How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK

Thanksgiving in the UK might not sound like a thing. But it can – and absolutely should – be done.

Sure, we Brits don’t have a national holiday or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. But if there’s a nation that loves an extravagant dinner with a side of feels, this is it.

Whether you’re a traveller pining for home or an expat looking for a little slice of tradition, the UK has turkey, gratitude and a lot of good vibes to go around.

Here’s your guide to celebrating Thanksgiving in the UK this year, complete with places to eat, activities and tips to embrace the spirit of the day.

Hold Up – What Is Thanksgiving?

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Before we dive into where to go, let’s talk turkey for any non-Americans among us.

Thanksgiving, for the uninitiated, is a day for Americans (and a few enthusiastic Canadians) to give thanks, eat until they need stretchy trousers and generally feel warm and fuzzy.

Brits might not have a public holiday, but there’s still a growing buzz around it. After all, who wouldn’t love the chance to feast and reflect on all the good things we have?

Where to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner in the UK

London – The American Dream on a Plate

London pulls out all the stops for Thanksgiving. You’ll find plenty of restaurants serving Thanksgiving menus and dinners, including Panzer’s Deli in St John’s Wood.

Over in Covent Garden, Joe Allen’s New York Bar and Brasserie hosts an all-American event, while Rails St Pancras offers a special menu featuring roast turkey with cornbread stuffing and pecan pie.

If you’re chasing a high-end experience, head up the Shard to Oblix on 28th November, when an exclusive Thanksgiving evening will be in full swing.

Edinburgh – Thanksgiving with a Highland Twist

Scotland gets in on the action too. In Edinburgh, the very central Duck and Waffle offers an evening of good eating with a special Thanksgiving menu.

Hard Rock Café’s one-off Thanksgiving supper club will pay tribute to the city’s 3,500 American residents on 28th November. Think turkey carved table-side, freshly baked cornbread, lashings of gravy and a sweet pumpkin pie to top it all off.

For something more impromptu, head to The City Café. This diner-style eatery has been going strong since the 80s and can always be relied on for some nostalgic Americana.

Manchester – All-American Feasts in the North

In St Peter’s Square, the Anthologist offers a special Thanksgiving feast from 18th November to 1st December. Expect tradition with a modern twist, paired with limited-edition pie-inspired cocktails.

Alternatively, dust off your sports jersey and head to the Bierkeller’s NFL Thanksgiving watch party.

Hosted by the Utter Punts podcast, tickets include a drink, pre-game analysis, games, giveaways and of course, the main event – a screening of the Cowboys vs Giants.

Host a Friendsgiving at Home

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If you don’t fancy heading out and braving the recent cold spell, hosting your own Thanksgiving may be even better than someone else cooking for you. Minus the dishes, that is.

Call your people, bookmark some classic recipes and head to the supermarket to pick up some of the following Thanksgiving essentials.

• Turkey – Because no one’s roasting a chicken on Thanksgiving.
• Side dishes – Buttery mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and green bean casserole.
• Pie – Pumpkin is the classic, but apple or pecan will do the trick.

Not a kitchen whiz? Some supermarkets and online providers offer Thanksgiving-inspired meal kits. Perfect for avoiding mid-roast panic.

Thanksgiving With a UK Twist

Want to embrace Thanksgiving à la Britannia? Throw in some UK-centric treats:

• Replace the pumpkin pie with a sticky toffee pudding.
• Serve bread sauce alongside your turkey.
• Add a cheese course. We Brits love cheese almost as much as tea, so you’ll be sure to make new friends with this one.

Classic Thanksgiving Activities

Thanksgiving isn’t just about eating. Although, yes, mostly it is. But for an authentic experience, here’s what else to add to your UK Thanksgiving itinerary.