Does Turkey Celebrate Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving in Turkey Explained in Fewer than 140 Characters

In short, if you’re wondering, “Does Turkey celebrate Thanksgiving?” the short answer is “not officially”—though the holiday has gained popularity in certain areas, especially where there’s a larger American community.

I moved to Istanbul in 2019, excited to embrace life abroad after years of traveling internationally. Even with that experience, I was surprised by the cultural adjustments and the small things I missed, especially around the holidays.

Thanksgiving, in particular, stood out. It’s my favorite holiday, one rooted in family traditions. Being away from home made me realize how much it means to me and how I “wasn’t in Kansas anymore”.

During my first year here, most of my new friends were working full-time, which meant our Thanksgiving gathering was squeezed into the evening, and everything felt a bit rushed and unfamiliar.

Though I was incredibly grateful to celebrate, it was a different experience with new faces in a new country, and it left me with mixed feelings.

But over time, I’ve learned to adapt and create meaningful celebrations here with other foreigners and local friends. Some years have been uniquely memorable, bringing together a blend of American traditions and Turkish warmth.

So, whether you came here for a quick answer or are curious to dive deeper, let me share how Thanksgiving has found its place among expats in this beautiful country, and how it continues to evolve in my life as an American in Turkey.

American Thanksgiving Traditions Abroad

Every year Americans celebrate Thanksgiving as expats, even if no one else.

However, often because expats are working in schools and offices that don’t recognize the holiday, it can’t be celebrated on Thursday it is often celebrated much later in the day or over the weekend. 

I know as an American expat myself we have celebrated it on the Saturday after Thanksgiving with friends. While I am self-employed and can work from wherever, whenever, I have the flexibility to change my work hours. 

But I have many friends with kids and those kids are in school. This means they would miss out on the festivities if we tried to proceed as normal.

But let’s be honest, the expat life is anything but normal. 

Thanksgiving in Turkey is anything but normal. Often you can’t find what you want/need to make a special recipe back home and so you must improvise. If you move here, there is a great Facebook group for that!

One of the things I miss most is fresh cranberries.  You can rehydrate dried ones but they are often coated in so much sugar it just doesn’t seem worth it.

So when November rolls around, you will see people asking if anyone is coming from the States so they can bring that one item that’s needed for their tradition. 

Thankfully you can roast turkey and make pumpkin pie and mash potatoes for a pretty decent meal even if there is no ham or real marshmallows or cranberries. 

Side note: while doing research I came across this cool article from History.com about what was actually eaten that first Thanksgiving.

That being said, as Americans celebrate and invite their local friends, there are pockets of locals celebrating and really catching on to the idea of a holiday centered around thankfulness. 

Yabangee is a great place to keep your eyes open for possible events to celebrate with others while you’re here!

Türkiye’s holidays of thankfulness

While Turkey does not celebrate Thanksgiving as an official holiday, gratitude and thankfulness are important aspects of Turkish culture, particularly during their religious holidays.

Eid al-Fitr

One of the most significant religious holidays in Turkey is Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting.

During this festival, Muslims express their gratitude to Allah for the strength and ability to complete the fasting period. They also extend their gratitude to family and friends by exchanging gifts and participating in communal feasts.

Eid al-Adha

Another important holiday is Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. This holiday commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah.

Muslims express gratitude by sacrificing an animal, usually a sheep, and distributing a portion of it to the needy. This act symbolizes their willingness to give and share with others.

National Sovereignty and Children’s Day

Furthermore, Turkey has its National Sovereignty and Children’s Day on April 23rd, which celebrates the establishment of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

This day emphasizes the importance of children and their rights. It is a day when children are praised and appreciated, and gratitude is expressed for their role in society.

Although Thanksgiving dinner in its traditional form is not celebrated in Turkey, the appreciation and gratitude ingrained in their religious and cultural festivities show that the spirit of gratitude is undoubtedly present in Turkish society. 

How to say ‘Thank You in Turkish 

Well, lucky for you, there are a few different ways to do it in Turkish! One of the most common ways is by saying ‘teşekkür ederim’. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but it’s a polite and formal way to express gratitude.

If you’re feeling a bit more laid-back, you can go for ‘sağol’. It’s a casual way to say thanks, kind of like saying ‘Thanks, mate!’ Typically used when you don’t know the person. 

Another casual option is ‘teşekkürler’. It’s a bit easier to say, but still gets the point across. This one you would use with people you know in a casual setting.

Now, if you want to give someone a little extra thanks, you can say ‘ellerinize sağlık’. Literally it means “health to your hands” but it’s kind of like saying ‘Thanks for your hard work’. Usually, this is said when someone cooks something or makes something with their hands. 

If you want to express gratitude in a more religious context, you can say ‘şükür’. And if you really want to sound old-school, you can say ‘eksik olma’ or ‘kesene bereket’. These are kind of like saying ‘Thanks a bunch’ or ‘Thanks a million’. 

So, whether you’re feeling formal or casual, Turkish has got you covered when it comes to saying thanks! 

Which Countries celebrate Thanksgiving?

I have talked a lot about Americans in this post but something that still makes me smile is the growing number of Canadian friends I have made here in Turkey.

They also celebrate Thanksgiving albeit on a completely different day.  Let’s take a look at some other countries around the world that celebrate.

• Canada
• Germany
• Grenada
• Liberia
• Saint Lucia
• United States
• Leiden (Netherlands)
• Norfolk Island (Australia)
• Territories of the United States
• Territories of Canada

I know other places celebrate it in a less official capacity. I have a good friend who is from Azerbaijan and married to a Turk. She often talks about how back home they celebrated Thanksgiving as a day of thankfulness. 

It isn’t an official holiday there just as it isn’t an official holiday in Turkey. That doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate it though!

Reasons to be thankful for Türkiye

In honor of this post being about Thanksgiving and Turkey, I thought I would share 3 of my favorite reasons I am thankful for this beautiful place. 

1. Turkish Baths

Or as they are called in Turkey, hammams. I went to my first one just a few months after I moved here. Then it was a long time until I went again. As the years have gone on, the more I have grown to appreciate them.

I now go at least once a month and maybe two times a month during the winter when the heat is more bearable. 

2. The people

Turks are some of the most hospitable people I have ever met, and I’m from the South.

I still get tripped up by cultural differences and not really understanding something I perhaps should but still, they love me.

Whether it is making you a bowl of soup when you’re sick or the local shop owner offering you some tea while you wait for your ride. They are just the best!

3. Healthy Living

Sure you can do this anywhere but for me living in Turkey has really helped me get more healthy in a lot of ways.

The vegetables here are absolutely delicious! I had never eaten so much salad until I moved here. But what’s even better is that I never walked so much until I moved here. Every day I have to walk to get where I want to go.

FAQs About Thanksgiving

Final thoughts on Thanksgiving in Turkey

Turkey doesn’t officially mark Thanksgiving, but its influence has found a foothold among expats and pockets of the population influenced by American culture.

As an expat in Istanbul, I’ve embraced the unique experience of celebrating Thanksgiving abroad.

While the day might not always align with the traditional calendar due to work commitments, the core sentiment of gratitude remains a constant.

This adaptability and the fusion of traditions highlight the resilience and unity that define the expat journey.

Navigating this intersection of Thanksgiving and Turkish life, I find myself thankful not only for the cherished customs that bridge the gap but also for the fresh experiences, warm connections, and unexpected moments of unity that make this celebration a unique and integral part of my journey.

From embracing the Turkish lifestyle to forging meaningful friendships, my gratitude extends to the diverse tapestry of Turkey that has enriched my perspective.

As the world adapts and weaves stories together, the threads of gratitude continue to bind us across boundaries and cultures, transcending time and place.