It’s almost that time of year where families gather around a food-filled table and share what they’re thankful for. That’s right − Thanksgiving is just over two weeks away.
Here’s when Thanksgiving 2025 is, how you can watch this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and when Black Friday is, if you’re looking for deals on gifts for the next big holiday.
When is Thanksgiving 2025?
Thanksgiving is always the last Thursday of November. This year, the holiday falls on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
When did Thanksgiving become a national holiday?
Thanksgiving dinner turkey or chicken baked with fresh cranberries, rosemary, spices. With cranberry sauce on a wooden lunch table
While President George Washington proclaimed Americans observe “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” on Thursday, Nov. 26, 1798, Thanksgiving didn’t become a national holiday until 74 years later, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed every fourth Thursday of November would be “national Thanksgiving Day” in 1863, according to the Smithsonian Institution.
“The first Thanksgiving,” as many Americans call it, can be traced back to 1621 in Massachusetts. Although many Americans were taught a romanticized version of the first Thanksgiving, historical records don’t confirm the version that says the Massachusetts Pilgrims invited Native Americans from the Wampanoag tribe to peacefully break bread together.
It’s more likely that the Wampanoag tribe might have invited themselves to “crash” a three-day harvest festival in 1621, having been victim to death, disease, enslavement and forced relocation by the European settlers, according to the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Today, Thanksgiving is a holiday for families to gather over large meals and exchange what they’re grateful for. It’s also a guaranteed day off from work for many Americans.
What time does the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27. The 2.5-mile route through midtown Manhattan ends at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store and will feature 34 balloons, 28 floats, 11 marching bands and 26 performers from rock band Foreigner to KPOP DEMON HUNTERS’ HUNTER/X this year.
You can watch the entire parade on NBC or stream it on Peacock beginning at 8:30 a.m. EST.
Black Friday 2025 arrives early: See stores slashing prices now
When is Black Friday 2025?
While the days of waiting in long lines hours before stores open their doors are pretty much in the past, people are still on the lookout for deep discounts and some retailers have even started their sales early.
But the official day this year is Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.
What are the remaining holidays for 2025?
-
Thursday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day
-
Wednesday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve
-
Thursday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day
-
Wednesday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve
Contributing: Palm Beach Post reporter Lianna Norman
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: When is Thanksgiving 2025? What to know about the national holiday
