A warm, candle-lit Thanksgiving table set for a harvest feast
About

What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is an annual American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November — a day to give thanks for the year's harvest and the blessings of the past year, shared with family and friends around a generous meal.

Thanksgiving 2026

Thursday, November 26, 2026

31
Days
23
Hours
48
Minutes
40
Seconds

Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026

Hands clasped together in a circle around a Thanksgiving table saying grace

The Spirit of Gratitude

At its core, Thanksgiving is about gratitude. It is a pause in the year to reflect on what we have — the people, the harvest, the simple gifts of health and home — and to say thank you. The meal is the centerpiece, but the meaning is the gratitude.

A Day for Gathering

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year in the United States, as families travel to be together. The day typically features a large meal — turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pie — followed by parades, football, and time with loved ones.

A family arriving with luggage and a pie at a Thanksgiving gathering
Volunteers packing food donation boxes at a food bank for Thanksgiving

More Than a Meal

Beyond the table, Thanksgiving is a day of service. Millions volunteer at food banks and shelters, and many communities host free meals for those in need. It is a holiday that asks us to share what we have.