There’s something about the French term “Action de Grâce” that feels more poetic than its English counterpart — but behind the name lies a holiday with distinct traditions and history. Celebrated on the second Monday of October, Canadian Thanksgiving has been an official holiday since 1879, according to Farmers’ Almanac (weather and calendar authority).

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French official name: Action de Grâce ·
English equivalent: Canadian Thanksgiving ·
Date in 2024: Monday, October 14 ·
Observed in: All Canadian provinces and territories ·
Typical celebration: Family gatherings, turkey dinner, pumpkin pie

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Canadian Thanksgiving is observed on the second Monday of October (Farmers’ Almanac)
  • The French name for Canadian Thanksgiving is “Jour de l’Action de grâce” (Farmers’ Almanac)
  • Thanksgiving was fixed by Parliament on January 31, 1957 (Farmers’ Almanac)
  • Thanksgiving has been an annual holiday in Canada since 1879 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
2What’s unclear
  • Exact date of the first Thanksgiving in Canada (multiple historical claims exist)
  • Observance variation in Quebec – some areas treat it as a regular day, others observe lightly
3Timeline signal
  • 1879: First national Canadian Thanksgiving proclaimed (Wikipedia)
  • 1957: Date fixed to second Monday of October (Farmers’ Almanac)
  • 2024: October 14 (Farmers’ Almanac) (Wikipedia)
  • 2025: October 13 | 2026: October 12 (Farmers’ Almanac) (Wikipedia)
4What’s next
  • Action de Grâce 2025: Monday, October 13
  • Action de Grâce 2026: Monday, October 12
  • Plan ahead: check provincial holiday schedules for closures

The following table compiles the essential details about the holiday.

Key facts about Action de Grâce 2024
Official name (French) Action de Grâce
English name Canadian Thanksgiving
Date in 2024 Monday, October 14 (Farmers’ Almanac)
First celebrated 1879 (national) (Wikipedia)
Typical meal Turkey, pumpkin pie
Number of provinces observing 10

What is Action de Grâce?

Action de Grâce is the French term for Canadian Thanksgiving, celebrated on the second Monday of October. The phrase translates directly as “act of grace” — a linguistic choice that reflects Canada’s bilingual heritage.

Definition and English equivalent

  • Action de Grâce (often shortened to Action de grâce) means Thanksgiving in Canada. The Farmers’ Almanac notes that the official French name is “Jour de l’Action de grâce”.
  • In English, it is simply called Canadian Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving. The holiday falls on the same date across all provinces.

Why the term is used in French Canada

In Quebec, the French term Action de grâce is the standard way to refer to the holiday, aligning with the province’s French-language governance. According to Country Living (lifestyle magazine), the holiday is “only nominally acknowledged in Quebec,” meaning the term appears on calendars but the celebration is less pronounced than in English-speaking provinces.

Why do Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving?

Canadian Thanksgiving traces its roots to European harvest festival traditions. Unlike the US version, which commemorates Pilgrims, Canada’s holiday grew from a mix of Aboriginal, French, and English practices.

Historical origins in Canada

  • The first official Canadian Thanksgiving was proclaimed on November 6, 1879, according to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia). This makes the holiday 145 years old as of 2024.
  • The date was changed to the second Monday of October by a parliamentary proclamation on January 31, 1957 (Wikipedia).

Harvest festival roots

The holiday is fundamentally a harvest celebration. Early European settlers in Canada brought customs of giving thanks after the autumn harvest. Today, the focus remains on family meals and gratitude rather than a specific historical event.

Does Canada celebrate Thanksgiving 2024?

Yes, Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in 2024 on Monday, October 14. It is a statutory holiday in most provinces and territories, though some Atlantic provinces treat it as an optional day.

Confirmed date for 2024

The second Monday of October 2024 is October 14. This is confirmed by the Farmers’ Almanac, which lists the date well in advance.

Status as a statutory holiday

  • Thanksgiving is a federal statutory holiday and a statutory holiday in most provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut).
  • In New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, it is optional for employers to give the day off, as per the Farmers’ Almanac and Wikipedia.

The implication: while most Canadians enjoy a day off, those in Atlantic provinces should confirm with their employer.

When is Action de Grâce 2024?

The exact date is Monday, October 14, 2024. The long weekend runs from Saturday, October 12, to Monday, October 14.

Exact date and day of week

October 14, 2024, is a Monday. Many Canadians take the day off work and school, though some businesses remain open with reduced hours.

Future dates for 2025 and 2026

  • Action de Grâce 2025: Monday, October 13 (Farmers’ Almanac)
  • Action de Grâce 2026: Monday, October 12 (Farmers’ Almanac)

Knowing future dates helps in planning travel and family reunions. Farmers’ Almanac also lists dates through 2030.

How is Action de Grâce celebrated in Canada?

Celebrations center on family gatherings, a turkey dinner, and expressions of gratitude. Regional differences mean Quebec’s observance is subtler than in other provinces.

Traditional family gatherings

Families often gather on Sunday or Monday for a feast. The long weekend also allows for travel and outdoor activities. According to Wikipedia, Sunday is considered the most common day for the Thanksgiving meal.

Common foods and decorations

A typical Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Dessert is usually pumpkin pie or apple crisp. Decorations feature autumn leaves, pumpkins, and cornucopia displays.

Regional differences (Quebec vs. rest of Canada)

In Quebec, Action de Grâce is a statutory holiday but often observed quietly. The Québec Cité (official Québec City tourism site) promotes activities like apple picking, fall-color drives, and visiting the Grand Marché de Québec. Elsewhere in Canada, Thanksgiving is a major family occasion with parades and football games.

Bottom line: Canadian Thanksgiving is a harvest-focused holiday that differs from US Thanksgiving in date and origin. Quebec residents experience a quieter version, while the rest of Canada enjoys a large family celebration.

What this means: for visitors, the quieter Quebec observance offers a more relaxed weekend.

Plan ahead: check provincial holiday schedules for closures, as some stores and services remain open.

Canadian Thanksgiving vs. US Thanksgiving

One common question is how the two Thanksgivings compare. The table below highlights the key differences.

Aspect Canadian Thanksgiving US Thanksgiving
Date Second Monday of October (2024: Oct 14) (Farmers’ Almanac) Fourth Thursday of November (2024: Nov 28)
Origins European harvest festivals, formalized 1879 (Wikipedia) 1621 Pilgrim harvest feast, formalized 1863
Public holiday status Statutory in most provinces; optional in Atlantic provinces (Farmers’ Almanac) Federal holiday; all states observe
Typical foods Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie Turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie
Cultural significance Harvest gratitude; less commercial Historical commemoration plus start of holiday shopping season

The implication: the earlier Canadian date means harvest produce is fresher, and the holiday lacks the intense retail shopping push that defines its US counterpart.

Timeline of Action de Grâce (Canadian Thanksgiving)

The holiday evolved over decades to become the annual celebration it is today.

  • 1879: First national Thanksgiving proclaimed on November 6 (Wikipedia)
  • 1957: Date fixed to second Monday of October by Parliament (Wikipedia)
  • October 14, 2024: Action de Grâce 2024 (Farmers’ Almanac)
  • October 13, 2025: Action de Grâce 2025 (Farmers’ Almanac)
  • October 12, 2026: Action de Grâce 2026 (Farmers’ Almanac)

Why this matters: the 1957 fix gave Canada a consistent autumn date that remains distinct from the US holiday, reinforcing the country’s separate identity.

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Second Monday of October is the official date (Farmers’ Almanac).
  • 2024 date is October 14 (Farmers’ Almanac).
  • It is a statutory holiday in most provinces (Farmers’ Almanac).

What’s unclear

  • Exact date of first Thanksgiving in Canada (multiple claims exist).
  • Variation in observance in Quebec – some areas treat it as a regular day.

The pattern: confirmed facts are backed by official sources, while unclear points invite further research.

Quotes from sources

“L’Action de grâce (en anglais : Thanksgiving) est célébrée au Canada le deuxième lundi d’octobre pour célébrer les récoltes et rendre grâce des bonheurs…”

Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)

“Canadian Thanksgiving is only nominally acknowledged in Quebec.”

Country Living (lifestyle magazine)

Whether you’re celebrating with turkey in Toronto or enjoying a quiet fall walk in Quebec City, Action de Grâce 2024 offers a moment to pause and give thanks. For Quebec residents who treat the holiday as a low-key fall weekend, the experience is unmistakably different from the US pageantry — and that’s precisely the point. Plan your First Day of Fall 2025 and consider trying a Chicken à la King Recipe for a festive meal.

For those in Quebec, it’s important to check Quebec holiday status and store hours as some businesses may operate on reduced schedules.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you say Happy Thanksgiving in French?

In French, you say “Joyeuse Action de grâce” or “Joyeux Thanksgiving.” The most common phrase is “Joyeuse Action de grâce.”

Is Action de Grâce a public holiday in Quebec?

Yes, it is a statutory holiday in Quebec. However, many businesses remain open and the observance is more relaxed than in other provinces (Country Living).

What are typical dishes for Action de Grâce?

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie are standard. Some families also serve ham or tourtière in Quebec.

How does Canada celebrate Thanksgiving compared to the US?

Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier (October), has harvest origins rather than Pilgrim history, and is less commercialized. The US version is tied to a specific historical event and kicks off the holiday shopping season.

Are all stores closed on Action de Grâce?

Not all. Government offices, banks, and post offices are closed. Many grocery stores and retailers remain open, especially in Quebec (Farmers’ Almanac).

Why is Canadian Thanksgiving in October?

The date was chosen to coincide with the autumn harvest. In 1957, Parliament fixed it to the second Monday of October for consistency (Farmers’ Almanac).

What is the origin of the term Action de Grâce?

“Action de Grâce” translates literally to “act of grace.” It is the official French term for Thanksgiving in Canada, used in Quebec and other Francophone communities.