Days Until Thanksgiving
A live countdown to US Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday of November: days, hours, minutes and seconds left, plus sleeps and working days. See every date on the holiday countdowns page, or build your own with the countdown to date tool.
About the Thanksgiving countdown
US Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November, so the date falls between 22 and 28 November. This page counts down to the start of that day in your local time zone, and the table lists the exact dates for the next five years.
Thanksgiving in the United States is held on the fourth Thursday of November, so the calendar date moves between 22 and 28 November from year to year. Congress fixed that rule in 1941; before then the date had varied by presidential proclamation. Canada celebrates its own Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, so this page counts down to the US date. Because the meal itself takes days of planning, from defrosting the turkey to travel, the real number of days remaining is more useful than the date alone.
Thanksgiving dates for the next 5 years
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 November | Thursday |
| 2027 | 25 November | Thursday |
| 2028 | 23 November | Thursday |
| 2029 | 22 November | Thursday |
| 2030 | 28 November | Thursday |
What people use this countdown for
- Planning travel and time off around the long weekend.
- Working out when to start defrosting a turkey and when it needs to go in the oven.
- Scheduling the shopping list, the guest list and the cooking order against the days left.
- Counting down to Black Friday, which always follows the next day.
How the countdown works
- The timer reads your device's clock and counts down to the start of the day (midnight, local time).
- Days, hours, minutes and seconds update every second; sleeps, weeks and working days are worked out from the calendar.
- When the day arrives the page switches to a message for Thanksgiving and shows the countdown to the next one.
Tips
- The USDA guidance for defrosting a turkey in the refrigerator is roughly 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds (about 2 kg), so a 16-pound bird needs around 3 to 4 days.
- Work backwards from serving time, and allow the bird to rest before carving, so the whole meal lands together.
Frequently asked questions
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday 26 November 2026. US Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November.
What is the rule for the Thanksgiving date?
US Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November, which is always between 22 and 28 November. The table on this page lists the exact date for each of the next five years.
Is Canadian Thanksgiving on the same day?
No. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, so it falls about six weeks earlier than the US holiday.
When should I start defrosting a turkey?
Following USDA guidance, allow about 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds (around 2 kg). A 16-pound turkey therefore needs roughly 3 to 4 days, so count back from Thanksgiving morning.
What is the day after Thanksgiving called?
It is Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. It always falls the day after Thanksgiving, and Cyber Monday follows three days later.