Thanksgiving Countdown
The next Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 26, 2026 — 40 days from now. The countdown below ticks down to it live, second by second.
Time's up!
Quick facts
- Observed
- Fourth Thursday of November, every year
- US federal holiday
- Yes
- Known for
- Family feast, travel, parades, football
About Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. It is a day for giving thanks for the harvest and the blessings of the past year, traditionally spent with family over a large meal.
The holiday traces its roots to a 1621 harvest feast shared by Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag people, though it became an annual national holiday much later. The centerpiece of the modern celebration is the Thanksgiving dinner — roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in the US, as millions journey to be with family. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has been a fixture since 1924, and American football games are a television tradition. The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, the start of the holiday shopping season.
Because it follows the fourth-Thursday rule, the date moves each year. The table below lists upcoming dates, and the countdown above ticks down to the next one.
Upcoming dates
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 26 | Thursday |
| 2027 | November 25 | Thursday |
| 2028 | November 23 | Thursday |
Thanksgiving questions
When is Thanksgiving?
US Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November every year. Upcoming dates are listed in the table on this page.
How many days until Thanksgiving?
The live countdown above shows the exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining until the next Thanksgiving.
Is Thanksgiving a federal holiday?
Yes. It is a federal holiday, and the following day (Black Friday) is widely taken off as well, making a four-day weekend for many.
Why is Thanksgiving on a Thursday?
The fourth-Thursday-of-November rule was set by federal law, standardizing a date that presidents had previously proclaimed each year.
What foods are traditional at Thanksgiving?
Roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie are the classic dishes.