When Does Thanksgiving Fall? US & Canada Dates for 2025-2026, History & Planning Guide

Ever wonder why you sometimes get confused about Thanksgiving dates? I sure did. Last year I nearly booked flights for the wrong week because I assumed Thanksgiving always falls on the last Thursday of November. Spoiler: it doesn't. That little mistake cost me $200 in change fees. So let's clear this up once and for all because knowing exactly when Thanksgiving falls matters for travel plans, family gatherings, and avoiding those pesky airline penalties.

The Simple Answer to "When Does Thanksgiving Fall?"

In the United States, Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November. This wasn't always the case though – more on that history later. For Canada? That's different. They celebrate on the second Monday of October. Why the difference? Blame it on harvest seasons and geography.

I remember asking my Canadian cousin why their Thanksgiving feels so early. "Mate," he said, "our corn freezes by late October!" Makes sense when you think about it. Frost comes earlier up north.

Upcoming Thanksgiving Dates Table

Notice how Thanksgiving 2024 falls on November 28? That's actually the latest possible date Thanksgiving can occur. Earliest? November 22. I learned that the hard way when hosting my first Thanksgiving – showed up with groceries a week early!

Why the Fourth Thursday? A Quick History Lesson

This is where it gets interesting. Before 1863, Thanksgiving was basically a free-for-all. States picked random dates, creating calendar chaos. Then came Abraham Lincoln. In the middle of the Civil War, he declared a national Thanksgiving on the final Thursday of November. But here's the twist: "final Thursday" and "fourth Thursday" aren't always the same thing.

Flash forward to 1939. November had five Thursdays. Retailers panicked because a late Thanksgiving meant a shorter Christmas shopping season. Franklin D. Roosevelt caved to pressure and moved it up a week. People called it "Franksgiving" – no joke. The country split between two dates causing absolute mayhem. Imagine your family celebrating on different weeks! Finally, in 1941, Congress settled it: fourth Thursday. Period.

Canadian vs American Thanksgiving Differences

Okay let's clear something up. When Canadians ask "when does Thanksgiving fall?" they're talking about a completely different timeline. Their celebration traces back to 1578 – way before Plymouth Rock. With earlier harvests, October makes practical sense. Here's how they compare:

• Date Logic: Canada = 2nd Monday in October, US = 4th Thursday in November
• Holiday Length: Canada = 3-day weekend, US = 4-5 days (most take Friday off)
• Biggest Difference: Black Friday madness? Barely exists in Canada
• My Personal Take: Canadian Thanksgiving feels more relaxed without the Christmas shopping frenzy breathing down your neck

Critical Dates Around Thanksgiving You Need to Circle

Knowing when Thanksgiving falls is step one. But smart planning requires understanding the ripple effect on everything else:

School Breaks

Most U.S. school districts follow this pattern:

• Elementary/Middle Schools: Typically Wednesday before through Sunday
• High Schools: Often entire week (Sat to Sun)
• Colleges: Whole week including following Monday

Pro tip: Book college kid flights 3 months early. I waited until October last year and paid $700 for a 1-hour flight!

Major Retailer Hours

Important: These hours change annually. Always verify. Learned this when I showed up to a locked Target at midnight.

Travel Windows

The worst times to hit the road:

• Airports: Wednesday 3-8PM and Sunday 1-6PM are pure chaos
• Highways: Wednesday late afternoon and Sunday afternoons = gridlock guaranteed

My travel hack? Fly out Tuesday morning (empty airports) and return Saturday afternoon. Added bonus: avoid awkward family overstays.

Thanksgiving Date Calculation Cheat Sheet

Never wonder "when does Thanksgiving fall" again. Use these simple methods:

For Non-Math People

The "Look Back" Method:

1. Mark November 1 on calendar
2. Count forward to first Thursday
3. Add 3 weeks → Boom! Thanksgiving

For Tech Nerds

Excel formula:

=DATE(Year,11,29)-WEEKDAY(DATE(Year,11,3))

Seriously though, who actually remembers formulas? I just Google it every year.

For Calendar Watchers

Notice this pattern:

• If November 1 is Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday → Thanksgiving is Nov 28
• Earlier start = earlier Thanksgiving

This trick saved me during a Thanksgiving trivia night!

Thanksgiving Date Impact on Christmas Shopping

When Thanksgiving falls dramatically affects retailers. A late Thanksgiving (like 2024) means:

• 6 fewer shopping days until Christmas
• Earlier holiday decorations (like Halloween pumpkins next to Santas)
• More compressed "Black Friday" sales

Personally, I hate when stores jump the gun. Seeing tinsel before turkey feels wrong. But economically? Makes sense.

For shoppers, here's the breakdown:

Translation: When Thanksgiving falls late, start bargain hunting earlier!

Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Dates

Has Thanksgiving ever fallen on November 30?

Nope. Impossible under the fourth Thursday rule. The latest possible date is November 28. This myth probably started because Lincoln occasionally declared late celebrations during wartime.

Why doesn't Canada celebrate the same day?

Different history, different harvest seasons. Canadian Thanksgiving honors explorer Martin Frobisher's 1578 celebration in Newfoundland. Their autumn hits earlier, so October harvest feasts make agricultural sense.

Do all states recognize Thanksgiving?

Technically yes, but Massachusetts didn't officially adopt it until 1855. Some Southern states resisted seeing it as "Yankee holiday" until the late 1800s. Imagine skipping Thanksgiving!

How far in advance should I book flights?

Domestic: Minimum 3 months (June for November travel). International: 5-6 months. Prices spike dramatically after that. I once paid $300 more by booking September for Thanksgiving week.

Can Thanksgiving ever land on November 22?

Yes! Last happened in 2018, next in 2029. Occurs when November 1 is a Thursday.

Why do some calendars show different dates?

Historical calendars pre-1941 vary. Also, some companies print Canadian and U.S. versions. Always check origin before planning!

What's the most common date?

November 26 appears most frequently. Statistically, you're most likely to have Thanksgiving on the 26th.

How many days after Thanksgiving is Christmas?

Always exactly 32 days! No exceptions. The fourth Thursday to December 25 is consistently 32 days. Cool how that works, right?

Pro Tips for Thanksgiving Planning

After a decade of hosting (and mishaps), here's my hard-earned advice:

• Turkey Size: Order frozen turkeys 3 weeks early. Fresh? 5 days max. Don't be like me trying to defrost a 20-pounder in the bathtub.
• Guest Management: Send invites when dates are confirmed. Include end times to avoid lingering uncles.
• Black Friday: If Thanksgiving falls late (November 28), expect online sales to launch November 1.
• Leftovers Strategy