If you’re staring at your calendar trying to figure out when in Thanksgiving 2024 the actual bird-eating happens, you aren’t alone. It feels like it shifts every year. It does.
Thanksgiving 2024 falls on Thursday, November 28.
That’s late. Like, really late. Because the holiday is tethered to the fourth Thursday of November, the dates can swing anywhere from November 22 to November 28. This year, we’ve hit the absolute limit. This isn't just a fun fact for trivia night; it actually messes with the entire flow of the winter season. You've basically lost a week of Christmas shopping time. Retailers are already panicking about the "shorter" holiday window, which means you’re going to see "Black Friday" deals hitting your inbox in late October.
The Logistics of November 28
Why does the date matter so much? It’s all about the "Late Thanksgiving" phenomenon. When when in Thanksgiving 2024 lands on the 28th, the gap between the turkey leftovers and the December holidays shrinks to a tiny sliver.
Most people get the "fourth Thursday" rule confused. They think it’s the last Thursday. Usually, those are the same thing. But in years where November starts on a Friday, like it does in 2024, the calendar stretches.
🔗 Read more: Pink White Nail Studio Secrets and Why Your Manicure Isn't Lasting
You’ve got exactly 26 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. In some years, you get 32. That six-day difference is a lifetime when you’re trying to coordinate family flights, ship packages, and manage the general burnout that comes with the end of the year. Honestly, it’s going to feel rushed. You’ll be throwing out the pumpkin pie and immediately putting up the tree because, frankly, there’s no time to breathe.
Federal Holidays and the "Four-Day Weekend" Reality
For most office workers and students, the holiday officially starts on Thursday, November 28. It’s a federal holiday. Banks are closed. The post office isn't moving mail. However, the "Friday after Thanksgiving"—often called Black Friday—is not technically a federal holiday, even though most corporate offices give it as a paid day off.
If you’re in the service industry or retail? Forget it. You’re working.
Schools almost universally take the Wednesday before (November 27) through the following Sunday off. If you are planning travel, that Wednesday is historically the single worst day to be at an airport or on the I-95. According to AAA, the "peak" congestion usually hits between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM on Wednesday. If you can sneak out on Tuesday night or even early Thursday morning, you'll save your sanity.
💡 You might also like: Hairstyles for women over 50 with round faces: What your stylist isn't telling you
Why We Do This Every Year
It wasn't always like this. We didn't always have this "fourth Thursday" math to do.
Back in the day—we’re talking 1939—Franklin D. Roosevelt actually moved the holiday. It used to be the last Thursday of the month. But in '39, the last Thursday was November 30. Retailers freaked out. They told FDR that a late Thanksgiving would kill the economy because nobody would start Christmas shopping until December.
So, FDR moved it up a week. People hated it. They called it "Franksgiving." For a couple of years, different states celebrated on different days. It was a total mess. Eventually, Congress stepped in and passed a law in 1941 to lock it into the fourth Thursday. That’s why when in Thanksgiving 2024 is the 28th and not the 21st. We’re literally following a 1940s compromise designed to help department stores sell more coats and socks.
The Impact on Travel Prices
Expect a spike. Because the holiday is so late this year, it bumps right up against the start of December.
📖 Related: How to Sign Someone Up for Scientology: What Actually Happens and What You Need to Know
Airlines like Delta and United typically see their highest volume in that five-day window. If you haven't booked by Labor Day, you’re likely paying a 20% to 30% premium. Data from Hopper suggests that domestic round-trip tickets for Thanksgiving week usually average around $300-$400, but with the compressed schedule of 2024, those "cheap" seats will disappear faster than usual.
Getting the Most Out of a Late Thanksgiving
Since the window is tight, you have to be tactical.
First off, don't wait for "Black Friday" to do your shopping. Because the date is November 28, most major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon will start their "Black Friday" pricing on November 1st or even earlier. The "Door Buster" era is mostly dead; it's now a month-long marathon.
Second, check your local events. Many cities hold their holiday parades or tree lightings on the weekend of the 29th or 30th. Since December 1st is the very next Sunday, the transition from "Fall" to "Winter" is going to happen overnight.
Essential Dates to Circle
- Wednesday, Nov 27: The "Travel Nightmare" day. Avoid if possible.
- Thursday, Nov 28: Thanksgiving Day.
- Friday, Nov 29: Black Friday (and the unofficial start of the frenzy).
- Monday, Dec 2: Cyber Monday.
It’s a sprint this year. Kinda stressful, but also kind of exciting if you like that high-energy holiday vibe. Just make sure you get your turkey orders in early—late Thanksgivings often lead to a "last-minute rush" at grocery stores that results in a lot of people settling for frozen chickens instead of the 20-pound bird they wanted.
Actionable Steps for Thanksgiving 2024
- Book Travel Now: Use tools like Google Flights to track the Wednesday-Sunday route, but consider flying on Thanksgiving morning to save hundreds of dollars.
- Audit Your Kitchen: Since November 28 is so late, you might forget that the seasonal items at the grocery store disappear fast. Buy your canned pumpkin and cranberry sauce in October.
- Adjust Your Expectations: Understand that you have one less week of "pre-Christmas" time. Scale back the DIY decorations if you’re usually a "start on December 1st" person, because that Sunday is going to arrive before you’ve even finished the leftovers.
- Coordinate with Family: Send the calendar invites today. Because this is the latest possible date for the holiday, people often get confused and double-book with early December commitments.
The 2024 holiday season is basically a "short-form" version of the usual festivities. Being aware of the November 28 date early allows you to front-load your chores so you can actually enjoy the turkey when it finally arrives.