Canadian Thanksgiving vs. American Thanksgiving: What Makes Them Different?
Every fall, families in Canada and the United States gather to share meals, gratitude, and togetherness. But did you know that the Canadian and American Thanksgiving holidays are celebrated at different times of year — and with different traditions? Whether you’re Canadian, American, or simply curious, here’s everything you need to know about what sets these two holidays apart.
When are they celebrated?
- Canadian Thanksgiving takes place on the second Monday in October.
- American Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.
The earlier Canadian date reflects its roots as a harvest festival, while the American holiday is tied to the 1621 feast shared by Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.
Food traditions: Same turkey, different flavors
Both holidays center around big family feasts, but there are some tasty differences:
- Canadians often serve roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie — similar to their southern neighbors — but also include regional dishes like butter tarts or Nanaimo bars.
- Americans enjoy turkey too, but with sides like sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and cornbread.
How they’re celebrated
- Canada: A long weekend often spent outdoors, giving thanks, and enjoying the fall harvest.
- United States: A bigger emphasis on parades (like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade) and the start of the holiday shopping season with Black Friday.
How Canadians and Americans abroad celebrate
From London to Sydney, expats recreate Thanksgiving meals with friends, share recipes online, and often send support back home to help loved ones cover seasonal costs.
Staying connected: Send money across borders, simply and securely
Whether you’re helping family with groceries, sending a festive gift, or covering travel costs, Paysend makes it easy to send money directly to bank accounts, cards, or wallets in both Canada and the U.S. With low fees, fast delivery, and no need for the recipient to set up an account, it’s the easiest way to share gratitude across borders.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving — wherever you celebrate
No matter which Thanksgiving you observe, the heart of the holiday is gratitude and togetherness. If you’re sending love (and support) home this season, do it the simple, secure way — with Paysend.
Eng soʻnggi xabarlar
Bayram mavsumi saxiylik, aloqalar va qaytarish haqida – va bu yil Paysend butun Yevropa va Buyuk Britaniya bo‘ylab hamjamiyatimiz uchun 24 kun davomida ortib boruvchi sovg‘alar bilan quvonch ulashmoqda.
1-dekabrdan 24-dekabrgacha har bir muvaffaqiyatli tavsiya — do‘stingiz ro‘yxatdan o‘tganda — sizga kundalik o‘yinimizga bitta ishtirok imkonini beradi.
Har kuni bir baxtli mijoz naqd pul mukofotini yutadi, 100 $ dan boshlanib, har kuni oshib, Rojdestvo arafasida 1,000 $ ga yetadi.
At Paysend, we’re on a mission to bring simple money transfer to all, including people and communities who haven’t always had easy access to fast, fair money transfers. This December, we’re helping you save on your international transfers so more of your money reaches your loved ones. From 10–31 December 2025, Paysend is offering improved foreign exchange rates on all transfers above $1,000 USD.
Whether you’re supporting family abroad, paying bills or simply sending a treat, this is the perfect opportunity to make larger transfers using our online money transfer service, and get better value while we continue building the world’s largest digital payment network.
