🦃 Thanksgiving 2026The US and Canada
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26 in the US, the fourth Thursday of November. Canadian Thanksgiving 2026 is on Monday, October 12, the second Monday of October.
By the Gift DeskUpdated
Thanksgiving in the US
31days to go
Thursday, November 26, 2026
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Thanksgiving 2026 and 2027, by country
Thanksgiving moves every year because it's tied to a weekday, not a date. In the US it can fall anywhere from November 22 to 28; in Canada, from October 8 to 14. It isn't a gift-giving holiday, but it is the biggest hosting day of the year, and a guest who arrives with something for the host is remembered.
| Country | 2026 | 2027 | Rule and how it’s kept |
|---|---|---|---|
| The USThanksgiving | The fourth Thursday of November, a federal holiday. Most people also take the Friday off. | ||
| CanadaThanksgiving (Action de grâce) | The second Monday of October, a holiday in most provinces. Many families have the dinner on the Sunday. |
Bringing something for the host
The host's oven and fridge are full on Thanksgiving, so bring a gift that can go straight onto a shelf: something for breakfast the next morning, a pantry treat, a pie in a dish they keep. Skip cut flowers that need a vase and anything that needs reheating, unless you were asked to bring it.
Thanksgiving gift ideas
Questions people ask
What date is Thanksgiving 2026?
In the US, Thursday, November 26. In Canada, Monday, October 12.
Why does Thanksgiving change date every year?
Because it's set by weekday: the fourth Thursday of November in the US (fixed by Congress in 1941) and the second Monday of October in Canada (since 1957).
Is the day after Thanksgiving a holiday?
Not a federal one, but many employers and most schools give the Friday off, which is also why it became the start of holiday shopping (Black Friday).
Do you bring a gift to Thanksgiving dinner?
It isn't required, but a small host gift is a kind gesture, especially if you weren't asked to bring a dish. Something for later, like breakfast for the next morning or a box of chocolates, works better than anything that needs the kitchen.