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About Thanksgiving (Canada)

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About Thanksgiving (Canada)

Thanksgiving in Canada falls on the second Monday of October, earlier than in the United States, because the harvest comes earlier in the north.

It is a day to give thanks for the harvest and the blessings of the year. Families gather on the long weekend, often on the Sunday or the Monday, for roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.

The weekend comes in the bright colours of autumn, so many families also walk in the woods, visit farms and pumpkin patches, and share food with people in need.

  • Second Monday of October
  • Harvest festival
  • Fixed on this date since 1957

Where it began

Giving thanks for the harvest is a very old custom among farming peoples, including the First Nations of Canada. Many link Canadian Thanksgiving to the explorer Martin Frobisher, who held a service of thanks in 1578 after a hard voyage.

Settlers from France and later from Britain and the United States brought their own harvest customs, which mixed over time.

A family Thanksgiving dinner

How it grew over time

  1. 1578

    Martin Frobisher's crew gave thanks after reaching the north.

  2. 1879

    Parliament declared a national day of Thanksgiving.

  3. 1957

    Parliament fixed Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October.

  4. Today

    Families gather across the country on the long weekend.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Ontario

    Many towns hold fall fairs, and Kitchener-Waterloo hosts a large Oktoberfest.

  • Prairies

    Farm families give thanks for the grain harvest.

  • Atlantic Canada

    Seafood and local apples often join the holiday meal.

Thanksgiving (Canada) moments

Pumpkin pie, a favourite Thanksgiving dessert
Autumn squash and gourds from the harvest
A harvest scene from an old print
Stuffing for the Thanksgiving turkey

Thanksgiving (Canada) today

Families gather for dinner on the Sunday or Monday, with turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Many people go for walks to see the autumn leaves.

Food banks hold drives, and many families help neighbours in need.

How people celebrate Thanksgiving (Canada)

  • Turkey dinner with family
  • Pumpkin pie
  • Autumn walks among red maples
  • Pumpkin patches and farm visits
  • Sharing what you are thankful for
  • Food drives

How to wish well

  • "Happy Thanksgiving" in English, "Joyeuse Action de grâce" in French.
  • Gratitude is the heart of the day: say thank you in your message.
  • Many families celebrate on the Sunday, so wishes on the weekend are fine.

Questions about Thanksgiving (Canada)

When is Thanksgiving in Canada?

On the second Monday of October every year.

Why is Canadian Thanksgiving earlier than American Thanksgiving?

Canada's harvest season ends earlier because of its northern climate, and the date was set by Parliament in 1957 on the second Monday of October.

How do you say Happy Thanksgiving in French?

"Joyeuse Action de grâce".

Is Canadian Thanksgiving a holiday?

Yes, it is a statutory holiday in most provinces and territories, though not in all of the Atlantic provinces.

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