🦃 How many days until Thanksgiving?

When is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, so it never has a fixed calendar date and instead moves a little each year. The earliest it can occur is November 22 and the latest is November 28.

It is a federal holiday, which means government offices, banks, and most schools and businesses close. Many workers also get the Friday after off, giving them a long four-day weekend.

The story behind the day

The holiday traces back to a 1621 harvest feast shared by the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people. For centuries it was celebrated on scattered days chosen by individual states or presidents.

In 1863, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. Congress fixed it to the fourth Thursday in 1941, settling the date we still use.

How Thanksgiving is celebrated

The centerpiece is a large family meal, almost always built around roast turkey with sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Households often travel long distances to gather, making it one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has rolled through New York City since 1924, and American football is a fixture of the afternoon. The following day, known as Black Friday, kicks off the holiday shopping season.

Other ways to count

Frequently asked questions

What day of the week is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is always a Thursday, because it falls on the fourth Thursday of November.

Is Thanksgiving a federal holiday?

Yes. It has been a fixed federal holiday since 1941, so federal offices, banks, and most businesses close.

What is Thanksgiving?

It is a national holiday for gathering with family to share a meal and give thanks, rooted in an early harvest feast between colonists and the Wampanoag in 1621.

Can Thanksgiving fall on different dates?

Yes. Since it is tied to the fourth Thursday of November rather than a set date, it ranges from November 22 to November 28 depending on the year.

Why do people get the Friday after Thanksgiving off?

The Friday is not itself a federal holiday, but many employers grant it to create a four-day weekend, and it has become widely known as Black Friday.

How do I put this countdown on my iPhone?

With NanoCount you can place this countdown as a widget on your Home or Lock Screen. Open the app, create the countdown, then press and hold your Home Screen to add the widget.