Planning to celebrate Friendsgiving in Seattle?
It has become a tradition in recent years to gather your closest friends and enjoy good food, drinks, and company without the stress of family drama—usually the weekend before Thanksgiving. If your friend group includes at least one amazing cook and someone with enough space to host everyone, then congratulations and enjoy! If, however, you’re looking for a more low-key, effortless plan we have some unique Friendsgiving events in Seattle that you can do with your friends. From festive brewery events to turkey trots, there’s something here for every kind of friend group.
Here are our top ideas for unique ways to celebrate Friendsgiving in Seattle this year:
1. Friendsgiving at a brewery
When: Saturday, November 18
Where: Reuben’s Brews in Ballard
Cost: Free admission
Not in the mood to cook? Meet your friends at Reuben’s Ballard taproom the Saturday before Thanksgiving for beer, a roasted turkey and apple slaw sandwich special, and a chance to win one of their 2023 advent calendars full of beer. There will also be fun activities for both adults and kids, such as ornament decorating and a coloring station. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the food drive for the Ballard Food Bank. See more info here.
2. Tacos and seasonal beers with friends
When: Saturday, November 18
Where: Lucky Envelope Brewing
Cost: Free admission
Here’s another Friendsgiving event for the beer lovers. Lucky Envelope Brewing in Ballard is having their Holiday Cheers! event the Saturday before Thanksgiving. You and your friends can order food from on-site Tacos el Güero while trying four seasonal brews that will be released that day. No need to RSVP.
3. Gobble Up Seattle
When: Saturday, November 18
Where: Magnuson Park Hangar 30
Cost: Free admission
Find an incredible dessert, snack, beverage, condiment, or ingredient to bring with you to Friendsgiving at this craft food show on Saturday. Gobble Up Seattle runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and admission is free, so consider it an essential and easy grocery trip before your party. Local vendors will be selling everything from seasonings and sauces to desserts and beverages. You can even buy ceramics, kitchenware, art, and dog treats so you can surprise your host with a thoughtful gift. There will be food trucks on-site as well in case you get hungry.
4. Winter Fest Market
When: Saturday, November 18
Where: The Stone House Cafe
Cost: Free admission
Another festive market this Saturday is on a smaller scale, in case you prefer to avoid large crowds. Winter Fest Market runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Stone House Cafe with local retail vendors, dessert pop-ups, and DJs. Shop for a gift or food item to bring with you to your Friendsgiving, or browse the market with friends and then stay to enjoy the cafe’s restaurant and bar—no cooking required.
5. Seattle turkey trots
When: Saturday, November 18
Where: Green Lake and Wallingford
Cost: Free to $43+
There are two turkey trots this Saturday in Seattle! If you and your friends like to get active together, choose between:
- Trailhead Trot Happy Fun Run in Wallingford (free!). The race starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends with coffee, donuts, and raffles at the Brooks Trailhead store. Bring non-perishable food items to donate.
- Tacky Turkey Sweater 5k at Green Lake ($43+). The race starts at 10:00 a.m. but packet pickup starts at 9:00 at Green Lake Park Community Center. You can register day-of for an additional $10 fee.
6. Bad Bitch Brunch
When: Sunday, November 19
Where: Queer/Bar
Cost: $50-$125
If Bad Bitch Brunch at Queer/Bar sounds like something your friend group would be into, then why not make this your no-effort Friendsgiving? You can attend with a group of five, four, or two and enjoy champagne and a drag show. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Reserve your table here for this Sunday’s brunch.
7. Friendsgiving cocktail class
When: Wednesday, November 22
Where: The Metropolitan Grill
Cost: $75 per person
Celebrate Friendsgiving with your group while learning some helpful tips for Thanksgiving by attending the Friendsgiving Punch Party cocktail class at The Metropolitan Grill. You’ll learn how to make three punchbowl cocktails (a holiday spritz, a spiced sangria, and a rum punch) along with Thanksgiving-inspired snacks. RSVP here.