Spooky season has come to a close, which means it's time to swap those treats for turkey! But before you dive headfirst into all things Thanksgiving, there’s one crucial question to answer: What day is Thanksgiving this year? Knowing when the November holiday falls on the calendar will help you plan the perfect Thanksgiving menu and Turkey Day-ready outfit to parade around your living room. And if you're planning more than one feast so you can celebrate with both friends and family, the date of Thanksgiving will also help you settle on a time for your annual Friendsgiving!
It may sound silly, but if you don't know why the date changes every year, then it's a perfectly valid question! Thanksgiving can fall earlier or later in the month, so knowing how much time you have before the day of the big feast is super important. How else will you be able to squeeze in all your favorite family Thanksgiving traditions? (And hey, you might even want to get a head start on your Christmas shopping—no judgements here!)
When is Thanksgiving 2024?
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Knowing the date year after year might sound tricky, but it could be easier to remember it like this: Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November! Also, a good fact to note is that the absolute latest Thanksgiving can occur is on the 28th of November, while the earliest it could occur is on the 22nd.
Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November?
Every year, Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November. However, Thanksgiving used to be celebrated on the last Thursday of the month. In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln gave the Thanksgiving proclamation and asked for Americans to set aside the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving. After that, it became the norm to hold the holiday on that day.
However, in the 1930s, there were two years when Thanksgiving fell on the fifth Thursday of November, reports NPR. Business owners complained to President Franklin D. Roosevelt that this would hurt retailers because there was less time to shop for Christmas. To remedy this, Congress passed a law in 1941 that officially made Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday of every November. Whew!
Why is Thanksgiving always on a Thursday?
If you've ever wondered why Thanksgiving is on a Thursday instead of a Friday, you aren't alone. It seems obvious to grant everyone an automatic three-day weekend!
Surprisingly, this tradition dates back to Puritan times. In the colonies, Thanksgivings were held periodically to give thanks for a "blessing," according to Time. Melanie Kirkpatrick, author of Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience, says that oftentimes, these days of thanks fell on Thursdays. They avoided Fridays because it was a day of fasting in the Catholic Church, and Saturdays as they were spent preparing for the Sabbath on Sunday.
Another reason Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday is so you can enjoy the succeeding holiday dedicated to a different type of consumption: Black Friday! And if you're still not done Christmas shopping, you'll be happy to see all of the stellar Cyber Monday deals the Monday after Black Friday. It shouldn't be too confusing, but just so you know for this year, Black Friday is Friday, November 29, and Cyber Monday is on Monday, December 2.
While you're here, make sure you shop the early Black Friday deals over at Walmart, including tons of steals on Ree's very own The Pioneer Woman collection!
Think ahead for Thanksgiving 2025, 2026, and 2027
- In 2025, Thanksgiving is on November 27.
- In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on November 26.
- In 2027, Thanksgiving will take place on November 25.
Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
