Live countdown to Thanksgiving (US) 2025
Thanksgiving stands as America's most traveled holiday, bringing families together for gratitude and tradition on the fourth Thursday of November. This federal holiday anchors a four-day weekend that launches the holiday shopping season and requires extensive coordination across travel, hospitality, and retail industries. Proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and later standardized by Franklin Roosevelt, Thanksgiving demands precise planning for its massive logistical challenges. Our countdown timer assists with flight bookings, hotel reservations, meal preparation timelines, and business scheduling around this peak travel period. From coordinating multi-generational family gatherings to managing seasonal staffing needs, accurate Thanksgiving timing enables successful navigation of America's most complex holiday logistics while preserving the celebration's meaningful traditions. The holiday's roots trace to 1621 when Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag people shared a harvest feast, though the modern celebration emphasizes gratitude, family unity, and abundance.
Service availability on Thursday, November 27, 2025
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only. Always check locally with specific services for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it from the last Thursday to the fourth Thursday in 1939 to extend the Christmas shopping season.
Yes, Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, with most government offices, banks, and many businesses closed.
Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally marking the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.
Airlines recommend booking 4-6 weeks ahead for domestic flights, as Thanksgiving is the busiest travel period of the year.
Most grocery stores close early on Thanksgiving or remain closed entirely, so plan shopping accordingly.
Most schools give students Thursday and Friday off, creating a four-day weekend, though some extend the break longer.
Other holidays in United States