Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26, 2026. It is a U.S. federal holiday that affects federal offices, banks, USPS, markets and many business schedules. Black Friday follows on November 27, 2026.
Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26, 2026. U.S. law places Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday in November, so the date changes each year while the weekday stays Thursday.
Thanksgiving Day falls on the fourth Thursday of November. The holiday anchors one of the busiest U.S. travel periods and leads directly into Black Friday and the start of the major year-end shopping weekend.
The practical holiday stretch continues after Thanksgiving. Friday is Black Friday, followed by the weekend and Cyber Monday. The Friday after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday nationwide even though many employers, schools and state offices may close.
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday with strong government, banking, postal and market closures. Private retail, grocery, restaurant and transportation schedules vary substantially.
| Service | Thanksgiving 2026 Status | Practical Note | Best Related Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal offices | Closed | Thanksgiving Day is a U.S. legal public holiday. | Federal Holidays |
| Federal Reserve / Fed services | Holiday schedule | Federal Reserve Financial Services lists Thanksgiving on its official holiday schedule; payment processing timing can shift around the holiday. | Federal Reserve Holidays |
| Banks | Many closed | Many bank branches follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule; ATM and online access may remain available. | Bank Holidays |
| USPS | Holiday | USPS lists Thanksgiving Day on its official 2026 holiday calendar; regular postal retail and delivery services pause for the holiday. | USPS Holidays |
| Post Offices | Closed | Retail counters are normally closed on Thanksgiving Day; some self-service options may remain available. | Post Office Holidays |
| Regular mail delivery | Paused | Regular USPS mail delivery does not normally run on Thanksgiving Day. | USPS Delivery Hours |
| Stock market | Closed | NYSE and Nasdaq are closed on Thanksgiving; markets close early Friday, November 27 at 1:00 p.m. ET. | Stock Exchange Hours |
| Schools | Usually closed | Most schools are closed for Thanksgiving break, but district calendars vary. | November Holidays |
| Major retail stores | Many closed / varies | Many national retailers close on Thanksgiving, while some businesses operate limited holiday hours. | Stores Open on Thanksgiving |
| Grocery stores | Varies / limited | Some grocers open limited hours for last-minute shopping; others close. | Grocery Store Hours |
| Restaurants | Varies | Some restaurants offer Thanksgiving meals or reservations; others close. | Restaurant Hours |
| Black Friday | Next day | Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026. Store schedules often change and promotions may begin earlier. | Black Friday Store Hours |
Reviewed September 5, 2026. Federal holiday and Federal Reserve dates are verified against official schedules. USPS, exchange, store, restaurant and local-service hours should be rechecked close to the holiday when year-specific operating notices are published.
These guides cover the highest-intent Thanksgiving questions about shopping, food, postal service, banking and the transition into Black Friday.
Many major retailers close, while select grocery, pharmacy and convenience locations may operate limited hours.
Last-minute food, bakery and grocery availability varies sharply by chain and location on Thanksgiving Day.
Some restaurants offer Thanksgiving meals or reservations; others close or use special holiday hours.
Thanksgiving is a postal holiday. Check the applicable USPS schedule for retail closures, delivery and resumption details.
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, 2026. Store opening times and promotions can begin earlier than Friday.
Plan the day after Thanksgiving with dedicated opening-hour guidance for retailers and shopping categories.
Veterans Day is November 11. Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, followed by Black Friday on November 27, 2026.
For many people, Thanksgiving creates a four-day stretch from Thursday through Sunday when Friday is also taken off. Friday itself is not a nationwide federal holiday.
Thanksgiving Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the fourth Thursday in November. Modern observance centers on giving thanks, family and community gatherings, shared meals, travel, football, parades, volunteering and charitable activity.
The national calendar did not always use one fixed November rule. Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving in 1863, and later presidents continued issuing annual proclamations. In 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the observance earlier in an effort to lengthen the Christmas shopping season, creating disagreement among states.
Congress resolved the calendar dispute in 1941. A joint resolution signed by Roosevelt established the fourth Thursday in November as the federal Thanksgiving Day holiday, which remains the rule reflected in federal law today.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving 2025 | November 27, 2025 | Thursday |
| Thanksgiving 2026 | November 26, 2026 | Thursday |
| Thanksgiving 2027 | November 25, 2027 | Thursday |
| Thanksgiving 2028 | November 23, 2028 | Thursday |
| Thanksgiving 2029 | November 22, 2029 | Thursday |
| Thanksgiving 2030 | November 28, 2030 | Thursday |
Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday, but the date can range from November 22 through November 28.
Use these pages for the recurring holiday, adjacent years and exact federal/calendar planning.
Thanksgiving sits at the start of the busiest U.S. holiday shopping weekend, so local opening hours matter as much as the federal schedule.
Thanksgiving dates, federal status and operational guidance on this page are based on official government, Federal Reserve, postal and exchange sources where year-specific schedules are available.
Federal holiday status is nationwide, but private-business schedules are not. Grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, transit systems, delivery companies and local services can set their own Thanksgiving hours.
Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
U.S. law places Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday in November, so the calendar date changes from year to year.
Yes. Thanksgiving Day is a U.S. legal public holiday, and in 2026 it falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Many bank branches are closed on Thanksgiving because the Federal Reserve observes the holiday. Online banking can remain available, but ACH and settlement timing may be affected.
Thanksgiving is a USPS holiday. Post Office retail services and regular mail delivery do not normally operate on Thanksgiving Day; use the USPS holiday schedule for the applicable year and local exceptions.
Post Office retail locations are normally closed on Thanksgiving Day. Self-service kiosks and online USPS tools may still be available in some locations.
No. NYSE and Nasdaq list Thanksgiving as a market holiday for this year.
Many major retailers close on Thanksgiving Day, while some grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores operate limited holiday hours. Policies vary by chain and location.
Some grocery stores open for limited morning or daytime hours, while others close for the holiday. Check the official local store page before making a trip.
Some restaurants open for Thanksgiving meals, reservations or limited service, while others close. Hours vary by chain, franchise and location.
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving.
Cyber Monday 2026 is Monday, November 30, 2026.
Thanksgiving 2026 begins the holiday stretch on Thursday, November 26, 2026, followed by Black Friday on November 27, 2026 and the weekend through Sunday, November 29, 2026. Friday is not a federal holiday nationwide.