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How to celebrate Thanksgiving abroad

A guide to savoring tradition, travel, and togetherness
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Pacaso’s Editorial Team
November 7, 2025
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Celebrating Thanksgiving abroad

Thanksgiving may be an American tradition, but celebrating Thanksgiving abroad is easier (and more rewarding) than you might think. So whether you’re whipping up your own Thanksgiving feast full of family favorites or venturing out to explore the local cuisine, you can enjoy quality togetherness and a cozy meal wherever you go.

Embracing the spirit of the holiday

Thanksgiving isn’t a global holiday, so if you’re abroad, you might find yourself wondering where to celebrate Thanksgiving. Local grocery stores may look different, and you won’t see the typical American customs like  parades or pumpkin pies, but gratitude, good food, and good company transcend borders.Celebrating Thanksgiving abroad offers a chance to blend traditions and create new memories. Light candles and share stories over wine in Paris or gather family in a London townhouse for a cozy meal that feels both familiar and fresh. Wherever you choose to celebrate, you can still enjoy a quintessential Thanksgiving, plus a little local flair. 

Hosting your own Thanksgiving dinner

Home feels a little closer when you bring your favorite traditions with you. Hosting your own celebration lets you recreate the comfort of a Thanksgiving meal, complete with family recipes, local flavors, and a table full of gratitude. Here’s how:

Simplify the menu

Simplify your menu by adapting traditional dishes with local ingredients — roast chicken or freshly caught fish can easily take the place of a turkey. Visit neighborhood markets to gather inspiration for your own European Thanksgiving, like freshly baked bread and artisan cheeses in Paris, or olive oil and ripe produce in Tuscany. Many Pacaso homes feature chef’s kitchens, so you can prepare a home-style meal with ease and plenty of space to gather.

Add local flavor

Incorporate a sense of place into your Thanksgiving table by featuring regional ingredients or a local twist on a classic dish. Fresh pasta and truffle shavings in Tuscany, a simple cheese board with French wine in Paris, or bright citrus salads and fresh seafood inspired by Los Cabos, Mexico can all transform familiar favorites. Blending tradition with destination makes your holiday meal feel both rooted in home and inspired by where you are — a delicious reminder of why celebrating Thanksgiving abroad is so special.

Make it a shared experience

One of the best parts of celebrating Thanksgiving abroad is sharing it with others. Invite friends and neighbors to join your table and introduce them to the tradition of giving thanks. Encourage guests to bring a favorite dish or dessert, blending flavors and stories from different backgrounds. Picture a cozy dinner in London where pumpkin pie sits beside sticky toffee pudding, or an open-air patio in Cabo filled with tapas and laughter as the sun sets. Thanksgiving becomes less about the menu and more about the shared moments that make it memorable.

Decorate and give thanks

As a Pacaso owner, you already have everything you need to create a warm and welcoming Thanksgiving at home, even if that home happens to be abroad. Set the table with autumn tones and soft candlelight, gather your favorite linens from the cupboard, and fill your home with the scent of delicious food and the sounds of laughter and conversation. Before sitting down to eat, share what you’re thankful for, pour a drink, and enjoy the good food and even better company that make the day special.

Dining out on Thanksgiving

If you’re abroad and wondering where to celebrate Thanksgiving, you’ll find that many international cities make room for this American tradition. From restaurants with seasonal menus to hotels hosting festive feasts, it’s easy to savor the flavors of Thanksgiving, even when far from home.

Find restaurants serving holiday menus

Across Europe and beyond, many restaurants with expat communities offer special menus for those celebrating Thanksgiving abroad. In London, Soho House’s Dean Street Townhouse and Charlie’s at Brown’s in Mayfair serve elegant, American-inspired feasts, while Paris favorites such as Ralph’s and Joe Allen welcome travelers craving a traditional turkey dinner in the City of Light. Some even add their own flair, creating a distinctly European Thanksgiving with fine wines and regional desserts. In coastal destinations like Cabo San Lucas, resorts and seaside restaurants often host Thanksgiving dinners complete with ocean views.

Try local dishes

One of the best parts of celebrating Thanksgiving abroad is embracing the flavors of your surroundings. Swap traditional sides for local specialties and let the destination inspire your menu. On the French Riviera, fresh seafood and Mediterranean produce bring a bright twist to the table. In Italy, rich pastas, truffle dishes, and regional wines create a meal that’s both indulgent and full of warmth. Along the coast of Mexico, enjoy Thanksgiving with a tropical touch like grilled fish, citrus salads, and sunsets over the water.In the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed, Thanksgiving takes place in spring, perfect for lighter dishes with garden-fresh ingredients and open-air dining. Wherever you are, blending local cuisine with holiday tradition adds something new to be thankful for. 

Make new traditions

When you’re celebrating Thanksgiving abroad, the best memories often come from the new traditions you didn’t plan. Go shopping together at a local market, trying new ingredients, or learning how to say “thank you” in a new language. After dinner, skip the cleanup rush and play a game, take a walk, or queue up a family-favorite movie. The new traditions you start here could become the ones you cherish most.

Celebrating Thanksgiving abroad with Pacaso

Every Thanksgiving looks a little different, especially when you’re celebrating overseas – coffee on the terrace overlooking Italian vineyards, a cozy dinner in your London flat, or a sunset toast along the Mexican Riviera. With Pacaso, those moments come easily as every home is beautifully designed, fully furnished, and stocked with everything you need to host a great meal.And once the celebration is underway, the best memories happen in those small in-between moments. Telling stories while stirring the gravy, sneaking a bite of pie before it cools, or laughing together long after the plates are cleared. The dishes can wait; it’s these moments that make a house feel like home, no matter where in the world you are.

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