November is here and the holiday season is quickly approaching. Things have wound down considerably since last month and we’re beginning to settle for more and more dark in our mornings and nights. Still, this month offers many more reasons to go out than not. Find some of the best events around AMLI communities across the country listed below.
Atlanta
Nov. 4 & 5: Cotton States Cat Show
Cat lovers abound at the 79th annual Cotton States Cat Show. See pampered felines and rescue cats competing and available for adoption, as well as a host of vendors and a raffle.
Nov. 11 & 12: Free Entrance Day
Entrance fees are waived at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as part of the Veterans Day Weekend.
Nov. 11: Stone Mountain Christmas Opens
Over 2 million lights shine in Stone Mountain Park as part of its yearly Christmas celebration, which lasts through January 3. Enjoy a skylights spectacular, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer in 4D and live performances for all ages.
Nov. 19: Lighting of Atlantic Station
Bring family, friends, and holiday cheer to this tree lighting ceremony in Central Park. The festivities begin at noon with a Santa meet-and-greet that goes until 5pm. From 1-7pm guests can enjoy performances by local community groups and artists on the main stage.
Austin
Nov. 3-12: Wurstfest
It’s the wurst festival around. Celebrate Teutonic culture, eats, and drinks in New Braunfels over the course of 10 days—so you can choose the time that’s right for you. Other entertainment includes carnival rides, music, dancing, and more.
Nov. 4-5: 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. 5: Texas Monthly BBQ Festival
For the eighth year, Texas Monthly magazine gathers some of the best barbecue joints from around the state. Over 30 from their top 50 barbecue joints list will join the festivities and serve their best from 1-4pm at The Long Center for the Performing Arts.
Nov. 23: Turkey Trot
Join what’s billed as “the largest 5-mile run in Texas” at the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. Also available are a 1-mile walk and a kids K course. Enter the raffle for a chance to win a new Honda Accord. Proceeds go to Caritas of Austin, which seeks to prevent and end homelessness in the area. Last year, over 850 participants raised or donated a total of almost 2,000.
Chicago
Nov. 4: Mac & Cheese Fest
The fourth annual Mac & Cheese Fest returns to the UIC Forum for an all-you-can-sample feast with noon and 6pm sessions. All samplers get to vote for who has the best mac and cheese, but VIP tickets give extra bells and whistles like five drink tickets, priority check-in, and access to a special VIP area.
Nov. 17: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Millennium Park’s big, blue holiday tree gets lit up for the season at 6pm in the heart of the Chicago’s most iconic downtown park, where it will remain until New Year’s Day.
Nov. 17-Dec. 24: Christkindlmarket
The same day the tree gets lit in Millennium Park, the shops at the city’s renown holiday market will open their doors and entice you to open your wallet and buy all sorts of holiday tchotchkes and goods. Don’t forget to grab yourself an official Christkindlmarket mug and get some Glühwein!
Nov. 18 & 19: Randolph Street’s Holiday Market
Get your holiday shopping done on the cheap and in style at this market offering vintage wares and modern goods at prices you won’t find elsewhere. Shop indie fashion, decorative objects, jewelry, art, and more.
Dallas
Nov. 2: Dia de los Muertos Festival
Head over to the cemetery at Crown Hill Memorial Park for a day of honoring loved ones in life and death with altar building workshops, kids activities, vendors, and more festival entertainments.
Join the largest Hindu Festival of Lights in the U.S. from 4pm to midnight at the Cotton Bowl. Enjoy entertainment from a host of Bollywood stars, loads of traditional Indian food, fireworks, a laser show, and more.
Nov. 4: Carrollton Festival at the Switchyard
Historic Downtown Carrollton plays host to this festival full of carnival rides and games, free activities for kids, and a concert. Nineties darlings The Toadies headline along with Everclear and Emerald City Band.
Denver
Nov. 4: Rock-A-Belly Festival
Denver chefs, brewers, and distillers gather to serve of their dishes and drinks for a bit of fun and a good cause. All proceeds from this charity night go to Food For Thought Denver, which helps to provide weekend meals to low-income students in Denver Public Schools.
Nov. 9: Botanic Gardens Winter Gift Market
Shop one-of-a-kind holiday gifts made by hand such as soaps and beauty products, clothing, food, and antiques.
Nov. 11: Nitro Fest
Get transported to “an electrifying fantasy land of ambient sounds and rebelliously rare beers” at the fourth annual Nitro Fest, presented by Left Hand Brewing. Domestic craft breweries and others from around the world pour their best nitro beers while a variety of circus acts perform daring feats in exciting costumes.
Houston
Through Nov. 26: Texas Renaissance Festival
It’s your last chance to swing by the Texas Renaissance Festival for a day of Old World fun. Watch jousting knights, meet hordes of costumed actors and performers, and chow down on strange foods of old. Each weekend is themed as well. This month, catch Barbarian Invasion, Heroes and Villains, Highland Fling, and Celtic Christmas themes.
Nov. 9-12: Nutcracker Market
Kick off the holiday shopping season with the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market. This holiday bazaar features over 280 different vendors offering a variety of unique and handcrafted novelties that make perfect stocking stuffers and gifts. Dress up and check out the preview party on Wednesday, Nov. 8 before the market begins.
Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Day parade
For the 68th year, Houstonians celebrate Thanksgiving with a free parade for all through the streets of downtown. General seating is available for purchase, otherwise free standing room is available along the parade route.
Nov. 18-Jan. 15: Zoo Lights
See the zoo glimmering in holiday lights and decked out to the nines. Though in just its fifth year, the celebration is quite grand, complete with carolers, hot chocolate, and 15 miles of LED lighting strung up throughout the sprawling grounds.
Seattle
Nov. 2: Seattle Winter Ciderfest
Enjoy signature, seasonal, and specialty ciders from across the Pacific Northwest region from 6-9pm at this 21+ tasting festival. Food from Zeek’s Pizza, Krave Jerky, barkTHINS, and LUVAcakes will be available.
Nov. 10-12: Cowabunga
Gorge yourself on all things beef at Cowabunga, a festival offering four different events at two different venues, with Friday focusing on burgers, Saturday afternoon on barbecue and beef-related concerns, Saturday night on steak, and Sunday being a family-friendly brunch with lawn games.
Nov. 11: Oyster New Year
Head over to Elliott’s Oyster House for over 30 varieties of local oysters and a bevvy of local wineries and breweries offering beverages to pair them with.
Nov. 25: Magic in the Market
Shop for holiday gifts and snack on seasonal foods when Pike’s Place Market transforms into a winter holiday wonderland from noon to 5pm. Meet and make a wish with Santa, see live musicians and carolers perform, and pick out a holiday tree for home, all while sipping on fresh hot cider and cocoa.
Southern California
Nov. 3: A Taste of San Clemente
The 27th annual Taste of San Clemente invites attendees to take part in a wine tasting featuring wines from surrounding vineyards, bid in a silent auction, and enjoy tastes and treats from over 20 local restaurants. No tickets are sold at the door. Contact the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce at 949-492-1131 for details and ticket sales.
Nov. 26: Tamale Festival
The La Habra Community Center throws its fourth annual Tamale Festival, featuring a churro eating contest, tree lighting ceremony, and all the tamales you can handle. This is billed as the largest tamale festival in Orange County. Don’t miss out!
Nov. 23: Turkey Trot Los Angeles
Tear through downtown Los Angeles on either a scenic 5K or 10K route for this Thanksgiving Day run benefiting The Midnight Mission. Registration begins at 6:45am, the 5K begins at 8am, and the 10K begins at 8:45am.
South Florida
Nov. 1-5: Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
See all types of boats and meet those who build and design them as well. Everything from yachts to skiffs to catamarans to inflatables are on display for attendees’ perusal.
Nov. 3 & 10: Friday Night Sound Waves
Catch live music from everything ranging from oldies to Motown to reggae, all by local South Florida talent. These are the last two dates of the season!
Nov. 4: Moonlight Movie in the Park
See Disney’s Moana after dark at the event stage in Weston Regional Park. Attendees are encouraged to make a picnic of the evening and bring blankets, lawn chairs, and food and drink. No alcohol is permitted in the park.
Nov. 18: Mutts and Martinis
Take your pup out for a stroll and stop by the Downtowner for Fort Lauderdale’s largest outdoor pet-friendly cocktail party. Several pet rescues will be on-hand offering up adoptions and guests can enjoy a dog-themed silent auction and pet fashion show. Portions of proceeds goes to Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and area no-kill pet shelters.
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