Thanksgiving 2026
A Thursday of balloons on Sixth Avenue and turkey at home.
Countdown to Thanksgiving 2026
Dates
When is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, 26 November 2026. In 2027 it falls on Thursday, 25 November 2027.
Thanksgiving is fixed by law on the fourth Thursday of November, which is 26 November in 2026.
Date checked against en.wikipedia.org
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 November 2026Thu | 1 day | Confirmed |
| 2027 | 25 November 2027Thu | 1 day | Confirmed |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Food & Harvest
- Tradition
- Secular & Civic
- Where
- New York, New York
- Crowd
- Celebrated nationwide; the parade draws large street crowds and a national TV audience
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
Thanksgiving is celebrated in homes across the United States, and Canada keeps its own version in October. New York is our host because the Macy's parade has become the morning everyone watches before the meal.
American Thanksgiving is usually traced to a harvest gathering in 1621 between English settlers at Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. Days of thanksgiving were declared irregularly for the next two centuries, until Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national holiday in 1863, in the middle of the Civil War.
In New York the day begins with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which has run since 1924. Giant character balloons are inflated the night before near the American Museum of Natural History and guided by handlers down to Herald Square. By afternoon the city is quiet, and the country sits down to roast turkey and too many side dishes.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Thanksgiving
Traditions
What actually happens
- The parade — balloons, floats and marching bands from the Upper West Side to Herald Square.
- Balloon inflation — the evening before, when crowds watch the giants take shape.
- The family meal — turkey, stuffing and pie, often with guests from far away.
- American football — professional games on TV through the afternoon.
Food
The table, widened
- Roast turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce.
- Mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes and pumpkin or pecan pie.
Music
Sound of the crowd
High-school and college marching bands from across the country audition for a place in the parade, and Broadway casts perform short numbers outside Macy's for the television broadcast.
Religion
Why this date
Thanksgiving is a civic holiday rather than a religious one, although many families say grace and some churches hold services. For many Native Americans the day is a time of mourning and reflection, observed as the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth since 1970.
History
How it survived
Lincoln's proclamation fixed the last Thursday of November. In 1941 Congress set it permanently on the fourth Thursday. The Macy's parade introduced its first large balloons in 1927 and has been broadcast on national television for decades.
History
How it got here
Lincoln's proclamation fixed the last Thursday of November. In 1941 Congress set it permanently on the fourth Thursday. The Macy's parade introduced its first large balloons in 1927 and has been broadcast on national television for decades.
1621
Plymouth harvest
English settlers and the Wampanoag share a three-day harvest gathering.
1863
National holiday
Lincoln proclaims a national day of thanksgiving.
1924
First parade
Macy's employees march from Harlem to Herald Square.
1941
Fourth Thursday
Congress fixes the holiday on the fourth Thursday of November.
Travel & practical
Visiting New York for Thanksgiving
Getting there
JFK, LaGuardia and Newark all connect to Manhattan; the subway is the easiest way to the parade route.
Watching the parade
Arrive early along Central Park West or Sixth Avenue. The area around Herald Square is reserved for broadcast.
Practical notes
It is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Book flights early and reserve restaurants for the evening meal.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Thanksgiving: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Thanksgiving.
When is Thanksgiving in 2026 and 2027?
US Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November: 26 November 2026 and 25 November 2027. The Macy's parade takes place that morning.
When is Canadian Thanksgiving?
Canada celebrates on the second Monday of October.
Is the parade free to watch?
Yes, from the street along the public route.
Is the day after a holiday?
Not officially, but many people take the Friday off, and it is widely known as Black Friday.
Also in November 2026
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