November is San Antonio and the Hill Country's bridge month: Wurstfest's ten days of sausage and polka kick off in New Braunfels, Veterans Day fills downtown, Luminaria turns Houston Street into a free open-air gallery, and Thanksgiving week rolls straight into the Ford Holiday River Parade and Boerne's Dickens on Main. This is the month, week by week, with every date, time, and venue as published by the organizers. Everything below is real and verified; anything I could not confirm from an official source did not make the list.
Every pick below is a real, verified event with the date, time, and venue as published by the organizer, so you can plan the month with confidence. Where tickets are involved, the official event page is linked and you can book straight from the source.
Dates and times do shift, and a few holiday programs were still being finalized when this roundup went up, so glance at the official page before you head out. And if the month's energy has you thinking about a move, I can help you find a home near the action through the site's contact page, no pressure.
Featured this month
Wurstfest 2026: a first-timer's guide
The deep dive on the 65th annual salute to sausage in New Braunfels: what it costs by day, when the crowds hit, and how to make the ten days work.
Our guide · New Braunfels, Nov 6-15
Luminaria 2026: San Antonio's free night of art
The honest first-timer's guide to the free midnight art festival on Houston Street, from parking to the pieces worth hunting for.
Our guide · Sat Nov 14
The Holiday River Parade, by the numbers
What the 45th annual lighting ceremony costs, where to stand, and how locals do the River Walk in December without the crowds.
Our guide · Fri Nov 27
Dickens on Main 2026: Boerne's holiday kickoff
Around 57,000 visitors over two days, free admission, and Main Street closed to traffic: how to plan around Boerne's biggest weekend of the year.
Our guide · Boerne, Nov 27-28
San Antonio Turkey Trots, by the numbers
The Thanksgiving morning runs, the registration deadlines, and which one fits your family's pace best.
Our guide · Thu Nov 26
Week one: November 2-8
The month's busiest weekend lands before the second Friday: Wurstfest opens, Veterans Day fills downtown at noon, and DiwaliSA lights up Hemisfair that evening.
Wurstfest
The 65th annual Ten Day Salute to Sausage takes over Landa Park along the Comal River with 40-plus bands on five stages, polka and waltz competitions, carnival rides, and German food. Opening ceremonies run 5:30 to 6 p.m. Friday; Monday through Thursday admission is free, Saturdays are $25 online ($30 at the gate), and kids 12 and under are free every day.
Landa Park, New Braunfels · Fri Nov 6-Sun Nov 15 · $0-$30
Doja Cat: Tour Ma Vie World Tour
The pop and rap superstar brings her world tour to the Frost Bank Center with Latto opening, the biggest arena show of the month in San Antonio.
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio · Fri Nov 6 · Ticketed
Banda MS
The Sinaloan group packs Freeman Coliseum the same night Wurstfest opens, so pick a lane and commit; both start the month with a crowd.
Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio · Fri Nov 6 · Ticketed
San Antonio Veterans Day Parade
Presented by USAA and organized by the US Military Veterans Parade Association, the parade steps off at noon at Milam Park and works its way down Houston Street to Travis Park with floats, marching bands, and military units. Free and family-friendly.
Downtown San Antonio · Sat Nov 7, noon · Free
DiwaliSA Festival of Lights
San Antonio's official Diwali celebration fills Hemisfair with a river parade, dance performances from Texas universities, an Indian bazaar with vendors, henna, food, and a fireworks finale. The event bills itself as the largest city-sanctioned Diwali festival in the country, and admission is free.
Hemisfair Park, San Antonio · Sat Nov 7, 4:30 p.m.-midnight · Free
First Saturday on Main
Boerne's downtown evening returns with the Hill Country Mile's shops open late, live music, and the town square at its friendliest.
Hill Country Mile, Boerne · Sat Nov 7, 5-8 p.m. · Free
Cibolo Farmers Market at Herff Farm
The Saturday market at the Cibolo Center for Conservation brings local farmers, ranchers, bakers, and artisans to the historic farm grounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., weekly through the season.
Herff Farm, 33 Herff Rd, Boerne · Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. · Free
Fall Diva Night on the Hill Country Mile
A Thursday evening shopping night with downtown Boerne's shops open late for fall finds, hosted by the Boerne Chamber.
Hill Country Mile, Boerne · Thu Nov 5, evening · Free
Boerne Farmers Market
The Tuesday market sets up on Main Street with produce, baked goods, and local crafts; it runs Tuesdays through the month on Nov 3, 10, 17, and 24.
282 N. Main St, Boerne · Tuesdays, Nov 3-24 · Free
Week two: November 9-15
Luminaria turns Houston Street into a free art gallery, Boerne Market Days fills Main Plaza, and the Jonas Brothers close out the weekend at the Frost Bank Center.
The weekend pairs big outdoor celebrations with a packed arts calendar: The Orchestra San Antonio opens its season at the Tobin Center with "Of Myth and Legacy" Friday through Sunday, and the Race the River paddle series takes over the downtown River Walk on Friday evening.
Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival
San Antonio's free night of contemporary art returns from 6 p.m. to midnight on Houston Street with roughly 200 artists: installations, live music, digital art, and a new Art Parade threading through Downtown West and Zona Cultural.
Houston Street, downtown San Antonio · Sat Nov 14, 6 p.m.-midnight · Free
Boerne Market Days
More than 100 craft and food vendors fill Main Plaza for the second full weekend of the month, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Average crowds run about 3,500 people, more as the holidays approach.
Main Plaza, 100 N. Main St, Boerne · Sat-Sun Nov 14-15 · Free to browse
Jonas Brothers: The Burning Up Tour
The trio headlines the Frost Bank Center Saturday night, one of the season's biggest arena pop shows in San Antonio.
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio · Sat Nov 14 · Ticketed
Wurstfest, final weekend
The festival's last two days are the traditional close-out: admission is free after 3 p.m. on the final Sunday, and kids 12 and under are always free.
Landa Park, New Braunfels · Sat-Sun Nov 14-15 · $0-$30
Week three: November 16-22
The calm before Thanksgiving, with a cello legend, two big shows, and the first tree lighting of the season.
Yo-Yo Ma
The cellist performs Monday evening at the Lila Cockrell Theatre, presented by Harmonium of Texas. One of the most anticipated classical bookings of the year in San Antonio.
Lila Cockrell Theatre, Convention Center, San Antonio · Mon Nov 16 · Ticketed
Illuminate at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
The garden's holiday light show, formerly Lightscape and now presented by H-E-B, opens Friday, November 20, and runs through January 10, 2027, with glowing installations and the garden at night.
San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl · Opens Fri Nov 20, runs to Jan 10, 2027 · Ticketed
Lyle Lovett and His Small Large Band
The Texas singer-songwriter brings his Small Large Band to the Majestic Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday, a Hill Country favorite on the big downtown stage.
Majestic Theatre, San Antonio · Fri Nov 20, 8 p.m. · Ticketed
Bowling For Soup
The pop-punk favorites roll through the Aztec Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday with Ballyhoo! and rosecoloredworld on their "Hey! Let's Be Friends" tour.
Aztec Theatre, San Antonio · Fri Nov 20, 7:30 p.m. · Ticketed
Holidays at The Rock: opening night tree lighting
The Rock at La Cantera opens its holiday season with the opening night tree lighting, presented by Frost, the weekend before Thanksgiving.
The Rock at La Cantera, San Antonio · Sat Nov 21, evening · Free
Thanksgiving week: November 23-30
Thanksgiving in San Antonio means a trot in the morning, a community dinner that feeds thousands, and a river that turns into 200,000 lights the very next night.
San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot 5K
Thanksgiving morning starts with the city's friendliest run: a family- and pet-friendly 5K from the H-E-B Arsenal that raises money for holiday meals. Registration runs $50 through November 25 and $55 on race day, with a discounted kids' entry.
H-E-B Arsenal, 622 S. Flores St, San Antonio · Thu Nov 26, 8:30 a.m. · $50-$55
Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner
The 47th annual free community dinner serves thousands at the Convention Center, with meals from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., music and dancing through the afternoon, and free VIA bus rides to get there. A genuine San Antonio tradition.
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio · Thu Nov 26, meals 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. · Free
Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony
The 45th annual parade, themed "Holiday Wishes Come True," steps off from the Tobin Center at 6 p.m. and flips on the River Walk's 200,000-plus holiday lights, which shine nightly through early January. Reserved seats run $15 to $35; the free public viewing along the river fills early.
San Antonio River Walk, from the Tobin Center · Fri Nov 27, 6 p.m. · $0-$35
Dickens on Main
Boerne's signature holiday celebration turns the Hill Country Mile into a Victorian Christmas village for two days: the North Pole Village market, snow, live music, and the Friday evening tree lighting at Main Plaza. Admission is free and Main Street closes to traffic during event hours.
Main Street, Boerne · Fri-Sat Nov 27-28 · Free
Old West Christmas Light Fest
Enchanted Springs Ranch lights up for the season with 15 nights of holiday lights, live music, falling snow, and Santa, running from the Friday after Thanksgiving through December 23.
Enchanted Springs Ranch, Boerne · Fri Nov 27-Sat Dec 23 · Ticketed
Looking ahead
December brings the rest of the holiday calendar. Boerne's "A Dickens Celebration" continues with themed holiday weekends on the Hill Country Mile, the Old West Christmas Light Fest runs through December 23, Illuminate at the Botanical Garden glows through January 10, and the River Walk lights stay on nightly through early January. Boerne Market Days returns in December with its holiday edition, and this page refreshes each month, so check back for the December roundup.
Recently passed
Halloween weekend is behind us: the Trick-or-Treat Trail on the Hill Country Mile, Calaveras de Azúcar at Market Square, and Zoo Boo! came and went, and Día de los Muertos celebrations at the Pearl and on the River Walk wind down this weekend. Our full trunk-or-treat roundup is still up if you saved it for the family.
Event dates, times, venues, and free status are as published by the organizers and venues at the time of writing, with links to official event pages. Always confirm tickets and details on the official page before heading out.
