6 Creative Ways to Spend Gay Thanksgiving in the US

Oct. 20 2024

by Lachlan

While temperatures are generally chilly towards the end of November in the US, things heat up on the fourth Thursday of the month for the country's annual Thanksgiving. For 2024, Thanksgiving will fall on November 28, giving you plenty of time to plan the perfect way to celebrate. Traditionally, Thanksgiving was a harvest festival in which pilgrims and native Americans would celebrate their first harvest with an elaborate feast typically lasting for several days. Today, Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the US, with many people also marking the significant day with an abundant lunch or dinner.

Thanksgiving has become synonymous with family and friends: a time to connect near and far and share a celebratory lunch or dinner. Yet, for some, this is not always the case. Certain may be alone during Thanksgiving, while others choose to make an entire vacation out of the day, extending the holidays over the weekend. For those wanting to do something different from the traditional feast, we've rounded up six creative ways to celebrate a gay Thanksgiving in the US, with everything from gay travel in Provincetown to parades in NYC. So how will you be celebrating?   

 

Soak up a bit of culture

_{©Flickr/Center Grove High School Bands}

Thanksgiving is ultimately an annual holiday that honors the harvest of pilgrims and native Americans, so why not celebrate the special day with something cultural like a parade? Here are our picks for some of the best Thanksgiving parades in the US:  

  

What? Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Where? Chicago

_{©Flickr/Randy Escalada}

This firm staple of Chicago began as a Christmas Parade as far back as 1934, but it is now celebrated each year for Thanksgiving. As usual, you can expect giant character balloons, marching bands, and clowns. While you've got to prepare for this parade, the entertainment will be worth it. The parade will travel along State Street, between Ida B. Wells Drive and Randolph, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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What? America's Thanksgiving Parade

Where? Detroit

_©Flickr/Jon

Do you happen to be in Detroit this Thanksgiving? You need to get yourself to America's Thanksgiving Parade. Tied with Macy's as the second-oldest Thanksgiving Parade in the US, this incredible event started in 1924 and has been a regular staple of the city ever since. You can look forward to a sea of clowns, floats, bands, balloons, and an appearance by Santa Claus. The parade will kick off from Woodward and Kirby at 8:45 am, so rug up, and we'll meet you there!   

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What? 6ABC DunkinDonuts Thanksgiving Parade   

Where? Philadelphia

_{©Flickr/chrisinphilly5448}

Dating back to 1920, this is the oldest Thanksgiving Parade in the US and sure packs a punch as far as fun goes. Like most other Thanksgiving Parades nationwide, you'll be treated to floats, dance teams, celebrities, and giant balloons. So, will we be seeing you in Philly for this incredible parade? As the name would suggest, you can watch the event from 8:30 am on 6ABC if the Philly temperatures are too cold—we get it!    

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What? Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

Where? New York 

_{©Flickr/Phil Roeder}

Fancy the idea of regressing to your childhood for a fun day in NYC? Macy'ss Thanksgiving Parade will be coloring the streets of the Big Apple on November 28, with 2024 marking its 98th edition. Attracting more than 3.5 million people, this is one fun and collective way to be celebrating Thanksgiving. Think giant balloons, wild costumes, and plenty of floats! The parade will run from 8:30 am to noon, and if you can't attend, don't stress - the parade will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed via Peacock. 

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A gaycation somewhere fabulous

Want to make a weekend out of Thanksgiving? Whether traveling solo, with friends, or with family, this is the ideal time to go on a cozy vacation somewhere in the US. With loads of different misterb&b apartments, houses, and LGBTQ+ friendly hotels across the country, you'll also be able to find the perfect place to stay. Here is our curated list of top gay destinations for Thanksgiving: 

 

Provincetown

When the Pilgrims first settled on the shores of the US, they arrived at Plymouth on Cape Cod Bay. Just opposite lies dreamy Provincetown, often referred to as the heart of gay culture in the US. It is a very fitting destination to celebrate Thanksgiving. The main thoroughfare of Provincetown is Commercial Street, which is packed with cafes, bars, and restaurants. We suggest booking the Governor Bradford Restaurant & Bar for a memorable Thanksgiving lunch. It's also housed in a quintessential Provincetown weatherboard building, adding to the coziness.  

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Fort Lauderdale 

Similarly to Provincetown, Fort Lauderdale is a gay hotspot in the US, with crowds of gay travelers heading to this seaside town of Florida throughout the year. This is an excellent destination if you like celebrating Thanksgiving by the coast. In terms of Thanksgiving lunches, you can either choose to whip up a storm in your very own misterb&b apartment or house or head to the town's gayborhood, Wilton Manors, where you'll find plenty of cafes and restaurants.  

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Portland 

Are you craving a dose of cool for your Thanksgiving holiday? Book a trip to Portland and mingle with the hipsters over your Thanksgiving feast. The largest city of Oregon, gay Portland may be best known for its charming mix of microbreweries and coffee shops and its overall dedication to eco-friendliness. It is also highly gay-friendly, meaning you'll be able to easily integrate into the local scene here, no matter who you happen to be traveling with.

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For more travel inspo, check out our Top Trending Domestic Destinations in the US Now round-up. 

Party, party, party

If you don't plan to celebrate a typical Thanksgiving lunch with loved ones, how about shaking things up and straying from tradition with a crazy party instead? There are plenty of fabulous gay parties and festivals taking place across the US and beyond for Thanksgiving. Here is our round-up of some of the best:  

 

What? White Party Thanksgiving Puerto Vallarta

Where? Puerto Vallarta

When? November 28 - December 1

_{©Facebook/White Party}

We know Puerto Vallarta is not in the US, but it's easily accessible from most parts of the country, and when you have a White Party for Thanksgiving up for grabs, how could you say no? White Party Puerto Vallarta will host a four-day series of circuit-style parties with world-class DJs and popular performers. In addition, enjoy a Sunday Tea Dance at the fabulous Mantamar Beach Club at the Almar LGBTQ+ Resort. 

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What? URGE Circuit Festival Miami

Where? Miami

When? November 29- December 2

_{©Facebook/Circuit Miami}

Have you ever thought an association between Thanksgiving and Circuit could happen? Well, Circuit Miami is doing it this November! For four days, enjoy some of the globe's best DJs, who will spin well into the night as you make new friends in Miami. The weekend will host nine different parties, three happening during the daytime, including the iconic pool party, so be sure to pack your best swimmers! Check out the official event page for program details and book your place!   

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What? A bar crawl through WeHo.

Where? WeHo, Los Angeles  

West Hollywood, commonly referred to as WeHo by locals, is one of the most iconic and popular gayborhoods in the US, and it sure knows how to throw a good time any period of the year. If you find yourself in LA over Thanksgiving and haven't prepared anything specific, why not venture to WeHo and cruise the many bars and clubs for the night? Alternatively, Downtown is also worth checking out as it has slowly attracted an LGBTQ+ crowd and offers some great entertainment options.  

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Hosting with the most

What? A traditional Thanksgiving feast

Where? Your misterb&b

Do you like to keep things traditional? Why not honor the pilgrims who came before us and host a decadent feast for Thanksgiving? Whether you're hosting people in your misterb&b or a guest staying with a host in their misterb&b, a Thanksgiving dinner could be a great chance to connect and share a memorable experience. Even if you're traveling as a group and decide to book an entire apartment rather than staying with a host, most accommodation options on misterb&b come complete with fully-equipped kitchens, so there's no reason not to get the oven on for a feast!    

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Come Out!

Whether you're out of the closet or not, Thanksgiving has another modern-day association other than a harvest celebration. For many Americans, Thanksgiving is also synonymous with an unofficial coming out day, with significant data revealing that the family lunch or dinner is the ideal time and place to deliver the news. Word has it that Thanksgiving coincides nicely with uni students returning home after their first semester of University in September and October. So, if you have been toying with the idea of coming out while not following modern tradition and delivering the news at your next Thanksgiving dinner,

So whether you intend to sit down with the family over a decadent Thanksgiving feast and perhaps come out, or you are sold on the idea of dancing the night away at a crazy White Party in Puerto Vallarta, be sure to celebrate your gay Thanksgiving 2024 with a bang!

 

Want to stay somewhere fabulous this Thanksgiving? Check out our round-up of the best gay hotels on the USA's West Coast and East Coast.