8 Surprising Countries That Also Celebrate Thanksgiving

Canada

Canada is first on our list of countries that celebrate Thanksgiving. The date, though, is different. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. This annual holiday has been officially recognized since November 6, 1879. Previously, though, the date varied a lot.

So, what are the origins? Why do Canadians also celebrate Thanksgiving? Although the celebration is similar to the one observed in the United States, they are not based on the same events. Canadian Thanksgiving dates back to 1578. This was when British explorer Arthur Frobisher and his crew safely returned from their search of the Northwest Passage. The holiday may also originate from the harvest feasts and festivals the first French settlers hosted.

Typical Thanksgiving foods are cider, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce. The specific foods are similar to those in the United States.

Japan

Are you surprised to see Japan on this list? Japan also celebrates Thanksgiving, although in a different way. Kinro Kansha no hi, called Labor Thanksgiving Day in English, is celebrated on November 23 of each year. However, the celebrations are moved to Monday if the date is Sunday.

Labor Thanksgiving Day has an ancient origin. It’s connected to the Niiname-sai, also known as the harvest of the Five Cereals. This unique holiday is similar to Labor Day in the United States. It’s celebrated to honor labor workers. 

So, how is it celebrated? This holiday is quiet and calm. Workers take time for themselves, sometimes taking a day off if Labor Thanksgiving Day lands on a Thursday. Sometimes, school-age children create arts and crafts for workers.

Brazil

Brazil also celebrates Thanksgiving. This celebration is called Dia de Ação de Graças and is directly tied to the Thanksgiving holiday celebrated in the United States. The story goes that Brazilian ambassador Joaquim Nabuco saw Thanksgiving while visiting the United States in the 1940s. He loved it so much that he brought the idea to then-President Gaspar Dutra. Although it isn’t an official holiday, it’s celebrated by many countrywide families. Like Thanksgiving in the United States, it takes place on the fourth Thursday of November. On this day, families gather and feast on turkey, stuffed chicken, corn stuffing, and lemon or pumpkin pie.

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Next on our list of the eight surprising countries that celebrate Thanksgiving are three countries, counting as one entry: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In these countries, they celebrate a Thanksgiving-like holiday, Erntedank. Erntedank, also known as Erntedankfest, is an autumn harvest celebration. Depending on the region, the holiday is celebrated between September and October. This annual harvest celebration in Germany is generally held on the first Sunday in October. In Switzerland, Erntedank is celebrated in mid-September. People enjoy food, music, a parade, church services, and family fun on this holiday. Foods vary, but generally, families eat turkey. Other foods include bread, potato dumplings, gravy, and vegetables.

Grenada

Another country that celebrates Thanksgiving is Grenada, a very new country. Thanksgiving in this country is heavily connected to the celebration in the United States. They celebrated Thanksgiving to honor the U.S. soldiers who helped them restore the country in 1983. According to reports, the soldiers in Grenada told locals about holidays in the United States, including Thanksgiving. As a surprise, Grenada locals hosted a Grenadian Thanksgiving with traditional Thanksgiving foods, including turkey and canned yams, cranberry, and potatoes. Thanksgiving is still celebrated in Grenada as a national holiday every October 25.

Liberia

In Liberia, Thanksgiving is also celebrated. However, instead of the fourth Thursday of the month, it’s celebrated on the first Thursday of November. Liberia is in West Africa, nowhere near the United States, so how did this celebration come to be? Thanksgiving was brought to the country by former slaves. Former slaves from the United States founded the country. 

Although it shares the same name as the holiday from the United States, it isn’t a significant holiday. It isn’t always celebrated with a feast or celebrated at all. Instead, some families attend church, while others remain home and take it as a day to rest or go out with friends. 

The Netherlands

While Thanksgiving is not a public holiday in the Netherlands, it’s celebrated by orthodox Protestant churches on the first Wednesday in November. Interestingly, right before the pilgrims left for North America to settle down, many lived and worked in Leiden, in the Netherlands. In this city, residents attend church to celebrate the early American residents who once lived in Leiden.

Norfolk Island

Don’t let the image fool you. Not all of Australia celebrates the American holiday, Thanksgiving. However, one island does, Norfolk Island. This Australian island has a connection with the United States. During the 19th century, American whalers frequently stopped at the island. The story of why Norfolk Island celebrates Thanksgiving begins with Isaac Robinson, who became the American consul. He was fascinated with Thanksgiving and started celebrating it on the island, decorating it with leaves and lemons. Even after Robinson died, islanders continued this tradition. It’s celebrated on the last Wednesday of November. Typically, locals attend church. They place fresh fruits and vegetables along the aisles. After the service, they feast with family, eating cornbread, pumpkin pie, and banana pilaf.