What to do in and around Philadelphia this Thanksgiving

What to do in and around Philadelphia this Thanksgiving

2022-07-13T10:06:58-04:00November 24th, 2021|Economy, Philadelphia, Tourism|

Writer: Joshua Andino 

thanksgiving2 min read November 2021With the advent of Thanksgiving, family and friends are checking their recipes and preparing their dinner tables. The holiday season officially begins this long weekend and while the entertaining and lively dinner-table conversations that are bound to happen certainly bring excitement to everyone, there are a number of activities and goings-on across Philadelphia for all age groups. Here’s Invest:’s guide to Thanksgiving in Philadelphia.

The nations’ oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade

Starting off Thanksgiving morning strong and early is the return of the nation’s oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade. Having gone on for over 100 years, the parade was put on hold in 2020 for obvious reasons, and marks its triumphant return with floats, bands, copious balloons and Santa and Miss Claus themselves in attendance. The parade will make its way back along the Ben Franklin Parkway and march toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and will feature hosts Rick Williams and Cecily Tynan. The 6abc Thanksgiving Parade is back, and better than ever!

Learn more here

https://6abc.com/feature/no-ta-timely-thanksgiving-parade-6abc-dunkin-day/11006367/

Holiday shopping at the German Christmas Village

While Thanksgiving is fast approaching and dinner plans are made, if you’re looking for a convenient time or place to knock out the rest of your holiday shopping, look no further than the pop-up Philadelphia Christmas Village, which opens Thanksgiving Day and runs through Christmas Eve. The village will feature over 110 local artisans selling their goods and hand-crafted wares out of traditional German wooden shopping stalls. Activities also include the popular ferris wheel and kids’ train along City Hall’s north side. New attractions also include a holiday carousel and a new German food court in the City Hall courtyard. With an array of activities from daily live performances and themed activities to delicious food that you can wash down at the beer garden with seasonal craft brews or sip on mulled wine from local breweries, you can get your holiday shopping done while feasting with family and friends the whole while. 

Deck the District Light Show and viewing

For those looking for something a bit more refined, the Philadelphia Fashion District never fails to disappoint, with the Deck the District Light Show, which runs through the center of the district along the 9th Street entrance. The retail space’s holiday light show features a Philly POPS soundtrack and runs every half hour beginning at 4 p.m. daily. It continues through Dec. 31 — plenty of time to check out the lights and the fantastic seasonal window displays from local retailers. 

Learn more here

https://www.fashiondistrictphiladelphia.com/Events/Details/559137

Winter at Franklin Square

If you’re out for a walk or going for a stroll, make sure your route includes Winter at Franklin Square, presented by Citizens. Sink a few puts at the Chilly Philly mini-golf course, take a few spins on the Parx Liberty Carousel or appreciate the Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO that makes the historic square glow with the colors of 150,000 lights. The free light show will dazzle viewers throughout the holiday season and even beyond, all the way through to February 2022. The show is every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m, with additional performances on Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m. While it won’t be playing on Thanksgiving Day itself, that still leaves the rest of the long weekend to take a stroll through the square. With Franklins’ Winter View providing good food, both hot and cold beverages, indoor heating and outdoor firepits, Franklin Square provides a full suite of holiday activities for everyone to enjoy. 

Learn more here

https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/events/electrical-spectacle-holiday-light-show-at-franklin-square/

The fifth annual Doylestown Turkey Trot!

What better way to burn off those Thanksgiving calories or show off your unfashionable, ugly sweater than to escape the city and go for a run? Just outside Philadelphia, Doylestown and Bucks County will be hosting the 5th Annual Turkey Trot, with both a 5k and 10k race, alongside a half-mile fun run for Santa’s most energetic elves and a 2-mile reindeer walk for those looking to enjoy the crisp autumn air. With instant results available for runners, a special Jingle Bell Turkey Trot Craft longsleeve, and cookies and hot chocolate provided, whether running or walking, Bucks County’s Doylestown Jingle Bell Turkey Trot is the perfect way to stretch your legs after a long day of good eats (and plenty more good eats to have)!

Learn more here

https://www.raceplace.com/events/107628/5th-annual-doylestown-jingle-bell-turkey-trot-5k-10k-2-mile-fun-reindeer-run-walk-li-l-elves-kids-run 

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