Halloween is almost upon us, which means we’re starting to prepare for one of our favorite times of year: the holiday season! While we’re still in the middle of fall, this coming month’s events include a few Santa sightings, pie baking classes and holiday festivals throughout the Ann Arbor area you don’t want to miss.

This year, join the fun at our region’s biggest November events. Let us know which ones you plan to attend in the comments below!

Arts + Culture

Saline Craft Show | Saline

Where: Saline Middle School 

When: November 13, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 

Photo courtesy of the Saline Craft Show

Featuring an impressive lineup of products and crafts from 230 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 13th to shop and support! There is free parking plus a free shuttle bus from local school campuses and Visteon on US 12. 

Date Night on the Wheel | Ann Arbor

Where: Ann Arbor Art Center 

When: November 16, 6:30-9 p.m. 

The Ann Arbor Art Center has always been one of our favorite places to go on date nights, but their monthly Date Night on the Wheel event makes going together even more fun! Learn how to throw clay on a wheel and create a collaborative candle stick all while bonding with your partner. Click here to learn more and to register! 

The Vintage Market: Ho-Ho-Hoedown | Ann Arbor

Where: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds 

When: November 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Photo courtesy of The Vintage Market

While we love The Vintage Market’s annual summer event, we’re even more excited about their upcoming holiday market! On November 21st, head to the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds to shop from more than 150 vendors selling vintage items, antiques, furniture, home décor, upscale handmade items and much more. There will also be food trucks, live music, a photo booth, psychic readings and more. 

Fall Wreath Workshop with Wildscape Floral Co. | Ann Arbor

Where: Bløm Meadworks 

When: November 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Join Wildscape Floral Company and Bløm Meadworks for an afternoon of autumnal wreath making! This socially distanced workshop will allow you to use an assortment of dried flowers to create a wreath that will look beautiful through fall and winter. Click here for more information and to get your tickets! 

34th Annual Ann Arbor Jewish Book Festival | Ann Arbor

Where: Online 

When: November 21-December 16 

Starting on November 21stand running through December, this multi-week festival celebrates culture and arts—specifically Jewish books and authors. Most of this year’s online events are free to attend! Click here to view the 2021 schedule and to check out the books that will be discussed this year. 

Community Celebrations

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 celebration. There will be fire spinners and other carnival performers and social distancing measures in place. Halloween costumes are encouraged!

Wine, Women & Shopping | Chelsea

Where: Downtown Chelsea 

When: November 12-13 

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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 shop local!

Winter, Wine & Whimsy | Novi

Where: Twelve Mile Crossing 

When: November 19-21 

Kick off holiday fun in Novi with Winter, Wine and Whimsey, a new outdoor holiday market! This free event will feature holiday-themed food and drinks from Fountain Walk restaurants, an outdoor biergarten, live entertainment, visits from Santa, strolling carolers, outdoor games, artisans selling their wares and more. 

Sports

Bonfyre Trail Fest | Chelsea

Where: Waterloo Recreation Area 

When: November 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Lace up your trail running shoes and join in for the inaugural 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! Click here for more information and to register. 

The Original Kroger A2 Turkey Trot | Dexter

Where: Hudson Mills Metropark 

When: November 13 

Photo courtesy of Epic Races

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 comprised of two 5K loops, and a quick 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!

Kona Chocolate Run | Plymouth

Where: Kellogg Park 

When: November 21, 6:30 a.m.

Michigan’s largest chocolate party is back and bigger than ever! Celebrate the holidays with Sanders Chocolate Fudge Bumpy Cake and chocolate candies, cups of Panera Bread hot chocolate and Guernsey Dairy chocolate milk—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 to register.

Food + Drink

Pie! | Chelsea

Where: The Lakehouse Bakery 

When: November 7, 2-5 p.m. 

Whether you want to learn how to bake a pie for your upcoming Thanksgiving feast or you just want to join in on a fun event, this exciting workshop at The Lakehouse Bakery in Chelsea is for you! Learn how to make an easy pie dough and a pie filling. Students will make enough pie dough to take home for two single crust pies or one double crust pie and make hand pies to enjoy in class. You can register here. 

Baking Pies a Plenty | Ann Arbor

Where: Zingerman’s Bake! & Online 

When: Various dates and times 

For even more pie instruction, head to Zingerman’s Bakehouse for an in-person and online workshop to learn how to create flaky pie crust, par and blind bake it and make it beautiful by crimping the edges. The in-person class will end with a pie tasting and you’ll leave with two pies to enjoy at home. Click here to register! 

Have a great November!

Did we miss your most anticipated November 2021 event? Let us know in the comments below!