Thanksgiving will be observed in the United States on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The holiday is celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday of November and is considered one of the country’s major holidays. It was first proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789 and later became an annual national holiday after President Lincoln’s declaration in 1863.
The day is marked by gatherings of family and friends who share meals together. Many people also spend time outdoors, watch televised parades—most notably the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—and follow NFL football games, which attract large television audiences every year. The holiday also signals the beginning of the U.S. holiday season and leads to a significant increase in travel across the country.
Thanksgiving has its origins in a harvest feast held in 1621 between Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe. Today, sharing a meal continues to be central to how Americans celebrate.
The U.S. Embassy Finland announced it will be closed on Thursday, November 27, in observance of Thanksgiving.