“At Thanksgiving” vs “On Thanksgiving”

When talking about the Thanksgiving holiday in English, people often wonder whether to use at Thanksgiving or on Thanksgiving. Both are grammatically correct—but they’re used in different contexts.

“On Thanksgiving”

Use “on Thanksgiving” when referring to the specific day—Thanksgiving Day (the fourth Thursday in November in the U.S.).

• We always eat turkey on Thanksgiving.
• She called her parents on Thanksgiving.
• The parade happens on Thanksgiving morning.

“At Thanksgiving”

Use “at Thanksgiving” when speaking more generally about the holiday period or the tradition as a whole—not necessarily the exact day.

• Our family gathers at Thanksgiving every year.
• He reflects on gratitude at Thanksgiving.
• Food prices rise at Thanksgiving.

Quick Tip

Think of it this way:

• On = specific date (like on Monday, on July 4th)
• At = general time or event (like at Christmas, at Easter)

While usage can vary slightly by region or speaker, following this guideline will help you sound natural and accurate.