As November progresses, signs of the holidays are further within view. But the holidays aren’t the only thing on tap at this time of year. There’s still a cornucopia of festivals, concerts, and creative happenings all around us as the temperatures begin to dip. Find out the best things to do this month with our guide to what’s happening everywhere our AMLI apartment communities are.
Atlanta
Nov. 5: Atlanta Hot and Spicy Festival
Head out to Brookhaven Park to dine on some seriously spicy fare and wash it down with a wide selection of Samuel Adams beer. A tasting competition between local restaurants happens from 12:30-2:30 p.m. The winner donates ,000 to a charity of their choice.
Nov. 5-6: Cotton States Cat Club Show
See the most pampered cats around strut their stuff in the 78th annual show by the Cotton States Cat Club, featuring cats from everyday households as well as pedigrees.
Nov. 12: Crafts & Drafts
Creative Loafing hosts this holiday market with hand-picked local artisans and crafters, along with a hefty offering of craft brews to sip on while you browse. Knock your holiday shopping out before the season takes over.
Nov. 19-20: Heroes & Villains Fan Fest
Georgia World Congress Center hosts this comic book fan fest featuring stars from shows and films such as Game of Thrones, Arrow, Guardians of the Galaxy, Gotham, and more.
Austin
Nov. 4-6: Sound on Sound Festival
One of the newer large-scale festivals in town, the three-day Sound on Sound fest brings together many indie acts that are usually on the road headlining their own national tours. Also, on the bill are a few old-timers such as Descendants, Thee Oh Sees, and Bob Mould. Check out groups such as Phantogram, Purity Ring, Young Thug, and Boys Noize.
Nov. 5-6: Texas Book Festival
Check out the latest and greatest reads and meet the authors who write them at this year’s rendition of the Texas Book Festival. Head over to the Texas Capitol Building and find books by over 250 authors, tons of readings to attend, and opportunities for book signings.
Nov. 19-20: Art From the Streets Show and Sale
For the 24th year, Art From the Streets hosts its sale of work by participants in their program. Artwork is made and sold by homeless individuals who’ve participated in classes that occur three times per week at the St. David’s Church Trinity Center.
Chicago
Nov. 5: Mac & Cheese Festival
One of the biggest dishes in the comfort food pantheon has its own tasting festival featuring dozens of Chicago restaurants competing for a golden noodle trophy. Attendees chow down and vote on their favorite rendition of this classic dish. Choose from a lunch or dinner session. Admission comes with five drink tickets.
Nov. 12: River North Whiskey Festival
Make sure you have a ride home (if not, Lyft is offering a 0 credit to new riders), because it’s whiskey time! Attendees can sample from over 50 different varieties of whiskey, including bourbon and scotch, at Old Crow Smokehouse in the heart of River North.
Nov: 18: Christkindlmarket
Chicago’s favorite holiday shopping extravaganza returns to Daley Plaza for another year, with another mulled wine mug to help warm your heart and your depleting wallet. Shop for holiday crafts made by local artisans as well as unique seasonal food offerings available only at this most wonderful time of year.
Nov. 24: Thanksgiving Day Parade
Watch one of the country’s biggest Thanksgiving Day parades march down State St. from 8-11 a.m. The parade begins at Congress and moves north to Randolph. Arrive early to stake your claim on a good view!
Dallas
Nov. 1-2: Adele
Adele plays the American Airlines Center for two nights as part of her first tour on this side of the pond in five years.
Nov. 5: Untapped Festival
Sip from a selection of 400 varieties of beer by 100 different breweries while enjoying sets from indie rockers TV on the Radio, gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello, and a host of other acts.
Nov. 1o: Art and Wine Walk
Hosted by Plano Magazine in the heart of downtown Plano, this is the last sip and shop event of the season. Attendees can enjoy select wines while perusing the wares of the art district, along with live music performances and curated art exhibitions.
Nov. 18: Jim Breuer
Popular mid-late 90s comedian Jim Breuer is still on the stand-up circuit and Dallas comedy fans have the rare chance to see this former Saturday Night Live staple on stage.
Nov. 25: Macy’s Grand Tree Lighting Celebration
Watch the lights go live for the holiday season on the 95-foot Christmas tree outside the Macy’s at Galleria Dallas. In addition to the tree lighting, groups of ice skating champions will take the ice, including 2012 U.S. National Champions Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, as well as local and regional youth skaters.
Denver
Nov. 2-4: David Sedaris
In the first of a three-night stint at the Seawall Grand Ballroom, humorist, author, and comedian David Sedaris performs on stage.
Nov. 2-4: Denver International Wine Festival
For the 12th year running, the Denver International Wine Festival brings together wine experts and connoisseurs from across the globe to take part in tastings of award winning wines and sampling dishes specifically designed to pair with them by wine-savvy chefs.
Nov. 5: Amy Schumer
Comedian Amy Schumer wraps up the western leg of her tour with a stop at the Bellco Theatre. Choose from either a 7 p.m. or 10 p.m. show.
Nov. 18 Anthony Bourdain
Retrace the steps of gastronomical globe trotter Anthony Bourdain as part of his nationwide The Hunger Tour.
Nov. 26-Dec. 24: The Nutcracker
What would the holiday season be without a performance of The Nutcracker? The Colorado Ballet puts on this classic show featuring over 300 costumes and backed by a live orchestra at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
Houston
Nov. 4: Sia
You might not see her face, but you can hear the five-time Grammy nominee belt her songs through the Toyota Center. She performs along with openers Miguel and Aluna George.
Nov. 5-6: 25th Annual Houston Turkish Festival
Celebrate traditional Turkish culture, food, drink, music, and dancing for an entire weekend. Stop by Jones Plaza in the downtown area to see whirling dervishes dance, shop the Grand Bazaar, and entertain the little ones with a host of kids activities and arts and crafts.
Nov. 19-20: Via Colori Street Painting Festival
Over 250 artists from the local community and abroad paint the streets outside City Hall with murals to the theme of “A Colorful World.” Watch the large-scale pieces of art take shape and enjoy live music on three different stages. The event is all for a good cause, too. This street painting fest is a fundraiser for The Center for Hearing and Speech.
Nov. 24: Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 67th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade has two of Houston’s most celebrated young athletes as its parade marshals this year, gold medal Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and gold medal Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel. Cheer on the floats, high-flying balloons, and marching bands when the festivities begin at 9 a.m. on Smith and Lamar streets downtown.
Seattle
Nov. 6-23: Dine Around Seattle
Some of Seattle’s best restaurants are offering fixed-price three-course lunch and dinner menus that highlight their strengths. It’s a great time to find a new spot in town. These specials only last for about two weeks, but if you miss Dine Around Seattle this time, it’ll return in spring.
Nov. 11: Free Entrance at State and National Parks
Celebrate Veterans Day by visiting the some of the most majestic lands which they fight and have fought to protect. State and Federal lands are offering free admission to all, regardless of military status, this year.
Nov. 11-13: Best of the Northwest Art & Fine Craft Show
The Northwest Art Alliance brings this 28th annual art show featuring work by over 100 artists, as well as food trucks, kids activities, a youth art exhibition, and more at Hanger 30 in Magnuson Park.
Nov. 19-20: Yulefest
Kick off the Christmas season the Nordic way by nabbing a few Scandinavian gifts for your loved ones at this long-running festival and market at the Nordic Heritage Museum. The event is family-friendly, but there is a 21+ area where those choosing to imbibe may do so.
Southern California
Nov. 5: Pumpkin Launch
Watch pumpkins fly through the sky at the Discovery Cube at Cal State Fullerton. Various types of giant trebuchets are loaded with gourds and propelled through the air, kids can participate in an assortment of hands-on activities, and food is available from various food trucks from the area.
Nov. 20: Swedish Christmas Fair
Head down to Old World at Huntington Beach for the annual Swedish Christmas Fair put on by SWEA, the Swedish Women’s Educational Association. The fair has collections of handmade goods for sale, including Swedish treats and bakery, artwork, food, and (of course) Glogg.
Nov. 24: Turkey Trot
Why not work off your Thanksgiving dinner calories before they get there? In it’s 39th year, the Dana Point Turkey Trot has 10K, 5K, and kids races. Both competitive and beginning runners are encouraged to join. The event is USA Track & Field (USATF) sanctioned and certified.
Nov. 27: Tamale Festival
This year’s third annual Tamale Festival hosts four separate contests, including competitions for the best tamale, best dessert tamale, best salsa, and hottest salsa. The festival also features live music and a churro eating contest.
South Florida
Nov. 3: Ina Garten
One of the most celebrated chefs in the country, Ina Garten, comes to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. An on-stage moderator will interview her about her life appearing on The Food Network and writing nine best-selling cookbooks, and her public and private life as a culinary icon. An audience Q&A will follow.
Nov. 5-6: Miami-Fort Lauderdale Pet Expo
Learn about the various services available to pet owners, such as discounted vaccinations and micro chipping, as well as info about the adoption process for bringing a new furry friend home. Some services like nail trimmings are free. Admission to the expo is also free.
Nov. 16: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Host of the popular Cosmos Neil deGrasse Tyson bridges the gap between science and pop culture, giving a run down of how some of our favorite space movies got their calculations all wrong. Tyson discusses the physics and science in popular movies like Star Wars, The Martian, Frozen, and other hallmarks of film.
Nov. 23: Bob Dylan
Legendary musician and recent Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan wraps up his most recent tour with this final date at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
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