November events in/around Nashville
While this post doesn’t highlight Nashville real estate, it does provide an idea of the festive happenings around our great city. The holiday season kicks off in style once the calendar turns to November, so enjoy any or all of these opportunities for entertainment and fellowship.
Nov. 1, 8:00 am: Fall Photo Walk at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary in Brentwood. Bring your camera and dress warmly for a guided walk with a master photographer, who will share tips on securing the best photographs from Nature’s glorious offerings. $10/person.
Nov. 1-2, 4:00 pm – next morning: Zzzzoofari Slumber, Nashville Zoo. Camp out under the stars and beside the snoozing animals. Zzzoofari Slumber is an outdoor camping experience for families and escorted children (ages 4-12 encouraged). Bring your own tent, sleeping bags, toiletries, and camp food. $30/person 4 and up.
Nov. 5: 48th CMA Awards, Bridgestone Arena. All the tickets have long sold out, but you can watch tv as Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood host this festive night of live performances. Good times!
Nov. 5, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm: America’s Got Talent Open Auditions at the Music City Center. Ready to show off your talents? The slogan for this NBC show is “any age, any talent, any dream.” Nashville should rock the house with all of our talented population!
Nov. 8, 7:00 am: Nashville Marathon and ½ Marathon sponsored by Hard Rock Café, supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The run weaves through Nashville’s most beautiful and historic scenery, including the Gulch, East Nashville, and other gems. There’s a block party at the end of the run, complete with Michelob Ultra. Fee depends on when you sign up ($100 (1/2) or $110 (full) on race day).
Nov. 8, 8:00 pm: Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn at the Country Music Hall of Fame, 222 Fifth Ave. South. A new album was released in early October, and this duo will blow your mind regarding what “banjo music” sounds like. $25-45/ticket.
Nov. 8, 9:00 pm: Ghostland Observatory’s Aaron Behrens and the Midnight Stroll. Music like you’ve never heard before…and totally unforgettable. The High Watt, One Cannery Row. $12/person.
Nov. 8-9: Holiday Tinsel & Treasures Open House, Gallatin. A tradition for over 40 years, local merchants open their doors the second weekend in November to allow Christmas shoppers to get a head start on the season.
Nov. 13-14: Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial, Franklin. Sponsored by the Tennessee Civil War Commission, period presenters discuss battles, events, and tales of the Civil War. See tncivilwar150.com for more information.
Nov. 14-16, hours depend on day: Christmas Village at the Fairgrounds. Over 260 merchants display their wares at this popular annual event. Get your shopping done in one trip! $10/ticket.
Nov. 16, 1:00 – 5:30 pm: Free Family Festival Day at Frist Center for the Visual Arts, 919 Broadway. A great time to see works by Kandinsky, Helen Pashgian, and the Art of the Dominican and Franciscan Orders. Free!
Nov. 16, 8:00 pm: Christmas with Celtic Thunder and the Nashville Symphony. These stunning Irish performers kick off the holiday season with a dramatic performance.
Nov. 21 at midnight: Belcourt Theatre will show Purple Rain in their Midnight Movies series. Been a few years since you rocked out to When Doves Cry? You can relive the finest days of the Artist Formerly Known as Prince.
Nov. 24, 7:00 pm: Christmas 4 Kids Benefit Concert with the Charlie Daniels Band and Friends. 2014 is the 20th year for Christmas 4 Kids. Ryman Auditorium. $36.50. http://christmas4kids.org
Need a place to eat on Thanksgiving Day? Try any of these restaurants who will be open on Turkey Day with a delicious and filling assortment of great food: Capital Grille in the Hermitage Hotel; Cracker Barrel; Ellendale’s; Loveless Café; Mere Bulles; Monells; Opryland Hotel; and Sperry’s.
Nov. 29, boards at 8:30 am: North Pole Express with Santa to Watertown. Tennessee Central Railway Museum. Santa will be on board, ready to talk to the children and to star in priceless photos. 90 mile roundtrip/6 hours. $32/adults; $21/children under 12. http://www.tcry.org/.