November is bursting at the seams with fun for all in the Ann Arbor area. Whether you want to mark your calendar for a Turkey Trot or one of the area’s craft shows or art fairs — here are the best happenings across Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Dexter, and Saline!

Arts + Culture

First Fridays | Ypsilanti

Downtown Ypsilanti
November 1st

Ypsilanti invites locals and visitors to this monthly celebration of community and culture. On the first Friday of every month, Ypsilanti hosts and promotes monthly art events, which help to showcase the value of artists and their essential role in the community. From gallery tours to discounted artwork, artist talks, and more — there’s something for everyone on First Fridays. After all, it’s four square miles of awesome! A curated list of participating venues, businesses, and activities is posted every month on the First Fridays website. You may even find yourself at a beginner swing dancing lesson! There’s generally live music around town, so you can sit back, relax, and take in the vibes, or you can check out outdoor improv jams at the Frog Island Park Amphitheater.

November Craft Show | Saline

7190 North Maple Road
November 9th

This Saline craft show is perfect for the whole family and visitors 10 and under attend for free! Adult visitors pay a $5 admission (cash only) to gain access to over 250 craft booths to shop from. You’ll be inspired by a large array of unique handcrafted items, so whether you’re shopping for the upcoming holiday season or you’re looking for new touches to add to your own home — this is one of the best craft shows in the state! Craft show attendees will find artwork, handmade wooden items, homemade baked goods, mixed herbs and spices, textured paintings, onsite concessions, and more. No strollers are allowed, so keep this in mind if you’re visiting with little ones in tow. The show is ranked 4th in the nation of top 100 Craft Shows by Sunshine Artist for 2024, so don’t miss out!

2024 Holiday Art Fair | Ypsilanti

76 North Huron Street
November 23rd & 24th

This two-day holiday art fair will be returning for its 2nd year at the Riverside Arts Center in Ypsi, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday. As the winter holidays approach, this is the perfect time to get a head start on your shopping lists. The fair has a focus on handmade art, vintage goods, and self-care products and will feature approximately 60 vendors, who will be spread throughout the North Gallery and Off-Center spaces. As you shop, feel free to swing by the bar for a delicious drink. There is a $1 suggested entry fee to the art fair. Talented exhibitors can be awarded special honors, such as Best in Show, Runner Up, and the People’s Choice Award. Gift cards to Ypsi Arts Supply will be awarded as prizes!

Community Celebrations

Love a Park Day @ Riverside Park | Ann Arbor

1000 Canal Street
November 1st

This Love a Park Day is fun for the whole family and allows you the opportunity to get outside, enjoy the weather, and do something good for your local community! The volunteer workday will be focused on cutting away invasive brush and pruning trees in Ann Arbor’s Riverside Park. The park is situated along the Huron River just north of downtown. All tools and supplies needed to complete the project will be provided. Volunteers should come dressed in closed-toe shoes and be prepared for the weather forecast. Parking for this activity may be a bit tricky since the park doesn’t have a designated lot. There is parking at nearby Island Park, which is only a short walk away. There is also additional space on Wall Street, which is limited to 2-hour parking.

AAPEX Stamp Show | Ann Arbor

4800 East Huron River Drive
November 1st & 2nd

This year, the annual Ann Arbor Stamp Show makes its return to the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. Admission and parking are free, and the show will feature 25 dealers from 11 states. Sign-in registration and name tags are required. Dealers will display worldwide stamps, covers, postal history, and supplies. There will be youth tables to engage the younger generations, as well as food sales if you get peckish! The AAPEX Stamp Show is hosted by the Ann Arbor Stamp Club, which has monthly in-person meetings that guests are welcome to attend. The club consists of members from beginners to advanced collectors of all ages who want to get together to trade, buy, sell, and view stamps.

Ann Arbor Orchid Festival | Ann Arbor

1800 North Dixboro Road
November 16th & 17th

The Ann Arbor Orchid Festival will be hosted at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens by the Ann Arbor Orchid Society. Admission is free and there will be orchid raffles, displays, and even complimentary classes for those looking to learn more! There will also be orchids for sale at this family-friendly event. The show is open from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Several local vendors will be in attendance, including Dr. Bill’s Orchids, Flask & Flora, Littlefrog Farm, New World Orchids, Natt’s Orchids, Of Leaf and Limb, and Windswept in Time Orchids. The Ann Arbor Orchid Society welcomes orchid growers of every experience level, so feel free to join even if you’re in the beginning stages of learning about these uniquely beautiful plants. The society generally meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month in Room 125 at the botanical gardens from September through May of each year. Mark your calendars for this year’s orchid festival or email [email protected] to learn more.

Fishville Farms Fall Festival | Chelsea

20501 West Old US Highway 12
November 16th & 17th

Head on over to the Chelsea Fairgrounds for this exciting fall festival! Support local businesses and food trucks while you shop for holiday gifts, decor, and more. Admission is free, so invite friends and family, and take advantage of the free kids’ activity station. The fall festival will also double as a donation drive for local foster care children, so bring out shelf-stable pantry items and winter clothing. There will be 50+ handmade artisan crafters in attendance, as well as multiple small businesses. Lunch will be sold by food trucks, including All City Dogs, Triple E’s Eatery, and Burnt Honey. The hours for both days are scheduled from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, so arrive early to make the most of your day at the fairgrounds.

Jewish Book Festival | Ann Arbor

2935 Birch Hollow Drive
October 27th – November 21st

This annual festival features select in-person appearances by Jewish writers, as well as a multitude of livestream talks over Zoom by approximately 20 Jewish authors. The books being discussed range from novels to biographies, children’s stories, reference books, memoirs, self-help books, cookbooks, and more. There are various talks and events throughout November, so peruse the website to see what sticks out to you. All events require registration, and some of the in-person events charge a fee to attend. Some of the highlights are an in-person lunch & learn with Eddie Shapiro on November 6th to talk about “Here’s to the Ladies: Conversations with More of the Great Women of Musical Theatre,” and a live event with the Honorable David S. Tatel, discussing his book “Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice” on November 10th.

Sports

Bonfyre Trail Fest | Chelsea

17819 Stockbridge Chelsea Road
November 2nd

Lace-up your running shoes and get ready to hit the trail for this beautiful fall run with a post-race bonfire and beer garden. The Bonfyre Trail Fest will be held at Waterloo State Recreation area on the DTE Energy Foundation Trail. This is the largest park in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, so if you’ve never checked it out — now is the time! Hit the dirt as you traverse through pines and along steep embankments until you reach the beautiful lakes and wetlands that showcase that pure Michigan beauty. Runners can pick their own distance, choosing between 5, 10, or 18 miles. All participants must finish by 3 PM. Registrants will receive a custom beanie and food at the finish line. Finishers can also snag a custom campfire mug and are eligible for awards! In the unlikely event that the race is compromised due to the weather, the makeup rain date will be November 9th.

The Original Kroger A2 Turkey Trot | Dexter

8801 North Territorial Road
November 10th

This annual autumn tradition is back and better than ever this year at the Hudson Mills Metropark. Enjoy a late-season run with the whole family, with distance options ranging from a 5K loop around the scenic Hudson Mills, a 10K which consists of two loops, and a mile fun run for those who just want a taste of the Turkey Trot! There is even an Iron Turkey option for those who love a challenge! Run both the 5K and the 10K for a total distance of 9.3 miles. This Turkey Trot is walker-friendly, so no worries if running isn’t your speed. There will also be a post-race party with food and festivities, where you can grab a plate of pancakes or a breakfast burrito whipped up by the staff and volunteers. All kids 10 and under race for free, starting with the 8:55 AM kids’ 200-meter Drumstick Dash.

Ann Arbor Turkey Trot | Ann Arbor

East Liberty Street
November 28th

The annual Ann Arbor Turkey Trot is a great way to kick off your Thanksgiving Day festivities. Before you start carving the turkey, diving into those delicious side dishes, and hitting the couch for an epic post-meal nap — get a run in with the family! This trot is full of holiday fun, costumes, and plenty of memories for all. There will be hot chocolate and cookies at the finish line, as well as photo opportunities with Turkey Tom and Santa. The 1K Tot Trot kicks off at 8:15 AM and the 5K begins at 8:45 AM. Entry into the race includes official chip-timed results, a finisher’s medal, award eligibility, and optional hat, hoodie, and shirt add-ons!

Food + Drink

19th Annual Wine, Women, & Shopping | Chelsea

Various Locations
November 8th & 9th

Get the girls (and guys) together for a fun weekend celebrating all things shopping! This exciting annual event is returning for its 19th year, offering a weekend of retail therapy, vendor markets, and delicious wine. Historic Chelsea is charming and bustling with restaurants, shops and bars, providing a great opportunity to shop until you drop, hang out with your closest gal pals, enjoy sampling your favorite wines, and discover new favorites. If you haven’t already had the chance to visit, this is your opportunity! 

Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl | Ann Arbor

Downtown Ann Arbor
November 27th

Celebrate the festive spirit of Thanksgiving with this fun bar crawl in Ann Arbor from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. This lively evening will take participants through the heart of the city, where they’ll spread holiday cheer along the route. From one venue to the next, you’ll be immersed in a whirlwind of festive decorations, themed costumes, and plenty of drinks to go around. The hand-picked bar crawl stops will feature Thanksgiving-themed cocktails and lively entertainment. Tickets include entry into venues, a free after-party, low-priced drink specials, select food deals, and all of the best moments captured by a photographer and videographer. Naturally, participants must be 21 and up. Tickets don’t include the cost of beverages, shots, promotional items, or supplies.

Happy November!

We hope that you’ve found a few November events that you’re looking forward to! From trail races to stamp shows, book festivals, park cleanups, and even bar crawls — this month is sure to be one to remember.