We’re putting the finishing touches on our November 2017 Hill Country-themed newsletter. And, as we did last month, we’re offering up a sneak preview of the month ahead with our curated list of calendar picks.
You’ll find below an assortment of Hill Country activities, in communities big and small. From Day of the Dead observances through to a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot and the official start of the Christmas season, we’ve got all kinds of great stuff with which to fill your calendar. (Remember: community market day listings can be found here.)
November 2017
Always double-check with event sponsors for date, time, and location changes before heading out, especially on a long trip and/or when the weather is bad. Want us to consider including your event on our December calendar? Let us know the details no later than noon on November 15.
November 1 & 2
Día de los Muertos at Pearl (San Antonio): Experience the transformation of one of the Alamo City’s favorite (and award-winning) spaces into a celebration of one of Mexico’s most treasured holidays.
November 2
Disorder or Genius – Ewing Halsell Distinguished Lecture (San Antonio): This year the University Health Systems features two speakers, Gail Saltz, M.D. and Richard Kogan, M.D., in separate talks examining the intersection of brilliance and mental health.
November 2 – 4
Muertitos Fest 2017 (San Antonio): The theme of SAY Sí’s three-day Día de Muertos festival is “Tierra y Libertad,” and the event features activities, exhibits, performances and educational programs designed to provide a context for the popular Mexican holiday.
November 3
Stargazing (San Antonio): Join astronomy afficionados at the Curtis Flawn Jr. Observatory on the UTSA Main campus to take a closer look at the skies above us. (Miss the November event? Fret not. This event is repeated every month on the first Friday.)
Hunter’s Welcome (San Saba): Folks with deep Texas Hill Country roots know the start of deer season is a big deal, seeing as hunting pumps serious money into smaller towns and communities. Thus, San Saba throws out the welcome mat each year on the first weekend of November with hunter goodie bags at the Chamber of Commerce and a steak supper benefitting the volunteer fire department.
November 3 – 12
Wurstfest (New Braunfels): Hands down the biggest, most popular German festival in Central Texas, this multi-day affair includes food, beer, dancing, carnival rides, Old World carnival rides and so much more. {More}
November 4
Boerne Handmade Market (Boerne): The emphasis is on quality at this juried market features local, handmade goods, Its family friendly, too, making it perfect for holiday shopping and hint dropping.
Kendall County Wild Game Dinner (Comfort): Last year cook teams prepared wild boar, venison, crawfish, quail, and buffalo for diners. The 2017 event, which benefits The Kendall County Youth Ag & Equestrian Center, promises to deliver a similar feast.
Diwali (San Antonio): Thousands of Texans will journey to La Villita for this annual celebration of the Festival of Lights, one of the most important Indian cultural events.
Flow Fest & Run (San Antonio): Join Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas for their first-annual November fundraising celebration of the local environment, culture, and community.
Mariachi USA fesTex (Austin): This inaugural event caps off Austin’s Day of the Dead festivities–and, more importantly, celebrates an important music genre and cultural tradition.
November 4 & 5
Texas Book Festival (Austin): Founded in 1995 by then-First Lady of Texas Laura Bush, this incredible celebration of books, readers, and writers is a state treasure.
November 10 & 11
Luminaria (San Antonio): For this tenth annual contemporary arts festival, revelers can attend free and tickets events in the Alamo City’s Southtown and Hemisfair Park areas.
November 10 – 12
Die Kunstler Art Show (Fredericksburg): Held at the Zion Lutheran Church Hall, this artist-managed art show will feature more than 65 local artists and more than 300 artworks in various media.
Vintage Market Days (Kerrville): Dedicated collectors, interior designers, and vintage goods fans have been waiting months for this show, named by Country Living as one of “7 Flea Markets and Barn Sales You Won’t Want to Miss.”
Scottish Gathering & Highland Games (Salado): This 56th annual event in one of the region’s cutest towns promises to be worth breaking out the ol’ kit and bagpipes. Look for a pet parade, too, on Sunday.
November 11
Star Party (San Antonio): As long as the clouds hold off, expect a night of starry, astronomical fun at Eisenhower Park.
November 11 – 14
East Austin Studio Tour (Austin): Join Big Medium Austin in their annual self-guided tour of artist’s creative spaces.
November 17
Weihnachtsmarkt (New Braunfels): Step into an exclusive, German-style Christmas market benefitting the Sophienburg Museum–and stock up on all sorts of goodies for under (and to decorate) the tree.
November 18
Turkey Trot 5K and 10K (Boerne): Proceeds from this popular annual fun run go to support the Boerne Family YMCA.
November 18 & 19
Boerne Fall Antique Show (Boerne): Expect a little bit of everything–silver, glassware, toys, sports memorabilia–at this show, held on the Kendall County Fairgrounds.
November 24 & 25
Dickens on Main (Boerne): We can’t imagine a more delightful way to spend Thanksgiving weekend than in the cozy, Christmas-y charm of Boerne. In the evening you can walk along Main Street, hear carolers, sample festive eats and sips, meet the friendly shopkeepers, and see snow.
November 25
Holiday Cookie Decorating & German Traditions (Stonewall): Bring the whole family to learn about the Christmas traditions of early German settlers to Texas at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site.
