It’s hard to believe that November is already underway, but here we are. There’s only so much time left before everything holiday-related comes falling down on our heads like this weekend’s way-too-eager snowflakes. But now that Thanksgiving is on the horizon, we might as well embrace it.
Still, that doesn’t mean we have to lose our minds over holiday fever just yet. Here’s what’s happening this month in Boston that will allow you to celebrate – without the turkeys, gift wrapping and eggnog.
Thirst Boston
November 7-10; multiple locations
Want to get in on the hottest cocktail event series happening in Boston this fall? Heads up: tickets are selling out fast. The second annual Thirst Boston festival kicks off Friday with the Opening Night Gala at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, and continues throughout the weekend with pop up events, seminars and more. From the New England Craft Showcase on Sunday to a History of the Martini discussion, Thirst is the annual event for cocktail, spirits and fun enthusiasts.
For tickets, click here.
Boston Comedy Festival
November 7-15; multiple locations
The largest comedy festival in New England plans to bring the city together through laughs during both live and filmed events over a nine-day series. This year, the annual festival will feature a stand up contest, a Women’s Show, performances by Ron Funches, Josh Gondelman and Ted Alexandro and more. Most events take place at the Davis Square Theater, as well as The Burren and Johnny D’s.
For tickets, click here.
Wicked Wine Fest
November 8; Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts
Hosted by Boston Event Guide, the Wicked Wine Fest will draw together hundreds of wine lovers to experience an assortment of reds, whites and pinks from a lengthy list of vendors. An added bonus? All guests will be entered to win items with values of up to $1000. There are three sessions on Saturday at 12 p.m, 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For tickets, click here.
Drink Craft Beer Fall to Winter Fest
November 14 & 15; Space 57 at the Revere Hotel
Prefer craft beer to wine? You’re certainly not out of luck. The Drink Craft Beer festival series returns this month for its fall to winter edition, meaning you can expect 90+ hearty brews made with season-appropriate flavors like cranberry, pumpkin and pecan pie. A few of the 25 craft brewers on deck for the event include Citizen Cider, Jack’s Abby, Notch Brewing and Slumbrew. There will be three sessions: Friday, November 14 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 15 from 1 to 4:30 and 6 to 9:30 p.m.
For tickets, click here.
11th Annual Flavors of Fall
November 17; Royal Sonesta Hotel
This Cambridge-based annual food event both celebrates the flavors of the season and serves as a fundraiser for the city’s organization, Youth on Fire, which provides support and resources to homeless and disadvantaged young adults. Restaurants that will be serving up dishes from their late fall menus include Bondir, Park, Harvest, Commonwealth and dante, and they’ll be complemented by palate cleansers and thirst quenchers like Richer Pour Wine Co., Vermont Creamery, Brooklyn Brewery and PJ’s Coffee.
For tickets, click here.
Night of the Bubbles
November 22; John Joseph Moakley Courthouse
To round out a month of boozy events, Night of the Bubbles will take place on November 22 to celebrate all things bubbly. From Second Glass, the team behind Wine Riot, this event will help guests discover the magic of sparkling wine, beginning with champagne and going far beyond. There will be 100 different sparkling wines on hand, along with crash course seminars, a live DJ and more. There are two sessions on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For tickets, click here.
Cranksgiving Boston Bike Ride
November 22; Copley Square
The first annual Cranksgiving Boston Bike Ride is part scavenger hunt, part food drive and part bike ride. Riders will be given a list of food items to hunt down and stash as they ride in a race to the finish line, and everything they gather will be donated to The Boston Food Bank and Somerville Homeless Coalition. Registration begins at Copley Square in front of the Trinity Church at 2 p.m., and the ride will be followed by an after party at Aeronaut Brewing Company.
The ride is free, but participants will need $15 for the food items.
Blink! Opening Night
November 22; Faneuil Hall
It’s back! On November 22, Faneuil Hall will light up in coordination with the sounds of the Holiday Pops for the third year in a row. The marketplace’s 350,000 LED lights will blink in time with the music every afternoon at 4 p.m. from November 22 to January 4, marking the holiday season in Boston. During the opening night, the Faneuil Hall Christmas tree will also be lit up in the first tree lighting of the season.
This event is free to attend.
2014 Boston Fashion Awards
November 30; Bijou Lounge
This awards ceremony and celebration brings together the city’s most talented designers, models, stylists, boutiques, photographers and more who have helped make Boston more fashionable over the course of the year. Live mini-fashion shows and performances by artists will mark the night, which will end in an after party. The event’s proceeds will go towards The Great American Foundation.
For tickets, click here.
