Michael Breedlove

September 30, 2026

Can't-Miss November Events

Our November 2026 Events Guide has the details on over 30 of the month's biggest events.

Fall's final stretch brings a packed calendar to Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. November starts with homecoming energy, performing arts, and neighborhood festivals, then shifts into holiday mode with light displays, craft fairs, and Thanksgiving-weekend favorites.

Keep reading to see what's happening daily, or jump to ongoing, month-long events here.

Nov. 1–7

WSSU Forever Red Homecoming. Winston-Salem State opens Homecoming Week with a parade at on Sunday, Nov. 1, followed by the Lighting of the Sign at Bowman Gray Stadium. Homecoming festivities continue throughout the week, highlighted by the Homecoming Concert at LJVM Coliseum (Nov 3), the pep rally and step show (Nov 6), and the Homecoming game on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Nov. 6–7

Holly Jolly Craft Festival. Get an early start on holiday shopping with locally made pottery, jewelry, home décor, fiber art, seasonal pieces, and more from area craftspeople. The festival runs 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday at South Fork Community Center.

Nov. 6

Justin Moore Live at LJVM. 8 p.m. Country hitmaker Justin Moore brings his catalog of chart-topping songs to LJVM Coliseum with special guest Priscilla Block. Tickets start at $37.50. Be sure to check the venue's clear-bag policy and ticket information before arriving.

Nov. 7

Ardmore Art Walk. 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Stroll through the historic Ardmore neighborhood as 100 artists display pottery, jewelry, paintings, photography, textiles, woodwork, and more on front lawns along a walkable route. Food vendors, live music, and hands-on activities add to the day. Admission is free.

Nov. 7

Piedmont Wind Symphony: American Gothic. 7:30 p.m. This wide-ranging concert at Brendle Recital Hall moves from the clockwork imagination of Erika Svanoe's Steampunk Suite to Michael Daugherty's vivid musical portrait of rural America. The program also features works by Viet Cuong, Frank Ticheli, and Kevin Day.

Nov. 7

Jennifer Rowley in Recital. 7:30 p.m. Acclaimed soprano Jennifer Rowley brings operatic arias and art song to UNCSA's intimate Watson Hall. The Metropolitan Opera veteran performs as part of a yearlong celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for students; a livestream is also available.

Nov. 8

Kernersville Veterans Parade. 2:30–4:30 p.m. Patriotic floats, marching bands, military vehicles, veterans' groups, and community organizations make their way through downtown Kernersville in a heartfelt salute to those who have served.

Nov. 8

TOAST at Tanglewood. 5–9:30 p.m. Walk through the Tanglewood Festival of Lights before the route opens to vehicles. This family-friendly evening welcomes walkers, strollers, and wagon rollers for an up-close look at the illuminated displays, plus treats, activities, and photo stops. Advance tickets are recommended.

Nov. 8, 22

Tour Pour du Jour at Graylyn. 4–6 p.m. Explore the history, architecture, and mysteries of Graylyn Estate during these Sunday afternoon tours of the 1932 Manor House, then enjoy wine and appetizers in the library. It's a great chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the nation's #1 ranked boutique hotel. Tickets are $60 per person; advance reservations are required.

Nov. 9–10

Paws in the Park at Tanglewood. Begins at 5 p.m. Bring your four-legged friend for a rare walk through Tanglewood's illuminated holiday route. The special pre-season evenings support the Humane Society of Davie County and offer families and dogs a festive way to experience the lights without vehicle traffic. Reservations are required.

Nov. 12–22

Piedmont Opera: Another Sunrise + Before It All Goes Dark. Piedmont Opera marks its 50th-anniversary season with a double bill of two powerful contemporary operas exploring memory, identity, survival, and the enduring legacy of the Holocaust. Six performances are scheduled at Hanesbrands Theatre downtown, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

Nov. 12–21

UNCSA presents Almost Famous. Students in UNCSA's drama school present this musical based on Cameron Crowe's cult-classic film follows a teenage journalist on tour with an up-and-coming rock band in the 1970s. Guest director Sarna Lapine leads the high-energy production at Freedman Theatre. Tickets are $45 for adults and $40 for students.

Nov. 13–29

The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical. The Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance returns to Armadillo Acres for an R-rated holiday comedy packed with outsized characters, Christmas chaos, and a fight to save the mobile-home park from an evil developer. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Nov. 13–Jan. 1

Tanglewood Festival of Lights. Nightly, 6–11 p.m. Drive through miles of storybook scenes and holiday displays illuminated by more than one million LED lights. Family-vehicle admission is $20 cash or $23 card Monday–Thursday and $25 cash or $28 card Friday–Sunday. Stop midway for gifts and s'mores at the Gift Village.

Nov. 14

NCMA 2nd Saturday: Secret Shapes. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. NC Museum of Art (NCMA) hosts a free, family-friendly day of hands-on artmaking at Winston Square Park. Experiment with tape masking, oil pastels, negative space, and hidden forms inspired by exhibiting artists Erin Canady and Leah Smith. All materials are provided.

Nov. 14

Kaleidoscope Ball: Curiosity in Bloom. 5:30–11:30 p.m. Kaleideum's signature gala pairs a VIP dinner and curated cocktails with live and silent auctions, games of chance, dancing, and after-hours museum fun. Proceeds help expand access to interactive learning and creative play for children and families across the region.

Nov. 14–15

WS Symphony: Violins of Hope. 7:30 p.m.; 3 p.m. The Symphony performs on instruments that survived the Holocaust in a moving program featuring Mendelssohn, Gershwin, John Williams, Jessie Montgomery, Leonard Bernstein, and others. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Reynolds Auditorium. Tickets range from $28–$98.

Nov. 15

Reynolda on the House. 1:30–4:30 p.m. Enjoy free museum admission and explore Reynolda's two America250 exhibitions, Flash Point and Art & Democracy. Paperhand Puppets also presents World of Wonder, a whimsical, interactive showcase of creatures and characters celebrating the natural world. Reservations are encouraged but not required.

Nov. 15

Harvest Festival at Brouwerij DuBois. 12–8 p.m. Spend a fall Sunday at Brouwerij DuBois during the brewery's daylong Harvest Festival. Watch for the final lineup of music, food, seasonal pours, and other festival activities as the date approaches.

Nov. 17–21

UNCSA: Emerging Choreographers. See the next generation of choreographers find their creative voices through original works made and performed by UNCSA dance students. Performances are at Agnes de Mille Theatre at various times, including two shows Nov. 21. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for students.

Nov. 20

Art Crush. 7–10 p.m. The Downtown Arts District closes out its 2026 Art Crush season as Trade and Sixth streets shut down for street vendors, live music, and kids’ activities. Galleries, studios, and shops stay open late, making it an ideal kickoff to holiday shopping — and the final Art Crush until spring 2027.

Nov. 21

Reynolda Village Holiday Stroll. 1–5 p.m. Ring in the season with holiday shopping, dining, Victorian-costumed carolers, visits with Santa, seasonal décor, and free carriage rides through historic Reynolda Village. Overflow parking is available across Reynolda Road at Reynolda Church.

Nov. 21–22

Piedmont Craftsmen's Fair. Now in its 63rd year, this juried fair and sale brings dozens of top fine-craft artists to the Benton Convention Center. Browse one-of-a-kind works in clay, wood, glass, fiber, leather, metal, printmaking, and mixed media while meeting the makers and watching live demonstrations. The weekend-before-Thanksgiving tradition is a favorite kickoff to holiday shopping. Hours are 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and noon–5 p.m. Sunday.

Nov. 22

Clemmons Farmers Market Holiday Pop-Up. 2–5 p.m. Shop from local makers, bakers, and growers for Thanksgiving ingredients, seasonal treats, and one-of-a-kind gifts. The free outdoor market takes place in the front parking lot of the Jerry Long Family YMCA in Clemmons.

Nov. 26

Turkey Strut 5K. Start Thanksgiving morning at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds with the 19th annual Turkey Strut. The 1-mile fun run begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9 a.m. A virtual option is also available through the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Beginning Nov. 27

Christmas at Körner's Folly. The 22-room Victorian house museum in Kernersville transforms for the holidays, with traditional decorations filling every room from Black Friday through New Year's. Explore the eccentric architecture and festive displays on a self-guided tour during regular museum hours, starting Nov. 27 and continuing throughout the holidays.

Beginning Nov. 27

Christmas at Old Salem. The holidays are among the most magical times to visit Old Salem, when period décor, traditional trades, and Moravian customs bring the historic district to life. Visitors can explore during regular museum hours throughout the season, but two marquee events offer the fullest experience:

Ticketed Joy of Christmas Evening Tours illuminate the district by lantern light on Fridays and Saturdays, while Salem Saturdays feature daytime activities, trade demos, and visits from Old St. Nick beginning Nov. 28. Check Old Salem’s calendar for the full holiday lineup.

Nov. 27–29

WrestleCade Weekend. More than 125 wrestling personalities from past and present gather at the Benton Convention Center for a three-day, family-friendly fan convention. Meet stars for photos and autographs, browse memorabilia, attend panels and podcasts, enter costume contests, and catch live wrestling throughout the weekend.

Nov. 28–29

WS Symphony: Cirque de la Symphonie. High-flying acrobats, jugglers, and contortionists perform above and around the Winston-Salem Symphony in this family-friendly Thanksgiving-weekend spectacle. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Reynolds Auditorium. Tickets range from $28–$98.

Throughout the Month

Concerts at The Ramkat

The Ramkat, downtown's 1,000-capacity music venue, brings an eclectic lineup of regional and national acts to downtown Winston-Salem this month. In addition to Mainstage shows, the Ramkat will host a number of regional favorites at their intimate Gas Hill venue, including Frankie Gavin (Nov 10), Jess Klein & Friends (Nov 15), and the Camel City Yacht Club (Nov 27). Mainstage highlights include:

► Nov. 7 — GWAR
The famously theatrical shock-metal band brings its over-the-top stage show to town.

► Nov. 12 — Eddie 9V | Leroy From the North
A young Atlanta favorite channeling vintage soul, blues, and Southern swagger.

► Nov. 12 — Vagabond Saints Society (VSS): The Replacements
The local legends VSS present a tribute to the legendary garage-rock trailblazers, The Replacements. (This concert will in the Ramkat's intimate Gas Hill venue.)

► Nov. 19 — The Heavy Heavy | The Point
The British band blends sun-soaked '60s rock, psychedelic soul, and harmony-rich pop.

► Nov. 21 — John Morgan | Erin Kinsey
NC country singer and hit songwriter headlines with rising country artist Erin Kinsey.

Fall Exhibits at Reynolda

Reynolda House is fully open again this fall following an eight-month, $8 million renovation — and marking its return with two exhibitions that explore the American story through art, activism, and the nation’s evolving democratic ideals.

Flash Point celebrates the Civil Rights photography of Danny Lyon, bringing together more than 50 photographs from inside the movement, including sit-ins, Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, and quieter moments behind the scenes. Also on view, Art & Democracy draws from Reynolda’s collection to examine the country’s history and the ideals that have shaped — and challenged — American democracy. Both are included with museum admission.

NCMA Downtown: Process as Practice

The second exhibition in NCMA’s new downtown space brings together Western North Carolina artists Leah Smith, Kimberly English, and Erin Canady, whose work with ink, cotton, thread, water, and graphite explores how materials connect, gather, and change over time. The exhibition is on view through Nov. 29 at the corner of Fourth and Marshall streets. Admission is free.