20 Southern Events & Happenings: November 2026
Explore the South’s best November events, including food festivals, artisan markets, live music, and dazzling holiday light displays — all worth the road trip. Image: Visit Oxford MS
November in the South offers a bit of everything — food and wine events, artisan markets, folk festivals, holiday lights, and plenty of reasons to hit the road. This events roundup savors the last of fall, embraces Christmas cheer, and is sure to help you find something fun to add to your calendar this month!
November 4 – 8, 2026: Christmas Village Festival — Birmingham, AL
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Birmingham! The beloved Christmas Village Festival returns to the BJCC for gift shopping, festive decor, and one-of-a-kind treasures from artisan vendors. Bring your Christmas list (and perhaps a little extra room in your shopping bags!) for seasonal treats, visits with Santa, and plenty of holiday cheer. Adult tickets are $18 with early bird discount rates. christmasvillagefestival.com
November 5 – 8, 2026: Seeing Red Wine Festival — Seaside, FL
Wine lovers, this one’s for you! Seaside’s annual Seeing Red Wine Festival returns for its 34th year, bringing four days of exceptional wines, culinary delights, and coastal charm to Florida’s scenic 30A. From intimate winemaker dinners and exclusive tastings to the signature Grand Tasting featuring international wines, local chefs, and live music, it’s the perfect excuse for a fall Gulf Coast getaway. Reservations and more information are available at seasideseeingred.com.
November 6 & 7, 2026: Hilton Head Island Oyster Festival — Hilton Head, SC
Aw, shucks! The Hilton Head Oyster Festival hosts two days of fresh seafood, live music, and plenty of Lowcountry charm. Kick things off Friday evening with an all-you-can-eat oyster roast, Lowcountry boil, shrimp and grits, and more, then head to Saturday’s festivities for local artisan vendors, family-friendly activities, and coastal eats. hiltonheadoysterfestival.com
November 6 – 8, 2026: Austin Food & Wine Festival — Austin, TX
Everything’s bigger in Texas — including the flavor. The Austin Food & Wine Festival is a delicious weekend full of chef demonstrations, wine and spirits tastings, live-fire cooking, and mouthwatering bites from some of the country’s top culinary talents. From smoky Texas barbecue to hands-on grilling sessions and perfectly paired pours, this foodie favorite is a must-attend. austinfoodandwinefestival.com
November 6, 2026 – January 2, 2027: A Country Christmas — Nashville, TN
This spectacular Nashville favorite dazzles with more than five million twinkling lights, holiday entertainment, ice skating, and the return of ice! — featuring Home Alone, recreated through larger-than-life sculptures carved from two million pounds of ice. From gingerbread decorating and visits with Santa to ice tubing and holiday shows, there’s enough Christmas magic to make even The Grinch feel merry. christmasatgaylordopryland.marriott.com
November 7, 2026: Memphis Crafts & Drafts Holiday Market — Memphis, TN
Holiday shopping pairs perfectly with a cold craft beer at Memphis’s Crafts & Drafts Festival. Head to Crosstown Concourse for a free, family-friendly market showcasing talented Mid-South artists, makers, and craftspeople, along with locally brewed beers and plenty of one-of-a-kind finds. memphiscraftsanddrafts.com
November 7, 2026: Sip TN Wine Fest — Memphis, TN
Raise a glass to the Volunteer State at the Sip TN Wine Festival, where wineries from across the state gather for an afternoon of sipping and sampling at Memphis’s Agricenter Farmers’ Market. Enjoy regionally crafted wines, ciders, and meads while mingling with winemakers, browsing local vendors, and soaking up live music and delicious bites. General admission tickets are $26.90, and VIP early access is $42.42. tennesseewines.com
November 7 & 8, 2026: Moss Rock Festival — Birmingham, AL
Art, nature, and a little creative inspiration come together at Hoover’s annual Moss Rock Festival. Spend the weekend browsing works from talented artists and makers, exploring eco-friendly exhibits, and enjoying live music, local eats, and craft beer tastings in the festival’s popular Beer Garden. With hands-on activities for little ones and plenty of one-of-a-kind finds, the whole family has something to enjoy here. mossrockfestival.com
November 9 – 15, 2026: Downtown Dining Week — Memphis, TN
Downtown Dining Week serves up seven delicious days of special menus, exclusive deals, and mouthwatering dishes from some of Memphis’s favorite restaurants. It’s the perfect excuse to dine out while supporting the chefs, bartenders, and hospitality teams who keep the Bluff City’s culinary scene thriving. To see a complete list of participants, visit downtownmemphis.com.
November 12 – 14, 2026: 50th Annual Chimneyville Arts Festival — Ridgeland, MS
Handmade treasures and Southern craftsmanship take center stage at the 50th annual Chimneyville Arts Festival at Ridgeland’s Bill Waller Craft Center. Hosted by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, this tradition showcases talented artisans from across the region, offering everything from handcrafted jewelry and pottery to quilts, woodwork, and contemporary art. mscrafts.org
November 13 & 14, 2026: Dickens of a Christmas — Hernando, MS
Step straight into the pages of a Charles Dickens novel as Hernando’s historic square turns back the clock to Victorian England with costumed characters, horse-drawn carriage rides, strolling carolers, and old-fashioned holiday traditions. Browse the Christmas market, lace up your skates for ice skating, enjoy a proper Victorian high tea, and catch a glimpse of Christmases past at this charming North Mississippi celebration. cityofhernando.org
November 13 – 15, 2026: Festival of Lights & Trees — Louisville, KY
Deck the halls for a good cause! Step into holiday magic at Louisville Slugger Field, filled with hundreds of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and displays, plus visits with Santa, children’s crafts, train rides, and festive fun in Elf Town. Best of all, proceeds benefit Norton Children’s Hospital. my.onecause.com
November 13 – 15, 2026: 83rd National Folk Festival — Jackson, MS
From blues and bluegrass to Cajun, gospel, jazz, and beyond, America’s rich musical heritage takes center stage at the National Folk Festival in downtown Jackson. This free, three-day celebration brings together more than 300 performers and craftspeople for nonstop music and dance across multiple stages, along with artisan demonstrations, storytelling, regional cuisine, and a lively marketplace. nationalfolkfestival.com
November 13, 2026 – January 2, 2027: Lights Under Louisville — Louisville, KY
Who says Christmas lights have to be above ground? Louisville Mega Cavern takes holiday magic to new depths as you take a spin through the world’s only underground Christmas light show, featuring more than seven million twinkling lights, nearly 1,000 illuminated displays, colorful lasers, and festive music — all from the comfort of your own car or aboard the Christmas Express. lightsunderlouisville.com
November 14, 2026 – January 1, 2027: 50 Nights of Lights — Cleveland, MS
The Mississippi Delta gets a little extra sparkle during the 50 Nights of Lights celebration. Kicking off with the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting, downtown Cleveland transforms into a winter wonderland with more than one million twinkling lights, displays, holiday shopping, and seasonal events through the new year. 50nightsoflights.com
November 17, 2026 – January 3, 2027: National Gingerbread House Competition — Asheville, NC
Forget the gingerbread houses of your childhood — these creations are in a league of their own. Asheville’s historic Omni Grove Park Inn hosts the National Gingerbread House Competition, bringing together talented bakers and confectionery artists from across the country to compete for more than $40,000 in prizes. From gravity-defying designs to intricate, icing-covered masterpieces, visitors can admire these edible works of art on display from November 17 through January 3. omnihotels.com
November 19 – December 13, 2026: Home for the Holidays Showhouse — Atlanta, GA
Consider this your invitation to peek inside one of Atlanta’s most beautifully dressed homes! Hosted by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, the annual Home for the Holidays Designer Showhouse features inspired interiors, beautiful furnishings, and seasonal decorating ideas from talented design professionals. Tour the stunning Buckhead residence while gathering a little inspiration for your own space — all in support of local nonprofit Earn2Give. Advance admission is $50. atlantaholidayhome.com
November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027: Holiday LIGHTS — Nashville, TN
Nashville’s Cheekwood Estate & Gardens shines a little brighter during Holiday LIGHTS, when more than a million sparkling lights transform the grounds into a glowing seasonal spectacle. Follow the one-mile illuminated trail through imaginative displays, warm up with s’mores and festive drinks by the fire pits, and browse the Holiday Marketplace for special gifts. Inside the historic mansion, An Enchanted Noel brings a touch of French elegance to the season with elaborate holiday decor inspired by grand châteaux and Parisian charm. cheekwood.org
November 20, 2026 – January 1, 2027: Lights of the Ozarks — Fayetteville, AR
Fayetteville’s historic Downtown Square receives a holiday glow-up during Lights of the Ozarks with illuminated trees, colorful displays, seasonal treats, and plenty of picture-perfect moments. The free celebration kicks off with Light Night, featuring live music and performances, while the December 3 holiday parade brings even more merriment to this Northwest Arkansas tradition. experiencefayetteville.com
November 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027: Holly Jolly Holidays — Oxford, MS
Oxford knows a thing or two about spreading holiday cheer! The annual Holly Jolly Holidays brings a dose of seasonal magic to mTrade Park and one of the country’s most charming college towns, complete with the dazzling Walk of Lights and Oxford on Ice skating rink. visitoxfordms.com
Here’s to an amazing November!
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To see more great Southern events, visit our Happenings calendar.
Anne Marie Hanna
An Ole Miss alum residing in Nashville, Anne Marie is passionate about telling the stories shaping the South. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her on a porch with a coffee and a good book, gardening, listening to music, or enjoying time with friends and family.
