Once Halloween has come and gone, it’s time for November to finish up the fall celebrations and kick off the holiday season! While this month is going to look different than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still plenty of events happening in the Ann Arbor area to help you celebrate the month.

This year, join the fun at our region’s favorite November events, which includes several virtual concerts, 5Ks and Santa sightings. Let us know which ones you plan to attend in the comments below!

Jump ahead:

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

 

Arts + Culture

Virtual Concert Series: Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason | Anywhere

Where: Online

When: October 25-November 3

In lieu of the City of Birmingham Orchestra and Chorus’ canceled 2020-21 tour featuring soloist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, The University of Michigan has set up a special online concert series so UMS audiences can still enjoy the show! Watch a free digital performance from sibling cello/piano duo Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason recorded specifically for UMS students and Ann Arbor locals. The program will include an excerpt from Beethoven’s Cello Sonata in C Major and Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata.

 

First Fridays Ypsilanti | Ypsilanti

Where: Downtown Ypsilanti

When: November 6, 5-9 p.m.

Photo courtesy of First Fridays Ypsilanti

First Fridays Ypsilanti is a self-guided monthly art and culture walk throughout downtown Ypsilanti at multiple venues. On the first Friday of every month, participating venues offer free art activities involving local artists, musicians, and/or tastings. The goal of the First Fridays Ypsilanti is to invite community members into the downtown area to have fun and support local talent and businesses. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to stay updated on this month’s special events and be sure to wear a mask and social distance when exploring.

 

Jazz Chats with Cool Cats | Anywhere

Where: Online

When: November 12, 5:30 p.m.

Every month, the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor hosts an interview and concert event with jazz luminary Pete Siers and a special guest. On November 12, Pete will be joined by trombonist Dennis Wilson and their conversation will be streamed virtually on the Kerrytown Concert House’s website. Donations are appreciated but not required to watch. Click here to see a list of past virtual concerts and explore the Jazz Chats with Cool Cats backlog before November’s event!

 

2020 Jewish Book Festival | Ann Arbor

Where: Various Locations Around Ann Arbor

When: November 30-December 22

Starting on November 30th and running through December, this multi-week festival celebrates culture and arts of all kinds but is still heavily anchored by authors as it has been for the past three decades. Most of this year’s events are free to attend and the authors, performers, artists, topics and projects are Jewish or have significant Jewish connections. Check out the schedule here.

 

Community Celebrations

Be a Hero at the Big House | Ann Arbor

Where: Online & Michigan Stadium

When: November 1, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

Join Wolverines for a Life for their largest blood drive event of the year! Due to the pandemic, this will be a hybrid event, with a schedule of fun virtual and in-person activities all day. The goal of this event is to beat OSU in the Blood Battle competition, encouraging you and your family to sign up to give blood—and save a life—before November 25th. Attendees will also have the opportunity to join the organ donor registry and be screened as a bone marrow donor. Click here for all the information.

 

All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island | Ypsilanti

Where: Frog Island Park

When: November 1, 5-7 p.m.

Just because Halloween is technically over, that doesn’t mean we have to end the spooky season just yet! On November 1st, bring your aging jack-o-lanterns to Frog Island Park in Ypsilanti for one last hoorah. There will be fire spinners and other carnival performers and, of course, social distancing measures in place. Halloween costumes are encouraged.

 

Friday Night Bonfire | Belleville

Where: Oakwoods Metropark

When: November 13, 6-8 p.m.

Bring your whole family to a fun night of interesting stories at Oakwoods Metropark in Belleville! The Nature Center is hosting a special bonfire event on November 13 where you can warm up next to the fire and swap tales of animals, people and places in the area. Face coverings are encouraged and the event costs $5 per person. You can register here.

 

Wine, Women & Shopping | Chelsea

Where: Downtown Chelsea

When: November 14, 10 a.m.

This annual event in downtown Chelsea invites the community into local shops and restaurants for discounts, deals, free samples and services, and more. To see the list of the more than 30 participating local spots, click here—and get ready to celebrate local!

 

Rivet Like a Rosie | Belleville

Where: Yankee Air Museum

When: November 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Graphic courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum

Try your hand at being a real-life Rosie the Riveter at this special event at Yankee Air Museum! Guests will be able to learn how to rivet sheet metal (using non-powered hand-rivets) instructed by Yankee Air Museum’s very own Tribute Rosies. You must be over 18 to participate and face masks are required. Click here to purchase your tickets.

 

Sports

Run for Beer | Dexter

Where: Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

When: November 7, 2 p.m.

We can’t think of a better reward after a long run than an ice-cold pint of beer! If that’s you too, don’t miss the Michigan Brewery Running Series at Jolly Pumpkin in Dexter this November. Run—or walk—an untimed 5K through quaint Dexter neighborhoods and enjoy a beer from Jolly Pumpkin at the end. Participants will receive free beer and a collector’s pint glass. Your registration also earns you an invitation to all the day’s entertainment like games, food, local vendors and more. Click here for more information.

 

Kroger A2 Turkey Trot | Anywhere

Where: Online

When: November 14, 9 a.m.

Photo courtesy of Epic Races

Epic Races is celebrating Thanksgiving the only way they know how—with a race! Due to COVID-19, this annual race is now a virtual event, which means you can run it at your own pace, in your own time, anywhere in Ann Arbor. Click here for instructions on how to participate and to register!

 

Food + Drink

Virtual Autumn Treats Workshop | Ann Arbor

Where: Online

When: November 14, 2 p.m.

Before you get started on your holiday cookie making, don’t forget to indulge in fall flavors like pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves, gingerbread and more! If you want to learn how to make some tasty autumn goodies, don’t miss this special virtual event from Zingerman’s Bakehouse. During the online class, you’ll learn how to make a spicy and moist gingerbread coffee cake, a creamy pumpkin cheesecake and caramel-dipped apples. There is very limited availability, so you’ll want to sign up as soon as possible. Click here to register.

 

Have a fantastic month!

What November events in A2 did we miss? Let us know in the comments!