When most people think of the “first Thanksgiving,” their minds jump straight to Plymouth Rock and New England traditions. But here in Charleston, the story of giving thanks runs much deeper — and much earlier — than many realize. In fact, historians note that some of the first documented “thanksgiving” observances in the Southeast took place long before the Pilgrims ever set foot on the Mayflower. Spanish settlers held thanksgiving masses in Florida in the 1500s, and English colonists in the Carolinas carried on their own forms of harvest celebrations by the late 1600s. And Charleston — founded in 1670 — quickly became a place where gathering around food and gratitude became part of the local rhythm of life.

As the colony grew, so did its traditions. Early Charlestonians celebrated the end of harvest season with meals rooted in what the Lowcountry offered: oysters roasted over open fires, rice dishes cultivated from African growing techniques, wild game, fresh fish, and vegetables grown in the region’s fertile coastal soil. These gatherings weren’t “Thanksgiving” in the modern sense yet, but they were communal feasts of gratitude — the earliest versions of what would become the uniquely Southern spin on the holiday. By the 1700s, local Anglican churches regularly held services of thanks after successful harvests, good weather, or the end of hardships. The Lowcountry’s blend of English, Indigenous, and West African influences shaped a food culture that feels familiar even today.

By the time Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, Charleston had already spent nearly two centuries refining its own holiday flavors and customs. Families gathered around tables filled with dishes we still know and love: oyster dressing, rice pilau, collards, sweet potatoes, and local game — alongside newer traditions like roasted turkey. Today, Thanksgiving in Charleston feels like a celebration of all the cultures that shaped the Lowcountry. Whether you’re enjoying a classic holiday meal, attending a community oyster roast, or taking in the crisp fall air along the marsh, Charleston’s Thanksgiving spirit is a beautiful blend of history, heritage, and heartfelt gratitude.