Thanksgiving Day 2025 occurs on Thursday, November 27. Once again, the United States gets ready for a day of food, family, parades, and talking about the holiday’s tangled past.
Whether you’re planning a traditional turkey dinner, heading out to watch a parade, taking part in a local charity drive, or avoiding the crowds on Black Friday, this guide covers the history, customs, significant events, controversies, and fresh trends shaping Thanksgiving 2025. (Time and Date)
When is Thanksgiving 2025: the date and why it moves
Thanksgiving is observed each year on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States; in 2025, that date is November 27. The rule (fourth Thursday) has been law since 1941, when Congress fixed the federal holiday’s timing to create consistency for schools, businesses, and travel.
If you’re planning travel or hosting, it’s a good idea to lock in plans well in advance—this is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. (Time and Date)
The origin and history: short, accurate, and complicated
The Thanksgiving story commonly points to the 1621 harvest feast at Plymouth, where English colonists and members of the Wampanoag nation shared a harvest celebration.
That event became part of the story of how the holiday started. The history is more complicated than that, though. Thanksgiving celebrations in different parts of the country began before 1621, and the holiday changed over the years through proclamations, notably those by George Washington and, subsequently, Abraham Lincoln (who established a national Thanksgiving during the Civil War in 1863).
Modern historians also talk about the experiences of Indigenous people, forced removals, and memories that are still being fought over. It reminds us that the holiday is about both thankfulness and the sad parts of history. (HISTORY)
Typical Thanksgiving traditions (food, family, football, and parades)
For most Americans, Thanksgiving means:
- The meal: Roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans or casseroles, and desserts like pumpkin pie remain the core menu items. Leftovers—especially turkey sandwiches—are part of the ritual. (The Economic Times)
- Parades: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York is still the most significant event. It airs on NBC and streaming services nationwide and features giant balloons, floats, marching bands, and famous entertainers. The 2025 parade will feature floats based on popular TV shows, music, and country stars. There are also local parades in many places, such as Houston’s H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade. (AP News)
- Football: NFL games are a Thanksgiving mainstay, with traditional matchups and special primetime scheduling that keep families glued to the TV between courses.
- Giving & volunteering: Many families pair festivities with acts of service—soup-kitchen volunteering, turkey donations, and community drives—linking celebration with charity.
What’s new or trending for Thanksgiving 2025
Thanksgiving changes slowly, but recent years have seen some apparent shifts:
- Innovation in leftovers: Brands are leaning into the post-Thanksgiving market; for example, Heinz launched a squeezable “leftover gravy” product marketed around the cult favourite. Thanksgiving sandwich idea—showing how even small conveniences now have retail strategies timed to the holiday. (People.com)
- Streaming and TV tie-ins: Networks and platforms schedule family-friendly specials (like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving), and parades incorporate pop-culture tie-ins—this year’s Macy’s Parade includes promotions tied to hit shows, and K-pop acts to capture younger viewers.
- Local parade resurgences: Cities from Houston to smaller towns continue to invest in festive downtown parades, reflecting local pride and tourism efforts.
Travel, crowds, and shopping: practical advice for 2025
Thanksgiving weekend remains one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Airlines and highways are crowded Thursday through Sunday; Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) traditionally marks the start of the holiday shopping season and brings heavy foot traffic to malls and retail districts.
If you’re flying, expect the busiest airports on Wednesday and Sunday; consider travelling on Thanksgiving morning or Saturday for lighter crowds.
For shoppers, Cyber Monday remains an online alternative to the in-store Black Friday frenzy. (Time and Date)
The Indigenous perspective & the debate around Thanksgiving
In recent decades, there’s been a growing movement to acknowledge how Indigenous communities experience Thanksgiving.
For many Native Americans, the narrative of a friendly harvest meal is incomplete; the holiday is also a reminder of colonisation, displacement, and broken treaties.
Educational programs, Indigenous-led events, and alternative commemorations, such as “National Day of Mourning” or “Unthanksgiving,” underscore the need to honour Indigenous histories and lives as part of any modern observance.
When celebrating, it’s respectful to include education and remembrance alongside feasting. (Potawatomi.org)
Thanksgiving recipes & menu ideas for 2025: classic and fresh
If you’re planning the menu, consider mixing classic favourites and one or two modern twists:
- Classic: Herb-roasted turkey, sage stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, roasted root vegetables, green bean casserole, cranberry compote, and pumpkin or pecan pie. (The Economic Times)
- Trendy twists: Plant-based turkey alternatives, global side dishes (e.g., spiced rice or roasted squash with za’atar), or new takes on leftovers (Heinz’s leftover-gravy sandwich idea is an example of commercial creativity). (People.com)
- Food safety & timing: Remember to rest turkey safely before carving, chill large batches of leftovers quickly, and be mindful of allergens when serving diverse guests.
Parades & entertainment highlights for Thanksgiving 2025
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (New York): Televised and streamed with celebrity performances, popular floats, and balloon debuts; in 2025, the lineup includes cross-genre performers and show tie-ins. (AP News)
- Local parades (Houston H-E-B, others): Many cities have robust local parades with floats and community bands—quality family entertainment without the New York crowds. (Houston Chronicle)
- TV specials: Expect traditional animated and holiday specials to air through the weekend—these remain low-cost, high-warmth programming options for families.
Thanksgiving economy: spending, charity, and retail
Thanksgiving weekend is crucial for the retail economy: consumers flock to both in-store Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday online discounts. Restaurants and food retailers also see a spike in demand leading up to the day.
Charitable giving tends to rise around Thanksgiving as well, with food banks and community kitchens working to meet increased need—many organisations run targeted drives to supply holiday meals for vulnerable families. (Time and Date)
How to make Thanksgiving 2025 more meaningful
- Plan inclusivity: Invite neighbours or those who might otherwise be alone.
- Combine celebration with service: Volunteer at a shelter, donate meals, or collect coats and blankets.
- Learn and acknowledge: Take a moment to learn local Indigenous histories or to include Indigenous foods and hosts in your celebration. (Potawatomi.org)
- Sustainable choices: Reduce food waste by planning portions carefully and using reusable tableware where possible.
Quick FAQs helpful for your planning
Q: When is Thanksgiving Day 2025?
A: Thursday, November 27, 2025. (Time and Date)
Q: What major parade is on Thanksgiving?
A: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (New York) is the most famous; other cities like Houston host large parades, too.
Q: Is the history of Thanksgiving controversial?
A: Yes—while the Plymouth feast is part of the origin narrative, modern historians and Indigenous voices highlight a more complex and sometimes painful history.
Final note
Families and communities will still get together on Thanksgiving Day 2025 to share food, think, and reflect. It is also a chance to find a balance between celebration and awareness.
No matter if you’re watching the Macy’s balloons, carving the turkey, or volunteering at a local shelter, think about how you can make the day more open, thoughtful, and accurate to the values of gratitude you want to share. Happy Thanksgiving planning.