{"id":302989,"date":"2025-10-03T19:17:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T23:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepareforcanada.com\/?p=302989"},"modified":"2025-10-03T19:17:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T23:17:19","slug":"thanksgiving-in-canada-for-newcomers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepareforcanada.com\/blog\/living\/life-in-canada\/thanksgiving-in-canada-for-newcomers","title":{"rendered":"Your First Thanksgiving in Canada: Traditions, Meaning & How to Celebrate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Celebrating Your First Thanksgiving in Canada?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s one of Canada\u2019s most cherished fall traditions, a time to share food, give thanks, and enjoy the beauty of the season. Whether you\u2019ve just arrived or are still settling in, here\u2019s everything newcomers need to know about Thanksgiving in Canada: its meaning, history, and how you can celebrate it wherever you live.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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A family is sharing a delicious turkey dinner at Thanksgiving. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What is Thanksgiving in Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Thanksgiving is a holiday devoted to showing gratitude for the good things in life, from health and family to harvest and community. While it started as a harvest celebration, it has evolved into a non-religious, inclusive holiday<\/strong> that welcomes everyone, regardless of background or beliefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For newcomers, it\u2019s a great time to experience Canadian culture, meet neighbours, and even try traditional foods for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Brief History and Indigenous Roots of Thanksgiving in Canada<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The spirit of giving thanks goes back thousands of years to Indigenous traditions<\/strong>. First Nations communities celebrated harvests through feasts, dance, and ceremony to give thanks for the land\u2019s bounty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Later, in 1620, English settlers (known as \u201cpilgrims\u201d) arrived in North America and celebrated their first successful harvest with help from the Wampanoag people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn more about how Canada honours Indigenous Peoples on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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When is Thanksgiving in Canada?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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People celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada on the second Monday of October<\/strong> each year. In 2025, it falls on Monday, October 13<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Because it\u2019s a long weekend, many families gather for dinner on Saturday or Sunday<\/strong> before the holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 1957<\/strong>, Canada officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, a day \u201cfor general thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.\u201d Today, it\u2019s a secular celebration that honours gratitude, family, and community.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Is Thanksgiving a Statutory Holiday?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s a statutory holiday<\/strong> in most provinces and territories, meaning many workplaces and schools close for the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn more about statutory holidays in Canada<\/a> throughout the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In most provinces, you\u2019ll get a paid day off work, but in Atlantic provinces, it may be an optional holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PROVINCE\/TERRITORY<\/th>STATUTORY HOLIDAY<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Alberta<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
British Columbia<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Manitoba<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
New Brunswick<\/td>Optional <\/td><\/tr>
Newfoundland and Labrador<\/td>Optional <\/td><\/tr>
Northwest Territories<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Nova Scotia<\/td>Optional <\/td><\/tr>
Nunavut<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Ontario<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Prince Edward Island<\/td>Optional <\/td><\/tr>
Quebec<\/td>Optional (not a statutory holiday; employers may provide it as a day off under collective agreements)<\/td><\/tr>
Saskatchewan<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Yukon<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

What are the Common Thanksgiving Traditions in Canada?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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1. Thanksgiving Food Traditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The centrepiece of Thanksgiving is sharing a meal, often with a delicious turkey dinner, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you don\u2019t have family nearby, consider hosting a \u201cFriendsgiving\u201d<\/strong> where you invite friends, neighbours, or other newcomers to share a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visiting pumpkin patches is a favourite fall outing for Canadian families during Thanksgiving weekend. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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2. Enjoying fall activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to take in the fall scenery. You can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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