Ah, Thanksgiving. The mere word conjures images of a laden table, a roasted turkey taking center stage, surrounded by family and friends. For many, this is an iconic American holiday. But just north of the border, in the land of maple syrup and "ehs," we celebrate our own version of Thanksgiving—and while it may look similar on the surface, its story, spirit, and timing are distinctly Canadian.
So, if you've ever wondered what sets a Canadian Thanksgiving apart, pull up a chair. We're diving into the heart of how and why we celebrate.
The First Major Difference: The "When"
Let's start with the most obvious distinction: the date.
American Thanksgiving: Falls on the fourth Thursday of November. This timing places it just before the official start of the holiday shopping frenzy, creating a long weekend that kicks off the festive season.
Canadian Thanksgiving: Is celebrated on the second Monday of October. This isn't an arbitrary choice; it's deeply rooted in the rhythm of our northern climate.
One other notable difference: American's are fixed on that one day, the Thursday, to celebrate, whereas Canadians celebrate on any day over the weekend from Friday to Monday. At our house this year, we ate our turkey on the Saturday, while my son's family celebrated at his in-laws on Sunday. In other words, Jordan Turkey double-dipped!
Why October? Simply put, our harvest comes earlier. With winter's chill arriving sooner than in most of the United States, Canadian farmers have traditionally gathered their crops by the end of September. Our Thanksgiving is a genuine harvest festival, a natural pause to give thanks for the bounty of the land before the cold sets in.
And personally, I like having two months between Thanksgiving and Christmas Turkey dinners.
The "Why": A Different Historical Origin
Both countries trace their Thanksgiving origins to festivals of gratitude, but the stories are different.
The American tradition is famously linked to the 1621 Pilgrim feast at Plymouth, a foundational story of the American experience.
The Canadian story is older and less centralized. It's a tapestry of earlier, quieter celebrations:
1578: Martin Frobisher, an English explorer, held a ceremony in what is now Nunavut to give thanks for his safe arrival in the New World. This is often cited as one of the first "Thanksgivings" in Canada.
The Habitant Tradition: French settlers, arriving in New France (now Quebec) in the early 1600s, held feasts to celebrate a successful harvest, sharing their food with their Indigenous neighbours, who had been holding harvest festivals for millennia.
Canadian Thanksgiving isn't tied to a single, dramatic founding myth. Instead, it evolved from a quieter, more practical tradition of gratitude for the harvest and safe passage—a reflection of a nation built on gradual evolution rather than revolution.
The "How": The Canadian Celebration Vibe
While the menu is comfortingly familiar—turkey (or ham), stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and seasonal vegetables like squash and Brussels sprouts—there are a few subtle Canadian twists.
The Main Event: Yes, we have turkey, but it might be served with a side of tourtière (a spiced meat pie from Quebec) or accompanied by a glaze made with maple syrup.
The Starches: Our stuffing might include wild rice, a nod to the grains native to the region. And for dessert? While pumpkin pie is universal, you're just as likely to find butter tarts or Nanaimo bars on the table.
The Atmosphere: Perhaps the biggest difference is the tone. Canadian Thanksgiving is often described as more low-key and relaxed. It’s less of a blockbuster travel holiday than its American counterpart. The focus is intensely on gathering with family and close friends for a hearty meal. With the date in October, it’s also a perfect "kitchen party" long weekend—a chance to enjoy the brilliant fall foliage, go for a crisp walk, and truly unwind.
Gratitude for the "Great White North"
At its core, Canadian Thanksgiving is a pause. It’s a long weekend that forces us to stop and look around at the stunning beauty of our autumn landscape and reflect on the blessings of the year. It’s a gratitude that feels deeply connected to the land itself—for the harvest, for the vast forests, and for the communities that thrive here.
It’s a holiday that embodies a quieter, more reflective Canadian value: taking a moment to be thankful for the peace, prosperity, and natural beauty we are so fortunate to enjoy.
So, this October, as the leaves turn to fire and the air grows crisp, know that across Canada, families are gathering not just for a meal, but for a moment of genuine, quiet gratitude. It may not have the parades or the fanfare, but its warmth and sincerity are every bit as meaningful.
Happy Thanksgiving, eh