November 2026 Calendar

November 2026 has 30 days. November is one of four months in the calendar year with 30 days (along with April, June, and September). The name November comes from the Latin 'novem' meaning nine, as it was originally the ninth month in the ancient Roman calendar.

November 2026 starts on Sunday, November 1st, 2026. This means the month begins on a weekend. With two federal holidays (Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11th and Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26th), November offers good opportunities for long weekends and holiday planning.

Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26th. Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. This federal holiday dates back to 1621 and is traditionally a time for family gatherings, turkey dinners, and expressing gratitude. Many Americans also watch football games and prepare for Black Friday shopping. Most schools have the entire week off (Thanksgiving Break), and many businesses close Thursday and Friday, creating a four-day weekend.

For Thanksgiving 2026, book flights 6-8 weeks in advance (early to mid-October) for the best prices. Airlines typically release Thanksgiving fares in late summer, and prices rise as the holiday approaches. Booking by early October can save you 20-30% compared to last-minute bookings. If you're driving, consider leaving Monday (November 23rd) or Thanksgiving morning to avoid the heaviest traffic on Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 29th) is typically the busiest return travel day.

Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27th, the day after Thanksgiving. This shopping event marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and features major sales at retailers both online and in-store. In recent years, many stores have started their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving evening or even earlier online. Cyber Monday (November 30th, 2026) extends the shopping deals online, often with better discounts on electronics and tech products.

Plan for 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. For 8 guests, buy a 12-16 pound turkey. If you want leftovers (and who doesn't?), go for 1.5 pounds per person. A larger turkey (over 16 pounds) takes significantly longer to cook and may not fit in standard ovens. Consider buying two smaller turkeys instead of one very large one. Remember to order your turkey at least 2 weeks in advance, especially if you want fresh turkey or a specific brand. Allow 24 hours of thawing time in the refrigerator for every 4-5 pounds of frozen turkey.

The busiest travel days for Thanksgiving 2026 are: Tuesday, November 24th and Wednesday, November 25th (before Thanksgiving) - heaviest traffic and airport crowds; Sunday, November 29th (return travel) - busiest day overall. To avoid crowds: travel Monday, November 23rd or Thanksgiving Day itself for outbound trips; return on Saturday, November 28th or Monday, November 30th. TSA recommends arriving at airports 2-3 hours early during Thanksgiving week. If driving, leave very early morning (before 6 AM) or late evening (after 9 PM) to avoid peak traffic.

Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11th. This federal holiday honors all military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Federal government offices, post offices, and banks are closed. Many schools and some private businesses also close, but it's not as universally observed as holidays like Thanksgiving. Many retailers, restaurants, and businesses remain open and offer special discounts to veterans and active military members. Some veterans receive free meals at restaurants on Veterans Day. Unlike Memorial Day (which honors those who died in service), Veterans Day celebrates all veterans, living and deceased.