Thanksgiving is the time to have a hearty meal with family and feel gratitude for the blessings in life and the abundance of nature’s harvest, the ancient festival of Thanksgiving dates centuries back. This cherished holiday, deeply rooted in gratitude and unity, has a rich history and holds unique significance in the United States and Canada.
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When is Thanksgiving in 2024?
The fourth Thursday in November is celebrated as Thanksgiving every year. The holiday can fall as early as November 22 or sometimes at the end of the month. This year, it falls on November 28 and is arriving a little late.
While many Americans spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones over a home-cooked meal, many also line up to score Black Friday deals and discounts on Thanksgiving evening. But the scenario has changed in 2020, when many stores opted to stay closed to limit crowding during the pandemic and spread out the holiday shopping season.
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Thanksgiving 2024: Is it a federal holiday in US?
Thanksgiving Day 2024 is a designated US Federal Holiday. The holiday tradition will begin at 8:30 am on November 28 in all time zones and will be kicked off by actor Alison Brie, the “Glow” star currently starring in Apple TV’s “Apples Never Fall”.
This year’s parade will feature 17 giant character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns and 10 performance groups. The parade airs on NBC and streams on Peacock. Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker from “Today” will host and a Spanish language simulcast on Telemundo will be hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.
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If you are wondering that you can run to the grocery store or send mail on Turkey Day, here’s what will be open and closed on Thursday, November 28.
Retail: For the fifth consecutive year, Target stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, according to CNN. Walmart and Best Buy retail stores will also be closed on Thanksgiving. One will have to wait to shop at department stores. Macy’s, Nordstrom and Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen on Black Friday.
Grocery stores: Though most stores will close on Thanksgiving, Kroger hours will vary. Most of the stores under Albertsons Companies – Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Vons and Tom Thumb – will be open but with adjusted hours, as per CNN report.
Whole Foods will be open on modified hours. Trader Joe’s and Aldi will be closed. Warehouse stores Sam’s Club and Costco will also not be open on Thursday.
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What about government offices and banks?
Since Thanksgiving is a government holiday, so federal offices, courts and post offices will be closed. Other government institutions – think the DMV and libraries – will also be closed.
Also, Thanksgiving is a banking holiday. The Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange will not be trading. Most banks branches will be closed, but online banking and ATMs will still be available.
On Thanksgiving, the US Postal Service will be closed. All UPS and FedEx services will be closed except for UPS Express Critical and FedEx Custom Critical. Limited UPS stores will be open.