November brings with it the end of Halloween shenanigans, the beginnings of holiday shopping, turkey trots, food festivals and more. Check out the list of events in Orange County this November 2016 and don’t miss all the holiday hoopla happening around town. Did you know there’s a Whisky Fest and Beard & Moustache Competition going on this month?
HAUNTED WALKING TOURS AT FULLERTON MUSEUM
Now – November 10th
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 6PM; Mon-Fri Oct. 17th-28th
cityoffullerton.com
Take a two and a half hour walking tour of ghostly sites around the Fullerton Museum to get in the ghoulish mood this Halloween season. Locations to be visited can vary and may include the landmark Plummer Auditorium, where the spirits of Louis E. Plummer and one known only as the angry woman are said to watch the shows presented there. For any ghost hunters, there will also be a meet and greet with members of the North OC Paranormal Society in the museum classroom an hour before each tour where you can learn more about advances in paranormal research and how researchers debunk or confirm paranormal activity.
MOTEL 6 FEET UNDER
Now – Saturday, November 5th
Wednesdays through Sundays
motel6feetunder.org
The award-winning haunted attraction “MOTEL 6 Feet Under” returns for a second year, kicking off with a catered opening on Friday, October 7. The popular maze returns with so many confusing twists and turns, baffling illusions, and animatronics, live and undead characters that there are too many surprises to see in just one pass through. Admission is $15 or $25 for the fast pass.
TASTE OF SAN CLEMENTE
Friday, November 4th
6PM-10PM
scchamber.com
Held at the historic and beautiful Casino San Clemente, the Taste will include wine tasting from area vineyards, sampling of microbrews, food, and a silent auction with over 40 baskets and gifts. Entertainment will include World Tour-Legends of Rock, a 1980’s cover band. Dress code is cocktail attire, tickets start at $95 per person
BALBOA CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
Saturday, November 5th
1PM-5PM
balboabeerfest.com
Don’t miss the 3rd Balboa Craft Beer Festival at Balboa Village on the Balboa Peninsula. Balboa is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon with friends tasting some local brews and sampling local bites, while listening to live classic rock. A ticket will get you unlimited tastings from 13 breweries with 30 tap beers. More fun for the day includes yard and table games, photo booth, barber station and red and white wine. Tickets start at $45.
OC HALAL FOOD FEST
Saturday, November 5th
12PM-9PM
eventbrite.com
This will be a fun filled day of delicious halal food trucks and vendors from throughout Southern California, a carnival for children, a shopping bazaar for grownups, and an entertainment program! Admission is free and the food fest will feature all kinds of cuisine from Arabic, BBQ, and Afghan to Asian, Mexican, Pakistani and more! The event will be held at the Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden Grove.
SANTA ANA NOCHE DE ALTARES
Saturday, November 5th
12PM-10PM
nochedealtares.org
Noche de Altares, or Night of Altars, is a cultural experience that brings Mexican tradition and identity to the forefront. Everyone is invited to build an altar for their lost family members and friends, giving way to an evening all about forging relationships with your community. Lively music, local food, original art and children’s activities will balance out the mournful scene.
DINO DASH
Sunday, November 6th
6:15AM-10:30PM
tpsf.net/dinodash
The Dino Dash is a fundraiser to support local public schools. There is an event for everyone – the timed 10K and County of Orange & Supervisor Todd Spitzer 5K, the 2K Fun Run and the non-timed Seven Gables 5K, 15K and 50K Bike Tour. Before and after the races there will be an expo to enjoy with food, games and more. Come out and show your support for the Tustin School District at The Market Place.
SUPER HEROES HALF MARATHON WEEKEND
Thursday, November 10th – Sunday, November 13th
rundisney.com
Avengers Assemble! Join the Avengers team for the Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland. It’s a power-packed weekend of fantastic fun and amazing excitement with mighty runs, incredible surprises, and the chance to take home your own Super Heroes Finisher Medal. Join the fun during the Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend including the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge, Disney Kids Races, a health and fitness expo, half marathon, 10K and 5K.
SUGAR PLUM ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL
Thursday, November 10th – Saturday, November 12th
Thursday-Friday 10AM-8PM; Saturday 9AM-5PM
sugarplumfestivals.com
Sugar Plum welcomes the holiday season with gifts to warm the heart and accessories that make a home. Shoppers can find quality handcrafted merchandise made from more than 120 vendors plus antiques and collectibles. Good include everything from home décor to tamales and candies. This is your chance to snag one of a kind holiday presents!
ORANGE COAST WHISKEY FEST
Thursday, November 10th
6PM-8:30PM
orangecoast.com
Orange Coast will be hosting Whiskey Fest where whiskey lovers alike can enjoy drink tastings, savory bites, sweet treats and more. General admission is $75 and VIP tickets are $100 for early entry. The event will include vintage arcade games, Crevier Classic Cars, grooming tips from 18|8, The Cigar guys and more.
SALUTE: BEER FOR A CAUSE
Saturday, November 12th
11:30AM-4:30PM
salutebeerfest.com
Held at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim, the Salute Beer Fest will include gourmet food from OC’s top food trunks, live music and 60 beers from 30 different breweries offering unlimited pours. A portion of the proceeds from Salute: Beer for a Cause will go to The Soldiers Project, committed to providing psychological care for military service members and their loved ones, as well as educating the public on the psychological consequences of war.
4TH ANNUAL BEARD & MOUSTACHE COMPETITION
Saturday, November 12th
3PM-9PM
facebook.com
Yes, it’s a real thing. There will be an abundance of food, beer, tons of activities, live bands, live art, games, sponsors, vendors, raffles, live chain saw cutting and a chance to win some serious cash at the Beard & Moustache Competition. Best in Show takes home $250! The event will be held at The Rinks in Irvine with competition categories including natural moustache, styled moustache, natural beard, long beard, freestyle beard, partial beard, sideburns/chops and whiserinas.
I LOVE POKE ORANGE COUNTY
Sunday, November 13th
12PM-3PM
onoyum.com
Taking place at the Irvine Hotel, the Ono Yum crew will be filling the hotel’s “backyard” with plenty of ono grinds including poke, shaved ice, musubi and other Island and Asian inspired dishes. The annual event is a gathering of Hawaii lovers and foodies alike. Tickets will sell out so get yours now! General admission is $75 per ticket, or buy 6 and get $10 off each ticket until November 3rd.
4TH ANNUAL SIP’N’SHUCK
Sunday, November 13th
2PM-6PM
sipnshuck.com
A champagne and oyster event, Sip & Shuck is in it’s 4th year and is one of the most popular event sin Laguna Beach. The event focuses on sourcing an incredible array of fresh oysters, entertainers, and pouring terrific champagnes, wines and spirits. General admission begins at $95 pre-sale for oysters and small bites, as well as access to champagne, wine, cocktail and beer sampling. Held at The Deck and Driftwood Kitchen on the water.
SAWDUST WINTER FANTASY – ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL
Saturday, November 19th – Sunday, December 18th
November 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th & 27th from 10am-6pm
December 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th & 18th from 10am-6pm
sawdustartfestival.org
Experience unique artwork by 175 artists, live holiday entertainment, great outdoor cafes, art classes and demonstrations, petting zoo, Santa and much, much more! With amazing art gifts, thousands of holiday decorations and picture-perfect moments, the Sawdust’s Winter Fantasy is a great family holiday tradition. Art media includes jewelry, clothing, fused and blown glass, ceramics, woodwork, forged metals, painting, photography, sculpture, clothing and textiles.
DANA POINT TURKEY TROT
Thursday, November 24th
6AM Registration opens; 7AM 10K Start; 9:30AM 5K Open Start
turkeytrot.com
Run the race before you stuff your face. Located in the beautiful Dana Point Harbor, the Dana Point Turkey Trot is celebrating its 39 year! Bring your family and friends to wobble before you gobble with races for everyone and a costume contest. The flat, scenic race features a 10k, 5k and Kids Gobble Wobble. Join in on Thanksgiving Day and give yourself an excuse for an extra piece of pie!
PLYMOUTH ROCK ‘N’ RUN
Thursday, November 24th
7AM-10AM
plymouthrocknrun.com
North Orange County’s turkey trot is the Plymouth Rock ‘n’ Run held at Yorba Regional Park on Thanksgiving morning. There will be a 5K, 10K and Kid’s 1K run. Discounts will be giving for the biggest, fastest and highest fundraising teams, plus metals for age group metals for each run. This year’s event will be raising money for Reeve-Irvine Research Center (RIRC) at UC Irvine, America’s largest and most progressive spinal-cord injury research facility.
LA HABRA TAMALE FESTIVAL
Sunday, November 27th
11AM-6PM
lahabraca.gov
Churro eating contests, as well as best tamale, best dessert tamale, best salsa and hottest salsa contests will all be part of this delicious community event. As in past years, dance performances by local studios, tamale and other food vendors, craft and other vendors will be coming out to enhance the fun. New this year will be the inclusion of the City’s Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony. There’s still time to sign up for the tamale and salsa contest or just show up for the festival with an empty stomach for sampling!
PATCHWORK SHOW SANTA ANA
Sunday, November 27th
11AM-5PM
dearhandmadelife.com
Patchwork Show is Dear Handmade Life’s bi-annual makers festival showcasing local emerging artists, crafters and designers alongside artisan food, DIY craft workshops, gourmet food trucks and indie music. You just might spy some of your favorite Etsy shops there! All Patchwork shows are free to attend and family friendly. Vendor goods feature clothing for men, women & kids, handbags, accessories, jewelry, art, ceramics, garden finds, home goods, plush, crochet & knit items, pet gear, kits & patterns, bath & body goodies and more!
GERMAN CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY MARKET
Sunday, November 27th
10AM-4PM
blucatsevents.com
Once Thanksgiving is over, it’s go-time for holiday shopping and fun. Held at Old World in Huntington Beach, the German Christmas Market has good food (German and American), up to 50 arts and crafts vendors, live music, mulled hot wine, German beers and special holiday beverages, face painting and more fun for kids. Admission is $5, kids up to 16 years old are free.
Do you know any more fun and festive events going on in Orange County this November 2016? If we missed your favorite thing to do this month, leave a comment and tell us all about it!