Canadian Thanksgiving 2011: How Famous Canucks are Giving Thanks

As Americans celebrate Columbus Day on Monday, Canadians around the world are gathering the turkey, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving 2011.

The holiday, which falls on the second Monday of October ever year, has been in place since 1957, when the Canadian Parliament officially commissioned it as an occasion to give thanks to close the harvest season. All provinces except for Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia recognize the day as a statutory holiday.

From a Glee star to a comedian, famous Canadians are giving thanks via Twitter and beyond. Here's how a few famous Canucks are celebrating turkey day.

Avril Lavigne
Currently on tour in support of her latest album Goodbye Lullaby, the 27-year-old rocker spent Thanksgiving weekend in Kelowna, British Columbia with friends and family.

Today we went off roading in ATVs, on a helicopter ride, walked across a suspension bridge, hit golf balls, had a BBQ and now off 2 a winery, Lavigne wrote on Twitter.

I love days off!!!! Thanks to all my homies in Kelowna BC for showing me, @EvanT and family a good time here in Canada xoxo, she added.

Joshua Jackson
The Fringe star was joined by his lady friend Diane Kruger, who was spotted flying into Vancouver on Saturday for a special Thanksgiving dinner. Earlier in the day, the couple walked around the city, stopping every few blocks or so to kiss, according to Lainey Gossip.

Jackson, 33, is currently in his hometown filming season four of the popular sci-fi series.

Russell Peters
The Canadian funnyman is celebrating turkey day with Pepto-Bismol - yes, the pink stuff.

I've been lucky enough to have had Thanksgiving dinners over the years and feel that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy this great holiday . . . That's why I've teamed up with Pepto-Bismol and Food Banks Canada to encourage Canadians to help give back to those in need during this season of giving, Peters told the Toronto Sun.

Along with Facebook, Pepto-Bismol will donate $1 to Canadian food banks whenever someone likes a photo of Russell and his turkey.

Rachel McAdams
The 32-year-old Notebook star spent Thanksgiving weekend with family, according to Just Jared. On Saturday, McAdams was spotted at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, where she was picked up by a family member. No word on whether or not boyfriend Michael Sheen joined in for the festivities.

Cory Monteith
The Glee actor, who is currently filming the third season of the popular Fox series, used Twitter to wish his fellow Canucks a happy holiday weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada! he wrote on Sunday night.

Nia Vardalos
Best known for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Vardalos had a little Twitter fun with Bob Saget, when the two actors discussed Thanksgiving over the weekend.

@bobsaget great seeing you. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, please kiss a beaver today, Vardalos wrote.

Saget responded with not one but two suggestive photos involving beavers and smooches.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada. To celebrate, here's a clip from How I Met Your Mother, season 3 episode 9.