After a long semester, fall break is nearly here. Now, thousands of Penn Staters hailing from “just outside of Philly” are preparing to head back home to the Delaware Valley for a much-needed break from their classes and exams.

So, if you’re headed to Philadelphia for the week, here are some great things to do in and around Center City.

Events & Festivals

6ABC Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Thanksgiving Day Parade is a Philadelphia tradition. Every year, thousands of people line the streets of Center City to watch the parade of massive balloons, floats, and bands from all around the country. After taking the year off in 2020 because of COVID-19, the parade is back. Tickets are not required to watch along the majority of the route, and while the route hasn’t officially been announced yet, it will likely follow the same route it did in 2019 and many years prior.

Winter At Dilworth Park

For a couple of years now, the city has been holding a winter festival in Dilworth Park, just outside of City Hall. The festival’s centerpiece is an ice rink with open skating, in addition to various stands offering food and merchandise. Another star of the attraction is the “Deck the Hall Holiday Light Show,” a projection light show on City Hall, free to all visitors.

Christmas Village In Philadelphia

Just across from Dilworth Park is Love Park, home of Philadelphia’s famous Love Statue. This German-themed Christmas market features stands selling holiday treats and trinkets that will impress and amaze all ages. The festival doesn’t open until Thursday, November 25, and it will be open for the rest of the Christmas Season.

The Arts

Hamilton

Theater fan or not, everybody has heard of Hamilton at this point. Luckily for Philly Penn Staters, the tour of the world-renowned musical will be in town during the break. Hamilton has more than a dozen showings throughout the week at the Philadelphia Academy of Music. A schedule of showtimes and tickets are still available online.

Anastasia

If you aren’t a fan of new-age musicals like Hamilton, there are still options for you. Broadway hit Anastasia is showing during Thanksgiving Break at Merriam Theater. Tickets and a schedule are available online for the eight total showings that are during the break.

Sebastian Maniscalco: Nobody Does This Tour

While there aren’t any major concerts being held during Thanksgiving break, world-famous comedian Sebastian Maniscalco will be in town for a show on Wednesday, November 24. The event will be held at the Wells Fargo Center at 8 p.m. Tickets can be found on the Wells Fargo Center’s website.

Sports

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles had a rough start this season, as expected, but have shown promise in recent games. With most of their remaining games against teams with losing schedules, we wouldn’t count out their playoff chances quite yet. They play one game over break, at home, against the 5-4 New Orleans Saints. Tickets are on sale online for the 1 p.m. showdown on Sunday, November 21.

Philadelphia Union

While the Union is undeniably the most overlooked of Philadelphia’s big-five sports teams, it is also probably the hottest right now. The Union just finished its regular season in second place in their division, entering the playoffs as the No. 2 seed. The team faces the New York Red Bulls in a rivalry home playoff game at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 20. The game at Subaru Park has tickets available here.

Philadelphia Flyers

Although the Flyers didn’t have an insanely impressive start to their season, they’ve shown that they have postseason potential. The team has a pair of games at home over the course of Thanksgiving break with a chance to climb up the rankings. Tickets for the following home games can be found online on the Wells Fargo Center’s website:

• Bruins vs. Flyers — Saturday, November 20
• Huricanes vs. Flyers — Friday, November 26

Philadelphia 76ers

While they have been dealing with some injuries and COVID-19 related absences lately, the 76ers team has shown it can hold its own without Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons. Tickets are available online for the Sixers’ only home game during Thanksgiving break, which will take place against the Timberwolves on Saturday, November 27.