Make the most of your month with our list of 15 favorite events and happenings in Houston during November 2021.
As we give thanks for friends, family, and our always lively city of Houston, the approaching holidays bring an assortment of activities, from the return of more live festivals and parades, new iconic arrivals to the city, iconic live music, new cultural events, and more.
Events are listed chronologically by week, and are not in a ranked order. Events that span multiple weeks are carried over into the following week where appropriate.
Top 15 Things to Do in Houston This Month: November 2021
Week of Monday, November 1 to 7, 2021
- Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival at NRG Park | Friday, November 5 & Saturday, November 6 – The iconic Houston-grown hip hop star brings his iconic music fest named for the iconic, longgone amusement park back to the H for a third round. First run tickets are sold out, but you may find hard-to-get tickets in the resale marketplace.
- Día de los Muertos Festival & Parade at Sam Houston Park | Saturday, November 6| FREE – Downtown comes alive with the dead at an afternoon festival and evening parade, where the public is invited to join in. Day of the Dead attire and costumes are strongly encouraged. Advance RSVP required to participate in the parade. 2pm to 10pm; parade at 7pm.
Week of Monday, November 8 to 14, 2021
- Wild Wild Brew Fest 2021 at Katy Mills Mall | Thursday, November 11 through Saturday, November 13 – Choose from more than 500 brews and take in live music, food truck bites, and more at the main event and on Saturday. Plus, you can get it gear with the K-Town Throw-Down on Thursday, and the Launch Party on Friday. $35 in advance for the Saturday event, which is 3pm to 9pm. Times and prices vary for other dates.
- Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market at NRG Center | Thursday, November 11 to Sunday, November 14 – Join 100,000 shoppers at do-over of the perennial holiday markets 40th anniversary, in advance of the Ballet’s return of The Nutcracker to the stage later this month. $18 in advance; $20 at the door. Times vary.
- 13th Annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival Around Houston | Thursday, November 11 through Sunday, November 21 | Virtual Option | Some FREE – Get to know the Third Coast (it’s the Gulf Coast, natch) through 40+ curated documentary and narrative films, short film blocks, Q&As, dance performances, DJ sets, and workshops. In-person events end on Wednesday, November 17, but select virtual screenings remain live through Sunday, November 21. Admission and showtimes vary.
- Doctor Nativo in Concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, November 12 | FREE – Channel the complex and mesmerizing music of Guatemalan musical talent, Doctor Nativo, as he layers Mayan spirituality, social activism, and folk wisdom over a propulsive sound that combines reggae, cumbia, hip hop, and pre-Columbian instruments. 7:30pm.
- Post Houston Grand Opening Festival in Downtown | Saturday, November 13 | FREE – Known as Post HTX in its literal build-up to opening, the highly anticipated, re-developed former post office reimagined as an avant-garde cultural campus finally opens its doors to the public. Expect a building-spanning festival combining headlining musicians, world class food, curated art exhibits, exotic luxury vehicles, and more. Free; $100 VIP experience. 11am to midnight.
- 2021 Houston Food Fest at Midtown Park | Saturday November 13 – Dig in to food from more than 70 vendors from around Greater Houston, Austin, and beyond, while enjoying live music, great people-watching, and more. $8. 2pm to 10pm.
Week of Monday, November 15 to 21, 2021
- 13th Annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival Around Houston | Continues Through Sunday, November 21 – Themed to the arts, threats, and lives along the Third Coast, HCAF’s live in-person screening, panels, concerts, DJ sessions, and events end on Wednesday, November 17, but select unique live streaming options remain available through the weekend. Admission and showtimes vary.
- Willie Nelson & Friends in Concert at 713 Music Hall | Wednesday, November 17 – The legendary country singer-songwriter christens the brand-spanking new Downtown music venue, 713 Music Hall, in Post HTX. $59 to more than $109. 8pm.
- Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Alley Theatre | Opens Friday, November 19 – The Alley’s holiday tradition returns to the stage with a brand new production of the classic tale featuring Ebenezer Scrooge and his wintry visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Showtimes vary.
Week of Monday, November 22 to 28, 2021
- Harry Styles in Concert at Toyota Center | Tuesday, November 23 – Hopefully third time’s the charm for Styles Downtown show, after it was pushed back by Covid in 2020 and the threat of Hurricane Nicholas back in September. Now mega fans can finally see the One Direction superstar $39.50 to $149.50, but you may find hard-to-get seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 8pm.
- Thanksgiving Events Around Houston | Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25 – Give thanks for family, friends, and food with a range of returning in-person festive events happening around Houston, including the Houston Turkey Trot, the 72nd Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown, and the Uptown Holiday Lighting on Post Oak, complete with fireworks, and more. Prices, times, and locations vary.
- Thing-A-Ma-Jingle on Main Street in Downtown | Black Friday, November 26 | No Cover – Explore a closed off Main Street at a holiday pop-up for the 21 and up set, featuring vendors, carol-oke, photo ops with hipster Santa, lighting projections, food and drink specials at bars and restaurants, and more. 7pm to midnight.
- Houston Symphony presents Thanksgiving Weekend: Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty at Jones Hall | Black Friday, November 26 Through Sunday, November 28 – Soak up a soaring, family-friendly program that celebrates bounty and joy at Jones Hall, with enchanting selections from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty ballet, and more. $29 to $139; Virtual option on Saturday is $20. Showtimes vary.
- Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker at Wortham Theater Center | Opens Black Friday, November 26 – Houston Ballet’s signature annual production, featuring choreography by Stanton Welch, returns live to the stage for families, dance fans, and everyone who loves the tranditional holiday classic. Showtimes vary.
- Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Alley Theatre | Continues Through Wednesday, December 29 – Alley’s brand new production of the Dickens classic continues to run through Christmas itself and beyond. Showtimes vary.
Find More Things to Do in Houston All Year Long
You can find more fun in our interactive event calendar and 365 Weekend Guides.
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