Thanksgiving in Portland: Eating Out, Decorating at Home, Events and More

Your First Thanksgiving in Your New Portland Home

It’s almost time to break out the good dishes and welcome your friends and family into your home for Thanksgiving. If you’re in a new home this year, Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to really break in the new digs and get into the swing of holiday decorating and entertaining. Thanksgiving is, after all, all about celebrating, expressing gratitude for what you have, and sharing your bounty with those you care about. 

We’re here to help you with some tips on where to find the best food, how to get your home ready for the big day, and even some suggestions on what to do with the long weekend after your hunger for turkey (or whatever you’re into) is satiated this year. So sit back, loosen your belt a notch or two, and dig into our Thanksgiving in Portland post. 

The Big Meal, PDX-Style

If you’re looking to dine out on Thanksgiving this year, several Portland restaurants are ready to welcome you, with everything from the traditional to the very non-traditional. If you’re looking to pick up a prepared Thanksgiving meal to eat at home, local gourmet and natural retailer New Seasons is taking orders for pick-up the day before the big day. 

If you’re looking to dine and will be cooking everything from scratch, make sure that you check with your retailer of choice to see if you can get your bird for free by buying a certain amount of groceries. Nothing tastes quite as good as free turkey. And, if you’re looking to go a different direction for protein this year, what is arguably the city’s best ham can be found at Tails and Trotters on NE 24th Ave. 

If cooking just isn’t in the cards for you this year check out the many restaurants in Portland that serve a Thanksgiving dinner. McCormick & Schmick’s offers a classic take on your favorite meal every year. If you’re looking for something more new wave, Andina offers a Peruvian twist on Thanksgiving. Want a classic meal in an old favorite? Shari’s serves up a Thanksgiving meal every year. But make sure you call any restaurant to get a reservation first.

Decorating a New Home for the Holidays

Thanksgiving decorations may not extend much beyond the dining room, but who’s to say that Thanksgiving weekend can’t also serve double duty as “Home Decorating Weekend”? This year, why not get all your holiday decorating done either before Turkey Day, or in party-form over the rest of the weekend?  

Breaking in a new home over the holidays is a great way to finally and completely settle in, putting your stamp on the rooms with your own personal holiday flair, whatever your holiday flair might be. Invite friends and family to help out with either a pre-holiday decorating party, or a Thanksgiving weekend holiday kick-off decorating party!

 Your Options for Beyond the Big Day This Holiday Weekend

Well, let’s dispense with the obvious right up front. The day after Thanksgiving (starting in some cases on Thursday evening, these days) has become a bit of a holiday in its own right. Black Friday may or may not be worth celebrating, depending on how you feel about shopping and crowds of bargain seekers. But, you know where the malls are and probably have been plotting out your route and putting together your schedule since last year, if BF is your sort of thing.

 If you’re looking for something a little different to do with the rest of the long holiday weekend, however, Portland has your back, with several great events for you and your friends and family. 

The Oregon Zoo starts its ZooLights festival the day before Thanksgiving. Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree performs at the Keller on Black Friday, competing with (or complementing) The 34th Annual Tree Lighting Festival that same evening in Pioneer Square, downtown. The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights, out on NE Sandy Blvd. also kicks off on the 23rd this year.

Giving Thanks in a Big Way in Portland 

A home, especially a newhome, is certainly something to be thankful for. This year, you can have the best Thanksgiving ever, whether you cook, order takeout, take the family out, or do whatever you feel like. Portland is a place that stands ready to feed you, entertain you, and celebrate with you. Happy Thanksgiving!