I often wondered if there were Thanksgiving celebrations in countries other than the US and Canada, now I know so I thought why not share this. Then I thought, hope this is interesting and not like dry dull and school like.
Many of my ancestors have been in North America since, well since who really knows how long. And some of them have been here less than 100 years. The European and Indigenous combined, some times there were 4 generations at the table. This big old house was filled with family, and a variety of traditions. But that was over 50 year ago, and I am grateful for having those memories. I am sure our lives were richer, because of it.
P.S. The thepioneerwoman.com is an excellent source of information, a favorite blog, please visit it and see!
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Brazil
In Brazil, Thanksgiving festivities are called Dia de Ação de Graças. It all started in the 1940s when Joaquim Nabuco, the Brazilian ambassador, visited the U.S. and became impressed by our Thanksgiving traditions. Inspired, he brought the idea of a similar tradition to Brazil—which has gone on every year since.
Heavily influenced by American Thanksgiving, the celebration in Brazil occurs on the same day in November as American Thanksgiving and has many practices that are the same. However instead of a big parade, Brazil celebrates with church services followed by a carnival.
2
Canada
If you've ever been to Canada during the month of October, you're probably familiar with their Thanksgiving, also known as Action de Grâce. The tradition began even before American Thanksgiving, when the country came together to honor Sir Martin Frobisher as he and his team arrived on the land in 1578.
Action de Grâce takes place on the second Monday of October every year, with Canadians celebrating in a similar way that American's do—eating hearty meals and enjoying each other's company.
3
China
The Mid-Autumn Festival (which also goes by the name "Moon Festival") in China is signified by the full moon, seeing the country celebrate with lots of traditional food, music, and time with family.
Where the holiday differentiates from America is that it's three days long, beginning on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (so, typically mid-September or October, depending on the year).
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4
England
In the United Kingdom, Thanksgiving is less a holiday and more so a festival—the Harvest Festival, to be exact! While they don't celebrate in the same way as the United States, England does hold music and food festivals in September and October—depending on when the prime of the harvest season is.
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Ghana
The Homowo Festival is Ghana's version of Thanksgiving, but sees the festivities (music, street dancing, and lots of feasts) span over a course of three months, starting in May and ending in April. The origin of the holiday is a bit of an inspiring story. The Ga people were experiencing a long time famine, but when they were finally given rain from Mother Nature, they were able to grow vegetables, fruits, and other crops like never before. Since then, Ghana celebrates the miracle with The Homowo Festival.
6
Japan
In Japan, they celebrate Kinrõ Kansha no Hi—which means "Labor Thanksgiving Day." Though it takes place every November 23 (and holds a similar name to American Thanksgiving), the significance of this holiday is more aligned with the United States' version of Labor Day, seeing as it's a day to respect its' workers.
Kinrõ Kansha no Hi sees a more relaxed way of celebrating, with children usually making crafts which are then sent to the common labor worker in their area.
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7
Grenada
Get this: Grenada started celebrating Thanksgiving only 30 years ago! The annual tradition began in the country in 1983 when the U.S. military assisted in reinstating peace and order in Grenada. This saw the country and its people thank the military by serving them a delectable feast, which has since carried on year after year on October 25, essentially becoming a holiday of its own!
8
South India
The Tamil people of South India are thankful for lots of things, but especially agriculture and all that contributes to its wellbeing! The list includes (but isn't limited to): the Sun god, natural surroundings, and the animals native to the land. This appreciation is celebrated in the form of a three-day festival called Pongal in January (on the solar calendar).
9
The Netherlands
Did you know that the Netherlands actually celebrates American Thanksgiving? This is because before settlers even set foot on U.S. land, they rested in Leiden—a city in The Netherlands—before completing their journey. While the meaning for celebrating Thanksgiving remains the same in both countries, The Netherlands does not hold a big feast like we do. They take the day to meet in Pieterskerk, a staple church in the country, to honor the efforts of those who helped start the voyage to America.
Josiah Soto is the assistant editor of news and social for The Pioneer Woman. He helps manage the website’s social channels, in addition to writing high-performing news and entertainment content da
The Iroquois nations, also known as the Haudenosaunee, have a rich tradition of giving thanks. Here are some of the thanksgiving ceremonies celebrated by the Iroquois nations:
Thanksgiving Address (Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen): This is the central prayer and invocation for the Haudenosaunee. It reflects their spirituality and is a foundation of Iroquois spirituality1.
Maple Ceremony: Celebrated around the first month of spring (early to mid-March), this ceremony marks the time when maple trees give plenty of sap for the people to enjoy. The Maple Sugar Festival is held after many days of collecting sap, where people perform sacred dances and faith-keepers give thanksgiving speeches2.
Strawberry Festival: This is a time of thanksgiving to the strawberry spirit and the Creator for making strawberries3.
Green Corn Festival: A four-day festival that gives thanks to the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash)3.
Harvest Festival: Another four-day festival that gives thanks to the three sisters for the coming year’s prosperity3.
These ceremonies and festivals are an integral part of the Iroquois nations’ culture, reflecting their deeprespect and gratitude for nature and its bounties.
Here is a list of countries that celebrate Thanksgiving:
- United States: Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November1.
- Canada: Celebrated on the second Monday of October12.
- Liberia: Celebrated on the first Thursday in November1.
- Grenada: Celebrated on October 251.
- Saint Lucia: Celebrated on the first Monday in October1.
- Australia: No specific date1.
- Netherlands: No specific date1.
Please note that the reasons behind the celebrations are different from country to country1. For example, in Australia, Thanksgiving was started after being brought over by whaling ships from America1. In Canada, Thanksgiving is used to show thankfulness at the end of the harvest season1. Grenada’s Thanksgiving holiday isn’t related at all to thankfulness or harvests. Instead, it is held on October 25, the same day that a U.S. led invasion occurred in 19831. In Liberia, Thanksgiving started in the 1800s as a celebration of the colonization of freed African Americans1. In the Netherlands, Thanksgiving is celebrated in honor of the Pilgrims that lived in the city of Leiden before heading to the New World1.
