Thanksgiving in Canada is a public holiday typically celebrated on the second Monday of October. During Thanksgiving weekend, Canadian families and friends come together to celebrate with festivities and abundant food. It's a time to gather at home and enjoy traditional meals featuring roasted turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. The holiday is a time to give thanks for all the blessings received and for the positive events that have occurred throughout the year.
Thanksgiving Traditions in Canada
Families often organize large meals over the weekend, with many choosing to celebrate on Sunday or Monday. There are special culinary traditions worth exploring, such as Canadian pumpkin pie, which typically includes a blend of spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Throughout Canada, including British Columbia, annual harvest festivals and Thanksgiving events are held to celebrate the season.
Food Traditions
Foods traditionally served at Thanksgiving include roasted turkey, roast beef, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, various autumn vegetables such as squashes and Brussels sprouts, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and glazed yams. Regional dishes and desserts may also be featured, including salmon, wild game, Jiggs dinner with split-pea pudding, butter tarts, and Nanaimo bars.
Sport Traditions
This holiday also has a sports tradition. On this day, the Canadian Football League hosts two games in the afternoon, known as the Thanksgiving Day Classic. With a three-day weekend, Canadians also often plan short trips to enjoy the holiday.
Thanksgiving Getaways
Some of the most famous getaways for Thanksgiving include destinations in the U.S., Vancouver Island, Victoria, and resorts like Whistler and Grouse Mountain. Cities like Kamloops, Kelowna, and Victoria boast farms and ranches that embrace the fall season with enthusiasm. Visitors can get lost in corn mazes, ride tractors, pick apples, pet farm animals, carve pumpkins, roast marshmallows by a campfire, and enjoy the outdoors before winter sets in. These activities cater to all ages, making it a perfect holiday for everyone.
History of Canadian Thanksgiving
The main difference between Canadian and American Thanksgiving Day is the timing of their celebrations. Canadian Thanksgiving falls in October, while American Thanksgiving is observed in November. In the U.S., Thanksgiving is followed immediately by the shopping extravaganza known as Black Friday, whereas in Canada, the prime shopping season is before Christmas. Unlike American Thanksgiving, which is associated with pilgrims, the history of Canadian Thanksgiving dates back to 1578 when explorer Martin Frobisher and his crew shared a special meal to express gratitude for their safe passage through what is now the Canadian Territory of Nunavut. Canadian Thanksgiving has evolved over centuries through various iterations.
