Do Europeans Celebrate Thanksgiving? Not Really—But They Have Harvest Festivals

No. Thanksgiving as Americans know it (fourth Thursday November, Pilgrims, turkey, football) is not a European tradition.

European Harvest Traditions

• Germany/Austria/Switzerland: Erntedankfest (late Sept/early Oct) – church services, parades, harvest crowns, wine.
• UK: Harvest Festival (Sept/Oct) – church donations, school assemblies, no public holiday.
• Netherlands: Dankdag (Orthodox Protestant, first Wed Nov) – minor.
• Catholic regions: St. Martin's Day (Nov 11) – lantern walks, goose meals.

Key Differences

American Expat Influence

Some international communities, embassies, and restaurants host US-style dinners—but it's cultural import, not local tradition.