Thanksgiving isn’t the only thing to get excited about in November. Get a jump on your holiday shopping, celebrate the life of a loved one, take in a show or look for a significant other at these events this month.
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Nov. 1, 5-8 p.m.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington will host its annual event commemorating the Mexican holiday during which families and friends celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. (Unlike Halloween, the idea is not to spook but rather embrace the spirits of the dead.) Enjoy a picnic on the lawn with family-friendly activities, vendors, performances by Mariachi Los Amigos and Los Quetzales, a poetry reading by Edith Graciela Sanabria, and games. Tacos and craft espresso drinks will be available from local food trucks, such as Little Miner Taco, Salteñas Camila and Rossana. Arlington artist David Amoroso is building a large-scale altar on the front portico of the building where loved ones who have passed may be honored with a photo. // 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Day of the Dead Celebration
Nov. 1, 4-8 p.m.
National Landing’s Water Park will host a Day of the Dead event with face painting, a photo booth and live music. Come hungry. The Best of Arlington 2024 winner in the category of Outdoor Dining Oasis has lots of great dinner and drink options. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Asia After Dark: Diwali Festival
Nov. 1, 5-9:30 p.m.
Head to D.C.’s National Museum of Asian Art to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of light. The event includes food, music, dance and festivities with opportunities to create crafts to take home. Feast on flavors from Rasa, Himalayan Soul Foods, Apna Pizza, Swaadish by Neelma, Milaap Chai and Malai Ice Cream, and enjoy performances by The Tabla Queen and DC Bhangra Crew. It’s free to attend, but you can RSVP here. // 1050 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C.
Altered States at Alliance Gallery
Through Nov. 24
The Arlington Artists Alliance’s new gallery in Clarendon is hosting an exhibit juried by Alexandria artist Rosemary Feit Covey. Find interpretations of the show’s title (including themes of transformation and change, alternate realities, inner growth, shifting perspectives and visual distortion) in works depicting the innards of a giant fuzzy earthworm, the dark history of gynecology and the melting of the Alps. All 29 artists are from the DMV, working in media such as video, sculpture, painting, embroidery, ceramics and 3D printing. // 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Arlington Civitan Open Air Flea Market
Nov. 2, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Arlington’s self-described “mother of all flea markets” started in 1986, when the Arlington Civitan, which supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the county government partnered to provide a way to upcycle used goods. Held in the I-66 garage adjacent to Washington-Liberty High School and the Arlington Planetarium, the market includes more than 150 vendors selling used books, clothes, furniture, housewares jewelry and toys. All proceeds from the market, including the sale of rental spaces to vendors and from refreshment sales, go to Civitan-supported causes. // 4001 15th St., N., Arlington
Now You Owe Me Author Talk
Nov. 3, 5 p.m.
Head to Busboys and Poets in Shirlington for a free author talk with journalist Aliah Wright, whose debut novel, Now You Owe Me, is a thriller about two killers. Buy a copy of the book while you’re there. Wright will stay for book signings after the presentation. // 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
The Beatles: A Hard Day’s Night Celebration
Nov. 8, 8 p.m.
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Beatles’ famous album and song by the same name at this Capital One Hall tribute concert. The album marks the first time John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote all original songs, including Can’t Buy Me Love and And I Love Her. During the first half of the show, the Classical Mystery Tour band will perform the entire album set, and then the Fairfax Symphony will join in to play more of the Fab Five’s music. Tickets start at $40. // 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Alice in Wonderland/Alicia en el País de las Maravillas
Nov. 8-24
Creative Cauldron presents Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of falling down a rabbit hole and into a topsy-turvy world of tea parties, talking rabbits and smiling cats in a new bilingual musical production. Join Alice on her journey into Wonderland this winter. $15-$20; streaming options available. Performances 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sundays. // 410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church
Hungarian Musical Masterpieces
NOV. 9, 7:30 p.m.
The National Chamber Ensemble kicks off its new season with compositions by Bela Bartok, Ernst von Dohnanyi and Franz Liszt, brought to life by the exceptional talents of Leonid Sushansky (violin), Steven Honigberg (cello) and Carlos Cesar Rodríguez (piano). Tickets are $40; $20 for students. Gunston Arts Center, Theatre 1, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
Justin Hires
Nov. 9 and 10
Catch the comedian at the Arlington Drafthouse for two nights. He was last seen playing Curtis in the Universal Pictures film (which he also wrote) Half Baked: Totally High. He’s also appeared in 21 Jump Street and Comedy Central’s popular sketch show Key & Peele. The 7 p.m. show both nights is 21 and up, unless accompanied by a parent. The 9:30 show on Nov. 9 is for 21 and up only. Tickets are $20. // 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Falls Church Veterans Day Ceremony
Nov. 11, 11 a.m.
Each year, the Little City’s Recreation and Parks Department honors all those who have served in the armed forces with an outdoor ceremony presented by the Greater Falls Church Veterans Council. // 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church
Dominion Guild Merry Market
Nov. 12 and 13
Dominion Guild’s annual shopping bazaar at the Knights of Columbus kicks off with “Bubbly and Bites,” an evening of shopping and fun (Nov. 12, 5:30-9 p.m.), followed by a full day of shopping on Nov. 13 (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.), with giftable wares by some 25 local makers and vendors. Proceeds benefit a variety of local nonprofits. Tickets for “Bubbly and Bites” ($55) include admission to the Merry Market the next day. Admission for Wednesday shopping only is $15. Purchase online or at the door. // 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington
Zen in the City
Nov. 12 and 19, 5:30 p.m.
Embrace a moment of calm before the holiday storm with two 45-minute wellness classes at the Bennett Park Art Atrium in Rosslyn. On Nov. 12, Kara Simon of EcoAction Arlington will host a sound bath with breath work and meditation. The next week, BASH Boxing will walk participants through a yoga- and pilates-inspired Burn class that focuses on stretching, meditative breathing and isometric holds. Tickets are $5 per class. // 1601 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
I’ll Take You There: Stax Records Co.
Nov. 12-24
Signature Theatre presents this 75-minute cabaret celebrating the Memphis, Tennessee, recording company that discovered greats such as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. and the M.G.’s, Carla Thomas and the Staple Singers. Tickets are $46 per person. // 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Cuffing Season Mix & Mingle Happy Hour
Nov. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The third annual event in honor of cuffing season—a time of year when single people look for romantic partners to spend the colder months with—returns to Continental Beer Garden. Michelle Jacoby of DC Matchmaking will be on hand to offer insights into current dating trends, share tips for finding meaningful connections and critique your dating profile to help you stand out. Tickets to the 21-and-up event cost $10 and include one drink. // 1901 Fort Myer Drive, Arlington (Rosslyn)
4th Annual Cherrydale Holiday Market
Nov. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Formerly known as the Cherrydale Holiday Art Market, this annual event founded by Arlington resident and artist Alanna Rivera returns to the Cherrydale Methodist Church with vendors including Arlington-based Wick and Paper, Latina-owned The World’s Corner, oil painter Tara Barr and McLean’s Tree Angels for Haiti, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Haitian communities through environmental, educational and wellness programs. // 3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington (Cherrydale)
Salon Arlington
Nov. 16, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Arlingtonians Mike Chapmann and Village Sweet bakery owner Dawn Hart will host the next in their series of salons aimed at bring the community and local artists together. Open to anyone 21 and up, the latest event features painters Deborah Conn, Valerie Makepeace and Tony Neville, in addition to musicians Crooked Sparrow. Tickets cost $30 and include dessert and beverages. // 5872 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)
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The Warped Tour Band
Nov. 22, 8 p.m.
Head to the State Theatre in Falls Church and rock out at this tribute to emo/pop-punk music, with songs from artists such as My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Yellow Card and other hitmakers from the late 1990s to early 2000s. Tickets are $20 in advance or $23 the day of the show. // 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
45th Christmas Bazaar at St. John the Beloved
Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The annual St. John the Beloved indoor Christmas bazaar fills the school’s gym with vendors galore and even the big man in red. Santa will stop by from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.. and live music will play throughout the day. If shopping works up an appetite, you can grab brats, hot dogs and barbecue from the bar (along with wine or beer), and replenish your sugar levels with something from the bake sale. Magician Michael Chamberlain will wow audiences at 3 p.m. Entrance is free, although donations are appreciated. // 6428 Linway Terrace, McLean
Jennifer Bush Lawson Foundation 5K & Family Fun Day
Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The 10th annual JBLF 5K & Family Fun Day raises funds to provide high-quality maternal and infant care to economically vulnerable women and their babies. Lace up for the certified 5K course and kids’ fun run, then set the kids loose to enjoy moon bounces, laser tag, a rock wall, balloon animals, face painting and community performances. Registration starts at $30. //Knights of Columbus, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington
URBNmarket at Mosaic
Nov. 23-24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The ever-popular holiday street fair returns with a curated selection of handmade crafts, vintage goods, artisanal foods and more. Admission is free. // 2905 District Ave., Fairfax
Thanksgiving Eve Reunion
Nov. 27, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
This free Shipgarten event for revelers 21 and up offers a night of dancing and fun before the Thanksgiving feasting begins. // 7581 Colshire Drive, Tysons
Arlington Turkey Trot
Nov. 28, 8 a.m.
Earn those Thanksgiving calories by running or walking a 5K to benefit a variety of area charities. Now in its 19th year, this beloved event attracts more than 4,000 participants each Thanksgiving with the shared goal of helping the local community. This year’s theme, “Community Partners United in Service to Others” celebrates this tradition of giving and thankfulness. Registration is $50 for adults; $25 for children (6-17); free for kids 5 and younger. Online registration closes Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. // Lyon Park Community Center, 3020 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington
A Victorian Christmas
Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Learn about Christmas holiday traditions during Victorian times at the Cherry Hill Farmhouse in Falls Church. Watch as costumed re-enactors welcome friends and neighbors who gather for some 19th-century cheer. Sing carols and let the kiddos participate in children’s activities. Feeling Grinchy? No problem. It’s free admission. // 312 Park Ave., Falls Church