Thanksgiving in Rome: Where to Celebrate, Restaurants and Markets

Thanksgiving is not an Italian holiday: the fourth Thursday of November is an ordinary day in Rome, and shops are open. But the American community and many travellers celebrate it, and several hotels and restaurants offer a special dinner. In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 26 November. Here is how to find a table, what to check before booking and what to do during the day.

Thanksgiving in Rome: the date and context

In the United States, Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November: it will be 26 November 2026. In Rome it is a normal working Thursday: museums, transport and shops keep their usual hours. Late November is a quiet season, with cool temperatures and hotel prices lower than in summer; see the best time to visit Rome.

Where to have dinner on Thanksgiving

Each year a few luxury hotels, American-style restaurants and bakeries offer a Thanksgiving menu, with turkey, stuffing, sweet potato and pumpkin pie. According to the local press, in 2025 prices ranged from about €30 to over €120 per person depending on the venue, with drinks often extra. The 2026 menus are generally published only in the autumn: we give none here, so check the venues' own sites and their terms (deposit, cancellation).

Places are limited: book several weeks ahead, especially for a group. Some venues also offer takeaway, useful if you are staying in an apartment with an oven. For an Italian meal the same evening, see our Roman-cuisine trattorias and what to eat in Rome.

Cooking it yourself: markets and butchers

If you have a kitchen, the Campo de' Fiori market and neighbourhood markets sell seasonal vegetables, chestnuts and squash. A whole turkey must be ordered ahead from a butcher or a supermarket: tell them several days before, and plan for a large enough oven, as many small Roman apartment ovens will not take a big bird. See also our guide on where to stay in Rome to choose an equipped place.

What to do during the day

On Thursday 26 November, enjoy the sites without the crowds: the Colosseum, the Pantheon or a walk on the Janiculum before dinner. If it rains, see Rome on a rainy day. On Sunday 29 November, the last Sunday of the month, the Vatican Museums are free: see the free activities in Rome.

Summary: Thanksgiving in Rome

Question	Answer
Date in 2026	Thursday 26 November
Public holiday in Rome	No, shops and museums open
Where to dine	Hotels, restaurants with a special menu, check their sites
Price	Variable: about €30 to €120 and more in 2025 according to the press
When to book	Several weeks ahead

After Thanksgiving

In late November the city prepares for Christmas: lights, nativity scenes and markets arrive with December. See Christmas in Rome and the trip budget.