Photo: kitchenswagger.comFourth Thursday of November
Thanksgiving 2026 is November 26
Thursday, November 26, 2026. Black Friday is November 27.
Days around Thanksgiving
What dinner costs
What to buy when
Counting back from Thursday, November 26, 2026.
- Now to Nov 11Shelf items
Buy cans, boxes and baking items
Cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing mix, canned pumpkin, evaporated milk and pie crust keep for months, so buy them whenever they are on sale. The last two weeks are for the turkey and fresh food.
- Now to Nov 18Turkey
Buy the turkey when the price is right
A frozen turkey keeps for months, so you can buy it as soon as you see a price you like. Stores put their lowest turkey prices in the ads in the weeks before Thanksgiving, so look at each new weekly ad.
- Mon Nov 23Thaw
Move the turkey to the fridge
A 12 lb turkey needs about 3 days in the fridge.
- Tue Nov 24Fresh food
Buy potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, celery, onions, eggs, butter, milk and rolls
Fresh items taste best bought two days out. Check the ad that starts that week for sales.
- Wed Nov 25Prep
Bake the pie and prep the sides
Pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce hold in the fridge overnight. Peel potatoes and cut the celery and onion.
- Thu Nov 26Thanksgiving
Roast the turkey
Oven at 325 F. A 12 lb turkey takes 2.75 to 3 hours unstuffed. Rest it 20 to 30 minutes, then carve.
Open the cost planner. Dinner for 8 is about $64.91 at typical prices.
Thanksgiving dates, 2026 to 2030
| Year | Date | Days from Oct 28 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thu, Nov 26 | 29 |
| 2027 | Thu, Nov 25 | 393 |
| 2028 | Thu, Nov 23 | 757 |
| 2029 | Thu, Nov 22 | 1121 |
| 2030 | Thu, Nov 28 | 1492 |
The fourth Thursday of November, every year.
Common questions
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26, 2026. It is always the fourth Thursday of November.
What day is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving.
How many days until Thanksgiving?
On October 28, 2026 there are 29 days until Thanksgiving. The counter at the top of this page updates every day.
When should I buy the turkey?
Stores run their lowest turkey prices in the weeks before Thanksgiving, and a frozen turkey keeps for months. A 12 pound turkey needs 3 days to thaw in the fridge, so have it home by the weekend before.