The holiday season is finally here and I can feel the cheer mixed with complaints about premature holiday music coming now. Here are the events you can’t miss this November – chronologically, so you can hit them all.
Don’t forget to show us how you’re celebrating November via #bestofthebull.
Museum of the Moon presented by Bull Moon Rising
Date/Price/Location/Time: October 31- November 3 | CCB Plaza
Why you should go: For the first time in North Carolina, a giant breathtaking spherical replica of the moon – with a diameter of nearly 23 feet – will hang above Bull City as part of a free community experience. The mesmerizing, internally lit sculpture will be suspended over CCB Plaza in downtown and open to the public for four days over Halloween weekend, supported by free events and fundraising components giving back to the community.

Howl-O-Ween Bash
Date/Price/Location/Time: November 2, 2019 | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Why you should go: There will be lots of fun things on deck, including: a Doggy costume contest at 4pm, Boxcar Bar + Arcade is donating 10% of bar sales, On Point Pupcakes will be there selling pre-made PUPCAKES and doggy treats with 100%(!!) of the proceeds being donated to HAR, adoptable pups, and more.
Durham 150 Closing Ceremony
Date/Price/Location/Time: November 2, 2019 | 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Durham Performing Arts Center
Why you should go: Explore the history of Durham through music, narration, video, and live performances, with the help of Mayor Steve Schewel, Historian Jim Wise, WUNC’s Frank Stasio, Durham playwright Howard Craft and Black Ops Theatre Company Director JaMeeka Holloway-Burrell. Expect to fall deeper in love with Durham as we recount pivotal moments of the last 150 years, stitched together through the stories of the 29 local changemakers honored by the Sesquicentennial Honors Commission.

Sip + Savor: A Wine, Food, and Music Experience
Date/Price/Location/Time: November 3, 2019 | 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm | DPAC
Why you should go: More than 30 of the Triangle’s finest restaurant dishes will be paired with world-class wines at the third annual Sip + Savor – A Wine, Food and Music Experience at DPAC this fall. Guests will enjoy live music and desserts on the DPAC stage.
Autumn Food Truck Rodeo ft. Bull City Music School
Date/Price/Location/Time: November 3, 2019 | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Durham Central Park
Why you should go: A Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo is an all-ages Sunday afternoon gathering of dozens of the Triangle’s most popular food trucks, five times each year. The event is free to attend. You simply pay for what you decide to eat from the trucks’ menus–from savory and stick-to-your-ribs to sweet treats.
Students from Bull City Music School (Durham and their NEW Churton Street location in Hillsborough), some of whom you saw during PLAYlist Concert Series’ drumline night, will perform, starting at 12:30 p.m.

NC Comicon
Date/Price/Location/Time: November 8, 2019 | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | NCComicon
Why you should go: Meet the biggest guests in comic books like Kevin Eastmen, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jimmy Palmotti, and Amanda Conner!
NC Comicon is your portal to the best & brightest creator superstars from around the globe, the most intimate panels & workshops, and the events & parties you’ve come to expect from NC’s premiere convention!

4th annual public Iron Pour
Date/Price/Location/Time: November 16, 2019 | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Durham Central Park
Why you should go: All evening and into the night, 4,000 pounds of molten iron will be poured into molds, in an exciting fiery display creating the iron tiles made by the public and sculptures made by NC artists. Additionally, there will be Liberty Arts artists’ work for sale, Liberty Arts T-shirts, beer glasses and hand-blown glass pumpkins.
Come enjoy drumming performances from Batalá Durham, local food trucks and craft beer while watching this very creative and gritty Durhamesque event. You can really get involved by creating your own scratch block in an upcoming workshop. Scratch a design into hardened sand and watch it get filled with molten iron.

Shop Durham Holiday Market
Date/Price/Location/Time: November 23, 2019 | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Durty Bull Brewing Company
Why you should go: 25+ local, independent Durham vendors, cute pups, cold beer and the official launch of the 2020 Shop Durham card.
This event is part of Shop Durham’s greater Buy Local Month campaign, a grassroots movement of education, events, and relationship building that promotes the many economic and societal benefits of supporting local businesses.

SmashFest
Date/Price/Location/Time: November 29, 2019 | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | The Scrap Exchange
Do you have some holiday angst you need to work out? Don’t feel like fighting throngs of rabid shoppers on Black Friday? Need to entertain visiting family and friends the day after Thanksgiving? Wanna hang out and throw some breakables for a great cause? WELL THEN SMASHFEST IS FOR YOU!
First Pick Party at The Patchwork Holiday Market
Date/Price/Location/Time: November 30, 2019 | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | The Patchwork Market
Why you should go: The First Pick Party offers an exclusive first look at the 5th annual Holiday Patchwork Market and unique handmade goods from 75+ makers. Beat the crowds and enjoy the opening night of the market with a relaxed shopping atmosphere.
Receive a complimentary tote bag and a festive beverage to enjoy while you shop. A selection of food offerings will be available for purchase.

The Holiday Patchwork Market
Date/Price/Location/Time: December 1, 2019 | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | The Patchwork Market
Why you should go: FREE! & INDOORS! Shop over 75+ Handmade Makers at the Holiday Patchwork Market! Small batch and one-of-a-kind goods meticulously crafted or found with thoughtfulness and care are available for purchase.
Varying price points creates accessibility for all. The Patchwork Market aims to create an inspiring experience for both the merchant and the shopper!
Want more November events? See more here.
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