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Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated holiday in the United States, but what about Europe? While most European countries don’t observe Thanksgiving in the American sense, they do have harvest festivals and traditions that share similar themes of gratitude, community, and seasonal celebration. In this article, we’ll explore European countries with Thanksgiving-like festivities and how they compare to the American holiday.
In the United States, Thanksgiving is one of the most significant national holidays, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It has its roots in the early 17th century, when English Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a harvest feast in 1621. Over time, the holiday evolved into a nationwide tradition centered around gratitude, family gatherings, and feasting.
Typical American Thanksgiving customs include:
Unlike the United States, most European countries do not have a direct equivalent to Thanksgiving. However, many nations celebrate harvest festivals that share similar themes of gratitude, community, and giving thanks for the year’s bounty.
In German-speaking countries, Erntedankfest (Harvest Thanksgiving Festival) is an autumn celebration with religious and agricultural roots. It is typically observed in late September or early October. Though less commercial than American Thanksgiving, it includes:
The Netherlands has a unique historical link to Thanksgiving due to the Pilgrims, who lived in Leiden before sailing to North America. While the country does not have a national Thanksgiving holiday, some Dutch communities commemorate this heritage. The Pilgrim Fathers Church in Leiden holds a Thanksgiving Day service, particularly aimed at Americans living in the Netherlands.
Many European countries have long-standing harvest traditions that reflect gratitude for nature’s bounty:
While Thanksgiving remains a distinctly American holiday, its themes of gratitude and harvest celebration are reflected in numerous European traditions, illustrating a shared global appreciation for nature's abundance.
In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Erntedankfest (literally "Harvest Thanksgiving Festival") is a traditional celebration of gratitude for a successful harvest. Unlike American Thanksgiving, which is widely secular and family-centered, Erntedankfest has strong religious roots, often tied to Christian traditions.
The festival is typically celebrated in late September or early October, with special church services that include the blessing of harvested crops. Churches are often adorned with sheaves of wheat, fruits, and vegetables, symbolizing abundance and gratitude. In many Catholic and Protestant communities, processions and communal feasts are common, reinforcing the theme of giving thanks.
A key part of Erntedankfest is the Erntekrone (harvest crown), a decorative wreath made of twisted grains and flowers, which is often carried in parades or displayed in churches. In rural areas, farmers may organize local fairs featuring music, folk dances, and food markets. While not as food-centric as American Thanksgiving, traditional dishes such as hearty stews, sausages, and regional bread varieties are enjoyed during the celebrations.
The Netherlands has a unique historical connection to Thanksgiving due to its ties to the Pilgrims who later settled in America. Before their voyage on the Mayflower in 1620, the Pilgrims lived in the Dutch city of Leiden for over a decade, seeking religious freedom.
To honor this connection, the city of Leiden holds an annual Thanksgiving Day service at the Pieterskerk (St. Peter’s Church), where many of the Pilgrims worshipped before departing for the New World. This tradition is more of a commemoration than a widespread national celebration, but it highlights the historical link between the Netherlands and the origins of Thanksgiving in America.
Beyond the Pilgrim connection, the Dutch also celebrate Oogstdankdag (Harvest Thanksgiving Day) in some Protestant communities, particularly in agricultural regions. This celebration, similar to Erntedankfest in Germany, involves church services and community meals thanking nature for a bountiful harvest. Seasonal foods such as stamppot (a mashed potato dish with vegetables) and pannenkoeken (Dutch pancakes) are often enjoyed during these events.
European harvest festivals reflect deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions, emphasizing gratitude for nature’s abundance. While they may not directly mirror the American Thanksgiving holiday, they share common themes of appreciation, community, and seasonal celebration.
Erntedankfest, or the "Harvest Thanksgiving Festival," is a significant tradition in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Typically observed in late September or early October, this religious and cultural holiday is dedicated to giving thanks for a successful harvest.
Erntedankfest has strong Christian roots, particularly within Catholic and Protestant communities. Church services play a central role, often featuring elaborate displays of harvested fruits, vegetables, and grains as offerings of gratitude. Many churches conduct processions, blessing the harvest and praying for future prosperity.
While not as family-centered as American Thanksgiving, Erntedankfest is marked by community gatherings and festive meals. Traditional foods include fresh bread, roasted meats, seasonal vegetables, and locally produced wine. Some regions host parades, music performances, and even lantern processions for children. In rural areas, celebrations may extend to festivals with folk dancing, horse-drawn carts, and agricultural exhibitions.
The Netherlands has a unique historical connection to Thanksgiving, particularly in the city of Leiden. In the early 17th century, a group of English Puritans—later known as the Pilgrims—lived in Leiden before sailing to America on the Mayflower. This historical link has led to the observance of a small-scale Thanksgiving celebration in the country.
The Pilgrims spent over a decade in the Netherlands, escaping religious persecution in England before eventually departing for the New World in 1620. Their time in Leiden influenced aspects of their culture and beliefs, which they carried with them to America.
Today, Leiden holds an annual Thanksgiving Day service at the Pieterskerk (St. Peter’s Church), attended by Dutch citizens and American expatriates. The event commemorates the Pilgrims’ time in the Netherlands and their journey to America. While the Dutch do not have a nationwide Thanksgiving celebration, they observe various harvest festivals, such as oogstfeesten, which honor agricultural traditions and local harvests.
Beyond Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, many other European countries hold their own versions of harvest festivals. These celebrations often blend historical traditions with modern festivities, emphasizing gratitude, agricultural heritage, and communal gatherings.
While Europe does not have a single Thanksgiving equivalent, harvest festivals across the continent share the common themes of gratitude, agricultural appreciation, and community celebration.
In modern Europe, Thanksgiving is generally perceived as an American holiday with little cultural or historical relevance to most European nations. While some Europeans are aware of Thanksgiving through American media, the holiday is not widely celebrated on the continent. Instead, countries with their own historical harvest festivals, such as Germany’s Erntedankfest, tend to focus on their traditional customs rather than adopting American Thanksgiving traditions.
However, Thanksgiving is gaining some recognition in Europe due to globalization, expatriate communities, and commercial influences. Restaurants in major cities like London, Paris, and Berlin often offer Thanksgiving-themed meals catering to American tourists and expatriates.
American expatriates living in Europe often celebrate Thanksgiving in private gatherings with friends and family. International communities, including students and professionals, sometimes organize Thanksgiving dinners to introduce the holiday to locals or maintain a sense of home. Embassies and international schools also play a role in keeping the tradition alive for Americans abroad.
Retailers and restaurants in major European cities increasingly acknowledge Thanksgiving, especially in areas with a high population of American expatriates. Supermarkets in cities like London and Paris may stock traditional Thanksgiving ingredients such as cranberries, turkey, and pumpkin pie filling in November. Some high-end restaurants and hotels capitalize on the holiday by offering special Thanksgiving menus, though this remains a niche trend rather than a widespread custom.
While Thanksgiving itself is not a public holiday in Europe, the commercial aspect of the holiday has made an impact. Black Friday, the shopping event that follows Thanksgiving in the U.S., has been widely adopted by European retailers. Many European consumers associate Thanksgiving with the sales and discounts that Black Friday brings rather than with the traditional feast and expressions of gratitude.
In general, Europeans view Thanksgiving as an American tradition rather than a holiday they should adopt. However, with increasing globalization and cultural exchanges, some elements of Thanksgiving—such as communal meals and expressions of gratitude—are becoming more familiar. As international communities grow and traditions blend, Thanksgiving may continue to gain visibility in Europe, though it is unlikely to become a widely observed holiday in the near future.
With globalization and increased cultural exchange, Thanksgiving is becoming more familiar to Europeans. While it is not widely celebrated as a national holiday outside North America, its presence is growing through American expatriates, international schools, and businesses that cater to global audiences. Social media and digital platforms have also contributed to spreading awareness of Thanksgiving traditions, leading to more informal gatherings and themed events across Europe.
Retailers and restaurants in major European cities have embraced Thanksgiving as an opportunity for seasonal promotions. Supermarkets stock traditional Thanksgiving ingredients like turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin, while restaurants offer special Thanksgiving menus. This trend reflects a broader commercialization of global holidays, where businesses capitalize on popular foreign traditions to attract customers.
While it is unlikely that Thanksgiving will become a formal holiday in Europe, some aspects of the celebration may evolve to fit European cultural contexts. Countries with strong harvest festival traditions, such as Germany and the Netherlands, may integrate Thanksgiving-like elements into their existing celebrations. Additionally, multinational families and expatriate communities may continue to shape the holiday’s presence in Europe, blending American traditions with local customs.
Beyond the historical and cultural ties to North America, the spirit of Thanksgiving—expressing gratitude and sharing meals with loved ones—resonates universally. European societies that prioritize family gatherings and communal meals may find value in adopting aspects of the holiday without fully embracing its American origins. As discussions around gratitude, mindfulness, and togetherness gain prominence, Thanksgiving-inspired celebrations may take root in new and meaningful ways.
While Thanksgiving in Europe remains largely an expatriate and commercial occasion, the future may see a more localized adaptation of the holiday. Whether through personal gatherings, themed events, or hybrid traditions that merge Thanksgiving with existing European harvest festivals, the essence of giving thanks has the potential to find a lasting place in European culture.
Europe doesn’t have a direct equivalent to Thanksgiving, but various harvest festivals reflect similar themes of gratitude. While Thanksgiving remains uniquely American, its influence continues to grow through expatriates, globalization, and commercial trends. Whether you’re traveling or living abroad, you can still find ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in Europe—whether through traditional meals, international gatherings, or simply embracing the spirit of gratitude.
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