Friendsgiving: Everything You Need to Know to Celebrate in 2026
If there’s one thing I look forward to every year, it’s Friendsgiving! Because what’s better than getting together with your favorite people, eating lots of delicious food, and making awesome Thanksgiving memories?
And what I love even more about this holiday, is that there’s so many ways to celebrate it. You can host a traditional dinner party, organize a potluck where everyone brings a dish, or even switch things up with a trendy party theme.
Whether you’re celebrating for the first time, planning to host this year, or simply wondering what Friendsgiving is all about, here’s everything you need to know about this popular Thanksgiving tradition.
What Is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving is a celebration of friendship that typically takes place around Thanksgiving. Friends get together to enjoy food, spend quality time with one another, and celebrate the people they’re thankful for.
Think of it as Thanksgiving, but with your friends!
However, unlike Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving doesn’t necessarily have to follow the same traditions.
You can get creative with your Friendsgiving party theme, set up a dress code, and even make it a potluck.
When Is Friendsgiving?
Unlike Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, Friendsgiving doesn’t have an official date.
Because it doesn’t have an official date, you can celebrate Friendsgiving anytime in November.
This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, so you can plan your Friendsgiving party on any day that works best for you and your friends.
Personally, I like to celebrate Friendsgiving earlier in November. Especially since things can get pretty hectic closer to Thanksgiving; with everyone’s travel plans, family gatherings, and other holiday events.
How to Celebrate Friendsgiving
If you’re thinking about celebrating Friendsgiving this year, there are SOOO many ways to bring your friends together. And pssst… your Friendsgiving doesn’t have to look the same every year.
For example, you could host a traditional Friendsgiving dinner party, organize a potluck where everyone brings a dish, or spice things up by adding a trendy theme.
Over the years, my friends and I have celebrated Friendsgiving in so many different ways, and honestly, that’s part of what makes it so fun!
One year, we had an Around the World themed Friendsgiving where everyone picked a different country and brought a dish inspired by that country. Another year, my best friend hosted a traditional sitdown Friendsgiving dinner and handled ALL the food. Talk about hostess with the mostest!
And then there was the year we did an alphabet themed Friendsgiving potluck. Everyone picked a letter within the alphabet and brought a dish that started with that letter.
See what I mean? There are so many creative ways to celebrate Friendsgiving, and you can make it as simple or as extra as you want!!!!
And if you’re looking for even more inspiration, I’ve put together an entire collection of Friendsgiving articles filled with party themes, food ideas, games, and more. So be sure to check those out for some creative inspo!
