Thanksgiving is arguably one of the most heartwarming holidays in the United States. It's a day deeply woven with tradition: the smell of a roasting turkey, the warmth of family, laughter echoing through the house, and a quiet moment of gratitude. Yet, every year, a common question pops up: When exactly is Thanksgiving next year?
We're breaking down everything you need to know: the precise 2025 date, the remarkable history that shaped it, how it became a national celebration, and the uniquely American traditions we love most.
What Is Thanksgiving?
At its core, Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States dedicated to gratitude. It is traditionally celebrated with an abundant feast, quality family time, and a moment for reflection on the blessings of the past year.
Why Americans Celebrate It
The holiday's roots stretch back to the early 1600s, specifically to the famous 1621 harvest celebration in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe shared a three-day feast. While the historical details are subject to ongoing debate, the fundamental idea remains unchanged: giving thanks for the harvest and survival. Today, for many, the day transcends historical context. It is about unity, abundance, and enjoying a rare break from the usual grind to be together.
🗓️ When Is Thanksgiving in 2025?
The exact date of Thanksgiving changes annually, but there is a clear rule:
Thanksgiving in 2025 falls on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
How the Date Is Determined
Unlike fixed holidays such as Christmas, U.S. Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. This rotating date means it can land anywhere between November 22 and November 28 each year, depending entirely on which day of the week November begins.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday
The day immediately following Thanksgiving is famously Black Friday, which marks the unofficial, frenzied start of the holiday shopping season. Millions of Americans spend this day hunting for deals and preparing for Christmas.
In 2025, Black Friday will be November 28, 2025.
📜 The History That Made It a National Day
The journey from a single harvest meal to a major national holiday took centuries.
The First Thanksgiving in 1621
The celebrated "First Thanksgiving" was a three-day harvest feast shared between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe. The menu was far from the modern classic it included venison, wild birds, corn, and native vegetables, but notably not turkey and mashed potatoes.
From Local Feast to National Holiday
For over two centuries, Thanksgiving was not an annual event. States celebrated it on different days, and some didn't celebrate it at all.
Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation: In 1863, amidst the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, setting it for the last Thursday of November.
Congress Makes It Official: In 1941, to clear up confusion and stabilize the date, the U.S. Congress permanently set Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, creating the rotating date we still observe today.
✨ Popular Thanksgiving Traditions
The holiday is defined by its deep-seated customs that bring Americans together.
The Classic Family Feast
Millions of Americans treat the day as a grand family reunion, making it one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. The centerpiece is, of course, the meal itself. While every family has its own spin, the classic menu almost always features:
Roast turkey (Americans cook an estimated 46 million of them!)
Stuffing or dressing
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Cranberry sauce
Green bean casserole and sweet potatoes
Pumpkin or apple pie
Note: On Thanksgiving, it’s a meal where the general consensus is that calories absolutely do not count!
Parades and Football
The holiday entertainment is as traditional as the food:
Thanksgiving Parades: Cities host parades, with the colossal Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City being the most famous. Millions tune in to watch the giant balloons, colorful floats, and celebrity performances.
NFL Football: Football is a required accompaniment to the feast. The NFL has been hosting games on Thanksgiving Day since 1934, offering a perfect activity while digesting the turkey and pie.
The Turkey "Pardoning" Ceremony
A quirky, yet official, White House tradition is the annual Turkey Pardoning. The U.S. President symbolically "pardons" a live turkey, saving it from becoming dinner and allowing it to retire to a farm.
🌎 Thanksgiving Around the World
While uniquely American, other countries have similar holidays focused on harvest and thanks:
Canada’s Thanksgiving is also celebrated with a feast, but it takes place earlier on the second Monday of October to align better with their harvest season.
Similar holidays include Germany’s Erntedankfest and Japan’s Labor Thanksgiving Day.
Planning Your 2025 Thanksgiving
With the date set for Thursday, November 27, 2025, now is the time to plan.
Travel Planning: If you plan on flying, remember that airports get extremely crowded as early as the Monday before Thanksgiving, so booking early is essential to save money and stress.
Budgeting: Thanksgiving doesn’t have to break the bank. Buying frozen turkey, cooking homemade sides, and organizing a potluck with friends and family are great ways to keep costs down.
Whether you are hosting a traditional gathering, traveling across the country, or starting your holiday shopping on Black Friday, the heart of Thanksgiving remains a celebration of appreciation for what you have and the people you share it with.
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