When Is Thanksgiving 2026? Date, Holidays and Key Dates

Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, Nov. 26, the fourth Thursday of November. That is one of the later possible dates, which shortens the stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas to just four weeks. Here is why the date moves, the full holiday-week calendar, and what is open and closed.

Why the date changes every year

Thanksgiving is not tied to a fixed date like July 4. Federal law sets it as the fourth Thursday of November, which can land anywhere from Nov. 22 to Nov. 28. The rule dates to 1941, when Congress ended a two-year experiment by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had moved the holiday a week earlier in 1939 and 1940 to lengthen the Christmas shopping season. Before that, Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation set it as the last Thursday of November.

Upcoming Thanksgiving dates

Year	Date
2026	Thursday, Nov. 26
2027	Thursday, Nov. 25
2028	Thursday, Nov. 23
2029	Thursday, Nov. 22

Canada’s Thanksgiving is a different holiday on the second Monday of October (Oct. 12 in 2026).

Thanksgiving week 2026 at a glance

Wed., Nov. 25: busiest pre-holiday travel day; first-ever NFL Thanksgiving Eve game (Packers at Rams, Netflix).
Thu., Nov. 26: Thanksgiving. Macy’s parade in the morning, three NFL games, markets and banks closed.
Fri., Nov. 27: Black Friday. Stock market closes early at 1 p.m. ET.
Sat., Nov. 28: Small Business Saturday.
Sun., Nov. 29: busiest return-travel day.
Mon., Nov. 30: Cyber Monday.
Tue., Dec. 1: Giving Tuesday.

What is closed on Thanksgiving Day

Federal, state and most local government offices; banks (it is a Federal Reserve holiday); the stock and bond markets; the Postal Service (no delivery); most big-box retailers including Walmart, Target, Costco and Best Buy, which stay closed on the day and reopen early on Black Friday. Many grocery stores open with reduced morning hours; pharmacies vary by chain and location. Always check the specific store before you drive.

Why a late Thanksgiving matters

With Nov. 26 as the holiday, there are only 28 days until Christmas, the shortest possible window. Retailers respond by starting “Black Friday” promotions in early November, and shipping deadlines arrive quickly: USPS’s last recommended ground ship date is Dec. 17. See our 2026 holiday shipping deadlines and Thanksgiving travel guide.