As a nightlife writer, it’s often assumed that I hop between the best parties throughout Thanksgiving Eve, “the biggest party night of the year.” But odds are, I’ll be safely tucked at home most years.
Still need wine? GO NOW. Here’s what to buy.
Games to take to Thanksgiving (or any adult holiday).
Possibly my favorite Thanksgiving photo ever.
In my early 20s, I worked in bars on Thanksgiving Eve, which was great for money. Once I hung up my bottle opener, if I was lucky enough to have off from work on Black Friday, I stayed in that Wednesday to pack and be ready to hit the turnpike early Thanksgiving morning. Those years where I celebrated here — and now — you couldn’t pay me to go out on Thanksgiving Eve.
Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest bar nights of the year for a few reasons. One, college kids are home, many newly of-age. Two, people returning home makes for many reunions between classmates, siblings, cousins and friends. Three, booze makes the holidays easier.
As a bar regular in my 20s, my biggest aversion to bar holidays — and that also includes New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day — was that I didn’t want all those “JPs” (“Junior Partiers”) messing up my usual spot. Overcrowded bars and over-served young adults are not a good mix.
But most of all, I can’t imagine being queasy on Thanksgiving Day. I would never want to ruin such a glorious day of eating.
All of that said, whatever you do tonight, please do it safely. I bet you $5 I am at home watching TV, but that’s also because before I eat all the food tomorrow, I’m going to the gym.
For the past few years, I’ve done a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning (a GREAT way to feel worthy of all that food), but shame on me, I haven’t run since July, so I’m sticking to a couple classes at the gym for my Turkey Day workout. Kelly has some more great tips on making the most of Thanksgiving without overdoing it.
Either way, I have your options for tonight, what bars are open tomorrow, plus where to meet up with friends or take the fam all weekend long.
Need more weekend inspiration? Glenn is on vacation this week, but I’ll be on with Bob Hauer this Black Friday morning at 7:10 a.m. to The Rock’n Roll Breakfast on The River 97.3 for “Sara’s Weekend Picks.”
What are you doing this weekend?
Wednesday (Thanksgiving Eve)
- Cumberland Valley Reunion – any class – at Gullifty’s.
- Thanksgiving Eve party at The Garlic Poet.
- Quagmire Swim Team plays the Abbey Bar.
- Green Eggs are at Champions.
- DJ Pfarrcyde at Coakley’s.
- Framed Innocent CD release party at Gman Downtown.
- Liquid Hero is open 4-9 p.m. – Pick up local beer for turkey day.
- Hello Gorgeous sale.
- Shea & Swish are at Flinchy’s.
- DJs Frank and Sharon are at the Maennerchor – karaoke available!
- Market Cross Pub hosts a Thanksgiving Eve Bash with Dem Guise.
- Level 2 has Dj Pherensik.
- Pink Floyd tribute The Machine at Whitaker Center.
- Hot Jam Factory CD release show at FED LIVE.
- Christmas in Hershey: Sweet Lights, Christmas Candy Lane and more.
- Hershey Bears home game.
- The Don Johnson Project is at Big Woody’s.
- Buck Wild’s hosts Laredo.
- Bamboozled is at Carnahan’s.
- Radio stars/comedians Earl David Reed and Nipsey perform stand-up at the Comedy Zone.
Thursday (Thanksgiving)
- Read my list of places for Thanksgiving brunch and dinner in Hershey-Harrisburg.
- Tree 4 Hope Turkey Day 5K.
- New Cumberland Turkey Trot - SOLD OUT!
- Carlisle YMCA Century Link Turkey Trot.
- Thanksgiving buffet at T.J. Rockwell’s.
- Thanksgiving at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center New Cumberland.
- Flinchy’s – bar only – opens at 7 p.m.
- The Sturges Speakeasy opens at 7 p.m. (in time for the 8:30 p.m. Steelers game).
- Johnny Joe’s open regular hours – with DJ Eric B.
- Brewhouse Grille open regular hours.
- Carnahan’s open regular hours.
- Coakley’s opens at 4 p.m.
- Gilligan’s open.
- Gman Mechanicsburg opens at 5 p.m.
- Underdog Sports Bar open regular hours.
- The Wharf open regular hours.
(Black) Friday
- Read my picks on better Black Friday specials (avoiding the malls –or where to go to reward yourself afterwards).
- The Decade Show at Ceoltas Irish Pub.
- American Posse returns to Buck Wild’s.
- Soul Solution at Champions.
- Hexbelt plays the Abbey Bar.
- Hello Gorgeous Black Friday sale.
- BEER ALERT: Check out the Black Friday IPA and special lunch menu at all ABC locations.
- CIDER ALERT: The Vineyard at Hershey’s “DeCider” releases at the winery.
- A Christmas Memory opens at Open Stage Harrisburg.
- Jason Carst plays Susquehanna Ale House 22.
- Rodney Laney performs at Second Street Comedy Club.
- Hauser After Hours with The Al Parsons Band.
- Cumberland Valley Class of 2003 10-year Reunion at Level 2.
- Friday night Blues, Brews & BBQ features Christopher Dean with special guest Nate Myers at MoMo’s.
- Christmas in Hershey.
- Mount Hope Holiday Open House.
- Sonic Tonic is at Big Woody’s.
- Suba has Silver City Rodeo.
- Hoots & Hellmouth are at the Strand-Capitol.
- Buddy Boy Winery celebrates its 2-year anniversary all weekend.
- The Blue Moose has Mountain Road acoustic.
- Fast Eddie is at Chick’s Tavern.
- Almost Grumpy plays Rockbass Grill.
Saturday
- Small Business Saturday :: Harrisburg :: Mechanicsburg
- Shady McGrady’s 1st annual Bikini Run Benefit.
- 717 Entertainment presents: Small Town Titans at Gullifty’s.
- The Clarks are at the Abbey Bar.
- Harrisburg Unofficial theCHIVE meetup at FED LIVE.
- Hello Gorgeous sale.
- Jason Carst plays SOI (old Cantone’s).
- Hello Gorgeous Black Friday sale.
- Rodney Laney performs at Second Street Comedy Club.
- Hauser After Hours with Center of Gravity.
- Nate Myers & the Aces rock MoMo’s BBQ & Grill.
- Christmas in Hershey.
- Buddy Boy Winery celebrates its 2-year anniversary all weekend.
- Mount Hope Holiday Open House.
- The Humblers are at Snappers in Mechanicsburg.
- Hershey Bears home game.
- Des Sera plays Suba.
- A Christmas Memory at Open Stage Harrisburg.
- Festival of Trees at Fort Hunter.
- The Cornerstone Coffeehouse hosts Seasons.
- Black Mountain Jack plays the Double K Tavern.
- Pete’s hosts Burke & Clark.
- Jessica Halter performs at Tomato Pie Cafe.
- Susquehanna Ale House 22 has Genesis Lorraine.
Sunday
- Hawaiian themed “Tom Selleck/Magnum P.I. Mustache Sunday Party” at The Speakeasy.
- Walking Dead mid-season party at Federal Taphouse.
- Christmas at Fort Hunter.
- Hello Gorgeous sale.
- A Christmas Memory at Open Stage Harrisburg.
- Christmas in Hershey.
- Mount Hope Holiday Open House.
- Home for the Holidays: Hershey Community Chorus at Hershey Theatre.
- Wine & Design at Hauser Estate Winery.
- Buddy Boy Winery celebrates its 2-year anniversary all weekend.
Don’t see your event listed? Post it in the comments below. Want to be featured in the future? Submit your events here.
ON SALE NOW: The SaraBozich.com Holiday Party is Friday, Dec. 6 at The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey.