How to Survive Thanksgiving Break: Philly Edition
Thanksgiving break is on the horizon, and the time has come for most of us to head home. While the first few days of break bring promises of delicious home cooking and reunions with long lost friends, the novelty of being home is guaranteed to wear off around the seventh hour of your Netflix marathon.
If you’re one of the thousands of Penn Staters from “outside of Philadelphia,” here are a few things to ward off the Thanksgiving boredom:
Concerts
1) Elton John at the Wells Fargo Center
Date: Wednesday, November 27 at 8:00 p.m.
Price: Ranging from $27- $480
Sir Elton John himself will be gracing Philly with his presence on Wednesday. Unlike Hoodie Allen’s show, this concert is perfect for parent-child bonding. You’ve only got a week with your parents so you might as well do something special. That way, you won’t feel as guilty when you’re back at school and forget to call them again. Jam out to Rocket Man with the rents, and pretend like you didn’t shed a tear.
2) Slayer at the Susquehanna Bank Center
Date: Friday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Price: Ranging from $20- $62
Sure, heavy metal is an acquired taste, but here’s your chance to broaden your horizons. Spend the night headbanging, and regret it in the morning when you can’t move your neck. I can’t think of a better way to spend Black Friday than dancing to Slayer’s Black Magic. It’s very fitting.
Fall/Winter Classics
1) Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
Date: Thursday, November 28th at 8:30 a.m.
Price: Free
Ah, the Thanksgiving Day Parade, a classic and a wonderful family event. (Read: guaranteed to be more wholesome than the Phillies parade when your friends uncle peed on your Uggs. Or maybe that only happened to me.)
The parade floats will start their 1.4 mile journey at 2oth and Market Streets at around 8:30 a.m. From there, they’ll head east on JFK Boulevard. This map lists the best spots to watch from. Cedric the Entertainer headlines the event. Mr. and Mrs. Clause are also rumored to be attending.
2) Black Friday at King of Prussia Mall
Date: Friday, November 29th. Doors open at midnight.
Price: Whatever you’re willing to spend on great bargains.
Maybe you just love getting great deals, or maybe it’s just been a really long time since you’ve cuddled with somebody and you need an excuse to squish up against millions of other people. Either way, King of Prussia on Black Friday will not disappoint.
King of Prussia is America’s second-largest mall (No. 1 in the country, if you’re counting by retail space) so if you can’t find gifts for your loved ones here, you probably don’t love them enough. Doors open at midnight. Things are guaranteed to get heated, so don’t be afraid to throw an elbow or two.
3) Iceskating at Penn’s Landing
Date: Opens Friday, November 29th at 11:00 a.m.
Price: $3 (but skate rentals are another $10).
The Blue Cross RiverRink’s grand opening means winter is officially upon us. To celebrate, pop band Midnight Red and Shake it Up’s Zendaya will be performing. Sure, you’ll be freezing and wake up the next day covered in bruises, but there’s something so classic about ice skating in the winter. Invite somebody you secretly hate and laugh when they fall! Or just go with your friends. The choice is yours.
Sports
1) Philadelpha 76ers Basketball
Date: Friday, November 29 at 8:00 p.m.
Price: Starting at $19
If you’re into masochism, the 76ers will take on New Orleans on Friday night in the Wells Fargo Center. Tickets are fairly cheap, and you might even get to see the pelican. That makes it all worth it, right?
Date: Friday, November 29 at 11:30 a.m.
Price: Starting at $83
The Flyers face the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, and fist fights are almost guaranteed. Awake yourself from post-Thanksgiving lethargy, and get rowdy in the stands of the Wells Fargo Center. Even if you know nothing about sports, hockey games are always fast paced and entertaining. As an added bonus, after attending a Flyers game you’ll officially be able to weigh in on the classic Penguins versus Flyers debate that Penn Staters love to have.
***
No matter what you choose to do with your break, at least you’ve got one thing to be thankful for: a week without classes. Enjoy!
Your ad blocker is on.
Please choose an option below.
Purchase a Subscription!
About the Author
Reflections & Memories From Happy Valley: Ishaan Kalani’s Senior Column
“Penn State has been more than just a place of academic pursuit for me. It’s been a melting pot of experiences, lasting friendships, and personal growth.”
Penn State Alum Tommy Viola Taking Lifelong Love For Baseball Into Minor League Role
“I’m living my dream. All I ever wanted to do was work in baseball.”
Matt McGloin Advocating For Students, Honoring Paterno Family Legacy In Board Of Trustees Campaign
“Where I’m at today in life and all that I have is because I had the opportunity to be a student-athlete at Penn State University. For me, this is how I give back to school that’s given me so much.”
DIY Halloween Costumes
Halloween is arguably the greatest weekend here at Penn State–costume parties and candy, what could be better? Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive. If you want to do Halloween properly, you have to have at least three clever costumes, because repeating is lame, and not dressing up is even lamer. Pre-made Halloween costumes happen to be incredibly expensive, and pretty much super boring. So, your options are pretty limited. Your best bet is scouring thrift shops and your own closet to DIY your own perfect costumes. Here are a few options that we came up with.