Last updated: March 2026
How Many Days Until Thanksgiving?
The countdown above shows the exact time remaining until the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving requires serious planning — travel bookings, menu preparation, and coordinating with family — so knowing the exact date well in advance is essential.
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods in the United States, with over 55 million people traveling 50+ miles to be with family. It is also the biggest food holiday of the year, with the average American consuming about 4,500 calories at the Thanksgiving meal alone.
About Thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving is traditionally attributed to a 1621 harvest feast shared by the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people. The three-day celebration included wildfowl, venison, corn, and shellfish — quite different from the turkey-centric meals we know today. Turkey did not become the centerpiece until the 19th century.
President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, during the Civil War, as a day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father." His decision was largely influenced by Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book, who had campaigned for a national Thanksgiving for 17 years. Congress fixed the date as the fourth Thursday of November in 1941.
Today, Thanksgiving traditions include the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (watched by over 25 million viewers), NFL football games, the presidential turkey pardon (an annual tradition since 1989), and of course, the feast itself. About 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving, and cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie round out the classic menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days until Thanksgiving?
The live countdown at the top of this page shows the exact time remaining until Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November. The countdown updates every second and calculates next year's date automatically.
When is Thanksgiving this year?
In the United States, Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November. The exact date changes each year. Our tool calculates it automatically. Canadian Thanksgiving is different — it falls on the second Monday of October.
What is the history of Thanksgiving?
The first Thanksgiving is commonly attributed to a 1621 harvest feast shared by Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people. President Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday in 1863 during the Civil War, largely due to campaigning by writer Sarah Josepha Hale. Congress fixed the date as the fourth Thursday of November in 1941.