Believe it or not, November is drawing near! This year, there are plenty of events happening throughout the Ann Arbor area, including turkey trots, holiday markets, wine and bourbon festivals, and of course — the final Michigan home games of the season. Because it just wouldn’t be November in Ann Arbor without football!

Add a few of these exciting events to your calendar to keep you occupied (and warm!) on these chilly November days.

Jump Ahead:

Arts + Culture | Community Celebrations | Sports | Food + Drink

 

Arts + Culture

Ann Arbor Film Festival Presents: Archipelago | Ann Arbor

Where: State Theatre, Ann Arbor

When: November 3

On the first Thursday of each month, the Ann Arbor Film Festival is sharing films from their 60th annual festival. This month, it’s Archipelago, an animated film about invented islands. Directed by Felix Dufour-Laperrière, Archipelago is “a feature film made of drawings and speeches that tells and dreams…a little of our world and times.” This French film will be playing at the State Theatre on November 3 at 7 p.m.! Get your tickets here.

 

35th Annual Ann Arbor Jewish Book Festival | Ann Arbor

Where: Online + In Person

When: November 6–18

Extending from November 6–18, this multi-week festival celebrates culture and the arts — specifically, Jewish books and authors. All events are free and open to the public, and most authors will be presenting over Zoom, with six events held in person. Click here for more information about the 2022 event, and check out the books that will be discussed this year!

 

Saline Craft Show | Saline

Where: Saline Middle School, Saline

When: November 12

Featuring an impressive lineup of products and crafts from more than 250 local makers, bakers and entrepreneurs, the Saline Craft Show is the perfect place to shop local before the holidays. Organized through Saline Middle School, the youth groups involved get the opportunity to practice life skills and leadership, as well as earn money for their activities. So, swing by the school on November 12th to shop and support local! Admission is just $5 per person and free for kids 10 and under.

 

Ypsilanti Artisans Holiday Market | Ypsilanti

Where: Ypsilanti Freighthouse, Ypsilanti

When: November 26 + 27

Get your holiday shopping done at the Ypsilanti Artisans Holiday Market popping up at the Ypsi Freighthouse the weekend after Thanksgiving! The market will feature more than 40 local crafters, artisans and food vendors, plus live music and entertainment. Admission is completely free!

 

Community Celebrations

All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island | Ypsilanti

Where: Frog Island Park, Ypsilanti

When: November 1

Keep the spookiness going after Halloween at the All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island, happening the day after the holiday. On November 1st, bring your aging jack o’lanterns to the Frog Island Park amphitheater for one last celebration, and watch fire spinners and other carnival performers! This event is completely free and costumes are encouraged.

 

Wine, Women & Shopping | Chelsea

Where: Downtown Chelsea

When: November 11–12

Kick off the holiday shopping season with Wine, Women & Shopping, an annual event in downtown Chelsea focused on supporting the city’s amazing local shops and restaurants. Take advantage of discounts, deals, free samples and services, and spend the day with your sister, mom or friend while checking some items off your shopping list! To see the list of the 30+ participating local spots, click here.

 

Nerdy November | Saline

Where: Washtenaw County Fairgrounds, Saline

When: November 12

Nerdy November is just what it sounds like: a celebration of everything nerdy! Head to Washtenaw County Fairgrounds in Saline to shop the wide selection of unique handcrafted pop culture items from your favorite movies, video games, comics, books, and more. Cosplay is welcomed and encouraged! Tickets for Nerdy November start at just $5.

 

Winter, Wine & Whimsy | Novi

Where: Twelve Mile Crossing, Novi

When: November 17–19

The City of Novi’s traditional outdoor holiday market is back for a second year — and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever! This free event will feature holiday-themed food and drinks from Fountain Walk restaurants, live entertainment, visits from Santa, a kids’ alley, outdoor games and activities, outdoor firepits, and much more. This is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit!

 

Sports

Bonfyre Trail Fest | Chelsea

Where: Waterloo State Recreation Area, Chelsea

When: November 5

Lace up your trail running shoes and participate in the relatively new Bonfyre Trail Fest run at the DTE Energy Foundation Trail in Waterloo State Recreation Area. Travel on foot through pines, along steep embankments and around boulders and enjoy that signature Pure Michigan beauty all the while! Choose your distance — including the 5-mile, 10-mile or 18-mile run. All participants will receive a custom cozy beanie and post-race food, with a live band playing and a beer garden flowing. Click here for more information and to register. 

 

The Original A2 Turkey Trot | Dexter

Where: Hudson Mills Metropark, Dexter

When: November 12

Epic Races is celebrating Thanksgiving the only way they know how — with a race through Hudson Mills Metropark! This annual running and walking event features three different distances: a 5K loop around scenic Hudson Mills, a 10K course comprising two 5K loops, and a quick 1-mile fun run. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can run both the 5K and 10K races for a total of 9.3 miles in the Iron Turkey challenge! Plus, there are a variety of free races for kids, including a 200-meter dash, a 1-mile fun run, and a 5K. Click here for more information and to register for this exciting autumn tradition in Dexter.

 

Michigan Home Games | Ann Arbor

Where: The Big House, Ann Arbor

When: November 12 + 19

November is an exciting month for Michigan football — and we have two home games back to back you won’t want to miss! Make your way to the Big House on November 12 to see Michigan face off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and return on November 19 as we take on the Illinois Huskies. Click here to see the full schedule and purchase tickets.

 

Guernsey Chocolate Run | Northville

Where: Northville

When: November 20

Michigan’s largest chocolate party is back and bigger than ever! Celebrate the holidays with a variety of chocolatey treats and drinks — oh, and a fun race. This running and walking event, hosted by Kona Running Company, will feature a 5K and 10K race along with live music, a chocolate party and so much more. Click here for more information and to register.

 

Food + Drink

Ypsi Bourbon Fest | Ypsilanti

Where: Ypsilanti Freighthouse, Ypsilanti

When: November 5

Calling all bourbon lovers! Don’t miss the Ypsi Bourbon Fest, an indoor bourbon festival hosted at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. The festival will feature more than 100 whiskeys, a VIP bottle section, and a cocktail station. While the focus is on bourbon, there will also be non-bourbon options, such as beer and wine, plus food trucks, live music, vendors and more! Proceeds from this event benefit the Friends of the River, a non-profit organization working to improve water quality, access, and awareness of the rivers of Michigan.

 

Make It a November to Remember!

What events are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments below!