Top San Diego Things to Do in November 2017

Experience a decadent six-course dinner paired with tequila at Herb & Wood's Tequila Dinner.
Experience a decadent six-course meal with tequila pairings at Herb & Wood’s Tequila Dinner.

From taco and beer festivals to thoroughbred racing lineups, check out San Diego’s top November events.

Edited by Madelyn Harris.

Herb & Wood Tequila Dinner
Nov. 1. Herb & Wood pair up with Farmer & The Seahorse for a collaboraive tequila dinner organized by certified Catador Chris Simmons. A decadent six-course dinner will be accompanied by Siete Leguas Tequila, an artisan tequila made in Jalisco. 6:30 p.m. $111. 2210 Kettner Blvd. herbandwood.com

Old Town Día de los Muertos
Nov. 1-2. Tour traditional altars set up in museums and shops and participate in a candlelight procession to the cemetery (night of Nov. 2) at this cultural celebration honoring those who have died. 1-9:30 p.m. Free. Old Town. oldtownsandiego.org

Head to Del Mar for a season of racing, with highlights including the renowned Breeders' Cup and Turf Club Sundays.
Head to Del Mar for the renowned Breeders’ Cup and Taste of theTurf Club Sundays.

Del Mar Racing
Nov. 1-26. The fall “Bing Meet” features thoroughbred racing four days a week (dark M-W, except Nov. 1; and Nov. 9). Highlights of the racing season include the Breeders’ Cup (Nov. 3-4) and Taste of the Turf Club Sundays. Check website for post times. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. dmtc.com

Carlsbad Premium Outlets: Shop Under the Stars Event
Nov. 2. Head to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets for the 13th annual event, in which attendees can join participating retailers for a night of live entertainment, a silent auction, raffle prizes and gift bags. 100% of event proceeds will benefit a variety of organizations, including Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad, The Flower Fields Foundation, Milestone House and more. 5-9 p.m. $30. 5620 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad. eventbrite.com

Krug Dinner at Addison
Nov. 3. In celebration of Breeders’ Cup, chef William Bradley of Addison will host a Krug dinner in the restaurant’s private dining room, complete with a cocktail reception to start the evening. The dinner will feature five delectable course complemented with Krug champagnes. 6-8:30 p.m. $1000. 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, 858.314.1900. addisondelmar.com

San Diego Beer Week
Nov. 3-12. Celebrate the art of craft beers during this annual event, featuring dozens of local breweries and a lineup of tastings, festivals, brewery tours, cheese pairings and beer dinners. Various locations. sdbw.org

Fish Taco and Beer Pairing Event
Nov. 4. Modern Mexican restaurant Puesto has paired up with the fisherman of the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market and local craft brewer AleSmith Brewing Company to create a one-of-a-kind event in honor of San Diego Beer Week. Puesto will create three different tacos, created on a plancha, a fryer and a grill. Each taco will be paired with a different 12 oz beer from AleSmith. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $35. 789 W Harbor Drive, 619.233.8880. eatpuesto.com

Vegan Taco Cook-Off
Nov. 4. Join the vegan community of San Diego as you help determine the best vegan taco amongst local vendors. Two prizes—Judge’s Prize and People’s Choice—will be awarded. After judging, the event will open up to ticketed general admission where everyone can indulge in the vendor’s full menus. 4-8 p.m. $5-$20. Fair @ 44, 4430 El Cajon Blvd. eventbrite.com

Head to the Pendry to watch the Purdue vs. Illinois game with former San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick.
Head to the Pendry to watch the Purdue vs. Illinois game with former San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick.

Watch the Game with a Pro
Nov. 4. Join former San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick for an up-close and personal viewing of the Purdue vs. Illinois game. Chat with Hardwick and friends, enjoy food and beverage specials or try your hand at beer pong. 9 a.m. Nason’s Beer Hall at Pendry, 570 J St. pendryhotels.com

Maritime Museum: New Exhibit Party
Nov. 4-5. Celebrate the museum’s newest exhibit, Rum: Sailors, Pirates and Prohibition, which tells the story of the new world’s first distilled spirits from its origins to today’s trendy cocktail lounges. In addition to viewing the new exhibits, guests will enjoy live entertainment and historic rum drinks. 3-6 p.m. $18 ticket includes admission to exhibit and party. 1492 N Harbor Drive, 619.234.9153. sdmaritime.org

Dr. Seuss’ ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
Nov. 4-Dec. 24. For spirited kids young and old, experience this annual holiday production of a Dr. Seuss classic. View website and pricing for full schedule. Shiley Stage at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. theoldglobe.org

7th Annual Fall Family Festival
Nov. 5. San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum is hosting a full day of fall fun at their annual family event. The festival will feature a petting zoo and animal education, live music, carnival games, a bubble party, food truck, beer and wine cash bar for adults and more. 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $5 for members, $10 for non-members. 320 N. Broadway, Escondido. sdcdm.org

Carlsbad Village Faire
Nov. 5. The streets of Carlsbad will come alive with the sights and smells of fair time as 850 vendors offer guests a variety of handmade gifts and mouthwatering foods. Stretching 14 blocks, this family-friendly event promises to be one of the largest in North County. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Grand Ave., between Carlsbad Blvd. and Jefferson St., Carlsbad. carlsbad.org

‘Summer: The Donna Summer Musical’ 
Nov. 7-Dec. 10. This vibrant, world-premiere musical charts the incomparable life of Donna Summer—the undisputed Queen of Disco—and features more than 20 classic hits, including “Hot Stuff,” “On the Radio,” and “Last Dance.” View website for full schedule. Weiss Theatre at the La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. lajollaplayhouse.org

Enjoy a savory four-course meal at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, along with an education in wine making.
Enjoy a savory four-course meal at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, along with an education in wine making.

Artisan Table Signature Wine Dinner
Nov. 9. The Lodge at Torrey Pines concludes its 2017 Artisan Table Signature Wine Dinner series in beautiful La Jolla. Hear from the winemakers behind Patz & Hall, who have spent their entire careers focusing on perfecting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and The Lodge’s Executive Chef Jeff Jackson. Jackson will pair the Patz & Hall wines with a savory four-course meal that showcases California’s bounty. 7-9 p.m. $205. 11480 North Torrey Pines. lodgetorreypines.com

Coronado Island Film Festival
Nov. 9-12. Head to San Diego’s historic seaside village for four jam-packed days of classic and up-and-coming film screenings. You’ll also enjoy parties, panels, exhibits, workshops, special events, celebrities, live performances, beach walks and more. $10-$595. Visit website for full schedule. 820 Orange Ave., Coronado. coronadoislandfilmfest.com

‘The Moors’
Nov. 9-Dec. 10. A radical riff on 19th century romantic novels and the women who conceived them, The Moors is a riotous, wild comedy filled with macabre glee that has more in common with the present day than the past. $22.50+. Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. #101, University Heights. diversionary.org

San Diego Veterans Day Parade
Nov. 11. Join in delivering a greatly deserved tribute to all U.S. veterans who served during the war years. Along with recognizing over 4,000 veterans, guests will witness bands, floats and civic groups as they parade down Harbor Drive. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free. Harbor Drive and West Broadway. sdvetparade.org

San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Nov. 12-19. SoCal’s largest wine and culinary event celebrates its 14th anniversary with a palate-pleasing array of festivities—including Grand Tasting events, advanced wine-tasting seminars, exclusive specialty dinners, gourmet cooking classes and celebrity chefs galore. Visit website for full schedule. Embarcadero Marina Park north, downtown. sandiegowineclassic.com

The Mother Goose Parade features giant balloons and stunning floats, along with other fun surprises.

Mother Goose Parade
Nov. 19. The 71st annual parade offers free family fun to start the holiday season. Spectators can expect stunning floats, giant balloons, colorful clowns, marching bands and more. 1 p.m.  Route begins on Main Street and Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon. mothergooseparade.org

San Diego Jazz Festival
Nov. 22-26. The 38th annual event celebrates a century of jazz (1917-2017) and features live performances by international artists representing a wide variety of traditional jazz, Dixieland, ragtime, swing and rockabilly styles. View website for full lineup. $105+. Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley. sdjazzfest.org

‘Black Pearl Sings!’
Nov. 22-Dec. 17. Featuring over 20 folk/spiritual songs, this tale of an unlikely friendship between two women reveals the bridges that can be built through the power of song. $20-$56. San Diego Rep, Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown. sdrep.org

‘Hand to God’
Through Nov. 12. When a devilish sock puppet named Tyrone infiltrates an angst-ridden Texas church youth group, all hell breaks loose in this irreverent and hilarious dark comedy—the most produced play in the U.S. $20-$52. San Diego Rep, Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown. sdrep.org 

John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’
Through Nov. 12. This classic drama novella-turned play tells the story of friendship in a world of solitude that is sustained by illusory dreams. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org

‘The Legend of Georgia McBride’
Through Nov. 12. An unemployed Elvis impersonator is given the opportunity to trade one sequined outfit for another when his club brings in a drag act in this music-filled comedy that celebrates finding your voice. Cygnet Theatre in Old Town, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town. cygnettheatre.com

‘Smoke on the Mountain’
Through Nov. 19. The Sanders Family Singers are back on the road, and Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church will never be quite the same again in this hilarious ensemble musical comedy. $68. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. lambsplayers.org

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