What’s the reason Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October, and what are the traditional foods served?

Get ready for a feast! It’s time to break out the turkey baster—Thanksgiving is here.

Yes, we’re talking about Canadian Thanksgiving.

While the United States celebrates on the fourth Thursday in November, Canadians mark the occasion on the second Monday in October, which this year falls on October 14.

To dive deeper into this festive tradition, we spoke with Andrew McIntosh, senior subject editor at the Canadian Encyclopedia.

One common question from Americans is why Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October rather than November.

According to experts, Thanksgiving in Canada has traditionally been a time to celebrate the fall harvest and give thanks for the bounty before the colder months arrive.

As one expert puts it, 'Winter arrives earlier in Canada, so the fall harvest also comes earlier.'

In 1957, Canadian Thanksgiving was officially set to the second Monday of October, a time when the weather still allows for outdoor celebrations.

However, Thanksgiving in Canada dates back much further, with the first official celebration occurring in 1879. Over the years, the date has not always been in October.

Each year, the exact date of Thanksgiving was set by Parliament, which also chose a theme for the holiday—often focusing on celebrating the monarchy, according to McIntosh.

Interestingly, McIntosh points out that the holiday was celebrated as late as December 6 and sometimes even coincided with the American Thanksgiving date.

Today, some Canadians—including this writer's extended family—prefer to celebrate Thanksgiving the day before the official holiday, giving those who traveled for the long weekend a chance to return home without needing an extra day off work.

Classic Canadian Thanksgiving Dishes

So, what do Canadians typically enjoy at Thanksgiving dinner? At first glance, the foods may seem similar to what Americans will have on their Thanksgiving tables in late November.

McIntosh explains that the heavy influence of the US has shaped what Canadians typically eat on Thanksgiving.

He adds that Canadians largely adopted the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner as their own.

The classic Thanksgiving spread of turkey, gravy, potatoes, squash, rolls, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie is a staple across Canada.

That being said, McIntosh points out that regional variations exist, as Canada is a vast country with a rich tapestry of cultures, each influencing its culinary traditions.

In Newfoundland, for example, people often favor Jigg’s dinner, a salt meat stew similar to corned beef that hails from Ireland. They also prefer scalloped potatoes over mashed potatoes and opt for cranberry sauce in place of gravy, according to McIntosh.

In Western Canada, McIntosh mentions that some families might choose ham as their main dish, often accompanied by Brussels sprouts.

McIntosh also notes that many ethnic communities incorporate traditional dishes into their Thanksgiving feasts.

For instance, Indigenous Canadians often serve bannock, a type of fry bread, while Ukrainian Canadians frequently include perogies and cabbage rolls as part of their holiday meal.

It's all about the sweet finale.

The main regional differences in Canadian Thanksgiving usually revolve around the sweet treats served after the meal.

McIntosh notes that the choice of pie is often paired with other regional desserts—because, after all, Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to indulge in as many sweets as possible.

Much like in the US, pumpkin pie remains a beloved dessert across Canada. However, McIntosh points out that in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, apple pie or apple crisp are often preferred.

Ontarians have a special fondness for butter tarts – miniature pecan pies that are hard to resist! Meanwhile, in the west, Nanaimo bars, also known as smog bars or prayer bars in the US, are a popular treat.

In Quebec, where French is the dominant language, McIntosh shares an interesting tidbit: most Quebecers don't even celebrate Thanksgiving.

McIntosh explains that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Thanksgiving in Canada was largely a Protestant tradition focused on giving thanks for the British monarchy—elements that didn’t resonate with Catholic French Canadians.

While Anglo-Quebeckers (a minority group in Quebec) do observe Thanksgiving, many immigrant communities in the province follow the French Canadian custom. As McIntosh recalls, a Chinese Canadian colleague from Montreal once said, 'We had Thanksgiving as a day off from school, but never really understood why.'

McIntosh points out that while some Indigenous groups in the US observe Thanksgiving as a National Day of Mourning, Canada's Indigenous peoples typically approach the holiday more like English Canadians—viewing it as a chance to enjoy good food and quality time with family.

He adds, 'Some tensions around Thanksgiving remain in Canada, as they do with anything connected to the violent displacement and disenfranchisement of Indigenous peoples.'

However, McIntosh notes that Indigenous people in Canada also see Thanksgiving as a celebration of Indigenous foods that predate colonial settlement, such as turkey, squash, corn, and cranberries.

Winter is on its way.

While the US is known for its iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Canada doesn’t host anything of that scale. However, the country does celebrate with harvest festivals and seasonal events marking the change of leaves and the arrival of cooler weather.

For instance, Prince Edward Island, Canada's smallest province, hosts the Fall Flavours event each year in late September and early October. This three-week celebration showcases the island’s finest local food and drink.

In Smoky Lake, Alberta, known as the ‘Pumpkin Capital’, the annual Great White North Pumpkin Fair takes place every October. Famous for its food and social events, the highlight is the dramatic 'Pumpkin Weigh-Off.' This year's winner tipped the scales at a massive 2,137 pounds. No word on how many pies that might make!

When it comes to shopping, Canada doesn’t have the same retail frenzy as the US, where Black Friday dominates. According to Canadian Encyclopedia editor McIntosh, 'Canada doesn’t have a big retail connection to Thanksgiving, and stores are generally closed on the day.'

McIntosh adds, 'Thanksgiving is not Canada's biggest travel time—Christmas takes that crown.'

However, many Canadians spend the holiday watching sports, such as CFL (Canadian Football) and NHL games, or using the time to prep their homes or cottages. After all, it's Canada, and winter is just around the corner.