Do European Countries Celebrate Thanksgiving?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Do European countries celebrate Thanksgiving?

Even some European countries celebrate Thanksgiving

. The best example is Germany, which celebrates Erntedankfest (‘harvest thanks festival') on the first Sunday of October. So no, Thanksgiving is not just an American . Similar celebrations take place all around the world – from Canada to Japan and even Liberia.

Contents hide

Which country celebrates Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the

United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia

. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan.

Is Thanksgiving celebrated in Germany?

Meaning of “Erntedank” in Germany


At the same date as in Canada, the Germans celebrate their Thanksgiving

(Erntedankfest). During the celebration, which is usually held in a church but also regionally as a procession, crops, cereals, and fruit are decoratively arranged.

Does the UK celebrate Thanksgiving?

Why do Europeans celebrate Thanksgiving?

2. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Europe, the idea of Thanksgiving generally involves

the celebration of the autumn harvests

. Largely religious in nature, the celebration occurs around the time of the main harvest – early October in this situation.

Does France have Thanksgiving?

Not only

France doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving

, but the majority of French people don't have a clue about what Thanksgiving is, and how important it is a celebration for our friends to the West.

Why do Germans not celebrate Thanksgiving?

Unlike in the US, where Thanksgiving is a fixed date,

Germans rather perceive it as a period that spreads over several weeks

. The final date is usually the first Sunday in October but it differs by region (and even church).

Is Thanksgiving celebrated in Austria?

Germany, Austria, Switzerland


The holiday celebrated every autumn in German-speaking countries is not exactly Thanksgiving

, but the idea is similar. Erntedankfest, or “harvest festival of thanks,” takes place in early October to celebrate a good year and good fortune.

What do German people call Thanksgiving?

In the German-speaking countries, Thanksgiving is an autumn harvest celebration called

Erntedank or Erntedankfest

(“harvest thanksgiving festival”). The observance usually takes place in September or October, depending on the region. Similar harvest festivals are common in many countries and regions around the globe.

Why do British not celebrate Thanksgiving?

The American thanksgiving is not celebrated in the UK because

no one had to be thankful for their new land and good ocean trip

. However, the harvest part of it is still celebrated by many churches and most schools.

Is Thanksgiving a holiday in Canada?

Although

the holiday is still widely celebrated in Canada and is a statutory holiday in most of the country

*, Canadians' approach to Thanksgiving is a bit more laid back. (*The exceptions are the Atlantic provinces, where the holiday is an optional day off, and in Quebec, where the holiday isn't as popular overall.)

Why is Canadian Thanksgiving different than American?

Specifically, it comes on the second Monday of the month—which is the same as Columbus Day in the U.S. One explanation for this distinction is that

because Canada is geographically situated further north, the brief window of the harvest season comes earlier, so they observe it according to the natural seasonal shift

.

What food does Germany eat on Thanksgiving?

Traditional as far a German foods go. There's really no one meal for this holiday that's served throughout Germany. For us, and for most Germans, it was what we all liked the best. And, that's

rouladen, red cabbage, and potato dumplings with lots and lots of wonderful rouladen gravy

.

Do they celebrate Thanksgiving in Ireland?

So what's Thanksgiving like in Ireland? Whilst

Thanksgiving is not a national holiday in Ireland

, many hotels and restaurants offer special Thanksgiving meals, in recognition of how important this holiday is to our American guests.

Does Paris have Thanksgiving?

While

Thanksgiving is not traditionally celebrated in Paris

, there is still a lot one can do in the city of lights to feel more like home during the holiday.

Do the French eat turkey?


ROAST TURKEY WITH CHESTNUT STUFFING

One of the most popular remains the traditional turkey with a chestnut stuffing. Chestnuts are everywhere in France at Christmas, so it's natural you would find them stuffed inside turkey.

What is Thanksgiving called in France?

One of our most important holidays is Thanksgiving Day, known in France as

le Jour de Merci Donnant

.

What holiday was celebrated in Europe that started the idea of Thanksgiving?

Harvest celebrations and days of thanksgiving in Europe date back to pre-Christian pagan times. Long before the first Europeans arrived in North America, farmers across Europe held celebrations at harvest time.

Do European countries celebrate Halloween?

Does Germany celebrate Christmas?


Germany celebrates Christmas with two public holidays, 25 and 26 December

. For many people, 24 December, Christmas Eve, is divided into a hectic morning and a festive evening.

How is Erntedankfest different from Thanksgiving?

Erntedank literally translates as “harvest thanks.” The festival is a means of thanking God for the harvest and for the opportunity to rest after a season of hard work. Unlike Thanksgiving in America,

Erntedankfest is a religious festival

.

What Caribbean nation celebrates Thanksgiving in honor of a US invasion?


Grenada

. This is kind of a weird one. On October 16, 1983, Grenada's deputy prime minister seized power and executed the prime minister. On October 25, the United States and allied forces from nearby Caribbean nations invaded, overthrowing the deputy prime minister in a matter of weeks.

What does England think of Thanksgiving?

In Britain,

we do not celebrate Thanksgiving

. We do have Harvest Festival in September, which can trace its roots back to the times before the Christian church.

What is the UK version of Thanksgiving?

Despite Thanksgiving being an important festival and for many marking the start of the Christmas season, the UK does not celebrate the holiday to the same extent. Some across the UK celebrate the

Harvest Festival

– however, this is held earlier than Thanksgiving is.

Is Thanksgiving or Christmas bigger in America?

Thanksgiving is what traditionally kicks off the holiday season in the US. It wasn't an official holiday until President Franklin D. Roosevelt made it so in 1939 and was approved by Congress in 1941. In America,

it's often enjoyed as a bigger holiday than Christmas

, with a focus on family and food – especially turkey.

Why do Canadians say eh?

Although eh has its roots in Middle English and did not originate in Canada, the interjection

acts as marker of anglophone Canadian identity and distinguishes Canadian English from other dialects

. Eh is internationally recognized as a uniquely Canadian form of speech, often to the point of exaggeration and stereotype.

Do Canadians speak French?

Province or territory French-speaking population Nunavut 630 (1.8%) Total 7,914,498 (22.8%)

Why is Thanksgiving so late in 2021?

This year, the fourth Thursday of the month falls on Nov. 25, 2021. As it turns out, there's a reason why Thanksgiving is falls when it does each month, and

it's based in the history of Thanksgiving

. The story dates to 1939, when Franklin Roosevelt decided to shake up the tradition a bit in the name of capitalism.

Who had Thanksgiving First Canada or USA?

Does Canada eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Does Canada celebrate MLK day?


It's not a national paid holiday but a day of reflection and service

. The Ottawa municipal government in Ontario officially began observing the national holiday on Jan. 26, 2005.

Is November a good time to visit Germany?

Is Erntedankfest a religious holiday?

In Germany, Erntedankfest (literally translated “thanks for the harvest festival“)

is a religious holiday

, and is celebrated both in the Catholic and Protestant churches.

Is Thanksgiving a Celtic celebration?

While there isn't a specific holiday in Ireland called Thanksgiving,

the Irish have a long history of celebrating the bounty of the changing seasons

. Autumn has always been venerated as a time to connect and focus on the things that matter the most, our family and friends.

What is Thanksgiving called in Ireland?

There's an (Irish) word for it –

Féile an Altaithe

Although there is no native Irish word for Thanksgiving, enthusiastic Gaeilge speakers have named it “Féile an Altaithe”. The name is inspired by the Irish verb “altaigh”, meaning to give thanks, usually to God.

Does Dublin celebrate Thanksgiving?

Is Thanksgiving celebrated in Ireland?

Thanksgiving is not officially celebrated in Ireland

, but there's such a strong connection between Ireland and the USA that some hotels and restaurants do offer a Thanksgiving dinner.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.