# Thanksgiving Countdown > A website tracking the countdown to Thanksgiving 2026 (Thursday, November 26) and sharing the > history, traditions, recipes, dinner ideas, decorations, table decor, activities, Friendsgiving > guides, quotes, and meaning behind America's harvest holiday. ## Pages - [Home](/) — Live countdown to Thanksgiving 2026 with a full-page hero slideshow. - [About](/about) — What Thanksgiving is, the 2026 date, and the spirit of gratitude. - [History](/history) — Timeline from the 1621 Plymouth feast to today. - [Traditions](/traditions) — Parades, football, gratitude, family customs, and traditions worldwide. - [Greetings](/greetings) — Thanksgiving greetings, wishes, quotes and blessings for 2026 — messages, happy Thanksgiving wishes, prayers of gratitude to God, social media captions, and notes for family, friends, and hosts. - [Recipes](/recipes) — Thanksgiving recipes organized by category: Mains, Appetizers, Desserts, Drinks, and Sides & Sauces. Each dish has its own page with full ingredients and step-by-step instructions. **Mains:** [Classic Roast Turkey](/recipes/classic-roast-turkey), [Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey](/recipes/smoked-thanksgiving-turkey). **Appetizers:** [Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board](/recipes/thanksgiving-charcuterie-board), [Classic Deviled Eggs](/recipes/classic-deviled-eggs). **Desserts:** [Classic Pumpkin Pie](/recipes/pumpkin-pie), [Classic Pecan Pie](/recipes/pecan-pie), [Classic Double-Crust Apple Pie](/recipes/apple-pie). **Drinks:** [Spiced Mulled Apple Cider](/recipes/spiced-mulled-cider), [Bourbon Cranberry Smash](/recipes/bourbon-cranberry-smash), [Pumpkin Spice White Russian](/recipes/pumpkin-spice-white-russian), [Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail](/recipes/sparkling-cranberry-mocktail). **Sides & Sauces:** [Creamy Mashed Potatoes](/recipes/creamy-mashed-potatoes), [Fresh Cranberry Sauce](/recipes/fresh-cranberry-sauce), [Sage Stuffing](/recipes/sage-stuffing), [Sweet Potato Casserole](/recipes/sweet-potato-casserole), [Classic Green Bean Casserole](/recipes/green-bean-casserole). - [Decorations](/decorations) — Thanksgiving table decor, centerpieces, DIY rustic farmhouse decor, outdoor porch ideas, fall wreaths, and printable place cards. - [Hosting](/hosting) — A complete guide to hosting Thanksgiving at home: a week-by-week plan, guest and menu planner, a cooking schedule and timeline, table setup, make-ahead tips, and a day-of checklist. - [Activities](/activities) — Thanksgiving games, crafts for kids, free printable coloring pages, trivia, and gratitude activities. - [Outfits & Gifts](/outfits) — Casual and family Thanksgiving outfit ideas plus hostess gift ideas. - [Friendsgiving](/friendsgiving) — Friendsgiving recipes, decorations, outfit ideas, and party plan. - [FAQ](/faq) — When, why, and how we celebrate Thanksgiving in 2026. - [Blog](/blog) — Articles on history, recipes, decor, traditions, activities, and fun facts. ## Legal & Policies - [Contact](/contact) — Get in touch about corrections, recipe questions, or advertising inquiries. - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) — How we handle cookies, Google AdSense advertising, affiliate links, analytics, and your personal information. - [Terms of Service](/terms) — The rules and conditions that govern use of the site and its content. - [Affiliate & Ad Disclaimer](/disclaimer) — Disclosure of our Google AdSense and affiliate program participation and editorial independence. ## Blog Posts - [Elegant Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas & Centerpieces](/blog/elegant-thanksgiving-table-setting-ideas) - [DIY & Rustic Farmhouse Thanksgiving Decorations](/blog/diy-rustic-thanksgiving-decorations) - [Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas for the Whole Family](/blog/thanksgiving-outfit-ideas) - [Friendsgiving Ideas: Recipes, Decor & Outfits](/blog/friendsgiving-ideas) - [Thanksgiving Hostess Gift Ideas They'll Actually Use](/blog/thanksgiving-hostess-gift-ideas) - [Thanksgiving Activities, Games & Crafts for Kids and Adults](/blog/thanksgiving-activities-games-for-kids) - [Thanksgiving Quotes, Wishes & Blessings to Share](/blog/thanksgiving-quotes-wishes-blessings) - [The History of Thanksgiving: From 1621 to Today](/blog/history-of-thanksgiving) - [How to Smoke the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey](/blog/smoked-thanksgiving-turkey) - [Thanksgiving Traditions Around the World](/blog/thanksgiving-traditions-around-the-world) - [Perfect Pecan Pie Recipe for Thanksgiving](/blog/perfect-pecan-pie-recipe) - [The Best Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe](/blog/best-thanksgiving-stuffing-recipe) - [How to Cook the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey](/blog/perfect-thanksgiving-turkey-recipe) - [Thanksgiving Appetizers & a Show-Stopping Charcuterie Board](/blog/thanksgiving-appetizers-charcuterie-board) - [Thanksgiving Pie Recipes: Pumpkin & Apple](/blog/thanksgiving-pies-pumpkin-apple) - [Thanksgiving Cocktails & Nonalcoholic Drinks](/blog/thanksgiving-cocktails-mocktails) - [The Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes](/blog/thanksgiving-leftovers-recipes) - [Thanksgiving Breakfast & Lunch Ideas for the Big Day](/blog/thanksgiving-breakfast-lunch-ideas) - [Thanksgiving Grocery List & Cooking Schedule](/blog/thanksgiving-grocery-list-cooking-schedule) - [Thanksgiving on a Budget: Feeding a Large Family](/blog/thanksgiving-on-a-budget) - [The Complete Thanksgiving Hosting Checklist](/blog/thanksgiving-hosting-checklist) - [Thanksgiving Dinner Timeline for Beginners](/blog/thanksgiving-dinner-timeline-for-beginners) - [Thanksgiving Grocery List Printable (Organized by Aisle)](/blog/thanksgiving-grocery-list-printable) - [Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule: A Day-Of Timeline](/blog/thanksgiving-cooking-schedule) - [Thanksgiving Potluck Sign-Up Sheet (Free & Printable)](/blog/thanksgiving-potluck-sign-up-sheet) - [Thanksgiving Dinner for Two: A Complete Small-Batch Menu](/blog/thanksgiving-dinner-for-two-menu) - [Thanksgiving Leftovers Meal Plan: 5 Days of Dinners](/blog/thanksgiving-leftovers-meal-plan) - [Thanksgiving Games to Play at the Dinner Table](/blog/thanksgiving-games-dinner-table) - [Thanksgiving Crafts Using Paper Plates for Kids](/blog/thanksgiving-crafts-paper-plates) - [Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt Printable for Kids](/blog/thanksgiving-scavenger-hunt-printable) - [Meaningful Gratitude Practices for Thanksgiving](/blog/gratitude-practices-for-thanksgiving) - [10 Essential Thanksgiving Side Dishes](/blog/thanksgiving-side-dishes) - [Vegetarian & Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas](/blog/vegetarian-vegan-thanksgiving-recipes) - [Gluten-Free, Keto & Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes](/blog/gluten-free-keto-healthy-thanksgiving-recipes) - [Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Better Than Canned)](/blog/homemade-cranberry-sauce-recipe) - [Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe](/blog/classic-green-bean-casserole) - [Surprising Thanksgiving Fun Facts](/blog/thanksgiving-fun-facts) - [The Best Turkey Brine Recipe for a Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey](/blog/best-turkey-brine-recipe) - [Turkey Brine for Smoking: The Best Brine for a Smoked Turkey](/blog/turkey-brine-for-smoking) - [How Long to Brine a Turkey — A Complete Timing Guide](/blog/how-long-to-brine-a-turkey) - [Thanksgiving Prayers & Blessings to Share at the Table](/blog/thanksgiving-prayers-and-blessings) - [A Thanksgiving Dinner Prayer for the Family](/blog/thanksgiving-dinner-prayer-for-family) ## Key Facts Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. The holiday traces to a 1621 harvest feast at Plymouth Colony, became a national holiday in 1863 under Abraham Lincoln, and was fixed to the fourth Thursday by Congress in 1941. A traditional Thanksgiving dinner centers on roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato and green bean casseroles, and pumpkin, pecan, or apple pie.