Christmas in the US: Traditions and Recipes 2026
Published October 24, 2026 · GiveOwl
American Christmas is a mix of English, Dutch and German customs that grew up on this side of the Atlantic, and it starts with Thanksgiving. Here are the key dates for 2026, short histories with sources, and simple recipes you can make yourself.
Key dates 2026
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26 (federal holiday)
- Black Friday: Friday, November 27
- Advent Sunday (first Sunday of Advent): Sunday, November 29
- Cyber Monday: Monday, November 30
- First advent calendar door: Tuesday, December 1
- Hanukkah: begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, 2026 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12, 2026
- Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24
- Christmas Day: Friday, December 25 (federal holiday)
- Kwanzaa: December 26 to January 1
Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November, so in 2026 there are 29 days from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day (our calculation). Advent Sunday is also our calculation. Federal holiday dates come from OPM, Black Friday and Cyber Monday from timeanddate.com, Hanukkah from Hebcal and Kwanzaa from the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Our guides
- Thanksgiving 2026: date, history and pumpkin pie: how the date was settled, USDA turkey safety, and a simple pumpkin pie.
- Advent calendar tradition in the US: how advent calendars reached American homes after World War II.
- Christmas sugar cookies: recipe and cookie exchange tips: from Pennsylvania German cookies to a simple cut-out recipe and tips for a cookie exchange.
- Gingerbread: history and a simple cookie recipe: the history of gingerbread and a simple cookie recipe.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the US: Santa, the tree, stockings and cards, plus Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
- Eggnog: history and an alcohol-free recipe: where the name comes from, and a cooked, alcohol-free eggnog.
Take part, don't just read
If you would rather win something: Black Friday & 12 Days of Christmas giveaways 2026 and Christmas giveaways 2026 (US) list the sweepstakes and giveaways we have checked on the organizer's own page, and Christmas giveaways in the US shows them all. For gifts, see advent calendars to buy and toy advent calendars for kids (ad, affiliate links).
