Mark your calendar: 16 top events in Charlotte this November — including the Thanksgiving Day Parade

This story is proudly presented by The Mint Museum. If you haven’t seen Mint Museum Uptown’s new exhibition Immersed in Light: Studio Drift at the Mint, it’s a must-see for November. The Instagram-worthy exhibit features one piece with 60,000 of dandelion seeds hand-glued to LED lights. Insanely cool.

You’ll spend the first part of the month doing all the fall things, and then Christmas starts after Thanksgiving.

You may not like it, but it’s true. And you know what they say, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.

Here are the can’t-miss events happening this November.

(1) Sausagefest 2019

Nov. 2 | 1514 East Blvd. | 3-7 p.m. | $40 | Details

Why you should go: Expect live music, 30 beers to try and as the name suggests, many many types of sausage. Your ticket includes an 8-ounce tasting glass to fill throughout the night. If you’re not drinking, your ticket is only $25.

(2) Sycamore’s Birthday

Nov. 2 | 2161 Hawkins St. | Noon to 10 p.m. | Free | Details

Why you should go: The beloved brewery is turning five, and they’re celebrating with special beer releases, event tees, live music and fireworks. Plus, they’ll have a handful of vendors and nine food options, including Gyro Twins Truck, OooWee BBQ
Cuzzo’s Cuisine Food Truck, Holy City Waffles, Wentworth & Fenn, Lil o’ Donut, Whatthefluff, Pop’s Pickles⁠ and a shaved ice station⁠.

Related news: Sycamore Brewing will move into a 16-story tower next door to its current property in South End

(3) Panthers vs Tennessee Titans

Nov. 3 | Bank of America Stadium | 1 p.m. | $60-$350+ | Details

Why you should go: The ‘Thers have two home games this month, so put on your best game-day gear and show your Panther Pride. They take on the Tennessee Titans first, and the second game is on Nov. 17 against the Atlanta Falcons.

(4) Hornets v. Indiana Pacers

Nov. 5 | Spectrum | 8 p.m. | $15-$400+ | Details

Why you should go: The Hornets take on the Indiana Pacers for their first home game of the month , then the Celtics on Nov. 7 (and again on Nov. 23). They also play the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 9, Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 13 and Detroit Pistons on Nov. 15 and Nov. 27. You can view the full schedule here.

(5) Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road

Nov. 6 | Spectrum Center | 8 p.m. | $59.50-$249.50 | Details

Why you should go: I don’t think I need to do much convincing here. This decorated artist created some of the best songs in music history (“Rocket Man,” “Your Song,” “Tiny Dancer”) and he’s stopping in Charlotte for his farewell tour.

(6) Verse & Vino

Nov. 7 | Charlotte Convention Center | 6-9:30 p.m. | SOLD OUT | Details

Why you should go: This annual fundraising event includes food, wine, visits from New York Times best-selling authors and more. This year Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will be making an important announcement. The event is sold out, but you can add your name to the waiting list.

(7) Gay Bingo

Nov. 9 | Charlotte Convention Center | 6 p.m. | $35 | Details

Why you should go: This year’s theme is super heroes so, if you want, dress is costume for a night of dancing, raffles, music, cash bar, and more. The annual event has raised more than $1 million for HIV care so far.

(8) CLT s’MACdown: A Mac N’ Cheese Competition & Craft Beer Tasting

Nov. 9 | 2530 Whitehall Park Drive | 1-5 p.m. | $35-$50 | Details

Why you should go: There’s nothing more comforting than soft shells, cheese and butter mixed up in a delicious bowl. So get your fill of the classic plus more innovative renditions at this mac and cheese competition — and sip some craft brews along the way.

(9) Fall Oyster Roast at Birdsong

Nov. 10 | Birdsong Brewing | 1-4 p.m. | Varies | Details

Why you should go: Nothing says cold-weather fun like an oyster roast. So put on your Smathers and Branson belt (maybe find the koozie, too), sharpen your custom oyster knife and get shuckin’.

(10) Southern Christmas Show

Nov. 14-24 | The Park Expo and Conference Center | 10 a.m. | $15+ for adults, $8+ parking | Details

Why you should go: From speciality Christmas ornaments and wreaths to bougie dog collars and monogram sweatshirts, there are dozens of vendors selling anything that might be on your Christmas shopping list. Go to shop or just go to take in the spectacle of it all. It’s both magical and weird.

(11) Ice skating at the Whitewater Center

Mid-November | USNWC | Varies | $20+ | Details

Why you should go: Make all of your Hallmark movie dreams come true and glide into the holiday spirit with an outdoor skating rink. Plus, they’ll have a skate-up bar where you can buy coffee, hot chocolate and beer. Expect the Whitewater Center to debut their holiday light installation later this month, too.

(12) The Polar Express Train Ride

Nov. 15 to Dec. 22 | N.C. Transportation Museum | 4-10 p.m. | $ | Details

Why you should go: I remember the first time I saw “The Polar Express” in theaters and I’m not sure I’ve experienced greater magic. So treat your inner child (or actual child) to a holiday train ride. Rides are every weekend, Friday-Sunday, from mid-November through December.

(13) 2019 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

Nov. 16 | 901 S. Kings Drive | 7 a.m. | Varies | Details

Why you should go: Go the distance and complete the full 26.2 miles or opt for the half, marathon relay or 5K races. Your kiddos can join the run and do a 1-mile run, too. Proceeds from the annual race support Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital Child Life Program, as well as 35-40 different Boy Scout troops, high school organizations and other nonprofits.

(14) Jonas Brothers: Happiness Begins Tour

Nov. 20 | Spectrum Center | 7:30 p.m. | $33.50-$499.95 | Details

Why you should go: Bust out your Jo Bros shirt from circa 2006 because the band is back together (what were they really doing on their own?) and you get to see them live.

(15) Jonathan Van Ness: Road to Beijing

Nov. 20 | TheBOplex | 8 p.m. | $45+ | Details

Why you should go: Can you believe JVN is making a stop in CLT for a gorg night of comedy? I struggs to func thinking about being in the same room.

(16) 2019 Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade

Nov. 28 | Uptown | 9 a.m. to noon | Free, $25-$35 VIP | Details

Why you should go: A well-loved Charlotte tradition has been going strong for 72 years. You can buy VIP tickets for a seat in the bleachers along Tryon or take your chances of find a viewing spot elsewhere Uptown for free.

Looking for more things to do? Here’s the full Axios Charlotte calendar with over 75 cool, upcoming events in Charlotte.