Philadelphia, PA, is a city that's known for its rich history, iconic landmarks, and amazing culinary delights. Home to the historic Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, this city has plenty to offer for locals and tourists alike. Additionally, Philadelphia has an array of incredible venues where old friends and classmates can come together for food, drinks, and conversation.
If you're planning to host a high school reunion or shoot reunion scenes for content creation or movies, Philadelphia might just be the perfect choice for you—it's nicknamed "City of Brotherly Love" after all! Whether you're organizing a large-scale celebration with hundreds of guests or hosting something a little more intimate, Philly has the best venue for your needs.
To make the search even easier, Giggster has curated the top high school reunion locations in Philadelphia, from expansive banquet halls to laidback lounges. Our handpicked spaces can be found across key locations in the city, from Center City and Fairmount to South Philadelphia and Chinatown. Explore our easy-to-use platform and book the perfect reunion venue with just a few taps on the app!
With hundreds of venues perfect for high school and even college reunions, you'll surely find a location in Philadelphia that falls within your budget and meets your requirements.
Was your college graduation year an exceptionally sizable one? Philly is home to traditional event halls that are extremely versatile and can accommodate big crowds, perfect for college reunions with large groups of people coming.
Filming a reunion scene for a movie? Rent one of the many school auditoriums in the city for an authentic touch to your shots.
The city is home to art galleries that also double as event spaces, which are an excellent choice if you want something a little more unique and creative for a reunion gala.
Relive your early high school memories in an intimate setting by renting an entire loft in Philadelphia and having your closest friends from class in attendance. Often, small events are the best ones for catching up.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Giggster boasts a selection of 124 distinctive high school reunion venues in Philadelphia that you can choose from, from trendy lounges to industrial spaces. Set the stage for a memorable time with an extraordinary venue.
Hassle-Free Booking: Our convenient platform lets you browse and book the best venue for your high school reunion for as low as $25/hour. Scroll the app, filter by features and amenities, and select your favorite location.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: We understand that plans can change at the last minute, which is why we offer free cancellation within 24 hours of confirmation, provided that the booking was made at least 48 hours before the reunion date.
Platform Protections: Giggster offers optional protection packages for renters, enabling you to book incredible locations in Philly, such as Splendid 1BR Downtown Retreat, with ample coverage—and no stress.
Philadelphia can act as a great host for high school reunions for plenty of reasons. However, there are also a few drawbacks related to the city that you may want to consider before making any final plans.
Advantages
From historic homes and elegant function halls to stylish rooftop bars and creative studios, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to excellent reunion venues in Philly.
Despite being the largest city in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is generally more affordable, especially compared to nearby major cities such as New York or Washington, D.C.
Its central northeast location makes it easily accessible via different modes of transportation, such as land, train, and air. This makes it a great meeting point choice regardless of where your guests will be coming from.
Disadvantages
While getting to Philadelphia is easy, navigating the city can be challenging given the limited public transportation options.
Similar to most places in the country, there might be limited venue availability in Philadelphia during the peak season. Booking in advance is a good idea so that you can secure your desired venue on your preferred date.
Depending on what time of the year you're planning to host the reunion, the weather in the city can either be rainy or humid. It's best to research the forecast and have contingencies in place in case of inclement weather.
Philadelphia has a diverse set of venues, all of which can bring a unique touch to your high school reunion. Below are some types of locations that you can expect to find in Philly.
Rooftop Bars – Trendy Vibe. A rooftop bar provides the perfect atmosphere for a high school reunion; you get to enjoy delicious drinks, groovy music, and panoramic views of the Philadelphia skyline.
School Auditoriums – Nostalgic Atmosphere. If you want to tap into the nostalgia, why not book a school auditorium for your high school reunion? This type of site offers an authentic backdrop for gatherings between old friends as well as reunion scenes for films or music videos.
Private Dining Rooms – Enjoy Local Cuisine. Enjoy local culinary favorites such as Philly cheesesteak and soft pretzels in an intimate setting by renting a private room at one of the city's most popular restaurants.
Private Homes & Lofts – Cozy Setting. Plenty of stylish homes and lofts in Philly are available for rent and provide an exclusive and relaxed setting for friends who want to catch up and party through the night without all the fuss from public venues.
Banquet Halls – Grand Affairs. Banquet halls generally have spacious open floor layouts that are designed to host numerous guests all at once. These halls are also flexible and can be outfitted to match your vision for the reunion.
No matter how big or small your high school reunion is, you still need to apply great effort and attention to detail so that you can ensure that everything goes according to plan.
Choose a Reunion Date – The first thing you need to do is pick the date of the reunion; you want to make sure that you choose a date that coincides with the schedule of the attendees. Having a date locked in also allows you to send out RSVPs as soon as possible.
Book a Venue – Once you have a date set, you can start to look for potential locations across Philadelphia. Find one that is available on your chosen date, fits your budget, and can accommodate all your guests comfortably.
Reach Out to Vendors – Research local vendors that you might need to hire for the reunion, such as caterers, photographers, and decorators. Compare all your options and be sure to pick one that is most suitable for your needs.
Plan for Activities – Reunions go beyond catching up and enjoying food and drinks; you want to try to make it interactive and fun for the group. Consider creating a program complete with games, presentations, and other activities to keep your guests engaged.
Planning an unforgettable high school reunion doesn't necessarily mean that you have to spend a lot of money. In fact, there are numerous ways to keep your costs low while still providing a quality get-together for your guests.
Go for cheaper venues.
This goes without saying, but the more popular or grand a venue is, the higher its rental price will be. Therefore, if you want to save, consider renting more budget-friendly locations such as community centers, school auditoriums, or local halls.
Ditch full catering services.
Catering can take a huge chunk out of your budget, especially if you go for a fancy full-service caterer. To cut costs, you may opt to hire a food truck or stall instead, or even have your guests bring their own potluck.
Have the attendees cover part of the cost.
One of the easiest ways to take the burden of paying for everything is by having your guests and alumni cover part of the expenses, whether through donations or ticket sales.
On the Giggster app, you can easily explore and secure a sensational space from our curated list of incredible Philadelphia high school reunion venues. From historic buildings to rooftops with sweeping views, we have locations in neighborhoods across Philly that not only impress but also fall within your budget.
