Differences between Thanksgiving in America and Thanksgiving in Canada
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Thanksgiving in America vs. Thanksgiving in Canada[edit]
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in both the United States and Canada, but the two countries celebrate it on different days and have distinct historical origins and traditions.[1] While both holidays center on gratitude, family gatherings, and a large meal, there are several key differences in how they are observed.[2]
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Thursday in November[3] | Second Monday in October | ||
| Traditionally linked to the 1621 harvest feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people in Plymouth.[4] It was proclaimed a national holiday in 1863.[4] | The first Thanksgiving was in 1578, when explorer Martin Frobisher gave thanks for his safe arrival in what is now Nunavut.[5] The first national Thanksgiving was held in 1872 to celebrate the recovery of the Prince of Wales from illness. | ||
| Primarily a harvest festival, it also marks the beginning of the "Holiday Season," which includes Christmas and New Year's.[3] | The holiday is officially for "General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed." It is also seen as a celebration of the start of autumn.[5] | ||
| Turkey is the most common centerpiece, often served with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.[3] | Turkey is also popular, but other options like ham or roast beef are common. Regional dishes include Jiggs dinner in Newfoundland and tourtière in Quebec. | ||
| A federal holiday, with most businesses and schools closed. [3]| It is a statutory holiday in most of the country, but an optional holiday in the Atlantic provinces of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. | ||
| Large-scale parades are a major tradition, with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City being the most famous. [2][4]| Parades are generally smaller and more local. The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the most well-known. | ||
| The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, a major shopping day that kicks off the Christmas shopping season. [3]| There is no major shopping event immediately following Thanksgiving. While[5] Black Friday has gained popularity in Canada, it is not tied to the Thanksgiving holiday and is held on the same day as in the U.S. |
Holiday Timing and Observance[edit]
One of the most notable differences is the date of the holiday. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, while Americans celebrate it on the fourth Thursday of November. The[2] Canadian date was officially set in 1957 to separate it from Remembrance Day on November 11th and to align with the earlier end of the harvest season in a colder climate. [5][2] The American Thanksgiving holiday is a four-day weekend for many, while the Canadian holiday is a three-day weekend. The overall atmosphere of the Canadian holiday is often described as more low-key than its American counterpart. [5]
Culinary Traditions[edit]
While the Thanksgiving menus in both countries share many similarities, there are some distinct differences. In the United States, a roasted turkey is the traditional centerpiece of the meal. In[3] Canada, while turkey is common, other main courses such as ham and roast beef are also frequently served. Side dishes also vary, with Americans often favoring sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, while Canadians may incorporate rice-based stuffing and different spices in their pumpkin pie, such as ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Commercialization and Parades[edit]
In the United States, Thanksgiving is a major commercial event, marked by large parades and the beginning of the Christmas shopping season with Black Friday. The[3][4] Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an iconic American tradition, broadcast nationally. In[2] contrast, Canadian Thanksgiving is less commercialized, and while there are parades, they are typically smaller, local events. The post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy of Black Friday is not a part of the Canadian holiday, although the event has been adopted by Canadian retailers in recent years, coinciding with the American date.[5]
References[edit]
- ↑ "britannica.com". Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "britannica.com". Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "westernfinancialgroup.ca". Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved October 31, 2025.
