The Metro-Detroit area welcomes the fall season in November with festivals, ice skating, football and the beginning of holiday activities. Whether your pleasure is a big turkey dinner or all things Dickens, there is something for everyone this month. To help you schedule your activities, here is a list of Metro-Detroit Events and Things to Do in November.
If you are looking ahead to December and beyond, check out the Yearly Calendar of Events for Metro Detroit.
If you are looking ahead to December and beyond, check out the Yearly Calendar of Events for Metro Detroit.
Detroit Thanksgiving Guide
Photo © Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images
When: Thanksgiving falls on 11/26/09
Where: Throughout the Metro-Detroit area
Thanksgiving is not all about the turkey. Thanksgiving is also about Lions football, America's Thanksgiving Parade, turkey trots and Black-Friday sales. Need a place to keep track of it all? Check out the Detroit Thanksgiving Guide for 2009.
Where: Throughout the Metro-Detroit area
Thanksgiving is not all about the turkey. Thanksgiving is also about Lions football, America's Thanksgiving Parade, turkey trots and Black-Friday sales. Need a place to keep track of it all? Check out the Detroit Thanksgiving Guide for 2009.
Zombie Movie Night
Photo © Dave Hogg
When: 11/3/09
Where: Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak
As the name implies, Zombie Movie Night is a celebration of all things zombie. Films include shorts, animations, documentaries and music videos by local filmmakers.
Where: Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak
As the name implies, Zombie Movie Night is a celebration of all things zombie. Films include shorts, animations, documentaries and music videos by local filmmakers.
Detroit Veterans Day Parade
Photo © Wigwam Jones
When: 11/7/09
Where: Woodward Avenue, Downtown Detroit
The 4th Annual Veterans Day Parade gives Detroiters a chance to pay homage to its veterans as they march down Woodward Avenue. The parade is sponsored by the Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition and is the only tribute in Michigan recognized by the VA.
Where: Woodward Avenue, Downtown Detroit
The 4th Annual Veterans Day Parade gives Detroiters a chance to pay homage to its veterans as they march down Woodward Avenue. The parade is sponsored by the Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition and is the only tribute in Michigan recognized by the VA.
Campus Martius Ice Skating
Photo &Copy; Jeff Widen
When: 11/13/09 through March, 2010
Where: Woodward Avenue, Downtown Detroit
The Park at Campus Martius was designed to be the central square of Detroit. During the winter months, the park keeps people coming by offering a venue for ice skating, and the nearby cafe offers hot chocolate to keep Detroiters warm and toasty. The rink will be open pre-season November 13th through 15th, but opens officially on November 20th.
Where: Woodward Avenue, Downtown Detroit
The Park at Campus Martius was designed to be the central square of Detroit. During the winter months, the park keeps people coming by offering a venue for ice skating, and the nearby cafe offers hot chocolate to keep Detroiters warm and toasty. The rink will be open pre-season November 13th through 15th, but opens officially on November 20th.
Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus
Photo © riley lassner
When: 11/18/09 through 11/22/09
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus presents Over the Top, a show that features trapeze artists, Chinese acrobats, flying dogs, elephants, Bengal tigers and motorcycle stunts.
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus presents Over the Top, a show that features trapeze artists, Chinese acrobats, flying dogs, elephants, Bengal tigers and motorcycle stunts.
Wayne County Lightfest
Photo © Laura Sternberg, Licensed to About.com
When: 11/19/09 through 12/31/09
Where: Hines Drive and Merriman, Westland
The Wayne County park celebrates the holidays with an annual Lightfest consisting of over four miles of displays and approximately a million lights. Admission is by car and at minimum $5. Sledding and ice skating are also available within the park.
Where: Hines Drive and Merriman, Westland
The Wayne County park celebrates the holidays with an annual Lightfest consisting of over four miles of displays and approximately a million lights. Admission is by car and at minimum $5. Sledding and ice skating are also available within the park.
Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony
Photo © Linda Benedict
When: 11/20/09
Where: Campus Martius, downtown Detroit
Detroit's official tree-lighting celebration will take place on November 20th from 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Campus Martius, downtown Detroit
Detroit's official tree-lighting celebration will take place on November 20th from 6 to 9 p.m.
Fantasy of Lights Parade
When: 11/27/09, 7 p.m.Where: Howell Main Street
The 26th annual parade features lighted floats, Santa and marching bands. The event's Christmas Alley also provides refreshments, entertainment and ice sculptures. And that's not all, there is also a Fantasy 5K Run, one of the Detroit area's best.
Dickens Festival
Photo © Bill Mattocks
When: Weekends from 11/27/09 through 12/12/09
Where: Village of Holly
Holly utilizes its Victorian architecture to great effect in its 31st annual Dickens Festival. The schedule of events includes characters from Dickens' novels, music from the Festival Singers, a chance to renew your wedding vows, a costume contest, the London Lockup, a Christmas tree walk, caroling and Scrooge himself.
Where: Village of Holly
Holly utilizes its Victorian architecture to great effect in its 31st annual Dickens Festival. The schedule of events includes characters from Dickens' novels, music from the Festival Singers, a chance to renew your wedding vows, a costume contest, the London Lockup, a Christmas tree walk, caroling and Scrooge himself.
Turkey Trot
Photo © Ryan Caiazzo / Jitney Media
When: Thanksgiving Day with events starting at 7:15 a.m.
Where: Various starting locations along Woodward Avenue, downtown Detroit
The 26th Annual Turkey Trot is Michigan’s largest 10K run and is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. In addition to the 10K run, there is a mashed potato mile, a one-mile walk; and stuffing strut, a 5K run. Many of the 10,000 participants who run the challenging city course through downtown Detroit do so in costume. In the past, costumes have ranged from super heroes to Christmas characters.
Where: Various starting locations along Woodward Avenue, downtown Detroit
The 26th Annual Turkey Trot is Michigan’s largest 10K run and is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. In addition to the 10K run, there is a mashed potato mile, a one-mile walk; and stuffing strut, a 5K run. Many of the 10,000 participants who run the challenging city course through downtown Detroit do so in costume. In the past, costumes have ranged from super heroes to Christmas characters.
