How many days until Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26. As of October 19, 2026, there were 38 days to go.
Days until Thanksgiving 2026
Happy Thanksgiving!!
until Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, 2026, at midnight in your time zoneTime zone: your device’s time zone
38 days until Thanksgiving (as of October 19, 2026).
Thanksgiving 2026 in every unit
Weekends, weekdays and Mondays count the full days after today and before Thanksgiving. Hours count from right now to midnight at the start of the day.
| Unit | Left |
|---|---|
| Days | 38 |
| Weeks | 5 weeks, 3 days |
| Sleeps (nights) | 38 |
| Weekends | 5 |
| Weekdays (Mon–Fri) | 27 |
| Mondays | 5 |
| Hours | 912 |
| Share of the year already gone | … |
When is Thanksgiving?
US Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, so it falls between November 22 and 28. The day after is Black Friday.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, November 26, 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, November 25, 2027 |
| 2028 | Thursday, November 23, 2028 |
| 2029 | Thursday, November 22, 2029 |
| 2030 | Thursday, November 28, 2030 |
Canadian Thanksgiving is on the second Monday of October; the next one is Monday, October 11, 2027.
Turkey timeline for Thanksgiving 2026
Times below follow the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service guidance for a whole turkey. Check the label on your bird and use a food thermometer.
- Friday, November 20 (6 days before): start thawing a 20 to 24 pound frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds, so a smaller bird can start later.
- Thanksgiving morning: set the oven no lower than 325 °F. An unstuffed 14 to 18 pound turkey takes about 3¾ to 4¼ hours.
- Before serving: the turkey is safe when a food thermometer reads 165 °F in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost thigh and the innermost wing. Let it stand for 20 minutes before carving.
- After the meal: refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use them within 3 to 4 days.
Plan on about 1 pound of turkey per person.
When Thanksgiving starts in each US time zone
Thanksgiving starts at local midnight. These are the moments it begins in each US time zone.
| Place | UTC offset that day | Midnight in UTC | Your local time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (Eastern) | UTC−5 | Nov 26, 05:00 UTC | Nov 26, 05:00 UTC |
| Chicago (Central) | UTC−6 | Nov 26, 06:00 UTC | Nov 26, 06:00 UTC |
| Denver (Mountain) | UTC−7 | Nov 26, 07:00 UTC | Nov 26, 07:00 UTC |
| Phoenix (Arizona) | UTC−7 | Nov 26, 07:00 UTC | Nov 26, 07:00 UTC |
| Los Angeles (Pacific) | UTC−8 | Nov 26, 08:00 UTC | Nov 26, 08:00 UTC |
| Anchorage (Alaska) | UTC−9 | Nov 26, 09:00 UTC | Nov 26, 09:00 UTC |
| Honolulu (Hawaii) | UTC−10 | Nov 26, 10:00 UTC | Nov 26, 10:00 UTC |
Offsets are worked out for that exact date, including daylight saving time. The last column shows the same moment in your own time zone.
A short history
Thanksgiving is often traced to the 1621 harvest celebration of the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. A law signed in 1941 fixed the date as the fourth Thursday.
Sources
- USDA FSIS, “Let’s Talk Turkey: A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey”: www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/poultry/lets-talk-turkey-roasting
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Frequently asked questions
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
US Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26, 2026. It is always the fourth Thursday of November.
How many days until Thanksgiving 2026?
As of October 19, 2026, there were 38 days until Thanksgiving. The countdown above updates live.
Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday?
A 1941 law set US Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, so it can fall between November 22 and November 28.
When should I thaw a frozen turkey?
In the refrigerator, allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. A 20 to 24 pound turkey needs about 5 to 6 days, so start the weekend before.
How much turkey per person?
Allow about 1 pound of turkey per person, according to the USDA.
When is Canadian Thanksgiving?
Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October. The next one is Monday, October 11, 2027.
Is Black Friday a holiday?
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is not a federal holiday, but many employers and schools give the day off.
Which time zone does the countdown use?
Your own. It counts to midnight at the start of Thanksgiving Day where you are. The table above shows when that is in each US time zone.
Updated