Thanksgiving 2026: Date, Rising Travel Costs, Turkey Deals, Macy's Parade and Latest Holiday News

HOLIDAY NEWS | NOVEMBER 1, 2026

Thanksgiving 2026 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 26, and Americans are already preparing for one of the country's biggest family holidays. With less than four weeks remaining, interest is growing around Thanksgiving travel deals, grocery prices, holiday shopping and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Airline tickets cost more than they did a year ago, while some retailers are selling Thanksgiving dinners for as little as $3.50 per person. Here is what to know before the holiday.

When Is Thanksgiving 2026?

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26, 2026

Days remaining: 25, as of November 1

Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday of November every year in the United States. The date is officially confirmed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

As a federal holiday, many government offices, banks and postal services will close or operate on adjusted schedules. Most private businesses set their own holiday hours.

Walmart Announces $35 Thanksgiving Dinner for 10

Walmart has announced a holiday meal basket designed to feed 10 people for approximately $35.

According to Walmart's October 28 announcement, the basket contains 26 items, including a Butterball turkey, traditional Thanksgiving sides, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie.

The advertised price works out to approximately $3.50 per person.

Walmart describes the package as its best-value holiday basket to date.

Target has announced a $30 Thanksgiving meal for six people, equivalent to $5 per person. The retailer also plans to offer Good & Gather frozen turkey at 79 cents per pound beginning in November.

The Target Thanksgiving announcement includes potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, stuffing, gravy and bread among the meal components.

Target's advertised meal pricing is valid November 8–29, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

Aldi is advertising a $39 Thanksgiving meal for 10, according to ABC News.

Prices, availability, quantities and eligible products can vary.

Thanksgiving 2026 Travel Costs Reach 10-Year Highs

Average domestic round-trip Thanksgiving airfare: $402, 31% higher than 2025 (Hopper's September 25, 2026 travel forecast)

Thanksgiving travel could become significantly more expensive this year.

A 2026 Holiday Travel Index from Hopper reports that average domestic round-trip Thanksgiving airfare reached $402, approximately 31% higher than in 2025.

The travel platform attributes much of the increase to elevated jet fuel costs, which have helped push holiday airfare toward 10-year highs.

Hotel prices have remained comparatively stable. Hopper reports average Thanksgiving hotel rates of approximately $170 per night.

Travelers looking for cheaper flights may benefit from adjusting their departure dates.

According to KAYAK's holiday travel analysis, November 23 is expected to offer comparatively good value for domestic departures, while flying on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, could deliver additional savings.

The company estimates that Thanksgiving Day fares may be up to 19% cheaper for domestic trips than flights departing November 20.

Those predictions are based on booking and search data, not guaranteed future ticket prices.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 Celebrates Its 100th Parade

The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is scheduled for November 26 in New York City.

The event will feature 100 inflatable elements, including giant character balloons, smaller balloons and other parade attractions.

According to Macy's official parade lineup, characters featured this year include Bluey, Hello Kitty, Joe Cool and Woodstock, Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey and Underdog.

On October 28, Universal Orlando announced that its Earl the Squirrel character will make his giant-balloon debut during the parade.

The Universal Orlando announcement confirms that Earl's balloon will stand more than 30 feet tall before later appearing at Universal's holiday celebrations in Florida.

The 2026 parade will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo beginning at 8:30 a.m. in all U.S. time zones.

Free Thanksgiving Turkey Deals Attract Shoppers

Several grocery chains are also offering free-turkey promotions tied to qualifying purchases.

According to Serious Eats' October 31 report, BJ's Wholesale Club members can qualify for a Butterball turkey worth up to $25 after spending at least $150 in one eligible transaction between October 31 and November 9.

ShopRite is offering a qualifying turkey promotion that requires $400 in eligible purchases during its promotional period.

Giant Eagle customers can qualify for a frozen turkey after reaching a separate $350 spending threshold.

The deals make the most sense for households already planning large grocery purchases. Shoppers should read the eligibility rules carefully, since spending extra just to qualify for a free turkey may not save any money.

Thanksgiving 2026 Food Trends

Traditional Thanksgiving foods remain popular, but many Americans are experimenting with new dishes.

A YouGov survey cited by Target found that seven in 10 Americans value Thanksgiving food traditions, while nearly half of Thanksgiving celebrants expect to add a personal twist to a familiar recipe.

Retailers are responding with sourdough stuffing, new appetizer combinations, upgraded vegetable dishes and alternative desserts.

For many families, the central dishes of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie will stay the same even as new recipes join the table.

Planning Ahead for Thanksgiving 2026

Higher airfare could make visiting relatives more expensive this year, while supermarket promotions offer ways to reduce the cost of cooking at home.

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26. Families planning to travel, shop or host have reason to start early.