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Floats, Feast and Festivities: A Philadelphia Thanksgiving
Food + Drink • Things to Do • Philadelphia

Floats, Feast and Festivities: A Philadelphia Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving represents a time to give thanks for blessings, but also an opportunity to celebrate a harvest by feasting. The Pilgrims celebrated at Plymouth for three days after their first harvest in 1621! The celebration in Philadelphia may not span three days, but it will certainly be a day to remember.

Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade

A Group Of People On A Beach

Photo by M. Kennedy for GPTMC

Did you know that the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest parade of its kind in the nation? (We didn’t before doing some research for this blog post!) Nearly 100 years old, the annual Thanksgiving Day parade promises the perfect start to your holiday, beginning at 8:30 AM at 20th and JFK Boulevard. As you would expect, the highlights of the parade are definitely the decorative floats and massive balloons. Our recommendation for the best viewing spot: the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is the end of the route. Get there early!

Thanksgiving at Bank and Bourbon

A Dining Room Table In A Restaurant

After you’ve worked up an appetite at the parade, Bank and Bourbon is the perfect place for your Thanksgiving feast. For the first time, Bank and Bourbon will offer a special buffet created by Chef Joe Thomas Jr. and his talented culinary team. Fresh oyster and seafood displays, carved local turkey and prime rib, and an elaborate choice of pies await guests.

We asked Chef Joe about his own Thanksgiving memories and favorite dishes. He found his love for cooking as a teen, starting in the restaurant industry at age 14, and has been cooking ever since.

He shared with us that one of his favorite Thanksgiving side dishes is brown sugar glazed carrots.

"It’s simple, but I always remember growing up looking forward to my Aunt’s glazed baby carrots around the holidays. The dish sells itself.”

A Plate Full Of Food

  • Start out by peeling the baby carrots, and blanching them in boiling salted water.
  • In another pot, melt down a small amount of butter and add in some brown sugar.
  • Once the sugar dissolves, add the carrots to the glaze.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste, and fresh herbs… and that’s it!

Bank and Bourbon is also offering a new fall cocktail menu, which will include this gem: a large format pumpkin-spiced old fashioned made with Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Rye, spiced syrup and Amaro. What could be more festive?!

A Glass Of Beer On A Table

Thanksgiving reservations are filling up fast (seriously), so make sure you book soon. For reservation inquiries please call (215) 231-7300, email us at info@bankandbourbon.com, or visit OpenTable.

Philadelphia Christmas Village

A Group Of People Walking In Front Of A Building

For a full-on festive day, finish up at Christmas Village in Philadelphia. Modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany, the Christmas Village opens up on Thanksgiving Day at the newly renovated Love Park. More than 80 vendors sell traditional European food, sweets and drinks, as well as holiday art, crafts and jewelry.

Make sure to stop by Loews Philadelphia Hotel for your complimentary hot chocolate coupon to use at the Christmas Village!

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Loews Hotels & Co.