Book festival, zoo lights: 7 events to check out in the local area this November
The annual Book & Art Festival returns to the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center in November, and several other groups are preparing for upcoming holiday celebrations. Find a list of seven events below taking place in the Bellaire, Meyerland, West University and surrounding areas this November.
ERJCC Book & Art Festival: The Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival delivers several opportunities for the community to learn about Jewish literature, culture and performing arts. This is the 51st iteration of the festival, and it spotlight various authors, artists, filmmakers and chefs. Interactive programming includes hands-on culinary classes and panels on book banning.
- Nov. 4-Nov. 18, times vary $19 (individual tickets)
- $114 (full festival pass, general admission)
- 5601 S. Braeswood Blvd., Houston
- www.erjcchouston.org/jewish-book-arts-festival
Nutcracker Market: Guests will be welcomed by giant nutcracker statues and a red carpet at the annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market. The event will feature apparel, accessories, jewelry, food, home and holiday decor, toys and gifts from local vendors.
- Nov. 9, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Nov. 10, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov. 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- $20 (general admission), $60 (early bird admission), free admission for ages 2 and younger
- NRG Stadium, 1 NRG Park, Houston
- www.houstonballet.org/about/nutcracker-market
Bella Gaia and William Close & The Earth Harp Collective: To close out the 100th season of Miller Outdoor Theatre performances, artist William Close and the Earth Harp Collective will collaborate with Bella Gaia, a visual performance utilizing aerial acrobatics to tell the cosmic story of earth and all its interconnectedness.Zoo Lights: The Houston Zoo staff invites friends and family to sip hot chocolate and walk through the grounds this holiday season. Past iterations of this tradition featured 15 miles of LED lighting to illuminate the zoo’s oak trees, pictures with Santa, animal-themed lanterns and a 33-foot-tall holiday tree.
- Daily Nov 17-Jan. 7, 5:30-10 p.m.
- Starts at $17.95, free admission for ages 2 and younger
- 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston
- www.houstonzoo.org
Great Houston Pie Run: Houston Running Co. will host its seventh Houston Holiday Series race with a family-friendly 10K, 5K and Kids K to celebrate Thanksgiving. The races start at downtown Houston’s Fish Plaza. At the finish line, participants will enjoy pies, beer and music. All participants receive a Great Houston Pie Run finisher medal and unisex T-shirt.City of Houston Thanksgiving Day parade: This annual event usually draws hundreds of thousands of Houstonians to the heart of Downtown. Elaborate floats, marching bands and holiday decor and balloons will traverse 20 city blocks as crowds cheer. The parade is one of the oldest in the country, according to the City of Houston website.City of Bellaire Holiday in the Park: Families can celebrate the holiday season with live music from local choirs, snow slides, food and other amenities at the Holiday in the Park celebration, hosted by the city of Bellaire in Bellaire Town Square.
