Why is Canadian Thanksgiving celebrated in October?

Why is Canadian Thanksgiving celebrated in October?

"Understanding the October Celebration: Why Canadian Thanksgiving Falls Before America's" 

In Canada, Thanksgiving is primarily a celebration of the fall harvest, marking a time to give thanks before the onset of winter.

The true regional variations in Canadian Thanksgiving often revolve around the sweet treats enjoyed at the end of the meal.

While Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, Canadians observe the holiday on the second Monday of October, which this year is October 14. To explore the reasons for this difference, we spoke with Andrew McIntosh, senior subject editor at the Canadian Encyclopedia.

According to McIntosh, the earlier date in Canada is largely due to its climate. “Winter arrives much sooner in Canada, which means the fall harvest occurs earlier as well,” he explains. Historically, Canadian Thanksgiving has focused on celebrating the fall harvest and giving thanks for the bounty before the colder months. The date was officially set as the second Monday in October in 1957, when outdoor activities were still feasible.

However, the roots of Canadian Thanksgiving extend back further. The first official celebration took place in 1879, but the date varied for many years. “Parliament determined the exact date annually, often aligning it with a theme celebrating the monarchy,” McIntosh notes. Interestingly, the holiday has occasionally coincided with American Thanksgiving, and in some years, it was even celebrated as late as December.

### Modern Celebrations

Today, many Canadians opt to celebrate on the Sunday before the official holiday to allow for extra travel time during the long weekend. The Thanksgiving menu in Canada shares many similarities with its American counterpart.

“Canadians have largely adopted the traditional Thanksgiving dinner from America,” McIntosh says. A typical meal features turkey, gravy, potatoes, squash, rolls, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, but regional variations are abundant across this diverse country.

In Newfoundland, for example, many prefer Jigg’s dinner—a salt meat stew—over turkey, while scalloped potatoes often replace mashed ones, and cranberry sauce is favored over gravy. In Western Canada, some families choose ham and Brussels sprouts. Additionally, Indigenous foods like bannock (fry bread) and cultural staples such as perogies and cabbage rolls frequently appear on Thanksgiving tables.

### Sweet Traditions and Regional Favorites

Regional differences are particularly evident in dessert choices. While pumpkin pie is a favorite in most of Canada, other regions have their specialties. McIntosh notes that apple pie and apple crisp are popular in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, while Ontarians enjoy butter tarts. Out west, Nanaimo bars (a no-bake dessert) are a Thanksgiving favorite.

Interestingly, many French-speaking Quebecers do not celebrate Thanksgiving. “Originally a Protestant holiday meant to give thanks for the British monarchy, it often alienated Catholic French Canadians,” McIntosh explains. While Anglo-Quebeckers and immigrant communities may observe the holiday, for many, it’s simply a day off school.

### Indigenous Perspectives

While some Indigenous groups in the United States view Thanksgiving as a National Day of Mourning, many Indigenous peoples in Canada see it differently. “Canada’s Indigenous communities generally experience Thanksgiving similarly to English Canadians, as a chance to enjoy good food and family time,” McIntosh notes. Despite historical tensions surrounding the holiday, many Indigenous communities celebrate traditional foods that predate European settlement, including turkey, squash, corn, and cranberries.

### Seasonal Festivities

Canada lacks an event comparable to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but harvest festivals and seasonal events abound. On Prince Edward Island, the Fall Flavours event highlights local food and drink, while Alberta’s Smoky Lake hosts the Great White North Pumpkin Fair, featuring pumpkins that can weigh over 2,100 pounds.

Unlike in the United States, Canadian Thanksgiving is not associated with retail sales. “We don’t have anything like Black Friday,” McIntosh points out, noting that stores are typically closed on the holiday. It’s also not a peak travel time in Canada, which is more associated with Christmas.

Instead, Canadians use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to relax, watch sports, and prepare for the approaching winter. “It is Canada, after all. Winter is coming.”