Much like Thanksgiving in the US, Canada has an official day to share gratitude with loved ones. The event is classed as a statutory holiday in most of Canada and is usually celebrated with family, often with a traditional turkey meal. For Canadians, this event is the perfect time to reflect on what you are grateful for. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s Canadian Thanksgiving?

👉 Official Name: Canadian Thanksgiving
💚 Cause: For Canadians to give thanks for what they are grateful for
📅 Next Date: October 13, 2025
🌐 Official Website: https://www.statutoryholidays.com/thanksgiving.php
🐦 Hashtag: #CanadianThanksgiving

Keep on reading to find out all the important information about Canadian Thanksgiving at a glance, including its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.

The Most Important Information About Canadian Thanksgiving at a Glance

1️⃣ The big picture: Canadian Thanksgiving is an official holiday in Canada, celebrated annually on the second Monday of October. The event can be traced all the way back to 1578! Similarly to Thanksgiving festivities in America, gathering the family together, sharing what people are grateful for, and eating turkey and pumpkin pie are traditions that many people in Canada partake in.

2️⃣ Why it is important: We all live busy lives, and sometimes it is only around official holidays that we get to spend time with our extended family. Canadian Thanksgiving gives lots of people some time off work to relax and enjoy their family’s company. Practicing gratitude has also been linked to better mental health, with a reduction of depression and anxiety, and even an improvement in heart health.

3️⃣ How you can celebrate: Whether Canadian or not, you can get involved in traditional Thanksgiving activities to celebrate this event, from spending some time with loved ones and cooking up a feast to reflecting on what you’re grateful for:

1. Quality time: Family and loved ones are the most important part of Canadian Thanksgiving, so spend some time with your nearest and dearest over the holiday.
2. Thanksgiving feast: Food is an integral part of Thanksgiving. Whether sticking with the classics or whipping up something you’ve never made before, try and make your meal as sustainable as possible, by sourcing locally, incorporating plant-based dishes, and reducing waste.
3. Reflecting: Make a list of the things you have been grateful for recently. If you’ve had an abundant year, perhaps think about those who might be struggling over the holiday period. Maybe you could make a donation or volunteer at a charity or food bank to support your community.

A Brief History of Canadian Thanksgiving

When was this event established: Though European settlers have been reported to celebrate Thanksgiving in Northern America since 1578, it is important to remember that Indigenous peoples across the area have celebrated the fall harvest since before colonization. The first national Thanksgiving holiday in the Province of Canada was celebrated in 1859.

How has it developed since then: Thanksgiving wasn’t celebrated as an annual event in Canada until 1879, and even then, the date was changed each year. It took until 1957 for the date to be officially set as the second Monday of October. Canadian Thanksgiving is rich with traditions, but also acts as a reminder for some about the nation’s history of colonization.

3 Interesting Facts About Canadian Thanksgiving

1. Canadian Thanksgiving in space: In 2014, astronaut Chris Hadfield and his crewmates celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving aboard the International Space Station, with a meal of turkey, quail, duck, corn, seafood, and cranberry sauce!
2. Differences between provinces: There are regional differences as to how Canadians celebrate their Thanksgivings. For example, in Quebec, the day is called Action de Grâce, and people are more likely to be found hiking than feasting on turkeys. In Newfoundland, the Thanksgiving dish of choice is known as Jigg’s Dinner, which consists of salt beef boiled with potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and turnips.
3. Statutory holiday: Across Canada, there are some provinces that do not recognize Thanksgiving as an official holiday. People in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia may celebrate like the rest of the country, but the day is not an official statutory holiday for them.

Upcoming Dates of Canadian Thanksgiving

Canadian Thanksgiving is observed every year on the second Monday of October.

Never Miss an Important Awareness Event Again

Sources

• Wikipedia: Thanksgiving (Canada)
• Statutory Holidays in Canada: Thanksgiving Holiday in Canada
• The Journal of Positive Psychology: Gratitude and health: An updated review
• International Journal of Depression and Anxiety: The Association between Gratitude and Depression: A Meta-Analysis
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Gratitude – A Mental Health Game Changer
• Journal of Happiness Studies: Promoting Gratitude as a Resource for Sustainable Mental Health: Results of a 3-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial up to 6 Months Follow-up
• Green Business Benchmark: 15 Sustainable Tips for a Green Thanksgiving Celebration
• The Canadian Encyclopedia: Thanksgiving in Canada
• Space: Astronauts celebrate Thanksgiving in space! Here’s what they’ll eat and what they’re thankful for (video)
• Quebec City: What to do in Quebec City During Thanksgiving
• All Recipes: Newfoundland Jigg’s Dinner