When is Thanksgiving? What is it?
Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving 2025 is being celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 27.
The holiday originated as a harvest festival. The event that Americans typically call the “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621.
Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the U.S. when President Abraham Lincoln in October 1862 proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving” during the Civil War. The Proclamation was written by his Secretary of State William Seward, of Auburn, N.Y.
See what’s open and closed on Thanksgiving:
Are banks open on Thanksgiving?
No, banks are closed on Thursday, but open on Friday.
Is stock market open on Thanksgiving?
No, financial markets are closed on Thursday. They re-open on Friday.
Are government offices open on Thanksgiving?
City, county, state and federal offices are closed Thursday. Some offices, such as the city of Syracuse, are also closed on Friday.
Are post offices closed on Thanksgiving? Is there mail delivery?
The U.S. Post offices are closed on Thursday, and there will be no mail delivery. USPS offices will reopen on Friday, and mail will be delivered then.
UPS and FedEx are also closed Thursday, with no delivery for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Will there be trash collection?
City of Syracuse trash pick up will be one day late on both Thursday and Friday; Thursday’s trash will be picked up Friday and Friday’s pickup will be Saturday. Other municipal and private haulers may work on a different schedule.
Are restaurants and stores open? Will shopping malls be on regular hours?
Many restaurants and stores are closed Thursday, including Target and Walmart. Most will re-open for regular hours on Friday, with some offering special hours for Black Friday shopping.
Destiny USA will be closed on Thanksgiving. The Syracuse mall will reopen Friday at 7 a.m. for Black Friday shopping and begin extended holiday hours.
Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving? Is Target open on Thanksgiving? Is Wegmans open?
Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s and Aldi are closed on Thanksgiving. Wegmans is open until 4 p.m. at most locations on Thanksgiving Day. Tops is also open until 4 p.m. Thursday, Price Chopper is open until 3 p.m., and Nichols in Liverpool is open until 2 p.m.
Are pharmacies open?
Some pharmacies, including most Walgreens locations, are closed on Thanksgiving. Most CVS and Rite Aid locations will be open on Thursday, along with Kinney Drugs located at 437 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool (retail store and pharmacy); check hours for your location before visiting.
Is parking free on Thanksgiving?
Parking at all downtown Syracuse meters will be free on Thursday and Friday.
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Are libraries open on Thanksgiving?
Onondaga County’s Central Library and all city branches are closed Thursday and Friday. Suburban branch hours vary; you can check your branch through the county website.
Are buses running on regular time?
Centro is running on a Sunday/holiday schedule for Thanksgiving. Friday buses will operate on normal schedules. For information, call 442-3400 or visit Centro’s website.
