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Top Thanksgiving Parties In Philadelphia

Thanksgiving is a non-denominational celebration of friends, family and just plan being thankful every year on the fourth Thursday of November. With it comes much celebration, various parties and events. The evening before is typically referred to as "amateur night," or Thanksgiving Eve. If you are able to get out and have some fun this Thanksgiving, here are the top five places making it happen Nov. 25-29 in Philadelphia.

The Thanksgiving Day Parade
JFK Blvd & 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA.
November 26, 2015

The Thanksgiving Day parade in Philly is the biggest party for Thanksgiving. It also happens to be the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country. Traditionally, as well as this year, it will begin about 8:30 a.m. and marches on until noon. The parade starts at JFK Blvd. and 20th St. and proceeds east to JFK Blvd. and 16th St. The parade will be full of floats and some Frozen fun this year, as well as the normal balloons and marching bands both local and from around the country. Entertainment is also lined up from a few dozen choirs and several dance groups. The parade concludes with Santa making his way down the parkway.

Barcade
1114 Frankford ave.
Philadelphia, PA. 19125
(215)634-4400
www.barcadephiladelphia.com

Barcade in Fishtown is maybe one of the most fun places to visit to party on Thanksgiving weekend, especially Thanksgiving Eve. It is already a place to relive the good parts of your childhood on its own accord. Here, you can enjoy some classic arcade games like Donkey Kong, Tetris, Super Mario and Frogger while enjoying a few beers and snacks with friends. Barcade has an ample craft beer selection and a few exclusive drinks such as Victory Falls Bockward from the Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown. The indoor space is spacious with ample elbow room for the anticipated larger crowds for Thanksgiving Eve, plus a smoking section out back. Barcade also serves some fun food such as tacos, quesadillas and nachos to help absorb some of that alcohol to keep you from getting yourself sick for Thanksgiving.

Grey Lodge
6235 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA.
(215)856-3591
www.greylodge.com

Grey Lodge is in Northeast Philadelphia and is described as "great fun, great food in the great northeast." It is a two-floor bar that truly has something for everyone, which may include you if your mood changes in the evening. Many places on Thanksgiving weekend will be very crowded and full of reunions.  You can find the same food and drink on both floors. Grey Lodge has been voted one of the top 50 beer bars in the country by several magazines and is a best of winner from Philadelphia Magazine for their delicious french fries. They also serveDogfish Head- Pumkin Ale, basically pumpkin pie beer to get you in the spirit. On Thanksgiving Eve, there will be Quizzno on the second floor, where first place gets a $25 bar tab, second gets a round for free and third, well, you get a mystery prize. Quizzo is a big deal here, so for people who love the game, this is the place to enjoy it. The second floor is also on the quiet side and doubles as an art gallery from local artists.

Related: Top Thanksgiving Celebrations And Events For The Family

The Trestle Inn
339 N 11th St
Philadelphia, PA, 19107
(267)238-0290
www.thetrestleinn.com

On Thanksgiving Eve The Trestle Inn is hosting a "Jive Turkey" party, whiskey specials (wild turkey of course) and tastings from 7-9 p.m.  The DJs spinning are Retro Roland and Brick House and their specialty is deep funk. The party will go from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. and will have a movie screening. The Trestle Inn is described by many as "hipster." It is darkly lit and the décor is that of the 1960s, which will truly embrace the whole Jive Turkey aspect. It's bst to arrive before 10 p.m., after that there will be a cover charge.

Spirit of Philadelphia
401 South Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA. 19106
(866)455-3866
www.spiritcruises.com

You can enjoy a cruise down the Delaware on the Spirit of Philadelphia while gobbling up some Thanksgiving-inspired food. There are both lunch and dinner cruises on Thanksgiving day, a dinner cruise the day after and both lunch and dinner on Saturday the 28th. The menu will consist of traditional Thanksgiving items such as turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, squash ,stuffing, baked macaroni and cheese and, of course, pumpkin pie. As with all cruises on the spirit, entertainment and a dance party will also be a big part of the fun.

Related: Top Thanksgiving Events in Philadelphia

Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.

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