Fall is in full swing in Northern Michigan and the holidays are on their way! From Thanksgiving dinners to tree lighting ceremonies at the end of the month, here are the Northern Michigan events you’re not going to want to miss this month.

The Jeff Haas Trio featuring Lisa Flahive // November 1 

Higher Art Gallery is excited to welcome the energy of live music back into the space again with a regular concert on the first of every month featuring The Jeff Haas Trio. During the event, artists will create “visual music” by drawing, sketching or painting.

The Tangled Web // November 4

Join the Co-Occurring Conference Coalition at the Hagerty Conference Center for its 23rd annual conference on working with clients with co-occurring disorders. Attendees will also get a continental breakfast as well as lunch in between each program. 

Traverse City’s National Writer Series // November 4 

Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, will talk about his #1 New York Times bestselling book Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You.

Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge // November 6

Every edition of this popular race is special for its own reason, but this year the organizers hope the Traverse City race serves as a reunion for the mountain bike community. Join thousands of riders, including pros, juniors and everyone in between!

Guided Nature Hikes in Leelanau // November 7

This year, the Leelanau Conservancy is offering small group docent-led hikes by request. Consider taking a walk with your extra hour from Daylight Savings!

Visit the Leelanau Conservancy website for more information.

Toast the Season // November 5, 7, 12, 14 

Toast The Season is back! Come out to Michigan’s premier wine region and celebrate the 2021 holiday season visiting wineries along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. Enjoy local cuisine paired with some of the finest wine from across the Leelanau region.

Modern Bird Brunch // November 7 

Join The Cooks’ House for Sunday brunch with Modern Bird! Attendees will get a full brunch menu with an assortment of delicious pastries.

Bonobo Vineyards Wine Dinner // November 9

The Cooks’ House is hosting yet another exciting evening of food and wine, featuring five courses paired perfectly with wines from Bonobo Vineyards.

Lift Your Spirits Festival // November 12, 13

The first annual Lift Your Spirits Festival, taking place in the Village at Bay Harbor, celebrates Michigan’s distilleries. The fest kicks off with a spirit-paired dinner on Friday, and Saturday is the main tasting event.

Learn more about this event on the Bay Harbor website.

Shop Your Community Day // November 13

Get ready to support local! For every purchase you make at a participating downtown Traverse City store, 15 percent of the sale will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice.

Learn more about Shop Your Community Day on the Downtown Traverse City website.

Fall Bazaar | Craft Show, Bake Sale & Food // November 13

Shop small this Fall! Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia is preparing for its first annual Fall Bazaar and Bake Sale taking place on November 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than twenty vendors are expected including fiber artists, painters, jewelers and more. A photographer will even be on hand to capture a snapshot for your Christmas card in a festive holiday setup!

Learn more about the Fall Bazaar on Trinity Lutheran’s website.

 

Opening Day of Shopping in Gaylord // November 15

The woods aren’t the only place you can hunt for a “buck.” Gaylord’s Downtown Merchants Association invites visitors to celebrate the “Opening Day of Shopping” with discounts, gifts and refreshments.

Learn more about this shopping event on the Gaylord website.

Pinot Noir Vertical Tasting // November 17

Don’t miss the opportunity to taste Rove Estate’s Pinot Noir featuring vintages from 2016 through 2020. Most of the wines come from previously sold-out vintages, making this evening all the more special.

Spanish Wine Dinner // November 18

Take the chill off an evening in November with Palette Bistro’s annual Spanish Wine Dinner. Savor traditional Spanish flavors like manchego cheese, chorizo and piquillo pepper in this specialty five-course dinner (perfectly paired with Spanish wines).

TC’s Downtown Tree Lighting and Light Parade // November 20 

This year, Traverse City’s Downtown Tree Lighting and Light Parad will return to its original format right on Front Street.

Learn more about this event on the Downtown Traverse City website.

Robbie Schaefer // November 20 

Stop by the Cadillac Elks Lodge for another exciting Gopherwood Concerts event! Robbie Schaefer, a musician, songwriter and playwright, is back for another performance. Schaefer is the guitarist and songwriter for the indie-folk band Eddie From Ohio, and has released several solo albums.

Andrew Rogers // November 20

The Music House Museum welcomes Andrew Rogers, who will accompany two classic Harold Lloyd silent films, “Ask Father” and “Safety Last.”

The Nutcracker // November 20

The Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre presents a cherished holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker.” Let winter and magic combine to bring you a Christmas story of time gone by.

NMC Children’s Choirs Holiday Concert // November 21

Coming to the Lars Hockstad Auditorium in Traverse City, the NMC Children’s Choirs are sharing their magical sound and holiday songs from around the world.

Turkey Trot // November 25

Happy Thanksgiving! Pull those turkey hats, socks and costumes out of the closet, and sign up to get your Traverse City Turkey Trot T-shirt to go along with that gobblin’ good outfit.

Thanksgiving Feast for Four // November 25

City Park Grill invites families to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal, featuring a turkey or beef brisket spread with a choice of four sides. Add on a salad or tasty dessert to complete this epic feast.

Boyne City Santa Parade // November 26

Set the mood for the holidays at the Boyne City Santa Parade and Holiday Open House. Festive streets and a tree lighting ceremony will mark the start of a special season.

Learn more about this event on the Boyne City website.

Charlevoix’s Holiday Parade // November 26

Join your friends and family at the Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday in downtown Charlevoix.

Learn more about the Holiday Parade on the Charlevoix city website.

Holly Berry Arts & Crafts Fair // November 27

Plan a visit to the 27th annual Holly Berry Arts & Crafts Fair held at the Frankfort High School. There will also be a tree lighting ceremony in the Rotary Park!

Learn more about the Arts & Crafts Fair in Frankfort.

Holiday Gala: Deck the Walls! // November 27

Get ready for the Erickson Center for the Arts’ 16th annual Holiday Gala, held at Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn. Attendees will find unique, hand-crafted holiday decor and gifts at this annual fundraiser.

Pop-Up Wine Dinner // November 27

Black Star Farms’ culinary team invites guests to a special pop-up dinner at their exclusive inn on Thanksgiving weekend. This three-course, wine-paired culinary experience (minus the turkey and stuffing) will feature the best local and seasonal ingredients, sourced from Northern Michigan’s finest farms in Suttons Bay.

Organist Dave Calendine // November 27

Enjoy a relaxing concert of Christmas favorites at the Music House Museum, performed on the Mighty Cinderella Wurlitzer by Red Wings Associate Organist Dave Calendine.

Photo(s) by The Cooks' House