Featured image: Explore Ridgeland
It’s never too soon to get into the spirit when you’re in the South. Whether you’re getting a head start on Christmas shopping, soaking up small-town holiday traditions, or planning a weekend around live entertainment and local flavors, here’s our comprehensive list of the best things to do in November around the South.
Holidays in Ridgeland
November 1-December 31, 2026
Yuletide shopping gets a head start in Ridgeland, MS, where seasonal retail deals and one-of-a-kind finds make present-picking feel more like a getaway. Wrap it in Ridgeland encourages visitors to explore the city’s shopping districts with special hotel packages, while the 50th annual Chimneyville Arts Festival brings visitors handmade pieces you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss the Sip and Shop event on Friday evening!
Planning your trip to Ridgeland? We’ve done it for you.
WNC Pottery Festival | Sylva, NC
November 7, 2026
Pottery fans, this one’s worth a spot on your November calendar! The WNC Pottery Festival returns to Sylva, NC, bringing master potters from across the country together to showcase their ceramics. Watch live wheel-throwing and Raku-firing demonstrations, browse one-of-a-kind pieces, and find a special addition for your home. Your ticket includes entry to a raffle to win your own pottery!
SC Pecan Music & Food Festival | Florence, SC
November 7, 2025
Florence, SC, goes nuts for pecans at the SC Pecan Music & Food Festival, a free downtown bash packed with live music, tasty bites, and plenty to explore. With a Kids Fun Zone, a classic car show, amusement rides, and more than 250 vendors, there’s something everyone can dig into. As the world’s largest pecan festival, you can expect the Southern favorite to show up in some deliciously unexpected ways!
The National Folk Festival | Jackson, MS
November 13-15, 2026
From toe-tapping music to traditions passed down through generations, the National Folk Festival offers a fascinating look at the cultures that shape America. Head to downtown Jackson, MS for three days of performances spanning styles and backgrounds, alongside craft demonstrations, storytelling, parades, and dishes from around the region.
Holidays in Starkville | Starkville, MS
Holiday Bazaar: November 18-19, 2026; Starkville Christmas Parade: November 30, 2026
Starkville, MS makes November extra merry with a pair of cozy traditions that warm up the chill in the air. The Holiday Bazaar returns with almost 50 vendors selling unique crafts, local foods, and handcrafted gifts. The month wraps with the Starkville Christmas Parade, where the Famous Maroon Band and community floats bring a nostalgic Christmas scene to Main Street with a classic theme of “Holly Jolly Christmas.”
White Light Night | Baton Rouge, LA
November 20, 2026
Twinkling lights are an unmistakable sign that the holiday season is fast approaching, and the sparkle is not in short supply at White Light Night, in Baton Rouge, LA. Forget mall shopping and head to the streets of Mid City, where an evening of music, makers, and independent shops welcomes festival-goers getting a head start on their gift list. This free annual event brings Southern charm to light.
Christmas on the Cumberland | Clarksville, TN
November 21, 2026-January 2, 2027
November kicks off a luminous winter in Clarksville, TN at Christmas on the Cumberland, where more than a million lights turn the Riverwalk into a festive evening stroll. The display shines through the new year, but opening night will host a Holiday Market, Santa Claus photo ops, and even an eye-popping drone show to get everyone in the spirit.
Christmas in Roseland | Shreveport, LA
November 27-December 20, 2026
The gardens are glowing in Shreveport, LA, with family-friendly weekends at Christmas in Roseland. Be dazzled by light displays, the Blitzen Bar, a Santa train, and more. Keep an eye on the calendar for special events throughout the month, like fireworks nights, a Vendor Village, and a vibrant Mardi Gras themed party!
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