Thanksgiving: much more than turkey

For anyone who has just arrived in the United States, Thanksgiving may look like just a holiday with a big family meal. But the date involves history, customs, travel across the country, and an idea that is right in its name: giving thanks. Learning about this tradition helps you understand American culture better, without having to give up your own traditions to take part.

When is it celebrated?

Thanksgiving Day falls on the fourth Thursday of November. In 2026, it will be celebrated on November 26. It is a federal holiday, and many businesses, schools, and services change their hours. Because schedules vary, check your school, work, or service calendar ahead of time.

Where does this tradition come from?

The best-known story goes back to a harvest celebration in 1621 in Plymouth, involving English colonists and members of the Wampanoag people. But that is not the whole story: different Indigenous peoples had their own traditions of giving thanks and harvest celebrations, and there were other thanksgiving ceremonies in the Americas. The popular narrative can also leave out conflicts and the historical consequences of colonization for Indigenous peoples.

Thanksgiving began to be observed as an annual national holiday during the Civil War, when President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation in 1863. In 1941, a federal law set the date as the fourth Thursday of November. Today’s holiday is the result of a long and complex history, beyond the traditional image seen in movies.

The main Thanksgiving dishes

The menu varies from family to family, but these are some of the dishes most associated with the traditional meal. Not every home serves all of them, and it is common for each guest to bring a side dish or a dessert.

• Roast turkey — peru assado. The most iconic dish. It can be served whole or sliced, usually with gravy.
• Stuffing / dressing — recheio temperado. A mix of cubed bread, herbs, onion, and other ingredients. Some families bake it inside the turkey; others make it separately.
• Mashed potatoes — purê de batatas. A creamy side, often served with gravy, a sauce made from the roast’s juices.
• Cranberry sauce — molho de cranberry. A sweet-and-tart sauce made from a red fruit native to North America.
• Green bean casserole — caçarola de vagem. A baked dish of green beans in a creamy sauce, often topped with crispy onions.
• Sweet potatoes — batata-doce. Served roasted or as a casserole; some recipes add marshmallows or a sweet topping.
• Pumpkin pie — torta de abóbora. One of the classic desserts, with a creamy, spiced filling.
• Pecan pie / apple pie — torta de noz-pecã ou maçã. Other common desserts on Thanksgiving tables.

How can you take part as an immigrant?

You do not need to know every tradition or cook a feast to be part of it. If you are invited, ask whether you can bring a dish or dessert, and mention any dietary restrictions. If you do not have family nearby, plan a meal with friends, coworkers, or other families in the community. You can also create a tradition of your own, mixing Brazilian dishes with American recipes.

Another option is to join community efforts. Food banks, community kitchens, and local organizations may need volunteers to sort donations, prepare meals, or help with distribution. Spots usually require signing up and can fill quickly, so contact the organization ahead of time.

Practical tips for the holiday

• Check hours: many businesses close or run reduced hours on the holiday.
• Plan your travel: roads and airports can be busy in the days around Thanksgiving.
• If you are bringing food, agree on it with the host first and mention key ingredients.
• You do not need to spend a lot: a shared meal or a simple get-together is also part of the day.
• Respect different perspectives: for some Indigenous communities, the history of Thanksgiving is also a time of mourning and reflection.

Useful Thanksgiving vocabulary

• Thanksgiving — Dia de Ação de Graças
• Thanksgiving dinner / meal — Refeição de Thanksgiving
• Turkey — Peru
• Gravy — Molho feito com os sucos do assado
• Stuffing / dressing — Recheio temperado de pão
• Side dish — Acompanhamento
• Mashed potatoes — Purê de batatas
• Cranberry sauce — Molho de cranberry
• Pumpkin pie — Torta de abóbora
• Host — Anfitrião/quem recebe os convidados
• Potluck — Refeição em que cada pessoa leva um prato
• Leftovers — Sobras de comida
• To be grateful / thankful — Ser grato / sentir gratidão
• What can I bring? — O que posso levar?
• Thank you for having me. — Obrigado(a) por me receber.
• Happy Thanksgiving! — Feliz Dia de Ação de Graças!

The meaning goes beyond the table

For some people, Thanksgiving is about family; for others, faith, volunteering, memory, or historical reflection. For anyone building a life in the United States, learning about the date is a way to understand the country and find your own ways to take part. You do not need to set your culture aside: the best new tradition may be the one that makes room to share yours too.

Thanksgiving near you

Ideas for outings and events in the regions where Antares^TM is present in 2026. During Thanksgiving week, some cities organize community races, family activities, and events that kick off the holiday season. See the options below and confirm details directly with the organizers before you go.

• Florida — Fort Myers: Fort Myers Turkey Trot 5K & Tot Trot — Thursday, November 26. The race takes place around the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Check with the organizer for start time, registration, route, and any road closures.
• Florida — Sarasota: Florida Turkey Trot — Thursday, November 26, at Nathan Benderson Park. The 5K run/walk includes a kids’ activity. Check registration, prices, and times before you go.
• Florida — Orlando / Winter Park: Avalon Park Turkey Trot — a community 5K on November 26 at Avalon Park Town Park. For a cultural outing, also check the Thanksgiving and holiday programming at Winter Park’s cultural venues.
• Colorado — Denver / Longmont: Mile High United Way Turkey Trot — a community Thanksgiving walk/run in Washington Park, Denver, on November 26. Check registration, times, and family options.
• South Carolina — Charleston / Summerville: look for the Turkey Day Run & Gobble Wobble, a traditional community Thanksgiving race in the Charleston area. Confirm the 2026 edition, registration, and kids’ events on the organizer’s website.
• Indiana — Indianapolis / Fort Wayne: to get into the holiday spirit, check out the light displays. In Indianapolis, the Circle of Lights is planned for November 27; in Fort Wayne, check the schedule and operating days for Wild Lights at the zoo.
• Massachusetts — Framingham: in the MetroWest area, check the community calendar for Framingham and nearby towns for family events, volunteer activities, and season-opening programs. Not every attraction is open on the holiday itself.
• California — Citrus Heights / Sunnyvale: check the official Citrus Heights and Sunnyvale calendars for community events, park activities, and weekend programs. See whether you need to reserve or register.

Important: Thanksgiving Day will be Thursday, November 26, 2026. Some of the events listed happen on the holiday and others during the week or the following weekend. Confirm the date, cost, registration, accessibility, weather, and hours before you go.

Antares^TM News. Your guide to life, education and opportunities in the United States.