Thanksgiving may be best known as an American tradition, but the spirit of gratitude, harvest, and community is universal. Across continents, cultures celebrate their own versions of giving thanks—rooted in local customs yet united by the same desire to honor abundance. Whether through a candlelit meal under the Baja desert sky or a harvest ritual beside a sacred Ethiopian lake, these global Thanksgiving moments remind us that “home” is ultimately where gratitude is shared.

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Thanksgiving in the United States & Mexico

In the United States and Canada, Thanksgiving is a time-honored holiday built around family gatherings, richly appointed tables, and reflection on the year’s blessings. In the U.S., it falls on the fourth Thursday of November; in Canada, it’s celebrated on the second Monday of October.

In Mexico, Thanksgiving is not an official national holiday, but it has gained popularity—particularly in Baja California, Jalisco, Chihuahua, and tourism hubs like Los Cabos. Expats, binational families, and local communities have embraced the celebration, blending U.S. traditions such as roasted turkey and stuffing with Mexican culinary influences like chile-infused marinades, fresh seafood, and pumpkin desserts made with local squash. While imported, Thanksgiving in Mexico has become a meaningful, cross-border moment of gathering.

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Celebrating Traditions on Both Sides of the Border

For expatriates and luxury travelers in Los Cabos, Thanksgiving offers a refined, experiential twist. Upscale resorts, private residences, and luxury villas host special Thanksgiving dinners and curated events beneath warm November skies. Menus might pair classic turkey and cranberry sauce with farm-fresh Baja produce, chile adobo, or citrus-glazed catch-of-the-day—creating a

culinary bridge between cultures.

Thanksgiving at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Zadún

At the Ritz-Carlton Residences at Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, owners enjoy full access to the Reserve’s elevated amenities—making it one of the most coveted places to spend Thanksgiving in Cabo.

For 2025, Zadún’s signature restaurant Humo will host a “Celebrate Thanksgiving with Us” four-course dinner crafted over smoke and ember, accompanied by live music around an open fire. Families can also join “Thanksgiving with Ambassadors,” an immersive program that includes nature walks, solar-oven pumpkin pie cookie baking, and child-friendly creative workshops that help families connect more deeply with the holiday’s themes of gratitude, nature, and renewal.

Thanksgiving, Elevated by Cabo’s Lifestyle

In Los Cabos, Thanksgiving transcends the traditional dinner table. One might begin with a multi-course meal framed by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea, then step onto a terrace for golden-hour cocktails. Fire pits glow, citrus trees scent the air, and the gentle rhythm of the waves forms a natural soundtrack. In spaces like Villa Marisal in Pedregal, Thanksgiving becomes not just a tradition, but an artful, elevated lifestyle experience.

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A Global Table of Thanks

Although the U.S. and Canada have formalized Thanksgiving, other nations celebrate their own harvest traditions rooted in gratitude and community:

• Ethiopia – Irreechaa: A thanksgiving festival of the Oromo people, held at sacred lakes such as Hora Harsadi, where families give thanks for blessings and the end of the rainy season.
  
• Germany – Erntedankfest: Rural communities gather for parades, church services, and feasts honoring agricultural abundance.
  
• Japan – Niiname-no-Matsuri: A formal Shinto ritual in which the Emperor offers the year’s first fruits to the deities in gratitude for the year’s harvest.
  
• India – Pâwl Kût: The Mizo community celebrates the straw harvest with dancing, singing, and communal feasts marking the end of the agricultural cycle.
  
• Myanmar/India – Khuado: Among the Zomi people, this festival brings clans together in thanksgiving, purification, and shared meals after the harvest.
  

Though these celebrations differ in location and ritual, they share a universal thread: acknowledging abundance and honoring life through gathering.

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Home Is Where Gratitude Is Shared

At the heart of Thanksgiving—wherever it’s celebrated—is the idea that the most meaningful things are shared: food, stories, memories, gratitude.

Homeownership brings a sense of security and comfort unlike anything else. As the weather cools and the holidays arrive, having a place to gather becomes a gift in itself. Thanksgiving reminds us to appreciate the simple things: warm kitchens, cozy rooms, and the joy of creating lasting memories.

Owning a home allows families to establish their own traditions—decorating a dining room, preparing beloved recipes, or hosting a Friendsgiving. The freedom to welcome loved ones into your own space creates a sense of belonging and continuity. Thanksgiving is also a moment to look ahead. A home is not only emotionally grounding—it’s one of the most reliable ways to build long-term wealth.

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The Heart of the Matter

At its essence, Thanksgiving is about belonging, reflection, and acknowledging abundance. Whether inspired by Ethiopia’s Irreechaa, Japan’s Niiname-no-Matsuri, Germany’s Erntedankfest, or the cultural rhythms of Baja enriched by international influences, the core message remains the same: gratitude shared with others.

With Engel & Völkers Snell Real Estate, luxury homes in Cabo offer more than architectural beauty—they provide an elevated setting for global Thanksgiving moments. They are spaces designed for connection, reflection, and celebration. This Thanksgiving, consider making Cabo not just a destination, but your own global table of thanks.