10 Thanksgiving Traditions Around The World And How They’re Celebrated

Thanksgiving is here, which means family gatherings, home decorating, the practice of gratitude, and all the pumpkin pie (and pumpkin spice) you could dream of! It’s one of those times of the year when family and friends come together to catch-up, reflect, and maybe eat a little too much especially here in the United States, where we go big on the fourth Thursday in November. 

But the kicker here is that Thanksgiving celebrations aren’t just an American thing. All around the globe, there are special days of gratitude, harvest festivities, and, yes, even more reasons to feast. 

These celebrations are super unique and totally worth a shout-out. So, today, let’s take a trip around the world, shall we? We’ll explore the various Thanksgiving traditions that are as unique as they are heartwarming. 

Grab your passport (or, you know, keep reading)!

10 Thanksgiving Traditions Around The World

You know we’re always ready to spill the tea on the latest cultural trends. And today, we’re going global with our Thanksgiving traditions. Thanksgiving might feel like something we’ve cornered in the US, but the truth is, there are so many cultures with their own spins on giving thanks and celebrating the harvest.

These celebrations look different for each country. And a peek at these global festivities just might inspire you to switch up your usual Thanksgiving routine and adopt a new tradition.

Is Thanksgiving Celebrated All Around The World?

Thanksgiving isn’t a universal holiday, but its spirit of gratitude and gathering is definitely a worldwide thing! Before we continue, take a quick detour and jump into this episode of Absolutely Not on why so many people believe gratitude is important.

That said, there are some pretty amazing Thanksgiving traditions from all over the world that are totally worth learning about. Take Canada, for example. They are probably the country closest to replicating the American Thanksgiving experience, but they celebrate their own version, called Canadian Thanksgiving. In China, the Moon Festival celebrates the harvest with family feasts and rice cakes under the autumn moon. You get the idea! 

So, while Thanksgiving may not be celebrated in every single country around the world, there are definitely some pretty cool harvest Thanksgiving festival traditions happening globally that are just as worthy of our attention and appreciation. 

How Thanksgiving Is Celebrated Around The World

China: “Chung Chiu” Moon Festival

The Chinese Moon Festival, also known as the Chung Chiu or Mid-Autumn Festival, is a beautiful harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls around early October. 

Families come together and indulge in rice cakes or mooncakes beautiful pastries filled with sweet lotus, red beans, or even salted egg yolk. These delicious treats are not just tasty; they’re also super symbolic. The round shape of the moon cakes represents family unity and the full moon, which is all about bringing people together.

Other ways to celebrate include lighting colorful lanterns, making offerings, and gazing up at the stunning moon.

Korea: Thanksgiving Holiday, Chuseok

Now, let’s take a quick trip to South Korea for their version of Thanksgiving, Chuseok! This festival is usually celebrated in September or October and it’s all about honoring ancestors and celebrating the harvest. 

During this time, Korean families and friends will gather to perform ancestral rites and pay their respects to their elders and those who have passed. It’s a beautiful way to connect with their cultural heritage and show gratitude to those who came before.

But, it doesn’t stop there. They also trek to the countryside to visit their ancestral graves and enjoy the stunning fall foliage. And, the best part is that Chuseok is a three-day holiday, which means there’s plenty of time to indulge in all the festivities. 

Ghana: Homowo Festival

Now, the Homowo Festival might not look anything like the Thanksgiving we’re used to in the United States, but trust me, it’s just as meaningful and special. This harvest Thanksgiving festival is celebrated by the Ga people of Ghana, and it was initially done to celebrate the end of a famine in pre-colonial times and to celebrate prosperity.

The name Homowo literally means “hooting at hunger.” The festival starts with sprinkling a traditional maize meal called “Kpokpoi” around homes and public spaces as an offering to the gods and spirits. Kpokpoi is eaten with palm nut soup and smoked fish.

During this festival, the streets of Accra come alive with the sounds of drumming, singing, and dancing. The energy is off the charts, with everyone in their best traditional attire, shaking it to the rhythms of drum beats. The Ga Chiefs lead the celebration with their traditional dances and wearing their royal attire.

Brazil: Dia de Ação de Graças (Thanksgiving Day)

If you thought Thanksgiving was all about turkey and pumpkin pie, honey, Brazil is here to show you how they do it with a whole lot of flair, a sprinkle of samba, and a feast that’s so delicious, you’ll need a second serving (or five).

The celebration takes place on the fourth Thursday of November, just like its American counterpart, but with a Brazilian twist. And while the Thanksgiving celebration isn’t as widespread in Brazil as it is in the US, it’s still a big deal for many families, especially in the southern regions, where you’ll see the most incredible feasts and large family gatherings. Some even attend church services to give thanks.

Brazil’s Dia de Ação de Graças in November is a great time to visit the country if you’re looking for a new Thanksgiving destination or want to try podcasting from a different location. There’ll be lots to eat, drink and discuss on your show. Don’t forget to get yourself a Holiday Self-Care Card before your trip.

Japan: Kinro Kansha no Hi (Labor Thanksgiving Day)

Kinro Kansha no Hi happens on November 23rd and is one of Japan’s most important days of gratitude. This holiday celebrates the value of labor and the contributions of workers all over Japan.

Kinro Kansha no Hi started way back in 1948, after World War II when the Japanese government declared the day to appreciate those who work hard and provide for the community. Think of it as a kind of “Labor Thanksgiving Day.”

On this day, schools, factories, and businesses usually close, and people often spend the day reflecting on their jobs and showing appreciation. It’s a chance to express gratitude to farmers, factory workers, teachers, and anyone who contributes to the community’s well-being. And honestly, that’s the kind of energy we could all use a little more of these days.

Canada: Canadian Thanksgiving Day

Now, you’re probably thinking, “Canadian Thanksgiving? Isn’t that just a knock-off version of our American Turkey Day?” Nope!

These maple-loving people have been going all out for Thanksgiving for years and have their own unique spin on the whole shebang. Canada’s Thanksgiving Day falls on the second Monday in October, which means they get to celebrate a whole month before the U.S. does! 

So, while you’re still figuring out Halloween costumes, Canadians are already passing the stuffing. But, they go for smaller gatherings, delicious home-cooked meals, and lots of laid-back time spent with loved ones. Canadians also serve up a classic feast with all the staples you’d expect, including turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. 

Mexico: Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving Day)

While Día de Acción de Gracias (yes, that’s Spanish for Thanksgiving Day) isn’t exactly a traditional Mexican holiday, it’s a celebration that’s picking up steam, especially in Mexican-American households and communities along the US-Mexico border. It’s not an official holiday, so you won’t see a national day off like with Día de Los Muertos, but that doesn’t stop people from gathering on the fourth Thursday of November to partake in a little gratitude fiesta.

So, what does Thanksgiving look like in Mexico? First off, the food! Thanksgiving in Mexico is about taking classic dishes and spicing them up literally. It’s a Thanksgiving feast turned full-on Mexican fiesta, and you’ll definitely want to come hungry!

Next is the music and dancing! When it comes to any holiday in Mexico, you can expect a lively atmosphere with plenty of Latin music in the background. The energy from the salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata, or mariachi music is infectious!

Germany: Erntedankfest (Harvest Thanksgiving Festival)

Erntedankfest literally means “Harvest Thanksgiving Festival.” This holiday is less about a giant feast and more about giving thanks and, really, that’s more important! 

Erntedankfest is celebrated in early October. It’s all about showing gratitude for the harvest, including fall fruits, veggies, grains, and everything that makes autumn feel like the cozy, bountiful season we love. This isn’t just a home event; it’s a huge community affair. Erntedankfest happens in churches, town centers, and even fields across Germany, with everyone gathering to say “Danke!” for the land’s bounty. 

Traditionally, Germans love to put on a big show for Erntedankfest. We’re talking parades with beautifully decorated floats, kids in traditional attire, and a giant cornucopia overflowing with the harvest’s best goodies.

For this festival, Germans are big on giving thanks in the church. There are often thanksgiving services where everyone gathers for worship, prayers, and fellowship,, celebrating all the blessings they see in their life! 

Barbados: Crop Over Festival 

If there’s one Thanksgiving festival that’s more all-out than any other, it’s got to be Crop Over in Barbados! This vibrant summer festival isn’t just about the harvest; it’s a bold, joyful tribute to resilience, community, and a year’s worth of hard work in the sugar cane fields. Crop Over is as colorful and thrilling as it sounds, and Barbados knows just how to throw a bash like no other!

The festival typically kicks off in June and doesn’t stop until the first Monday in August, when everyone takes part in Grand Kadooment Day the big finale where dancers, bands, and revelers take over the streets with music, dancing, and dazzling costumes. It’s one of the world’s most incredible street parades, and you’ll be in awe of the creativity and energy on display.

This festival might look like a giant party, but it’s also about lifting the community and connecting to the roots of Bajan culture. It’s a reminder that no matter how hard the work, there’s always something to celebrate, and this island knows how to do it in style.

India: Pongal Festival

Pongal, which falls around mid-January, celebrates Thai Pongal, named after the Tamil month “Thai,” when the festival is held. The word “Pongal” literally means “to boil over,” and this festival marks the end of the winter harvest season. For many, it’s a chance to show gratitude to the sun god, Surya, for all those warm rays that help crops grow.

Pongal includes four days of celebrating everything that keeps life sweet and bountiful. Bhogi Pongal is the festival opener, during which people toss out old things and burn whatever they don’t use anymore.

Thai Pongal, the second and main Pongal Day, is when families gather to cook the iconic Pongal dish, a sweet, delicious mix of rice, milk, and jaggery (like a sugarcane sweetener). They also worship Lord Surya or the Sun God.

Mattu Pongal, the third day, celebrates the animals, especially cows and bulls, who work tirelessly to help farmers in the fields. On the final day, Kaanum Pongal, people come together to share gifts and spend time with each other. 

We’re here for all the beautiful Thanksgiving celebrations around the world.

Welcome back from our world tour of Thanksgiving! Isn’t it amazing how gratitude, food, and festivity pop up in all these unique ways around the globe? From Japan’s quiet day of thanks to Barbados’ straight-up glitter parade, each celebration has its own fierce energy and a special way of bringing people together.

No matter where you are or how you celebrate, Thanksgiving traditions remind us that gratitude is a universal language. So, take some time this Thanksgiving to connect, reflect, and celebrate life’s blessings. 

You can also listen to our fave Dear Media episodes on gratitude for some motivation:

• Quick Practices to Grow Your Gratitude Muscle – Raising Good Humans
• The Grass is Always Greener . . . – What We Said
• The Science of Gratitude & Human Potential with Dr. Glenn Fox | The Truth About Being Happy!  – Real Pod

And if you’re as inspired by these global traditions as we are, dive into more cultural celebrations and wholesome stories on our Dear Media blog or catch one of our podcasts!

Happy celebrating!