Thanksgiving 2025 falls on Thursday, November 27 in the United States.
If you’re wondering “Why is Thanksgiving so late this year?”, the short answer is: because of the calendar and the rule that governs the holiday’s date.
How the date of Thanksgiving is fixed
Each year, the U.S. federal holiday called Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
Here’s a breakdown:
- In 1941, Congress passed a law to fix Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.
- Because of that rule, Thanksgiving can land as early as November 22 and as late as November 28.
- In 2025, November begins on a Saturday, which means the fourth Thursday is the 27th.
Why it feels “late” this year
There are a few reasons why Thanksgiving 2025 might feel especially “late” compared to some years:
- When the month starts later in the week (like Saturday), the fourth Thursday shifts toward the end of the month.
- Because 2025’s November has five Thursdays (Nov 6,13,20,27 and previously Nov – the count), the fourth lands meaningfully toward the end of the month.
- A later Thanksgiving shortens the “holiday lead-up” to events like Christmas, making the entire holiday season feel compressed. In fact, one publication notes that in 2025 Thanksgiving falls on the latest possible date under the current rule.
Why this matters for you
Understanding why Thanksgiving is later matters for several practical reasons:
- Travel and planning: Since the date is near the end of the month, flights, roads and bookings may be more congested.
- Holiday marketing & retail: Retailers and marketers often use the gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas to run campaigns. A later Thanksgiving means less time for that window.
- Work & school calendars: Companies and schools schedule breaks and workloads around the holiday — a late date can affect year-end timing.
- Family gatherings: Folks planning long-weekends or multi-day visits need to know the actual date so they don’t miss it.
A fun way to think about it
Imagine November as a staircase of Thursdays. In some years you step off around the second or third step; in 2025 you step off near the top of the stairs (step four) and you’re really close to December. That’s why we’re saying “Thanksgiving so late this year” in a calendar sense.
