Days Until Thanksgiving

In the United States, Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, so the date changes each year. The countdown above always targets the next one. Canada celebrates its own Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, which this page does not cover.

Prep timeline

• 3 weeks out: confirm the guest list, decide the menu, and ask guests to bring dishes if you like.
• 1 to 2 weeks out: order the turkey or main dish, and buy non-perishable groceries.
• A few days out: if the turkey is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator. Food safety guidance commonly suggests allowing about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds.
• The day before: prepare sides that keep well, set the table, and plan the serving order.

The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday.

The timer counts down to midnight at the start of the day, using the time zone set on your device. Days are counted by calendar date, so the total stays right across daylight saving changes. On the day itself the page tells you it is here, and afterwards it counts down to next year.