Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, family gatherings, and feasting. However, it is not just an American tradition. Around the world, the idea of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and life’s blessings has been embraced for centuries.  

Let’s embark on a journey around the world to discover how Thanksgiving-like holidays reflect unique customs, flavors, and histories, offering a captivating look at how different cultures express their thanks, each with its own distinct twist. Let us consider the best countries to visit during Thanksgiving.  

Canada  

Interestingly, Canada’s Thanksgiving actually predates the U.S. version by over four decades. In 1578, English explorer Martin Frobisher hosted a feast in what is now Nunavut to express gratitude for the safety of his fleet. While indigenous peoples had long observed harvest festivals, it was immigrants to Canada during the Revolutionary War who brought turkey and several other traditions from the American Thanksgiving we recognize today.  

Officially recognized in 1879 and moved to the second Monday in October in 1957, Kenra’s Thanksgiving resembles its American equivalent, with family gatherings, turkey, and pumpkin pie, all featuring a Canadian twist. Considered butter tarts and the Canadian football league Thanksgiving Day classic. However, like America, it serves as a moment for appreciation, reflection, and enjoying delicious meals with loved ones.  

Germany  

In Germany, the Erntedankfest, meaning “thanks to the harvest,” is a vibrant communal celebration held in late September or early October, depending on the region. Unlike American Thanksgiving, this event occurs primarily indoors or in churches. It features lively rural gatherings with parades, music, and tables filled with hearty stews, fresh bread, and local beverages  

Although turkey does not take center stage, chicken and geese are the main attractions. Accompanied by an abundance of seasonal produce and traditional dishes to savor, this festival serves as a time for people to unite in gratitude for the harvest. With colorful decorations such as cornucopias enhancing the festive atmosphere, the Erntedankfest is predominantly celebrated in rural locales. While it is predominantly celebrated in rural locales, numerous Germans engage in Erntedankfest through televised broadcasts, allowing them to connect with their agricultural heritage from a distance.  

Netherlands  

Did you know that the Dutch link to Thanksgiving dates back to the time of the Pilgrims in Leiden? Roughly 40% of the passengers on the Mayflower resided in this Dutch city for over a decade before their journey to the New World, where they developed a strong sense of community and cultural identity. Some historians suggest that the Pilgrims’ inaugural Thanksgiving was influenced by Leiden’s yearly commemoration of breaking the Spanish siege in 1574, a time when locals would gather for feasts filled with gratitude. This blending of experiences not only shaped their traditions but also instilled a lasting appreciation for harvest celebrations.  

Although Thanksgiving is not an official holiday in the Netherlands, numerous restaurants provide special meals, and the residents of Leiden continue to celebrate their distinctive connection to this American tradition. Furthermore, the city of Leiden pays tribute to its historical associations by hosting non-denominational church services at the Peterskerk on the fourth Thursday of November. Therefore, if you want to plan international Thanksgiving trips, then the Netherlands is a country that celebrates Thanksgiving around the same time as the US. Therefore, if you are thinking of Europe travel during Thanksgiving, the Netherlands is your best bet because the holidays coincide with the days off in the U.S.   

United Kingdom  

In the United Kingdom, the Harvest Festival, commonly known as the Harvest Moon, is the nation’s equivalent of Thanksgiving. It is observed on the Sunday nearest to the Harvest Moon, typically in late September to early October. The tradition has roots that extend back centuries, originating in Pagan ceremonies in which communities would come together to commemorate the successful harvest. Historically, the festival was timed to coincide with the completion of the harvest, and the entire community, including children, participated until the final load of crops was brought in.  

In contemporary times, the celebration often features church services, autumnal feasts, and food donations, thereby preserving the essence of gratitude for the season’s abundance. It was believed that this tradition had played a role in shaping the original origins of Thanksgiving in both the United States and Canada, as it was introduced by British immigrants.  

Japan  

In Japan, Thanksgiving is celebrated as Kinro Kansha no Hi, or Labor Thanksgiving Day, which occurs every year on November 23rd. Although the timing is close to American Thanksgiving, the Japanese roads extend back more than 2,000 years to Niname-sai, an ancient festival that honored the first rice harvest of the season.  

Following World War II, this holiday transformed into a tribute to Labor, emphasizing the importance of recognizing workers’ rights and their contributions in contemporary times. This day is observed with thank-you notes and crafts made by schoolchildren for community workers. While there is no elaborate feast, individuals take the opportunity to enjoy a day off to contemplate hard work, express gratitude, and foster community spirit.  

South Korea  

Chuseok, commonly known as Korean Thanksgiving, is a significant three-day holiday centered on family meals and the veneration of ancestors. It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls between mid-September and early October, and has its origins in ancient harvest festivals. During this time, families come together to make songpyeon with either sweet or savory fillings and pine needles, a cherished tradition that fills homes with the delightful aroma of autumn.  

Traditionally, Koreans travel to their ancestral hometowns to hold shariye, a memorial ceremony during which they present newly harvested food, such as rice and fruit, as offerings to honor their ancestors. The practice of gift-giving has become a contemporary custom. With Koreans exchanging fresh fruit, beef, and even Spam gift sets in the days leading up to this significant holiday, one can expect congested roads and crowded stores as families prepare for the unique blend of tradition and celebration that Chuseok represents.  

Liberia  

The West African Republic observes Thanksgiving on the first Thursday of November, blending American traditions with local customs deeply rooted in the nation’s distinctive history.  

Established by freed American slaves in the 1820s, Liberia adopted Thanksgiving in the 1880s as a way to express gratitude for the year’s blessings.  

Although the holiday coincides with American Thanksgiving, the celebration is uniquely Liberian, featuring services followed by auctions of food baskets filled with papayas and mangoes. Rather than turkey, Liberian Thanksgiving tables showcase spicy roast chicken, mashed cassava, and traditional dishes such as jollof rice. It is a vibrant event characterized by food, music, dancing, and a profound sense of community.  

Mexico  

Although Thanksgiving is not a customary holiday in Mexico as it is in the United States and Canada, you can make Mexico your Thanksgiving gateway. Numerous Mexican families and communities have embraced certain features of Thanksgiving to celebrate and express gratitude. A significant number of Mexicans observe Thanksgiving by integrating aspects of Mexican cuisine into their festive meal.  

Though the food, timing, and customs may differ, the spirit of Thanksgiving transcends borders, with countries around the world discovering their own ways to celebrate gratitude. Whether it is to honor workers or the year’s crops, the traditions remind us that wherever we are, we should take the time to harvest and appreciate the harvest, family, and blessings. All year is a practice unifying for everyone. Therefore, regardless of how or where you celebrate, it is a beautiful reminder of the universal joy of giving thanks.