Thanksgiving 2026 will fall on Thursday, November 26. If you’re having people over this year, you’ll realize that there is so much more to Thanksgiving than just putting turkey and pumpkin pie on the table. We’ve put together a quick overview of Thanksgiving history and traditions, and also included a few Thanksgiving decor ideas to dress up your table and front porch. Finally, we’ll let you know what EDISHINE will be offering for this Thanksgiving.
When Is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving this year falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
If you're planning to decorate your porch or dining area, getting started in early November gives you a bit of time to make a few thoughtful changes rather than rushing through everything the day before. You don’t have to go crazy with seasonal decorations around your home. Simply focus on the spaces where people will actually use, such as your dining table, front entrance, and perhaps a patio or backyard where guests might gather.
Why Do We Celebrate Thanksgiving?
While Thanksgiving is generally seen as a time to be thankful, there is a lot more history to this holiday.
The 1621 Harvest Gathering
In Plymouth, a group of English colonists celebrated a harvest celebration in 1621. While some members of the local Wampanoag community did attend, they were a well-established community with their own land and culture. They had a complicated relationship with the colonists and there was lots of diplomacy going on. The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian offers further context in its resource on rethinking Thanksgiving celebrations.
How It Became a National Holiday
George Washington declared a day of public thanksgiving in 1789. And in 1863, Abraham Lincoln called for a national Thanksgiving observance. After a dispute over the date in the late 1930s, Congress established the fourth Thursday of November as the federal holiday in 1941. The National Archives' Thanksgiving history documents the decisions behind the date.
What Thanksgiving Means Today
Ask different families what Thanksgiving means to them, and you'll probably get different answers. For some, it's the day each year when everyone tries to make it home. Whereas for others it's a time to cook a favourite family recipe, invite friends who may not be close to their family or give back to their local community.
The meal may be the most obvious part of the holiday, but many people will have traditions around this. Whether it’s a particular dish that someone insists on making every year, the same movie playing in the background, or a familiar place at the table, all can become parts of a family's own Thanksgiving story.
How Do Americans Celebrate Thanksgiving Today?
There are a few traditions that many people associate with Thanksgiving, although not every household follows the same routine.
- Sharing a holiday meal. Turkey is a familiar centerpiece, often served with stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, and pumpkin pie. Some families will cook the same recipes every year, while others will cook dishes based on their own culture or personal preferences.
- Watching parades or football. For some families, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is part of the morning. Others turn on football, watch a movie, or spend the afternoon talking around the table. These activities often become part of the day simply because families repeat them year after year.
- Helping the community. Food drives, community meals, and volunteer work are also part of Thanksgiving for many people. Sharing a meal or giving back to a neighbor can be just as important as having a big meal.
- Getting the house ready for guests. A bit of seasonal decorating is another great way to prepare. You don't need to go crazy, a few thoughtful touches will make your home feel ready for guests.
If you're hosting this year, consider how you can make things easier for your guests. Do you have enough space to move around the table? Is there an easy path to your front door at night? Do people have somewhere comfy to sit whilst you're cooking? These practical details can matter more than an elaborate decorations.
Simple Thanksgiving Decorations for Home
Sometimes you don't need a house full of seasonal decorations to make Thanksgiving feel special. A few natural materials, warm colors, and a clear focal point are enough.
Thanksgiving Table Decorations
The dining table is basically where much of the day happens, so start with it. You can use a linen runner, simple ceramic plates, cloth napkins, and a small arrangement of seasonal flowers to set the tone.
Additionally, mini pumpkins, autumn leaves, or a few branches in a low vase will add more seasonal color. Color also matters, but it doesn't need to be complicated. Cream, muted rust, brown, and natural wood work well together and can be reused throughout fall.
If you have a sideboard or console near the dining table, a small table lamp can add a softer pool of light once dinner winds down. A wood body and linen shade also sit naturally with the warm, simple materials used in fall table settings.
EDISHINE PICKS
Wood Body & Linen Shade Table Lamp
A compact accent for a dining-room sideboard, bedroom, or living room, with a solid wood body and a linen shade that gives off soft, warm light.
Outdoor Thanksgiving Decorations
Your front porch will be what your guests will see first, and fortunately, it doesn't take much to make it feel seasonal. A Thanksgiving wreath on the front door, a pair of pumpkins beside the steps, or a few pots of chrysanthemums can be enough.
When choosing outdoor Thanksgiving decorations, consider how they will look in daylight and after sunset. You can also carry a few colors from the porch into the rest of the house. Add a rust-colored cushion, a small arrangement of autumn leaves, or a plain bowl of seasonal produce to connect the spaces.
Outdoor Lighting for Thanksgiving Evening
Decorations will look compltely different once the sun goes down. You may want to add some lighting to make your guests aware of where they are walking. Adding some wall lights will help light up your entrance, pathway lights will help show the route, and spotlights can highlight your favorite tree or planter. You don’t need to use all of these—just start with the area you find most difficult to see.
If you are looking for a more complete setup, we have a range of outdoor lighting including wall lights, spotlights, and pathway lights. For ideas on where fixtures can go, see the outdoor wall light placement guide.
Outdoor Wall Lights
A well-placed fixture can make the front entrance easier to see and give the doorway a finished look. See our outdoor wall lights to find the best style for your exterior designs.
Outdoor Spotlights
If you want to draw attention to a small tree, fall foliage, or a planter, then using a spotlight can add focused illumination without brightening the whole yard. Explore our range of outdoor spotlights.
Choose fixtures that suit the location and follow the manufacturer's guidance for outdoor use and installation. If you're unsure how bright an entry fixture needs to be, our guide on how many lumens you should have for your outdoor wall lights will help.
EDISHINE PICKS
Motion Sensor Outdoor Wall Light
Model: HOWL21A1
A useful choice for the front entrance, with motion sensing and dusk-to-dawn operation.
Dimmable LED Outdoor Wall Lights
Model: HOWL22E
A slim, modern pair with adjustable color temperature and dimming for a more tailored porch setting.
Modern Dimmable Outdoor Wall Lights
Model: HOWL22J
Clean black lines and adjustable light settings suit contemporary porches, garages, and exterior walls.
EDISHINE Black Friday Lighting Offers
EDISHINE’s Black Friday sale runs from November 2 through December 5, 2026. Along with savings on indoor and outdoor lighting, the campaign includes a spin-the-wheel promotion, bundle discounts, order-total savings, and an extra discount on selected final-stock items. Visit the EDISHINE Black Friday sale page for the current offers and terms.
Build a Bundle and Save
If you’re updating more than one space, the bundle offer can help you save on several lights at once. Choose 3 eligible items to get 15% off, or 5 eligible items to get 20% off. Check the Build Your Bundle page for the current product selection and offer terms.
Spin the Wheel for a Prize
The Black Friday page also invites shoppers to enter an email address and spin the wheel. It displays “100% Win!” and shows rewards such as a $300 gift card, a free floor lamp, 25% off outdoor lighting, 50% off all bulbs, 15% off all, and 18% off all. The prize you receive depends on the wheel result and the promotion’s terms.
- Extra 30% off selected final-stock items
- Extra 18% off outdoor lighting
- Extra 18% off indoor lighting
- Up to 50% off selected products
- Free and fast shipping, plus a 1-year warranty
The final-stock offer applies to selected items, and wheel prizes and other discounts may have separate eligibility rules. Check the product page, sale page, and cart for the final offer details. Do not assume that different promotions can be combined.
Automatic Savings at Checkout
The sale page also lists automatic discounts based on your order total:
| Order total | Automatic discount |
|---|---|
| $140+ | 12% off |
| $180+ | 15% off |
| $250+ | 20% off |
These order-total discounts are applied automatically; no discount code is needed for these thresholds.
Offer eligibility may vary by product. Review the current sale terms and the final amount shown at checkout before placing your order.
Thanksgiving FAQs
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 will be on Thursday, November 26. The holiday is observed on the fourth Thursday of November each year.
Why do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and has links to harvest. Over time the modern version was created and the Federal Holiday was set in 1941.
What are popular Thanksgiving decorations?
Pumpkins, autumn leaves, seasonal flowers, wreaths, table runners, and simple centerpieces are popular. Natural materials and muted fall colors can also create a seasonal vibe.
How can I decorate my front porch for Thanksgiving?
Start with a wreath, a few pumpkins or planters, and a clear path to the front door. Ensure your steps and entrance are easy to see at night.
When does EDISHINE’s Black Friday sale end?
EDISHINE’s Black Friday promotion runs from November 2 to December 5, 2026, which includes a spin-the-wheel offer, bundle savings, discounts on selected indoor and outdoor lighting, and automatic savings on qualifying order totals.
A Quick Check Before Thanksgiving
It’s easy to get carried away and create a long list of things to buy for your Thanksgiving. But it doesn't have to! A table with room for the food, a few autumn details at the entrance, and lighting that helps guests find their way can really make a big difference.
At EDISHINE, we see lighting as one part of how a home works and feels. If you're making a few changes before November 26, start with the spaces that matter most to you—and choose the updates that will be useful long after the holiday is over.
Ready to plan your setup? Explore the outdoor lighting collection for ideas for your entryway, garden, and walkway, or visit the EDISHINE Black Friday sale page to see current offers before December 5.
