As fall colors fade, this month presents a lot of opportunities to walk a popular trail, stroll an empty beach, and enjoy the quiet moments before the skiers and snowmobilers come out in throngs. Fun awaits at our 12 things to do in Michigan in November.
Nov 1-2 Holiday Artists Market – Traverse City
Do you or someone you know want/need to add a little art to your home? Well, then we have a show for you. The Dennos Museum Center will be welcoming visitors to its 25th annual Holiday Artist Market. There you’ll find a unique variety of artful gifts in a lively and festive marketplace. Admission is free to all. Special programming will be offered to enhance the experience for visitors of all ages. There will also be a raffle, proceeds from which, will support K-12 tours to the museum. Go get your art on.
Nov 1-9 Restaurant Week GR – Grand Rapids
WalletHub recently named Grand Rapids one of America’s best foodie cities. If you’ve ever been, then you’ll understand why. If not, then this is the perfect week for some culinary exploration. This year, some of the area’s best chefs have created menus to dazzle your tastebuds, all priced at just $25, $35 or $45 for two courses or more. You can also earn up to two free gifts just for enjoying great food. Plus, for the first time, you can vote for your favorite participating restaurants. Before you go, it only takes a couple minutes to sign up online for the Restaurant Week GR Digital Pass, and your opportunity to earn those free prizes as you check into various participating venues.
Nov 1-30 Fall Migration Celebration – Augusta
We’re still in peak waterfowl migratory season, and there are few better places to enjoy it than the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in August. There, Wintergreen Lake provides a safe haven for birds to fuel up as they travel from breeding grounds in the far North to winter grounds in the Southern US and beyond. Explore three miles of trails around the lake, and take in numerous cool and educational activities. Participate in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a free household membership. Go on a storybook hike along the paved path. Best of all, pack a picnic, and don’t forget to bring your binoculars, to check out all of the waterfowl, gamebirds and raptors.
Nov 3 All Things Detroit: Holiday Experience – Detroit
With the scent of Christmas pines in the air, Eastern Market is a fun destination even as cold temps set in. Warm up inside and do some serious shopping at this annual marketplace featuring more than 200 small businesses. It’s the perfect opportunity to find something locally-made for everyone on your list. Then pop on over to Detroit City Distillery to celebrate your success with a hot toddy, or pop into Bert’s for some legendary Detroit BBQ.
Nov 3-10 Dow Tennis Classic – Midland
Since its inception in 1989, the Dow Tennis Classic is the longest-run professional women’s tennis tournament in Michigan. In fact, it’s the only professional tennis tournament in the state. Head to the Greater Midland Tennis Center to catch the action as 60 female athletes try to make it big on the world tour. Who knows, you may just see the next Serena Williams. She was born in Saginaw after all.
Nov 7-14 East Lansing Film Festival – East Lansing
It’s hard to believe, but this annual fest of flicks has been a part of the Lansing community for more than a quarter of a century. It provides an excellent opportunity to go back into the theater and enjoy independent films alongside other movie buffs. Cinema fans will find a well-curated selection of features, documentaries, and short films from which to choose. Opening night features a documentary called Unlikely Allies. In 2003, a low-level cannabis case ended Weldon Angelos’ budding and promising career in the music industry, but it also gave birth to a national movement to reform our country’s criminal justice system. The cause united far right conservatives like billionaire Charles Koch and Senator Mike Lee with liberals such as Senator Corey Booker and Van Jones, as well as Alicia Keys, and Snoop Dogg. Your sense for fair play will have you silently screaming at the screen. Director Anthony Pedone and Weldon Angelos are scheduled to attend.
Nov 8-10 Motor City Comic Con – Novi
Fans of pop culture will be delighted to know that Motor City Comic Con is returning to the Suburban Collection Showplace once again. There will be plenty of photo ops, games to play, and people to meet. Join in on the cosplay contest. Test your skills in the escape room. Discover amazing new creations. Attend a panel discussion. Get a celebrity autograph or selfie. John Cusack, Barry Bostwick, John Cleese, Dave Coulier, Matthew Lewis, Andy Serkis, Karan Ashley, Ronee Blakely, Priscilla Presley, Ron Perlman, Alan Ruck, Amanda Wyss, George Takei, Robert Englund (a.k.a. Freddy Krueger), and many more, are currently slated to appear.
Nov 8-16 Traverse City Beer Week – Traverse City
During the calm that is the month between color tours and holiday extravaganzas, Traverse City is a key destination for beer lovers. Gather some friends and go on a self-guided brew tour from November 8-16. Sign up online for the Beer Week pass. This mobile exclusive passport is a collection of curated bars, restaurants and more, offering deals and discounts to redeem during your visit. Your ready to use passport will be instantly delivered to your phone via text. There is no app to download. When visiting a participating business, simply use your phone to check-in and earn points toward a prize.
Nov 9 Public Tea Ceremony – Saginaw
If you’re looking for a little calmness in your life, or just want to experience something you’ve never done before, then consider heading to the Japanese Cultural Center. There you can join in on a serene tea ceremony. You’ll experience the ceremony’s rich history and culture amid beautiful architecture, scrolls, and pottery. Watch practitioners in traditional kimono perform the ritual, and end with a bowl of matcha and a sweet. The ceremony takes place at 2PM. Reservations are required, and admission is $10.
Nov 21-23 International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival – Grand Rapids
Named a Best Fall Wine Festival Not to Miss by Forbes.com, this fest has really established itself as Michigan’s annual tasting event for drinking aficionados. More than 1,200 wines, beers, ciders and spirits from around the world, including many local options we love, are featured. They are complemented by creations from the area’s finest restaurants. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just a novice, this a fun event to explore. Single day admission is $25.
Nov 22 Silver Bells in the City – Lansing
This annual tradition, just may be the best time you’ll have in Lansing all year. Kick off your holiday season in our capitol city, which will glow during the Electric Light Parade at 6PM. Get some refreshments, holiday shop, or purchase your Silver Bells commemorative ornament in the The Silver Bells Village. Made up of vendors from throughout Michigan, you’ll find it on the 100 E. Block of Allegan Street. Be sure to pick your spot for the lighting of the Official State Christmas Tree at 7:25PM. After which, American Idol finalist, David Archuleta will bring his golden tones to the community carol sing-along. Look toward the sky at 7:35PM for a dazzling drone show, followed by incredible fireworks over the capitol. This is an event that is sure to delights kids from one to ninety-two.
Nov 28 America’s Thanksgiving Parade – Detroit
Some of us go every year, while others have only seen it on TV. This is an event that every Michigander should experience in person at least once. Pick your spot on Woodward Avenue and marvel at the creativity of the floats and size of those inflatables. Watch each team work hard to keep their colorful helium-filled balloons from catching a breeze and drifting off to Canada. Cheer on those high school marching bands. Get charmed by the Distinguished Clown Corps, and have fun trying to identify each of the famous Big Heads. It’s a tremendous way to start your Thanksgiving holiday. If you can’t make it down this year, then look for the broadcast on WDIV.
Join us on social media for ongoing discussions about fun events and Michigan travel destinations. Tweet @BuyMichiganNow and let us know when you make it to one of our 12 things to do in Michigan in November. For next month’s event highlights, or to get ideas for your local bucket list, be sure to visit our Michigan Tourism page.
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.