Thanksgiving 2026 is set for November 26 in the United States
Americans will sit down to Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 26, 2026. The federal holiday falls on the fourth Thursday of November, a rule set by Congress in 1941. Families gather to give thanks for the harvest and the blessings of the past year.
The day usually centers on a roast turkey served as the main dish. Televised parades and American football games fill the afternoon. The next day, Friday, November 27, opens the Black Friday shopping period with commercial promotions.
A whole roast turkey anchors the table at most homes. Cooks serve it with a side of gravy or sauce that matches family tastes. Many households also keep the carving as the moment the whole group gathers around.
Cranberry sauce accompanies the meat in both homemade and canned versions. Many families spoon it next to the turkey on the plate. It is one of the most recognized flavors on the holiday table.
Bread stuffing is prepared separately or cooked inside the bird. Cooks season it with herbs and vegetables that vary by family. The choice between the two methods often comes down to the kitchen space available.
How the 1621 Plymouth harvest feast became a holiday
Thanksgiving traces back to 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. English settlers shared a harvest feast with Wampanoag people after the first successful crop. The celebration lasted three days and featured local foods such as corn and venison.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national holiday during the Civil War. The measure aimed to promote unity among the states.
The dishes that anchor the table
Roast turkey remains the centerpiece on most tables across the country. Mashed potatoes with gravy complete the main side dishes. Pumpkin pie closes the meal as the classic dessert.
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Green bean casserole gained popularity in the 1950s. Macaroni and cheese appears in regional variations across the South.
Regional twists on the holiday menu
Families in the Northeast often add oysters to the stuffing. In the South, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows form sweet layers on the table. Midwestern families add homemade cornbread to the meal.
Vegetarian diners often replace the turkey with a stuffed pumpkin.
How Canada marks its own Thanksgiving
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. In 2026, the holiday fell on Monday, October 12, 2026. The tradition began in 1879 through a parliamentary decree.
Canadian meals look much like American ones, with turkey and pumpkin pie on the table.
What else happens on the holiday
Thanksgiving parades have been broadcast on television in New York since 1924. The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 26. The NFL schedules three games on the day:
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- Bears-Lions, 1:00 p.m. ET, on CBS
- Eagles-Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET, on FOX
- Chiefs-Bills, 8:20 p.m. ET, on NBC
Volunteers at shelters serve meals to people in need across many communities. The four-day weekend runs from Thursday, November 26, to Sunday, November 29, for most American workers.
Getting the turkey ready safely
A turkey may need up to four days to thaw in the refrigerator. The internal temperature must reach 74°C to be safe to eat. Cooking the stuffing separately helps prevent bacterial contamination.
Potatoes get milk and butter to achieve a creamy texture.
Autumn desserts that take center stage
Pumpkin pie uses canned or fresh pumpkin purée as its base. Caramelized pecans cover some regional versions of the dessert. Sliced apples form the filling of double-crust pies.
Cheesecake layered with pumpkin is another popular combination on the dessert table.
