When is Thanksgiving in Canada? Holiday Dates, Meaning, & Events

This year, Canadian Thanksgiving falls on Monday, October 14th, 2024.

Thanksgiving in Canada is a statutory holiday in most provinces, observed annually on the second Monday of October. 

Thanksgiving in Canada is centered around gratefulness, gathering with family, and of course eating! It’s common for Canadians to plan gatherings throughout the long weekend, often on Sunday, for shared meals with family and friends. 

Other events that may take place on or around this holiday include town fairs, sports games like the Canadian Football League’s Thanksgiving Day Classic, family and community events such as “fun runs”, or religious events/attending church.

Thanksgiving in Canada vs. US

Although the name and general meaning of Thanksgiving is similar in Canada and the United States, the history, dates, and its origins differ. 

The official observed date for Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday in October, while US Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday in November. This year, US Thanksgiving takes place Thursday, November 28th, 2024 while Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on October 14th.

The first recognized Thanksgiving in Canada took place in 1578. The first US Thanksgiving was 43 years later in 1621, marked by the harvest in Plymouth and a 3-day shared feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.

The History of Canadian Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving can be easily connected with both European and Indigenous celebrations of harvest. For thousands of years, Indigenous tribes & communities have celebrated successful harvest and the survival of winter with prayer, dance, and feasting. Similar traditions can be observed across Europe, where celebrations typically take place in September or October whenever local produce is actually harvested.

These roots are where the themes of gratefulness, abundance, and giving thanks come from. It’s also why decorations like cornucopias, corn, and other crops are often used in Thanksgiving celebrations.

However, the modern celebration of Thanksgiving in Canada goes beyond a typical harvest festival. It wasn’t until 1578, when English explorer Martin Frobisher and his crew safely arrived in Frobisher Bay (now known as Nunavut), that the first “Thanksgiving” was celebrated in Canada. This is now commonly recognized as the first Canadian Thanksgiving. 

From then on, more feasts of thanks took place when new explorers would arrive on the continent, and later to celebrate the end of wars like the Seven Years’ War and the War of 1812 (weren’t these American wars?). In 1879, Thanksgiving was officially declared a national holiday. In 1957, the date of the holiday was fixed as the second Monday in October, which is when it’s currently celebrated.

How do Canadians Celebrate Thanksgiving Now?

Thanksgiving celebrations in Canada typically focus on meals with family and friends, outdoor activities, and some local fairs or parades. There is an emphasis on food, enjoying the fall weather, and being with family and friends during this holiday. 

Some examples of Canadian Thanksgiving Events include fun runs (often named “Turkey Trot”), events at pumpkin patches or apple orchards, and other fall-themed activities.

Canadian Thanksgiving is a key component of Canada’s culture, and a great time to explore new events or places. If you’re an expat planning a move to Canada or looking to understand more about Canadian holidays, feel free to reach out to the experts at New Roots Relocation to learn more.