What do Americans call the season that generally begins with Thanksgiving?

Americans generally call the season that begins with Thanksgiving the “holiday season.” It usually runs through Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day, although its exact boundaries vary by family, community, and business.

Thanksgiving is widely treated as the season’s unofficial starting point because it falls near the end of November and leads directly into winter celebrations and holiday travel. The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, is also traditionally associated with the beginning of the U.S. holiday shopping season, when retailers launch major promotions and many people begin buying gifts.

The phrase “holiday season” is broader than “Christmas season.” It is often used in public, commercial, and workplace settings to include multiple religious and cultural observances rather than focusing on Christmas alone. Some people also use “Christmas season” or “festive season,” depending on context.

There is no universally fixed start date. Stores and advertisers may begin holiday campaigns as early as October or even earlier, while many Americans still regard Thanksgiving as the customary dividing line between autumn and the holidays. Thanksgiving itself is observed on the fourth Thursday of November.