The short answer
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, because US Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November. It is a federal holiday, so federal offices, banks and most schools close, and many people get a four-day weekend that runs straight into Black Friday on November 27.
- What day is Thanksgiving 2026: Thursday, November 26.
- Federal holiday: Yes, Thanksgiving Day is one of the 11 federal holidays; the Friday after is not.
- Long weekend: Thursday, November 26 to Sunday, November 29 for most workers and students.
- Black Friday / Cyber Monday: November 27 and November 30, 2026.
- Canadian Thanksgiving 2026: already passed, on Monday, October 12.
Nov 26
Thanksgiving Day 2026 (Thursday)
1941
Year the fourth-Thursday rule became law
81.8M
Thanksgiving travelers AAA forecast for 2025
100th
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year
Last checked: October 13, 2026.
In this article
Thanksgiving, the US national holiday for giving thanks that families mark with a big shared meal, lands on November 26 this year. So if you are planning Thanksgiving 2026 now, you have roughly six weeks to sort out the date, the travel, the menu and the long weekend. This guide answers the questions people search for most, from what day Thanksgiving is to whether Black Friday counts as a holiday. It also links to every detailed planner in our Thanksgiving series, from turkey times to the parade and the football schedule.
When Is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26, 2026. The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the agency that publishes the official federal holiday calendar, lists Thanksgiving Day as Thursday, November 26 in its 2026 schedule.
Because the holiday follows a fixed rule rather than a fixed date, it moves around each year. In fact, the fourth Thursday of November can fall anywhere from November 22 to November 28. This year it sits near the late end of that window, which also means a slightly shorter run from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
What day is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving Day 2026 is a Thursday, as it is every year in the United States. Specifically, it is the fourth Thursday of November and falls in week 48 of the year on the ISO week calendar.
How many days until Thanksgiving?
To count down, Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26. If you are reading this in mid-October, you still have about six weeks, which is plenty of time to book travel, order a turkey and send invitations.
Thanksgiving 2026 long weekend at a glance
For most people, the Thanksgiving 2026 long weekend runs from Thursday, November 26 through Sunday, November 29. However, plenty of travelers stretch it from Tuesday to Monday, and the shopping calendar adds its own landmarks along the way.
| Date | Day | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Thanksgiving Eve; busiest pre-holiday travel day; NFL Packers at Rams (8 p.m. ET, Netflix) |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day (federal holiday); 100th Macy’s parade; three NFL games |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Friday | Black Friday; state holiday in some states, such as California |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Saturday | Small Business Saturday |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Sunday | Heavy return-travel day |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Monday | Cyber Monday |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Tuesday | Giving Tuesday |
Thanksgiving Dates for 2026 to 2030
US Thanksgiving dates for the next five years run from November 22 to November 28, always on a Thursday. We calculated each date below using the fourth-Thursday rule, so you can plan trips or family rotations years ahead.
| Year | Thanksgiving Day | Black Friday | Is it also the last Thursday? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, November 26 | November 27 | Yes |
| 2027 | Thursday, November 25 | November 26 | Yes |
| 2028 | Thursday, November 23 | November 24 | No (Nov 30 is the fifth Thursday) |
| 2029 | Thursday, November 22 | November 23 | No (Nov 29 is the fifth Thursday) |
| 2030 | Thursday, November 28 | November 29 | Yes |
Is Thanksgiving always on a Thursday?
Yes, US Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday. Federal law sets it as the fourth Thursday in November, so the weekday never changes even though the date does. Canada works differently, because its Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October.
Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday?
Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday because Congress fixed it there in 1941 to end a two-year split over the date. Before that, presidents traditionally proclaimed the last Thursday of November, which in some years meant a fifth Thursday very late in the month.
According to the National Archives, the last Thursday of 1939 fell on November 30. To give retailers a longer holiday shopping season, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving a week earlier. As a result, 32 states followed his date while 16 kept the old one, and the country celebrated two Thanksgivings for two years. Congress then passed a joint resolution naming the fourth Thursday, and Roosevelt signed it on December 26, 1941.
Is Thanksgiving a Federal Holiday?
Yes, Thanksgiving Day is a federal holiday. It appears in the federal holidays law (5 U.S.C. 6103) and on OPM’s 2026 list alongside New Year’s Day, Independence Day and Christmas, among others.
In practice, that means federal offices close and federal employees get a paid day off. Meanwhile, private employers, schools and businesses set their own schedules, so check with yours before you book anything.
Is the day after Thanksgiving a federal holiday?
No, the day after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday. OPM’s 2026 calendar lists only Thursday, November 26, so federal workers are scheduled to work on Friday unless they take leave or the president grants an extra day off by executive order.
Still, some states give their own employees the Friday off. For example, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) lists the day after the fourth Thursday in November as a state holiday, which makes it Friday, November 27, 2026. Many schools and private employers also close that day, so check your own calendar.
Is Black Friday a holiday?
Black Friday is not an official federal holiday; instead, it is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. In 2026 it falls on November 27, and retailers typically run their biggest sales of the season that weekend. If you want the full sale calendar, our Black Friday 2026 guide tracks every confirmed date.
Thanksgiving History: From 1621 to the 1941 Law
Thanksgiving history runs from a 1621 harvest feast at Plymouth to a 1941 federal law. In between, presidents issued proclamations, and one magazine editor spent decades lobbying for a single national day.
The gathering most Americans call the “First Thanksgiving” took place in autumn 1621 in Plymouth Colony, the English settlement in present-day Massachusetts. According to Pilgrim Hall Museum, 53 surviving Mayflower passengers and at least 90 Wampanoag men took part over three days of feasting. Their leader was Ousamequin, the Massasoit, or great sachem, of the Wampanoag people. Notably, the only eyewitness record, a letter by colonist Edward Winslow, never uses the word “thanksgiving.”
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1621 | Three-day harvest gathering of Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag people |
| 1789 | George Washington proclaims Thursday, November 26 a national day of thanksgiving, the first under the Constitution |
| 1827 | Editor Sarah Josepha Hale begins writing essays calling for a national Thanksgiving |
| 1863 | Abraham Lincoln’s October 3 proclamation sets the last Thursday of November |
| 1939 | Franklin D. Roosevelt moves the holiday a week earlier, splitting the states |
| 1941 | Congress fixes the fourth Thursday; Roosevelt signs it on December 26 |
Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book and author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” deserves much of the credit for the national holiday. The National Park Service says she campaigned for about 36 years and wrote to Lincoln on September 28, 1863. Days later, on October 3, Lincoln issued a proclamation that Secretary of State William Seward drafted, setting apart the last Thursday of November. From then on, the National Archives notes, Americans regularly marked the holiday each year.
Thanksgiving Day 2026 Traditions to Know
The core Thanksgiving traditions are a turkey dinner, the Macy’s parade in the morning and NFL football all afternoon. On top of that, many families add a morning run, a Friendsgiving with friends, a movie night or a round of gratitude at the table.
The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the giant-balloon procession through Manhattan, is the 100th edition, and it steps off on Thanksgiving morning, November 26. NBC holds the broadcast rights, with Peacock and Telemundo, under a deal with Macy’s signed in early 2025. In recent years the TV coverage has started at 8:30 a.m. in every time zone. However, Macy’s had not published the full 2026 lineup of balloons, floats and performers when we checked, so see our Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 guide for updates.
Thanksgiving football: the 2026 NFL slate
The NFL, America’s professional football league, plays three games on Thanksgiving Day 2026, plus a first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game and a Black Friday matchup. The NFL confirmed the Cowboys host the Eagles at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX, and NBC’s schedule roundup lists the full week.
| Date | Game | Kickoff (ET) | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Nov 25 | Packers at Rams | 8:00 p.m. | Netflix |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Bears at Lions | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Eagles at Cowboys | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Chiefs at Bills | 8:20 p.m. | NBC, Peacock |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Broncos at Steelers | 3:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
Dinner, Friendsgiving and family time
Dinner remains the centerpiece of the day. Typically that means roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pie, and our Thanksgiving dinner menu planner covers sides, desserts and quantities. Meanwhile, Friendsgiving, a potluck version of the meal shared with friends, gives people a second, more casual celebration. After the meal, families often turn to board games, trivia or a holiday movie.
Thanksgiving Week Travel: What to Expect
Expect heavy roads and full airports, because Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. AAA, the national motor club, has not released its Thanksgiving week 2026 travel forecast yet; it usually publishes that report in mid-November.
For context, the AAA 2025 forecast projected a record 81.8 million Americans traveling at least 50 miles from home. Of those, about 73 million were expected to drive and roughly 6 million to fly. Last year, AAA and INRIX flagged Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons as the worst times to drive, while Thanksgiving Day itself had minimal traffic.
Pro tip. If you are driving, leave before late morning on Tuesday or Wednesday, or simply drive on Thanksgiving morning. Then, for the trip home, Sunday afternoon tends to be the most crowded, so a Saturday or early Monday return can save hours.
Your Thanksgiving 2026 Planning Checklist
The easiest way to host Thanksgiving 2026 is to work backward from November 26 in four stages. Since today is about six weeks out, you can start the first stage right away.
Six weeks out (mid-October)
Lock in the big decisions first, because flights, guests and the bird all get harder to sort later.
- Guest list: confirm who is coming and any dietary needs.
- Travel: book flights, trains or rental cars for the holiday week.
- Turkey: decide on fresh or frozen and reserve a fresh bird with your butcher.
- Budget: set a spending cap for food, drinks and decor.
Two weeks out (around November 12)
Next, finalize the plan on paper so the last week is about cooking, not deciding.
- Menu: settle the dishes and assign potluck items to guests.
- Shopping: buy pantry staples, drinks and anything shelf-stable.
- Table: count chairs, plates and serving dishes, and plan decorations.
- Frozen turkey: buy it now and make room in the fridge for thawing.
Week of (November 19 to 25)
This is thawing and prep week, so timing matters most here.
- Thaw: start fridge-thawing a frozen turkey early; the USDA allows about 24 hours per 4 to 5 pounds.
- Fresh food: buy produce, dairy and bread two or three days ahead.
- Make ahead: bake pies and prep cranberry sauce and casseroles on Tuesday or Wednesday.
- Set the table: lay out linens and serving dishes the night before.
Day of (Thursday, November 26)
Finally, follow a simple timeline built around when the turkey goes in.
- Morning: get the turkey in the oven while the parade is on.
- Doneness: check the thickest part with a food thermometer; the USDA safe minimum is 165°F.
- Rest and sides: rest the bird while you reheat sides and make gravy.
- Leftovers: refrigerate within two hours of serving.
Watch out. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) warns against thawing a turkey on the counter or in hot water. Instead, use the refrigerator, cold water or the microwave, and cook the bird within one or two days of thawing.
When Is Canadian Thanksgiving 2026?
Canadian Thanksgiving 2026 was on Monday, October 12, 2026, so it has already passed. The Canada Revenue Agency lists that date, because Canada observes Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October rather than in November.
Your Thanksgiving 2026 Guide
Every part of Thanksgiving 2026 has its own detailed planner on Bee Bulletin. Use the list below to jump straight to the one you need.
- How long to cook a turkey: roasting times by weight, stuffed and unstuffed.
- How long to thaw a turkey: fridge and cold-water tables plus start-thawing dates.
- Thanksgiving dinner menu: sample menus, quantities and a cooking timeline.
- Thanksgiving decorations: table, centerpiece and porch ideas on any budget.
- Friendsgiving ideas: themes, potluck sign-ups and games.
- Thanksgiving games and activities: family games, trivia and kids crafts.
- Best Thanksgiving movies: what to watch and where to stream it.
- Thanksgiving messages, wishes and quotes: words for cards, texts and toasts.
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: the 100th parade’s time, route and TV channel.
- Thanksgiving football schedule: every game, kickoff time and channel.
- Stores open on Thanksgiving: grocery, pharmacy and big-box hours.
- Black Friday 2026: sale dates, early deals and how to shop smart.
Our verdict
Mark Thursday, November 26 on your calendar now, because Thanksgiving 2026 arrives about six weeks from today. Book travel this month, buy or reserve the turkey by early November, and plan to start thawing a frozen bird several days ahead. Beyond that, this year has a few extras worth planning around: the 100th Macy’s parade, a five-game NFL holiday week and Black Friday deals right after. Finally, if you only do one thing today, settle the guest list, since everything else flows from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26, 2026. US Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November, and the Office of Personnel Management lists November 26 as the federal holiday. Black Friday follows on November 27, and Cyber Monday lands on November 30, so most people get a four-day weekend from Thursday through Sunday.
Is Thanksgiving always on a Thursday?
Yes. US Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday because federal law sets it as the fourth Thursday in November. The calendar date changes each year, from as early as November 22 to as late as November 28, but the weekday never does. Canada is different, since Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October.
Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday?
Congress fixed Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in 1941. Earlier, presidents proclaimed the last Thursday of November, but in 1939 Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it a week earlier to lengthen the shopping season. States split over the change, so Congress passed a joint resolution naming the fourth Thursday, and Roosevelt signed it on December 26, 1941.
Is the day after Thanksgiving a federal holiday?
No. The day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27, 2026, is not a federal holiday, and federal offices are scheduled to be open. However, some states, including California, make it a state holiday for their own employees, and many schools and private employers also close. Check with your employer or school district for your exact schedule.
Is Black Friday a holiday?
Black Friday is not an official holiday. It is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season and falls on November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving. Stores stay open, often with early hours and big sales, but federal offices also operate normally. Some workers still get the day off through state or employer holiday schedules.
When is Canadian Thanksgiving 2026?
Canadian Thanksgiving 2026 was on Monday, October 12, 2026, so it has already passed this year. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, about six weeks before the US holiday. American Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26, so the two celebrations never fall in the same month.
