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What’s Open on Thanksgiving in Philly?

There's plenty of fun to be had before turkey time!

What’s Open on Thanksgiving in Philly?

‘Tis the season to be thankful: thankful for all we have, thankful for family, and thankful that we live in a city that doesn’t keep us cooped up with that family all day! If you need to entertain the kids before turkey time, there are so many fun things that are open and happening in Philly, even on Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day Parade

8:30 am—noon

Begins at 20th St. and JFK Blvd., then heads east on JFK, left on 16th Street, then down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before ending at the Art Museum

Bundle up and get the kids to the Parkway early for a holiday tradition! Giant balloons, live musical performances, Santa’s sleigh, and even Gritty (yes, Gritty!) feature in our country’s first Thanksgiving Day parade!

Christmas Village 

11 am—5 pm

Love Park, 1500 Arch St.

Modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany, this annual holiday market features dozens of vendors in wooden booths selling authentic European food, ornaments, crafts, clothing, and more from all over the world. They also have great food, from waffles to mulled wine (Pro tip: buy the commemorative mug for discount refills—you won’t be sorry); and rides including a giant Ferris wheel and new double-decker carousel in City Hall Courtyard.

Made in Philadelphia Market

9 am—5 pm

Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.

Head across the street after Christmas Village, because right outside City Hall more than 40 local artisans, designers, crafters, and confectionaries will offer unique selections for gifts and special holiday foods. This market was designed to complement Christmas Village—but only focuses on locally made gifts.

What’s Open on Thanksgiving in Philly?
Photo courtesy of Astra Lumina

Astra Lumina

11 am—3 pm

Arlington Art Center, 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown PA

Spend your Thanksgiving night walking amongst the stars! Astra Lumina is a magical night walk in a sculpture garden where visitors go on a multisensory immersive astrological journey. Visitors “walk among the stars” discovering a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions and astral song. This a unique art installation experience the whole family will enjoy.

Rothman Rink at Dilworth Park

11:30 am—9 pm

Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.

After all that shopping, get your skates on (or rent a penguin friend to help you balance), and skate around the Rothman Rink outside City Hall! It’ll help you work up an appetite for all that stuffing.

Comcast Holiday Spectacular

10 am—8 pm (hourly, at the top of the hour, except 5 pm)

Comcast Center, 1701 JFK Boulevard

 

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular returns and opens on Thanksgiving Day! Every year, this 15-minute festive musical fills the Comcast Center lobby with holiday songs, expansive aerial footage of Philadelphia, parts of the Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker, and more on one of the world’s largest highest-resolution LED displays. This year, it moves to on an outdoor video wall in the Comcast Center plaza. Spend your Thanksgiving as a way to celebrate the start of the Holiday season!

Looking for more events happening in November? We’ve got you covered! Check out our calendar of events below:

 

Little Beets Music Class at Rutabaga Toy Library

Little Beets Music Class at Rutabaga Toy Library

Rutabaga Toy Library 3426 Conrad St c2, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Little Beets Music Class is a hands-on music making experiences designed to foster children’s musical growth. A portion of each class is dedicated to shared musical activities, such as sing-along songs, finger plays, instrument exploration, and movement. The remaining time allows for musical free play, […]

$25
Sankofa Farm Stand at Bartram’s Village

Sankofa Farm Stand at Bartram’s Village

Bartram’s Village

Come purchase fresh, chemical-free inspirited local produce straight from Sankofa Community Farm every Thursday at the Bartram’s Village apartments (54th & Lindbergh Blvd entrance), now through mid-November! EBT, cash, WIC Farmer’s Market vouchers, and Senior vouchers are all accepted methods of payment (standard retail WIC […]

Shady Brook Farm FallFest

Shady Brook Farm FallFest

Shady Brook Farm 931 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley, PA, United States

Experience the delights of autumn at Shady Brook Farm’s legendary FallFest! Get lost in the Sesame Street corn maze, pick pumpkins, enjoy live music, and discover the Eerie Illuminations Halloween Light Show. Food, bonfires, hayrides, and over 25 attractions await all ages! DATES, TIMES, AND […]

Revelations: An Evolution of Introspection

Revelations: An Evolution of Introspection

InLiquid 1400 N American St #314, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Two photographers, Donald Camp and Clarence Williams, reflect on the history of Hurricane Katrina in their two-person exhibition, Revelations: an Evolution of Introspection, at the InLiquid Gallery in the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia, PA.  Ideally, this artwork and the education our programming will provide can […]

Free

 

Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia

 

Philadelphia Family is published by a team of local women to connect families raising their kids in the city with resources, events, and each other. Learn more about us, our mission, and our method for supporting local businesses at familyfocus.org.

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