When Is Thanksgiving 2026?

Thanksgiving 2026 at a glance

• US Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Thursday, November 26, 2026 (the 100th parade)
• Black Friday: Friday, November 27, 2026
• Small Business Saturday: Saturday, November 28, 2026
• Cyber Monday: Monday, November 30, 2026
• Giving Tuesday: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
• Canadian Thanksgiving: Monday, October 12, 2026

Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, so federal offices, banks, schools and the US Postal Service are closed. Most schools and many workplaces also close on Friday, giving people a four-day weekend from Thursday to Sunday, November 29.

Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November?

Thanksgiving's date is fixed by law. In 1941, Congress passed a joint resolution making the fourth Thursday of November the national Thanksgiving Day, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it on December 26, 1941. It has been that way since 1942.

Before that, the tradition came from Abraham Lincoln's 1863 proclamation, which named the last Thursday of November. Presidents followed that pattern for decades, until 1939, when Roosevelt moved the holiday a week earlier to lengthen the Christmas shopping season during the Depression. The change, nicknamed "Franksgiving," left states celebrating on different days, and Congress stepped in to settle on the fourth Thursday.

Why a Thursday in the first place? Historians point to older New England customs, when Thursday was a common day for religious lectures, and to the precedent set by early proclamations. Once Lincoln chose Thursday, it stuck. Because November can have four or five Thursdays, the fourth Thursday is not always the last one. In 2026, November has only four Thursdays, so the 26th is both.

Thanksgiving dates for future years

The date moves every year but always falls between November 22 and November 28. Here's what's coming up:

• 2026: Thursday, November 26
• 2027: Thursday, November 25
• 2028: Thursday, November 23
• 2029: Thursday, November 22
• 2030: Thursday, November 28

The earliest possible date is November 22 and the latest is November 28. When Thanksgiving lands early, as it will in 2028 and 2029, there are five weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which retailers love. When it lands late, as it does in 2030, the holiday shopping season is about a week shorter, which is exactly the situation that led Roosevelt to move the date in 1939.

A handy way to work out the date in any year: find the first Thursday of November, then add three weeks. In 2026, the first Thursday is November 5, so Thanksgiving is November 26.

Is Thanksgiving a federal holiday?

Yes. Thanksgiving Day is one of the eleven federal holidays in the United States. That means federal government offices are closed, there's no regular mail delivery, and banks and the stock market are closed. US stock markets typically close early, at 1 p.m. Eastern, on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Most private employers also give Thanksgiving Day off, and many add the Friday as a paid or floating holiday, but that's up to each company. Retail stores, restaurants, hospitals and emergency services often stay open. In recent years many big retailers have chosen to close on Thanksgiving Day itself and open early on Black Friday instead, so check store hours in advance if you need to pick up a forgotten ingredient.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026, in New York City. This year's parade is a big one: it's the 100th edition. The first parade was held in 1924, and it was cancelled from 1942 to 1944 during World War II, which is why the 100th falls in 2026 rather than 2023.

The parade traditionally starts at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time and runs until noon, and is broadcast nationally on NBC, with streaming on Peacock. Check official Macy's and NBC listings closer to the day for route details and broadcast times, as they can change from year to year.

Black Friday 2026 and the holiday shopping weekend

Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving, which in 2026 means Friday, November 27. Many retailers start sales earlier in the week or even earlier in November, but Friday is still the traditional kickoff of the holiday shopping season. Small Business Saturday follows on November 28, and Cyber Monday, focused on online deals, is November 30. Giving Tuesday, a global day of charitable giving, is December 1, 2026.

Canadian Thanksgiving 2026

Canada celebrates Thanksgiving much earlier, on the second Monday of October. In 2026, Canadian Thanksgiving is Monday, October 12. The earlier date is usually linked to Canada's earlier harvest season, and Parliament fixed it in 1957. Read more in our Canadian Thanksgiving guide.

Planning tips for Thanksgiving week 2026

• Travel: The Wednesday before Thanksgiving (November 25) and the Sunday after (November 29) are traditionally among the busiest travel days of the year. Book flights early, and if you're driving, leave early in the morning or travel on Thanksgiving Day itself.
• Turkey thawing: A frozen turkey needs about 24 hours in the fridge for every 4 to 5 pounds. For a 20-pound bird, start thawing by Saturday, November 21. See our turkey guide.
• Groceries: Shop for non-perishables two weeks ahead and fresh produce on Monday or Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. Many grocery stores close early or all day on Thanksgiving.
• Hosting: Follow our week-by-week hosting checklist to spread the work out.
• Wishes: Send messages on Thanksgiving morning or the day before. Our Happy Thanksgiving wishes page has 45 ready to copy.