When is Thanksgiving? What is it?

Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 28.

The holiday originated as a harvest festival. The event that Americans commonly call the “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621.

Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the US when President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of ‘Thanksgiving’ in October 1862 during the Civil War. The proclamation was written by his Secretary of State William Seward of Auburn, NY

See what’s open and closed on Thanksgiving:

Are banks open on Thanksgiving?

No, the banks are closed on Thursdays, but open on Fridays.

Is the stock market open on Thanksgiving?

No, the financial markets are closed on Thursday. They will be open again on Friday.

Are government offices open on Thanksgiving?

City, county, state and federal offices are closed Thursday. Some offices, like the city of Syracuse, will also be closed Friday.

Are post offices closed on Thanksgiving? Is there mail delivery?

U.S. Post Offices will be closed on Thursday and no mail will be delivered. The USPS offices will reopen on Friday and mail will be delivered then.

UPS and FedEx will also be closed Thursday due to no Thanksgiving delivery.

• USPS announces holiday deadlines for 2024, and they’re sooner than you think

Is waste collected?

Trash collection in the city of Syracuse will be one day late on both Thursday and Friday; Thursday’s trash is picked up on Friday and Friday is Saturday. Other municipal and private carriers may operate on a different schedule.

Are restaurants and shops open? Will malls have regular hours?

Many restaurants and stores are closed Thursday, including Target and Walmart. Most will reopen for regular hours on Friday, and some will offer special hours for Black Friday shopping.

Destiny USA is closed on Thanksgiving. The Syracuse mall will reopen for Black Friday shopping at 7 a.m. Friday and begin extended holiday hours.

Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving? Is Target open on Thanksgiving? Is Wegmans open?

Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s and Aldi are closed on Thanksgiving. Wegmans is open until 4pm at most locations on Thanksgiving Day. Tops is also open until 4pm on Thursday, Price Chopper is open until 3pm and Nichols in Liverpool is open until 2pm

Are pharmacies open?

Some pharmacies, including most Walgreens locations, are closed on Thanksgiving. Most CVS and Rite Aid locations are open Thursday, as is Kinney Drugs at 437 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool (store and pharmacy); check your location’s opening hours before visiting.

Is parking free on Thanksgiving?

Parking at all meters in downtown Syracuse is free Thursday and Friday.

Are libraries open on Thanksgiving?

The Onondaga County Central Library and all city branches will be closed Thursday and Friday. Suburbs’ opening hours vary; You can consult your branch via the province’s website.

Do the buses run at the regular time?

Centro operates a Sunday/holiday schedule for Thanksgiving. The buses will run according to the normal timetable on Friday. For information, call 442-3400 or visit Centro’s website.