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11 things to do in York Thanksgiving weekend


It’s Thanksgiving Day, and you’ve eaten your fill of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.

A four-day holiday weekend lies ahead.

What do you do?

Here are several events from Santa meet-and-greets to a night out at the bar to keep you busy this Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26

Turkey Trot: Get your exercise in before the biggest meal of the year. The 19th annual Turkey Trot 5K begins at 9 a.m. at the Graham Aquatic Center, 543 N. Newberry St., York. Grab your family and friends and help raise funds for YMCA health and wellness programs. Registration is $20 for adults and $5 for children 13 and under. Visit yorkcoymca.org for more information.

Go out for dinner or drinks: Don’t feel like cooking on Thanksgiving? No problem. Several downtown York bars and restaurants will be open for dinner and drinks, including Front Porch Café, Holy Hound Taproom, Otto’s Kitchen & Cocktails, Roosevelt Tavern, White Rose Bar & Grill and The Yorktowne Hotel.  Visit the restaurant websites for specific holiday hours.

See a movie: From the 24th James Bond film "Spectre" to the highly anticipated "Hunger Games" finale "Mockingjay Part 2," November has been a great month for movies. And what better time to see them than Thanksgiving Day, surrounded by friends and family. New releases for the holiday weekend include the Disney Pixar animated comedy "The Good Dinosaur" and the Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan sports drama "Creed." Find movie times at fandango.com.

Friday, Nov. 27

Christmas Magic: Goodbye Thanksgiving, hello Christmas. Bring the family to Rocky Ridge County Park for the first day of Christmas Magic, where 600,000 Christmas lights will light up a half-mile walking trail along a wooded hilltop. Along the trail, you’ll see holiday scenes, five heated pavilions, a G-gauge train display, Santa Claus and more.  Weekend hours are 6-9 p.m. Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for children 4-12 and free for children 3 and under. Visit yorkcountypa.gov/parks-recreation or call 717-840-7443 for more information.

Night Before Christmas Train: We know it’s still November, but Strasburg Rail Road (just a short drive away in Ronks) is ready to recreate the magic of Christmas Eve. Dress in your favorite holiday PJs and climb aboard the train for an evening filled with cookies and milk and a reading of Clement Clarke Moor’s “The Night Before Christmas.” Visitors can also ride the Tinsel Trolley, a self-propelled motorcar, and listen to storybook readings of holiday classics aboard the heated stationary caboose. The train boards at 6:30 p.m. and departs at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults, $11 for children 3-11 and $3 for ages 2 and under. Visit strasburgrailroad.com for more information.

>>Also at Strasburg Rail Road: Children can meet Santa, have their photo taken and receive a special gift aboard Santa’s Paradise Express this Friday through Sunday. Back at the station, Mrs. Claus will be waiting to help children finalize their letters to Santa. Trains depart several times throughout the day beginning at 11 a.m. Visit strasburgrailroad.com for more information.

All Black Affair: Celebrate a successful day of Black Friday shopping with a night out at Cobblestone’s annual All Black Affair “Throwback Edition.” This 30-and-over party will feature throwback music by DJ Smash, DJ Bro Mose and a special guest DJ at 205 S. George St., York. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 before midnight and $20 after midnight. Call 717-891-8917 for more information.

Brass Monkeys concert:  If you're looking for live music by local acts, The Back Room at the Tourist Inn is the place to go. After a recent renovation and change to its music lineup, The Back Room will host local soul and funk act Ralph Real and the Family Band and Beastie Boys tribute band The Brass Monkeys at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Visit touristinn.net for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 28

Small Business Saturday: Black Friday deals are enticing, but sometimes the best finds come from shopping local. You can find deals on arts and crafts, books, clothing, jewelry, furniture and more at select downtown York shops on Small Business Saturday. Visit downtownyorkpa.com for a list of downtown stores.

Holiday Pops Spectacular: After you’ve done a little shopping, spend a relaxing evening at the theater for York Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Spectacular. The holiday concert, featuring an appearance by the York Symphony Chorus and a special all-star gospel choir, begins at 4 p.m. at Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, 50 N. George St., York. Tickets are $9, $33 and $39. Visit mystrandcapitol.org for more information.

Sunday, Nov. 29

Greater York Toy Extravaganza: You might find some neat Christmas gifts at the 34th annual Greater York Toy Extravaganza this year.  About 800 vendors are expected to buy, sell and trade modern and collectible toys from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Memorial Hall at the York Expo Center, 334 Carlisle Ave., York. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12. Call 717-424-4004 for more information.

White Christmas: Sunday is your last chance to see the holiday classic "White Christmas" live on stage at York Little Theatre. The musical – which features favorite songs like "Blue Skies," "I Love A Piano" and "White Christmas" – begins at 3 p.m. at 27 S. Belmont St., York. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors 62 and up, $20 for students 13 and up, $12 for children 12 and under. Visit ylt.org for more information.