What is Thanksgiving Day?

Thanksgiving, as the name suggests, is a holiday dedicated to giving thanks, whether to God or to the earth, inter alia, and it involves sharing food and spending time with family or friends. In the United States, many people celebrate with a dinner that typically includes roast turkey, drinks, and enjoyable conversation. Others may choose to volunteer or spend the day quietly. Although the holiday has religious origins, people observe it in various ways today.

In the United States, Thanksgiving holds significance comparable to Christmas. Besides the U.S. and Canada, the holiday is celebrated in only a few other countries that were formerly American colonies or protectorates.

When is Thanksgiving Day 2026?

In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is Thursday, November 26, 2026. It falls on the fourth Thursday of November each year. Canada Thanksgiving observes on the second Monday in October, which was Monday, October 12 in 2026.

Peru doesn't recognize the U.S. November holiday as a national public holiday, and it's not as popular in the Andean country.

History of Thanksgiving Day

The history of Thanksgiving dates back to 1621 when a communal meal was held between the Wampanoag Native American tribe and the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. The Pilgrims arrived in America seeking better economic opportunities, but they faced significant challenges during their first year, including food shortages and harsh weather conditions. With the help of the Wampanoag tribe, the Pilgrims learned how to cultivate the land and hunt for the resources they needed to survive. In return, the Pilgrims assisted the Wampanoag in defeating their rival tribe, the Narragansett.

The first Thanksgiving was a celebration of the harvest and an expression of gratitude for overcoming the difficulties of that first year. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe came together for a harvest festival and shared the food they had prepared.

Sarah Josepha Hale, a writer and editor, campaigned for a national Thanksgiving holiday, which Abraham Lincoln proclaimed during the Civil War in 1863, as a way to unite both sides. In 1941, the U.S. Congress officially designated the fourth Thursday of November as the federal Thanksgiving holiday, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the resolution into law.

Thanksgiving Day in the United States

Roast turkey is a common centerpiece of Thanksgiving meals in both the United States and Canada. Common Thanksgiving Day sides typically include stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, although menus can vary by household and region in the U.S. The turkey and the meal itself often serve as a reason for family and friends to gather together.

In the U.S., many also enjoy watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York or a football game. Other popular activities include spending time outdoors, volunteering, or hosting a lunch with friends.

As you can see, there is no single way to celebrate this day.

Thanksgiving in other countries

The political and cultural influence of the United States on countries that were its colonies or protectorates has made it possible for the assimilation of this very Anglo holiday. We can mention the Philippines or some Caribbean islands.

However, each of them has found its own way to celebrate it. From family dinners to festivals in urban and rural communities, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give thanks for life, food, and togetherness, transcending cultures and generations.

Do they celebrate Thanksgiving in Peru?

Thanksgiving in Peru is not celebrated as it’s known in the United States. The country has no official date for celebrating this activity. Nevertheless, some evangelical churches do it in order to recognize the very act of giving thanks. Therefore, the fourth Thursday of November is a common day in the Andean country. Transport services, trains, banks, and tourist attractions, among others, are operating normally.

The Pachamama ceremony

The concept of giving thanks is deeply embedded in Andean culture. In Cusco and other Andean regions, ceremonies to honor Pachamama, or Mother Earth, have been practiced since Inca times.

Expressing gratitude to the earth was one of the core principles of the Incas. They were born from the earth, and upon their death, they were buried in it. The land provided food through abundant harvests and crops, clothing from the wool of animals that grazed in its pastures, and shelter from the rocks and stones used to build palaces.

For these reasons, the Incas referred to it as Mother Earth.

There is no dinner or fraternal meal involved, but rather a gift buried in remote areas of the Andes. This gift to Pachamama includes offerings like fruits, grains, and coca leaves, among others.  The Paco (Andean shaman) prepares these gifts at the request of the interested party and buries them with a ceremony that includes songs in Quechua, chicha, and coca leaves.

This is a way to show gratitude for harvests, health, and prosperity. These ceremonies or "pagos" are held every June 21 (Andean New Year) or during August.

Today, these traditions are often shared with visitors, especially during treks to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail or Salkantay route.

Spending Thanksgiving in Cusco or Lima

Planning Thanksgiving dinner

If a traditional Thanksgiving meal matters to you, arrange it separately from your tour plans. Ask your hotel or chosen restaurant whether it has a confirmed menu for Thursday, November 26, 2026. Check the actual event date; an older Thanksgiving promotion may still appear in search results.

For a simpler celebration, choose a restaurant you already want to try and share a meal there. Peruvian gastronomy can be part of your own holiday plans without being presented as a traditional Peruvian Thanksgiving dinner.

If you are in a group in an Airbnb, you can organize an intimate dinner this night. Peru has it all; thanks to its varied meal production, you can find everything from generous turkeys to even the most unusual seasonings in the markets of Peru.

Choosing where to spend the day

In Lima, you could plan sightseeing around the neighborhood where you will have dinner and leave time for the journey between them. If you what to spend a Thanksgiving in Cusco, allow room in your schedule to rest before demanding hikes. If you choose a Sacred Valley day tour, check the return time before making an evening reservation.

If you will be on a multi-day trek like the Classic Salkantay Trek 4 Days, ask the operator where you will be on November 26. A campsite, a hotel in town, and an overnight journey each require different meal plans.

A special Thanksgiving menu should be confirmed in advance rather than assumed to be included.

Visiting Machu Picchu during Thanksgiving

Choosing between a train visit and a trek

Start by planning which attraction you would like to visit on November 26th of this year. If you would like to take a full-day tour to Machu Picchu, you can schedule it for that day. If you prefer the classic Inca Trail trek 4 days, we recommend booking it for November 24th; this way, you will arrive at Machu Picchu on the 26th, Thanksgiving Day itself.

In the case of a full-day visit to Machu Picchu, confirm your entry arrangements and transport schedules before organizing the rest of the day around a fixed Thanksgiving dinner time. For a Lares, Salkantay or Inca Trail trek, ask the operator to check the finish time of the activities at 26th and the option of dinner option they will provide that day.

Preparing for November weather

November is the beginning of the rainy season in Cusco that goes up to April of the next year.

In Machu Picchu, temperatures in November range between 7°C and 25°C (44°F - 77°F), with average lows of 7°C to 8°C (44°F - 47°F) in the morning or at night, and daytime highs of 18°C to 25°C (64°F - 77°F).

November can bring showers and cloud cover around Machu Picchu, so prepare for changing weather. Waterproof outerwear, footwear with reliable grip, and a dry bag for items that must stay dry can make the visit more comfortable. A particular entry time cannot guarantee clear views.

Spending Thanksgiving in Peru: What Travelers Should Know

• Decide where you want to be on November 26: Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, or on a trekking route.
• Check your tour itinerary and its end time before booking additional activities.
• If you’re interested in dining at a particular Peruvian restaurant or hotel, confirm your dinner reservation separately.
• Check if the desired restaurant or hotel in Peru will offer the specific menu you want.
• Allow time between the end of a tour and your evening reservation, as you'll need time to prepare and move to your dinner location.
• If you opt for a trekking route or an outdoor tour, such as the classic Sacred Valley tour, be sure to pack for the changing November conditions and keep your important items dry.

Are you planning a Thanksgiving trip to Peru? Tell us about your travel dates, the number of days you’ll be there, and whether you prefer a train visit or a trek. We can help you compare routes and check availability before you make your choice.

FAQs - Thanksgiving Day