November in New England: Best Events and Travel Deals

Southern New England is holding on to some fall color, but like it or not, it’s time to turn back the clocks and adjust to filling longer hours of darkness with fun distractions. November may not look as calendar-photo perfect as the two months that precede it, but there is still much to be grateful for if you live in or are visiting New England.

Thanksgiving is the latest it can possibly be in 2024, and that means there are four full weekends to savor before the annual feast on November 28. New Englanders may be storing away their giant skeletons and raking up leaves, but they also still know how to throw a fun parade or community celebration even after autumn has given up the ghost.

If your calendar is looking as bare as the trees up north, consider these reasons to hit the road in November. And as you start to get in the holiday spirit, curl up with a warm mug of cider and page through our holiday issue of Yankee online. It’s filled with travel ideas and inspiration for making your home cozy, food-filled, and bright.

Weekend of November 2-3, 2024

WaterFire Salute to Veterans | Providence, RI

On Saturday, November 2, the final full WaterFire lighting of the year honors those who have served our country. It’s the last evening before Daylight Saving Time ends and the sun sets even earlier, so get out and stroll along the bonfire-filled rivers in the heart of Providence and enjoy the magical interplay of music and shimmering reflections. If you’ve never seen this spectacle, it’s so worth the drive, especially on this night when you can enjoy an extra hour of sleep.

Weekend of November 9-10, 2024

New England Christmas Festival | Uncasville, CT

From November 8-10, Mohegan Sun hosts a holiday shopping extravaganza that never fails to enchant. I was at the New England Christmas Festival last year, and what I remember most is how happy everyone seemed: attendees, vendors, casino staff. My daughter and I didn’t want the day to end, and we brought home such a cool assortment of handmade and gourmet gifts. Buy tickets online in advance for fastest access to all that sparkles. Kids 14 and under are admitted free, and parking’s free, too.

Kids Con New England | Portland, ME

Before you pack Halloween costumes away, whisk your family off to the Maine coast for this annual comic con for kiddos. Kids Con New England, on Saturday, November 9, celebrates children’s literature with author and illustrator appearances, character appearances, video games, and creative workshops. While you’re online purchasing tickets, you can also adopt a dragon to wrap up for a holiday gift.

Weekend of November 16-17, 2024

Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler Craft Fair | West Springfield, MA

For the 36th year, the Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler Craft Fair turns the Better Living Center at The Big E into a wonderland of unique, handmade gifts. Be there November 16 or 17 to meet more than 200 juried makers and Santa Claus. Outside, you’ll have the chance to stroll around Storrowtown, a recreated village of 18th- and 19th-century buildings, for photo ops.

Weekend of November 23-24, 2024

America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration | Plymouth, MA

Saturday’s parade celebrating America through the centuries is the highlight of this three-day event, November 22-24. In addition to staking a spot along the parade route, you can participate in America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration by purchasing Friday or Saturday night concert tickets, joining in activities on the waterfront, and chatting with living historians at the Historic Village, where an Artisan Marketplace features traditional wares like pottery. On Sunday, the Harvest Market offers a bounty of Massachusetts-grown products to add to your own holiday table.

Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular | Stamford, CT

Did you know New England has its own giant helium balloon parade for Thanksgiving? On Sunday, November 24, the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular will step off for the 31st year at noon, and there’s an Inflation Party from 3-6 p.m. the night before, November 23, at the intersection of Hoyt and Summer Streets. In addition to Daniel Tiger, Elmo, Kung Fu Panda, Mr. Potato Head, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and other favorite balloons, the parade features marching bands, dancers, floats, horses, and Santa.

Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, November 29-December 1

Lighting of the Nubble Party | York, ME

Rather than contend with crowds, purchase tickets to watch this year’s illumination of Nubble Lighthouse with a cocktail in your hand. The Viewpoint Hotel is hosting a Lighting of the Nubble Party on its lawn from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, November 30. You can even book a private fire pit for up to eight people. Stay overnight, and party admission is free. Every attendee gets a professional photo with Santa, and if you’d like, you can even buy a Christmas tree to tie to the top of your car.

Holiday Shop & Stroll | Tiverton, RI

Meet new arrival Felix the horse, plus rescue cows, alpacas, donkeys, and pigs, during a festive event at West Place on November 29 and 30. The annual Holiday Shop & Stroll is an important fundraiser for this nonprofit that rescues, rehabilitates, and provides lifelong care to farm animals saved from cases of abuse, neglect, and cruelty. After an educational tour of the historic farm property, stop into the gift shop to see thousands of handmade items. Admission tickets, available online, and purchases support the organization’s work.

New This Month in New England

If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, you’ll love the new book, Life’s Short, Talk Fast: Fifteen Writers on Why We Can’t Stop Watching Gilmore Girls, which will be released on November 12. Join three of those writers, including NewEngland.com contributor Tracey Minkin, at Phoenix Books in Essex, Vermont, on Tuesday, November 12, for a book talk and celebration at 6:30 p.m. Admission includes a copy … hot off the press.

November’s Best Travel Packages and Deals

Murder Mystery Weekend at The Wilburton | Manchester, VT

Mayhem’s about to break out at the 1902 Wilburton mansion, and you’re invited to help solve The Murder at Wit’s End, an all-original murder mystery inspired by local Vermont history. Tickets for the main event on Saturday, November 16, are $75 per person, including dinner, in addition to your room reservation. Or add the whole weekend package to your room rate for an additional $150 per person, and you’ll enjoy wine and cheese with the suspects on Friday, breakfast each morning, and professional photos, too (yes—you should dress up).

Brewpon Savings at Woodstock Inn Brewery | North Woodstock, NH

It’s a brewery. It’s an inn. And if you stay at Woodstock Inn Brewery any midweek night (Sunday through Thursday), you’ll pay just $99 plus tax for any room, double occupancy, including breakfast, with their November Brewpon deal. The offer is valid November 3-26, excluding November 10 and 11, and can be booked online or by calling 603-745-3951. Reservations must be made by November 7.

Yankee Out & About in November

On Friday, November 1, meet Mel Allen when he presents a talk, “People I’ve Known, Places I’ve Seen: Yankee Magazine Editor’s Most Memorable Stories” at the Jaffrey Civic Center in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. A reception will follow the event, which begins at 5 p.m. It’s part of the Stories to Share series of engaging monthly events. If you miss it, you can read some of Mel’s Reflections on Nearly Fifty Years at Yankee online.