When is Thanksgiving? What to know in 2025

When Is Thanksgiving? What to Know in 2025

The November holiday is just around the corner, offering families and friends a reason to gather and celebrate. With Halloween behind us, many are already thinking ahead to winter festivities and Christmas decorations — yet Thanksgiving comes first, setting the stage for warmth, food, and tradition.

Holiday Timing and Traditions

Thanksgiving in 2025 falls on Thursday, November 27. The celebration always takes place on the fourth Thursday of November each year. For many, it turns into a four-day weekend filled with football, abundant meals, and the beloved Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Closures and Observances

Thanksgiving is both a state and federal holiday, meaning banks and government offices will be closed across Michigan and the United States. Mail delivery pauses for the day, and while most retail stores shut their doors, some grocery chains remain open for last-minute essentials. The following Friday, though not an official holiday, is often taken off, extending the festivities through the weekend.

Historical Background

“President Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving holiday in 1863,” according to the National Archives.

Historians explain that Lincoln’s proclamation aimed to bring unity to a nation torn by Civil War. However, the tradition dates back further —

“George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789.”

Author’s Summary

In 2025, Thanksgiving arrives on November 27, preserving a long-standing American tradition of gratitude, togetherness, and reflection rooted in history.

Sault Ste. Marie Evening News — 2025-11-03