Skeletons, spiders and other Halloween decor give way to holiday lights, baubles and adornments. Oh, yes, by all accounts, the holiday season has begun.
But don't think events and festivals are lessoning; far from it. As you'll see, the South loves celebrating during the festive season.
For those who want to get a jump start on holiday shopping or finish up, many holiday markets are happening throughout the region, like Christmas Village, Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 10 -13; Holiday Market at MidCity, Huntsville, Ala., Nov. 12; Market at the Mills, New Roads, La., Nov. 17 -18; Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington, Nov. 23 - Dec. 23; and Holiday Fair in Greenville, S.C., Nov. 30 - Dec. 2.
Wrap yourself in the glowing lights of gardens around the South with Lightscape at Fort Worth (Texas) Botanic Garden, Nov. 17. -Jan. 1, 2024; Celebration in the Oaks, New Orleans, Nov. 23 - Dec. 30; Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens, Theodore, Ala., Nov. 24 - Jan. 3, 2024; and Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, S.C., Nov. 25 - Dec. 31.
Theme parks shimmer during the holiday season with decorations and festive activities for all ages. Get into the holiday spirit with "An Old Time Christmas" at Silver Dollar City, Branson, Mo., select dates through Dec. 30; "Smoky Mountain Christmas" at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., through Jan. 6, 2024; Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Va., Nov. 10 - Jan. 7, 2024 and Tampa, Fla., Nov. 11 - Jan. 7, 2024; Wild Adventures Christmas Wild and Bright, Valdosta, Ga., Nov. 18 - Dec. 31.
Then there are the non-holiday related events around the region, focusing on arts, food and general interests. Here are a few that need to be on your radar to round out your November: Foo Foo Fest, Pensacola, Fla., through Nov. 13; Ozark Folk Festival, Eureka Springs, Ark., Nov. 9 -11; Port Barre (La.) Cracklin Festival, Nov. 9 - 12; Holy Smokes BBQ Fest, North Charleston, S.C., Nov. 11; Gulf Coast Brunch Festival, Biloxi, Miss., Nov. 12; Destrehan (La.) Plantation's Fall Festival, Nov. 11- 12; Aiken (S.C.) Fall Steeplechase, Nov. 18; Oak Street Poboy Festival, New Orleans, Nov. 19.