Things to Do in Texas in November

Fall Foliage, Football, Thanksgiving Mark Month in Texas

November is a great month to visit Texas. Football season is entering its home stretch, and there are plenty of good games every weekend across the Lone Star State. Fall's pleasant weather is also a great complement to the many festivals and events held across the state during November. And, of course, there is Thanksgiving and all that goes with the start of the holiday season, including parades, shopping, light trails, and holiday festivals.

01 of 07

View the Leaves at Lost Maples

Lost Maples State Park
Jon Lebkowsky/Flickr
Address
37221 RM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885-8510, USA
Phone +1 830-966-3413

Most people relate fall foliage and the “changing of the leaves” to the eastern portion of the United States. However, portions of Texas see dramatic changes in foliage coloration. Lost Maples State Natural Area in the Texas Hill Country has the most vivid fall leaf coloration in the state. Although the "peak" season is from mid-October through mid-November, area accommodations fill up fast, so those hoping to tour the area at peak leaf time should make plans in advance.

02 of 07

Salute Sausage at Wurstfest

sausages at Wurstfest

 Wurstfest

A “10-Day Salute to Sausage,” Wurstfest has been drawing visitors to the German-influenced Hill Country town of New Braunfels since 1961. In the early days, when it was still known as Sausage Festival, the event drew a few thousand. Today, well over 100,000 people attend the event annually. In many ways, Wurstfest is a "bonus" Oktoberfest, giving visitors one more opportunity to celebrate German heritage and culture.

03 of 07

Enjoy a Great Bowl of Red

Chilli con carne
Huw Jones/Getty Images
Address
Mariposa Mine Rd, Terlingua, TX 79852, USA
Phone +1 214-802-9618

Held the first Saturday of November, the Terlingua International Chili Championship is the " granddaddy" of all chili cookoffs. It is actually a four-day festival that culminates with the chili cook-off on Saturday. The Terlingua International Chili Cookoff is sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI). Proceeds from Terlingua, as well as all of CASI's events, go to charity. The Terlingua International Chili Cookoff was first held in 1967. Nearly 200 teams compete each year, and awards are given for both chili and showmanship.

04 of 07

Hear Some Tall Tales

Vintage Cars at the George West Storyfest

George West Storyfest Association, Inc. 

Address
400 Nueces St, George West, TX 78022, USA
Phone +1 361-449-2481

The first weekend of November each year sees the small town of George West host its annual Storyfest, which features a variety of storytellers offering renditions of folklore, cowboy tales, fables, legend, and lore. Storyfest, however, is much more than a few folks sitting around spinning yarns. In addition to performances by the storytellers, the event also features live music, a car show, motorcycle show, “Little Red Wagon” parade, and arts and crafts vendors.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.
05 of 07

Tour the Texas Renaissance

Texas Renaissance Festival
Robyn Correll
Address
21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission, TX 77363, USA
Phone +1 800-458-3435

Although the Texas Renaissance Festival is most often associated with October, it begins the last day of September and runs through most of November. Every day of the festival, visitors are treated to a variety of educational and entertainment programs and demonstrations. Each weekend of the Texas Renaissance Festival is themed, adding an additional layer to this thematic event. Visitors shouldn't miss an opportunity to attend this eight-week theme park.

06 of 07

Attend a Fall Football Game

dallas-cowboys.jpg
Getty Images
Address
1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011, USA
Phone +1 817-892-4000

Every weekend in November, from Thursday through Sunday, there are high school, college, and professional football games taking place across the Lone Star State. The biggest weekend for Texas football in November, of course, is Thanksgiving weekend. These games are popular for both Texas residents and visitors alike. If you are in the mood for some pigskin action while visiting Texas, head to AT&T Stadium in Dallas to see the Dallas Cowboys or Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin to watch the Longhorns. Because it's legendary, visit the Cotton Bowl in Dallas even if there is no game being played, just to see the place.

07 of 07

Get in the Spirit of the Season at a Holiday Festival

Thanksgiving turkey with all the right side dishes.
Heath Robbins / Getty Images

Across the country, Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season. Texas is no different. In fact, from Thursday through Sunday, Thanksgiving weekend is chock-full of activities across the state, when parades and festivals help get the holiday season going.

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Things to Do in Texas in November