Thanksgiving Date Calculator
Find the date of Thanksgiving for any year in US and Canadian calendars. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Formula
US: 4th Thursday of November | Canada: 2nd Monday of October
US Thanksgiving is calculated by finding the fourth Thursday occurring in November. Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday of October. Both use simple day-of-week counting within their respective months.
Worked Examples
Example 1: US Thanksgiving 2025
Problem: What date is Thanksgiving in the United States in 2025?
Solution: US Thanksgiving = 4th Thursday of November\nNovember 1, 2025 is a Saturday\nFirst Thursday = November 6\nSecond Thursday = November 13\nThird Thursday = November 20\nFourth Thursday = November 27
Result: US Thanksgiving 2025 falls on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Black Friday is November 28.
Example 2: Canadian Thanksgiving 2025
Problem: What date is Canadian Thanksgiving in 2025?
Solution: Canadian Thanksgiving = 2nd Monday of October\nOctober 1, 2025 is a Wednesday\nFirst Monday = October 6\nSecond Monday = October 13
Result: Canadian Thanksgiving 2025 falls on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the US Thanksgiving date determined each year?
US Thanksgiving is set by federal law as the fourth Thursday of November. This was officially established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941, after a brief controversy when he moved the holiday up one week in 1939 to extend the holiday shopping season during the Great Depression. Before Roosevelt, the tradition of celebrating on the last Thursday was established by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Since November can have either four or five Thursdays, the fourth Thursday falls between November 22 and November 28. The date changes each year but always stays within this one-week window in late November.
When is Canadian Thanksgiving and how is it different from US Thanksgiving?
Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October, making it about six weeks earlier than American Thanksgiving. The earlier date reflects the earlier harvest season in Canada due to its more northern latitude. Canadian Thanksgiving has different historical roots, originating from European harvest festivals and explorer Martin Frobisher celebrations in 1578, rather than the Plymouth Pilgrim story. The holiday was formally established as a national holiday in 1879 and fixed to the second Monday of October in 1957. While both holidays share themes of gratitude and harvest, Canadian Thanksgiving is generally a quieter affair without the massive commercial shopping events.
Why did Roosevelt try to move Thanksgiving in 1939?
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving from the last Thursday of November to the third Thursday to create a longer holiday shopping season. The Great Depression had devastated the economy, and retailers pressured Roosevelt to give them an extra week of shopping before Christmas. The change was highly controversial and created what the press called Franksgiving. Some states celebrated on the original date, others on the new date, and some celebrated both. The confusion lasted two years until Congress passed a joint resolution in 1941, officially setting Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November, which was a compromise between the two dates.
What is Black Friday and how does it relate to Thanksgiving?
Black Friday is the day immediately following US Thanksgiving (the fourth Friday of November) and marks the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season. The name originated in Philadelphia in the 1960s, where police used it to describe the massive crowds and traffic jams. Retailers later reinterpreted the name as the day their books went from red ink (losses) to black ink (profits). Black Friday has grown into the largest shopping day of the year, with stores offering major discounts and opening at early morning hours or even on Thanksgiving evening. Cyber Monday, the following Monday, extends the shopping event online.
Do other countries celebrate Thanksgiving?
While the United States and Canada are the most well-known Thanksgiving celebrants, several other countries have similar harvest or gratitude festivals. Germany celebrates Erntedankfest on the first Sunday of October with church services and harvest crowns. Japan celebrates Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no Hi) on November 23, originally a harvest festival that became a celebration of workers rights after World War II. Liberia celebrates Thanksgiving on the first Thursday of November, reflecting its American colonial history. Grenada celebrates on October 25, marking the anniversary of the 1983 US military intervention. Each country has its own unique traditions and historical context.
What are the most common Thanksgiving traditions in the United States?
American Thanksgiving traditions center around a large family meal featuring turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, and pumpkin pie. The turkey tradition dates back to the early colonial period, and today about 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving day alone. Other major traditions include watching the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade (held since 1924) and NFL football games. Many families travel long distances for the holiday, making the Wednesday before Thanksgiving the busiest travel day of the year. Some communities organize charitable events like food drives and community dinners for those in need.