Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, here are some ways people celebrate Thanksgiving all over the world!
The holiday may have its origins in North America, but it has grown to spread throughout the world. Below, there are a few places where Thanksgiving has spread and how their cultures have altered the holiday into a mix of North American tradition and the traditions of countries the holiday has spread to!
Japan
Labor Thanksgiving Day is a day that honors the working class and shows respect to them for their hard work, harmony and how they contribute to society. Labor Thanksgiving Day is celebrated every year on November 23rd. It is a mix of Veterans Day and Thanksgiving rolled into one, paying respect to the working class and their contributions to Japan. The origins of Labor Thanksgiving Day dates back to an ancient ritual called Niiname-sai. The holiday was altered in 1948 due to Japan’s new constitution. The holiday was changed from being agricultural based to appreciation of the working class and social harmony.
Japanese households tend to eat roasted chicken or grilled fish, Kabocha Pumpkin Dishes, various rice dishes and seasonal vegetables.
Canada
The first ever Thanksgiving to be observed as a yearly event dates back all the way to November 6, 1879. The native people of Canada have a record of celebrating fall harvests that came before European settlers. But the first national Thanksgiving was celebrated in the Province of Canada in 1859. The initial purpose of Thanksgiving was the realization of God’s mercies. It would take another 20 years to be seen as an annual event in Canada on November 6, 1879. In Quebec, Thanksgiving is referred to as Action de Grâce and is not seen as important compared to other provinces.
The main difference in the celebration is the cuisine. In Newfoundland, jigg’s dinner (a salty meat stew from Ireland) is served with turkey, scalloped potatoes and cranberry sauce. Some parts in Western Canada prefer ham instead of turkey and with Brussels sprouts as a popular side dish.
Germany
In Germany, Erntedank is a religious holiday. The holiday is usually a rural event with country fairs and town gatherings. But in larger cities Erntedankfest is sponsored by Protestant and Catholic Churches. It starts with a sermon and singing songs of thanks. Ends with the traditional harvest crown to the harvest queen. Later there is a torch parade for the children and on occasions there are fireworks. Common cuisines are poultry such as goose and roasted meat like pork or beef, usually occupied by seasonal products such as red cabbage and potatoes.
South Korea
In Korea, people celebrate a holiday called Chuseok. Chuseok is also known as Hangawi, and it is a celebration of the harvest, honoring ancestors and family reunions, which is exactly like Thanksgiving in the U.S. Chuseok started when an ancient king named Silla started a 30 day long weaving contest between two teams of people. The team who wove the most cloth won the contest. They were then rewarded with a lot of food, drinks, and many other gifts. People celebrate Chuseok on the 15th day of the 8th month every year. They celebrate it by gathering in their homes to honor their ancestors with memorials. They bow to their ancestors, care for their graves, then they get together to eat a meal.
They eat foods like Songpyeon, Japche, Jeon and Galbijjim.
Brazil
In Brazil, Thanksgiving has been seeing a growing number of people celebrating the holiday even though the holiday isn’t on Brazil’s national calendar. The holiday is also known as “Dia de Ação de Graças” and is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November. Thanksgiving came to Brazil in the 1940s by Americans who wanted to spread the message of Thanksgiving to the Brazilians. Over time, the holiday morphed into a popular holiday for Brazilians who incorporate their own traditions into the holiday. However, people in Brazil still gather together and eat to celebrate Thanksgiving, just like Americans do.
On Thanksgiving, Brazilians tend to eat chicken, rice, beans and farfoa. But, they also include American foods into their thanksgiving feasts.
Credits:
Korea Chuseok in Korea – All about Korean Thanksgiving
Japan https://joyn.tokyo/about-japan/society/thanksgiving-in-japan-2025
Brazil What are the ways in which Thanksgiving is celebrated by the Brazilian people? – TravelAsker
Canada https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/thanksgiving-day
Germany https://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/erntedank-thanksgiving-in-germany/
Canada picture Thanksgiving day in Canada 2024 | History and Traditions
Japan picture Thanksgiving in Japan: How the Holiday is Celebrated in 2025 | JoynTokyo
German picture What is Erntedankfest? A German Thanks for the Harvest
South Korea picture When Chuseok (Harvest Festival) will be celebrated in South Korea in 2025
Brazil picture Thanksgiving Celebrations Around The World
Cover Photo: https://www.acanela.com/blog/2018/11/21/thanksgiving-a-worldwide-tradition