State Park Friendsgiving
Photograph: Courtesy State Park
Photograph: Courtesy State Park

Where to gather for Friendsgiving in Boston

Fun ideas for a pre-holiday hang with your chosen family, from feasts to floral workshops.

Tanya Edwards
Contributor: Jacqueline Cain
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Friendsgiving can look like a lot of different things, but essentially, it’s getting together with friends, usually the week of Thanksgiving to celebrate without all the formality and family obligations. It's a time to come together, enjoy good food and drink, and honestly, relax in the run up to the holiday. While some friends go out for a big meal, there are also drag brunches, Thanksgiving-themed hot dogs, brewery tap takeovers and more on the calendar this year. 

Of course, you can also celebrate Thanksgiving in Boston with a traditional holiday meal and the pies from the best in town.

Time Out Market Boston

Head to the expansive and exciting Time Out Market all month long with your whole crew for Friendsgiving fun. No reservations are required, and with the market’s major line up of food vendors, there’s sure to be something for everyone, including fall cocktails and satisfying comfort food. From a turkey burger and cornbread stuffing to apple cider doughnuts and pumpkin pie ice cream, here's what's on the menu for Friendsgiving at Time Out Market.

How to celebrate Friendsgiving in Boston

  • Wine bars
  • Downtown
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

If you’re not familiar with this downtown wine bar's Weiner Wednesday special, consider this your heads up that they serve up a different hot dog every week—and they’re delicious. For the month of November, haley.henry has been serving Thanksgiving-themed 'dogs. On the day before the big feast, you can grab a green bean casserole-style weiner topped with green beans, crispy shallot and parm. 

  • Italian
  • South Boston
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Gluten-free friends, and those who love them: Italian restaurant Capo is hosting a Friendsgiving just for you on Tuesday, Nov. 26. It's part of the Southie spot's weekly GF Tuesdays, when all breads, pastas and more are fully gluten-free. Another option for pals at Capo this season is to take a pizza and pie-making class there on Saturday, Nov. 21. 

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  • Cocktail bars
  • Kendall Sq
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Your favorite comfort-food bar and restaurant in Cambridge is hosting a Friendsgiving feast on the days leading up to Thanksgiving (Monday–Wednesday). Instead of turkey, you’ll get fried chicken with Thanksgiving sides and dessert, along with festive drinks like cider and eggnog. It’s $35 per person, and you won’t have to help clean up—but you should book in advance.

  • Vegan
  • Somerville
  • price 1 of 4

Vegans, vegetarians, and lovers of delicious tacos, this special is for you and your friends. Taco Party in Somerville is serving a green bean casserole taco for the month of November (and maybe into December). The taco is filled with marinated and roasted green beans, mushrooms and topped with fried onions and cranberry crema made from cashews. 

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  • Chinese

There’s no celebration like the night before Thanksgiving, when all of your old friends are back in town and ready to party. If that’s the vibe you’re looking for this year, the famous Kowloon Restaurant is hosting an 80s Thanksgiving Eve party with music from local favorites Wildfire. The party kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 6pm, in the upstairs special-event room at the Kowloon, and everyone is invited to dress in their best 80s costumes. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best dressed! Tickets start at $20 to party and $50 for a seated buffet. Reserve in person, by phone or via online ordering on Kowloon's website.

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  • Gastropubs
  • Fenway/Kenmore
  • price 3 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Want to host a roast for all your friends? Citizen Public is offering a porchetta feast for five or more this season, alongside their usual whole pig roast reservation for 10 or more people. You must book 48 hours in advance (don’t just walk in looking for a whole pig, please) but then, the table will be set. Both large-format feasts this month come with Thanksgiving-inspired sides like ciabatta stuffing with chestnuts, cranberry sauce, roasted Brussels sprouts, apple mostarda, garlic mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is on the menu for dessert. The special runs the entire month of November, and can be booked at Citizen’s website. Meals start at $325 before tax and tip.

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