Thanksgiving History

Thanksgiving in Canada is a national holiday that expresses gratitude for a bountiful harvest, and blessings received throughout the year. This celebration serves as an opportunity for Canadians to come together with their families, friends, and loved ones to reflect on all the good fortune in their lives, and to share their thanks for the various aspects of their lives that they cherish.

Thanksgiving in Canada can be traced back to the voyages of Martin Frobisher in the 16th century. Frobisher and his crew held a small feast as a symbol of gratitude for their safe journey, marking the first recorded observance of Thanksgiving in Canadian history. Over time, Thanksgiving celebrations in the country have evolved, with lasting traditions like feasting on turkey and other seasonal delights remaining a vital aspect of the holiday for many Canadians.

The observance of Canadian Thanksgiving typically includes preparing and enjoying a festive meal featuring an assortment of seasonal dishes and ingredients. These meals often consist of foods commonly associated with autumn, such as turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. Additionally, spending time with loved ones and partaking in activities, such as watching football games or giving back to the community through charitable acts, are significant ways that the holiday is celebrated. Canadian Thanksgiving is typically observed on the second Monday of October each year, providing Canadians with an opportunity to pay homage to their good fortune and partake in this time-honored tradition.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Thanksgiving in Canada

• The 2026 observance takes place on Monday, October 12, aligning with the tradition of holding the holiday on the second Monday of each October to celebrate the bounty of the preceding year.
• While Canadian Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday for federal employees and in most provinces, it is an optional or non-statutory holiday in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
• The holiday is rooted in a much earlier tradition than its American counterpart; the first recorded Canadian Thanksgiving occurred in 1578 when explorer Martin Frobisher held a ceremony in present-day Nunavut to give thanks for his fleet's safe arrival.
• The timing of the holiday is distinct from the American celebration because Canada’s harvest season concludes earlier due to its more northerly geography, making October a more natural time for a harvest-focused festival.
• A central theme of the holiday involves communal gatherings centered around a traditional meal that typically includes roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
• Beyond the standard menu, regional variations often appear on tables across the country, such as Newfoundland’s Jiggs dinner or the addition of dishes like perogies and cabbage rolls in Western Canada.
• The modern date of the second Monday in October was officially fixed by a proclamation from the Governor General of Canada in 1957, intended to permanently separate the holiday from the November timeframe of Remembrance Day.
• Many Canadians utilize the three-day Thanksgiving weekend to enjoy outdoor autumn activities, such as hiking, visiting cottages, or admiring the fall foliage, before the onset of winter.
• Professional football is a long-standing tradition during the weekend, with the Canadian Football League (CFL) typically hosting a series of games known as the Thanksgiving Day Classic.
• In the French-speaking province of Quebec, the holiday is referred to as Action de grâce*, emphasizing its cultural significance as a time of reflection and gratitude across the diverse Canadian landscape.

In the News and Trending in Canada for Thanksgiving

Top things to do for Thanksgiving in Canada

• Watch the Canadian Football League Thanksgiving Day Classic football matches held in Montreal over the long weekend.
• Use the long weekend to start decorating your home for Halloween.
• Celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving by making Nanaimo Bars at home. This no-bake dessert is a Canadian specialty, layered with a crumb-based crust, custard flavoured butter icing and a layer of chocolate on top.
• Enjoy the last unofficial weekend of cottage season before the lakes and rivers begin to freeze.
• Prepare a Canadian maple syrup dish. Popular dishes are maple ham and sweet baked beans with maple syrup.
• Reflect on what you are thankful for this year. Prepare a small toast or speech for an evening dinner in order to thank your loved ones.