowns and neighborhood stores offer special promotions.
Sunday
November 30th
Recovery Day: The final day of the long weekend. People travel home, do meal prep for the week, and ease back into normal routines.
Black Friday got its name from Philadelphia police in the 1960s, who dreaded the chaotic crowds and traffic the day after Thanksgiving.
Retailers later rebranded it as the day stores went from “in the red” to “in the black” financially!
Conclusion
Thanksgiving 2025 arrives on Thursday, November 27th, giving you plenty of time to plan your celebration.
The November date connects us to a tradition that Abraham Lincoln established during the Civil War, hoping to unite a divided nation.
That spirit of bringing people together still matters today. As you sit down for your meal on November 27th, you’re part of a celebration that spans generations and connects millions of families across the country.
Start planning now: book your travel, coordinate with family, and think about what you’re grateful for this year.
The long weekend offers time to reconnect with loved ones, support local businesses, and recharge before the busy December holidays begin.
