Thanksgiving
Monday, October 13, 2025
About This Holiday
A day of giving thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year.
History
Canadian Thanksgiving dates back to 1578 when explorer Martin Frobisher held a ceremony to give thanks for surviving the journey to the New World. It became an official holiday in 1879, initially celebrated on November 6. In 1957, it was moved to the second Monday in October. Canadian Thanksgiving celebrates the end of harvest season and is not associated with Pilgrims like American Thanksgiving.
Traditions
Families gather for Thanksgiving dinner featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, and pumpkin pie. Many Canadians watch CFL (Canadian Football League) Thanksgiving Day Classic games. It's a time for gratitude, family gatherings, and celebrating the autumn harvest.
Fun Facts
- ✨Canadian Thanksgiving is over a month earlier than American Thanksgiving
- ✨The first Thanksgiving in North America was actually Canadian, not American (1578 vs 1621)
- ✨Turkey consumption in Canada peaks during Thanksgiving weekend
- ✨The CFL Thanksgiving Day Classic has been a tradition since 1958