🦃 Thanksgiving Day (Canada) Countdown
When is Thanksgiving Day (Canada)?
In Canada, Thanksgiving Day always falls on the second Monday in October — notably different from the U.S., which celebrates it on the fourth Thursday in November. The countdown above always points to the next occurrence and rolls over automatically once it has passed.
The history of Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
Canadian Thanksgiving traces back to a 1578 thanksgiving ceremony held by English explorer Martin Frobisher in present-day Nunavut, predating the more famous 1621 Plymouth feast associated with the American holiday. The Canadian Parliament fixed the date to the second Monday in October in 1957.
The earlier date, roughly six weeks ahead of the American holiday, reflects Canada's generally earlier harvest season given its more northern climate. It's celebrated similarly to its American counterpart, with a family meal often centered on turkey.
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Frequently asked questions
Canadian Thanksgiving always falls on the second Monday in October.
Yes — it's a statutory holiday across Canada (observance details can vary slightly by province and territory), so most banks, schools and businesses close.
Canada's earlier harvest season, due to its more northern climate, is generally cited as the reason Thanksgiving falls about six weeks earlier than the American holiday.
It traces back to an earlier recorded thanksgiving feast in 1578 by explorer Martin Frobisher, predating the 1621 Plymouth feast associated with the American holiday.