Canadian vs American Thanksgiving; What's the difference?

Once October comes around, Canadians find themselves eating turkey and expressing their gratitude during Thanksgiving weekend, but Americans don’t join the festivities until November. Despite the dates being different, the holiday at its core is the same in both countries - yet, they still have some differences. In this article, I’ll unpack some of the key differences, similarities, and the history that explains them. 

History and Dates 

In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October - this year, it was on the 13th.  The celebratory traditions began in 1578 when explorer Martin Frobisher held a feast in Newfoundland during which he expressed gratitude for a successful voyage and safe passage.  In the U.S., however, the holiday is held on the fourth Thursday of November, commemorating the 1621 feast shared amongst the Pilgrims (English Protestants) and the Wampanoag people (Indigenous Peoples of Massachusetts) in Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

Differences between them today 

Other than the dates, the key difference between the neighboring countries’ holidays is how big of a deal they are. In Canada, the celebrations tend to be more family oriented and low-key, with some small parades here and there and maybe a hockey game on TV. On the other hand, the U.S. tends to go all out for this holiday; massive football games and huge parades are held -such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City - and the next day is Black Friday, known for big sales and a lot of shopping. Overall, Canadian Thanksgiving feels cozier and less commercial, while the American version is flashier and more public. 

Meals 

The countries have more similarities than differences when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner.  For the most part, families enjoy turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Canadians may add more spices to their pies and enjoy bread crumb stuffing over cornbread, while Americans often indulge in sweet potato casseroles topped with marshmallows (which I’d never even heard of before writing this!).

Conclusion 

At the core, both countries celebrate thanksgiving to express gratitude, reunite with loved ones, and share a delicious meal - the main differences lie in when and how they’re done. For us Canadians, we’ve already feasted in October, but the Americans wait until late November.  Either way, it serves as a great reminder that no matter the date or the details, giving thanks and reuniting with family is always something worth celebrating.