When Is Thanksgiving Day?

Family saying grace at Thanksgiving.

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Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States. While it is considered a national day of mourning for many Indigenous peoples around the country, the holiday can also have religious significance for celebrants of different backgrounds and creeds. Those who feel religious connections to Thanksgiving often set aside time to honor God for the blessings He has granted to them. Over time, Thanksgiving has developed into one of the chief days on which families gather to celebrate their family ties. Thanksgiving Day has also come to mark the start of the secular holiday season in the United States.

How Is the Date of Thanksgiving Day Determined?

By law, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. That means Thanksgiving Day falls on a different date each year. The earliest it can be is November 22; the latest is November 28. Many people mistakenly believe that Thanksgiving is celebrated on the final Thursday in November, but in years when Thanksgiving Day falls on November 22 or 23, there are five Thursdays in November.

When Is Thanksgiving Day This Year?

Here is the date of Thanksgiving Day this year:

  • Thanksgiving Day 2021: November 25, 2021

When Is Thanksgiving Day in Future Years?

Here are the dates of Thanksgiving Day next year and in future years:

  • Thanksgiving Day 2022: November 24, 2022
  • Thanksgiving Day 2023: November 23, 2023
  • Thanksgiving Day 2024: November 28, 2024
  • Thanksgiving Day 2025: November 27, 2025
  • Thanksgiving Day 2026: November 26, 2026
  • Thanksgiving Day 2027: November 25, 2027
  • Thanksgiving Day 2028: November 23, 2028
  • Thanksgiving Day 2029: November 22, 2029
  • Thanksgiving Day 2030: November 28, 2030

When Was Thanksgiving Day in Previous Years?

Here are the dates when Thanksgiving Day fell in previous years, going back to 2008:

  • Thanksgiving Day 2008: November 27, 2008
  • Thanksgiving Day 2009: November 26, 2009
  • Thanksgiving Day 2010: November 25, 2010
  • Thanksgiving Day 2011: November 24, 2011
  • Thanksgiving Day 2012: November 22, 2012
  • Thanksgiving Day 2013: November 28, 2013
  • Thanksgiving Day 2014: November 27, 2014
  • Thanksgiving Day 2015: November 26, 2015
  • Thanksgiving Day 2016: November 24, 2016
  • Thanksgiving Day 2017: November 23, 2017
  • Thanksgiving Day 2018: November 22, 2018
  • Thanksgiving Day 2019: November 28, 2019
  • Thanksgiving Day 2020: November 26, 2020
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Richert, Scott P. "When Is Thanksgiving Day?" Learn Religions, Apr. 5, 2023, learnreligions.com/when-is-thanksgiving-day-541623. Richert, Scott P. (2023, April 5). When Is Thanksgiving Day? Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-thanksgiving-day-541623 Richert, Scott P. "When Is Thanksgiving Day?" Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-thanksgiving-day-541623 (accessed March 19, 2024).