Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved cultural traditions in North America, symbolising gratitude, harvest, family gatherings, and community spirit. While the United States is most closely associated with this holiday, Thanksgiving celebrations — in different forms, names, and customs — take place across several countries around the world. Each region adds its own flavour, history, and cultural significance to the day of giving thanks.

Here’s a detailed look at the Top 5 countries that celebrate Thanksgiving the most, along with their traditions, cultural roots, and how the holiday has evolved in each place.

1️⃣ United States – The Heart of Modern Thanksgiving

The United States hosts the largest and most widely recognized Thanksgiving celebration in the world. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year.

⭐ History

Thanksgiving in the U.S. traces its origins to 1621, when the Pilgrims at Plymouth shared a harvest feast with the Wampanoag tribe. It symbolized survival, cooperation, and gratitude after a challenging winter.

Over centuries, it transformed into a national holiday that emphasizes:

• family unity
• gratitude
• giving back
• remembering blessings
• seasonal harvest traditions

President Abraham Lincoln officially declared it a national holiday in 1863.

⭐ How Americans Celebrate

Thanksgiving in the U.S. is known for:

1. Traditional Feast

The classic American Thanksgiving meal includes:

• roast turkey
• mashed potatoes
• cranberry sauce
• pumpkin pie
• stuffing
• green bean casserole

2. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The iconic parade in New York City attracts millions of viewers globally.

3. NFL Football

Thanksgiving Day football is a long-standing American tradition.

4. Family Reunions

People travel across the country to reunite with family.

5. Black Friday Weekend

Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday shopping season.

⭐ Cultural Significance

For Americans, Thanksgiving is a deeply emotional holiday that represents:

• gratitude
• togetherness
• cultural heritage
• remembrance
• national unity

It remains the most travelled holiday in the United States.

2️⃣ Canada – A Harvest Celebration Rooted in Tradition

Canada celebrates Thanksgiving earlier than the United States — on the second Monday of October.

⭐ History

Canadian Thanksgiving has older origins than its U.S. counterpart. The first recorded celebration took place in 1578, when explorer Martin Frobisher held a ceremony in Newfoundland to give thanks for safe passage from England.

Later, the holiday became associated with:

• the end of harvest season
• blessings of the year
• family gatherings

⭐ How Canadians Celebrate

Canadian Thanksgiving is quieter and more relaxed compared to the U.S., but still features:

1. Thanksgiving Dinner

Typical dishes include:

• roast turkey or ham
• mashed potatoes
• gravy
• buttered corn
• cranberry sauce
• apple or pumpkin pie

2. Outdoor Activities

Many Canadians use the long weekend for hiking, family picnics, and enjoying autumn scenery.

3. Football & Sports

The Canadian Football League (CFL) hosts Thanksgiving Day matches.

4. Indigenous Traditions

The festival sometimes includes acknowledgment of Indigenous cultures and harvest rituals.

⭐ Cultural Significance

In Canada, Thanksgiving is less commercial and more focused on:

• expressing gratitude
• spending time with family
• celebrating seasonal abundance

It is a cherished national holiday with a warm, community-centred spirit.

3️⃣ Liberia – A Unique Thanksgiving Tradition in West Africa

Liberia, founded by freed African American slaves in the 19th century, celebrates Thanksgiving on the first Thursday of November.

⭐ History

The holiday was introduced by freed slaves who returned from the United States to establish the Republic of Liberia. They brought American customs and traditions, including Thanksgiving.

⭐ How Liberians Celebrate

Thanksgiving in Liberia features a blend of American and African influences.

1. Church Services

People dress in brightly colored clothing and attend services offering prayers of thanks.

2. Community Celebrations

Villages host communal feasts and dances.

3. Local Foods

Unlike the American turkey dinner, Liberians enjoy dishes like:

• roasted chicken
• jollof rice
• spicy stews
• cassava bread
• plantains

4. Music & Cultural Performances

Traditional songs, drumming, and storytelling play a major role.

⭐ Cultural Significance

In Liberia, Thanksgiving is a joyful celebration that:

• honors freedom and resilience
• celebrates cultural identity
• strengthens community ties

It is deeply rooted in gratitude and Afro-American heritage.

4️⃣ Germany – Erntedankfest: The Festival of Harvest Thanksgiving

Germany’s version of Thanksgiving is Erntedankfest, meaning “Harvest Festival of Thanks.” It is celebrated in late September or early October.

⭐ History

Erntedankfest is an ancient German tradition tied to Christianity and rural harvest rituals. It reflects gratitude for:

• successful harvests
• agricultural prosperity
• blessings of nature

⭐ How Germans Celebrate

1. Church Ceremonies

The festival involves special sermons and prayers.

2. Harvest Parades

People carry crops, fruits, and flowers in thanksgiving parades.

3. Harvest Crowning Ceremony

Villages crown a Harvest Queen (Erntekönigin) as part of the festivities.

4. Seasonal Meals

Traditional foods include:

• bread
• wine
• fruits
• roasted meats
• hearty soups

5. Cultural Performances

Folk music, dances, and local festivities are common across Germany.

⭐ Cultural Significance

Erntedankfest represents:

• gratitude for food and farming
• appreciation for nature
• celebration of rural tradition

It is an important cultural festival, especially in farming regions.

5️⃣ Japan – Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinrō Kansha no Hi)

Japan celebrates a form of Thanksgiving known as Labor Thanksgiving Day, observed on November 23.

⭐ History

The holiday evolved from Niiname-sai, an ancient Shinto harvest ritual where the Emperor offered thanks for new grains. Over time, it transformed into a modern celebration honoring:

• workers
• community cooperation
• productivity
• gratitude

⭐ How the Japanese Celebrate

1. Public Ceremonies

Cultural exhibitions and community gatherings honor the value of labor.

2. School Activities

Children often make handmade cards and gifts for workers in the community.

3. Family Time

Families celebrate quietly at home.

4. No Traditional Meal

Unlike American Thanksgiving, Japan’s observance is symbolic and non-religious.

⭐ Cultural Significance

Labor Thanksgiving Day promotes:

• gratitude
• peaceful coexistence
• respect for work
• appreciation for harvest and community

It is less about feasting and more about reflection and national unity.

🌍 Why Thanksgiving Traditions Differ Around the World

Although the origin of Thanksgiving varies across countries, the underlying themes remain universal:

• gratitude
• harvest
• family
• community
• reflection
• cultural heritage

Each region adapts the celebration based on its unique history and cultural identity.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving might be most famously celebrated in the United States, but its spirit resonates across the globe. Countries like Canada, Liberia, Germany, and Japan have built their own meaningful traditions around gratitude and harvest celebrations. These variations show how deeply rooted the practice of giving thanks is in human culture.

Whether it is the grand feasts of America, the quiet gatherings in Canada, the colorful traditions of Liberia, the rustic celebrations in Germany, or the reflective ceremonies in Japan — Thanksgiving remains a powerful reminder of what matters most: community, gratitude, and togetherness.