November’s shaping up to be so much more than lounging on the couch watching football and prepping for turkey day. From coast to coast and across the globe, this month is brimming with immersive, cultural experiences to help push us out of the house to enjoy those fleeting, late fall vibes. Keep reading for experiential inspiration from the biggest happenings this month — and check out how XP Land XLISTERS are involved in everything from Outstanding in the Field’s first trip to Asia to Coriolanus at the National Theatre.
THANKSGIVING
America’s Hometown Thanksgiving: Nov 22-24; Plymouth, MA
Plymouth offers the ultimate throwback for history buffs looking to experience Thanksgiving, where it all began with its annual America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration. This weekend-long event brings the past to life with a parade (which is based on US history and arranged in chronological order, with five divisions separated by century), a Native American pavilion and a “Portal to the Past” reenactment village, all set by the historic Plymouth Rock. Visitors can dive even deeper into early American history with combo passes to the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, the Plimoth Grist Mill and a recreation of the Mayflower.
Modern Elder Academy’s Owning Wisdom Retreat: Nov 25-30; Santa Fe
Modern Elder Academy (MEA) — the midlife wisdom school designed by entrepreneur and XLISTER Chip Conley to help individuals navigate aging with purpose and growth — is helping those who struggle during the holidays reclaim the season. This Thanksgiving, MEA’s Owning Wisdom retreat in Santa Fe, led by Wolf Martinez, offers an immersive experience in ancient Indigenous rituals like sweat lodges and shamanic journeys. The retreat fosters reconnection with nature, gratitude and community, helping participants release old beliefs and embrace a renewed sense of purpose. It’s a transformative week for those seeking to reclaim the true spirit of Thanksgiving and interconnectedness.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Eve Balloon Blow-Up: Nov 27, NYC
Of course, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without the Thanksgiving Day Parade (more on that below), but for an extra dose of fun, don’t miss the Macy’s Thanksgiving Eve Balloon Blow-up the day before. Head to the streets around the American Museum of Natural History to watch massive balloons like Bluey and SpongeBob come to life in a New York-only experience. It’s a spectacle to see the balloons inflate under giant nets, with viewing areas between 77th and 81st Streets from 12-6pm. Make sure to bundle up, expect crowds and take the subway.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Nov 28; NYC
Get ready for the 98th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, airing live on NBC from 8:30 a.m. to noon EST. This year’s parade will be extra special as it marks Hoda Kotb’s final time hosting before she departs the TODAY Show. For the best views, Central Park South, with its prime vantage points and stunning skylines, is where you want to be to catch all the action. Expect a spectacular show featuring 15 giant balloons, 28 floats, 800 clowns, marching bands, celebrity performances and, of course, the arrival of Santa Claus.
CONFERENCES
ComplexCon: Nov 16-17; Las Vegas
ComplexCon 2024 is heading to Las Vegas for the first time ever, promising an epic weekend of streetwear, music, art and pop culture. This year’s event is packed with brand collaborations, exclusive drops and a lineup of live performances that will have everyone buzzing, with none other than Travis Scott bringing his Utopia tour energy to the main stage as both headliner and the event’s artistic director. Expect a massive crowd, as ComplexCon is set to draw over 60,000 attendees, eager to experience the mix of creativity, fashion and music that defines this iconic event.
CULINARY
Austin Food & Wine Festival: Nov 1-3; Austin
The Austin Food & Wine Festival is set to return in 2024, offering a vibrant mix of culinary experiences, wine tastings and live cooking demos from top chefs nationwide. Held in the heart of downtown Austin, this festival celebrates the city’s food culture, featuring renowned chefs, sommeliers and winemakers showcasing their craft. Attendees can expect a weekend packed with events like “Grilling with the Masters,” tasting tents and exclusive dinners, all highlighting the best in local and national cuisine. Whether you’re a foodie or wine enthusiast, this festival promises an unforgettable weekend of indulgence and discovery.
Outstanding in the Field: Nov 9; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea
Outstanding in the Field — the roving dining experience from artist and XLISTER Jim Denevanthat — sets long tables in unique locations worldwide, inviting guests to enjoy meals in open-air environments connected to the land where their food is sourced. This month, the event makes its debut in Korea at JookJangYeon, a traditional fermentation site in the Taebaek Mountains. Led by host Michael Jung and featuring guest chef Hooni Kim from New York’s Meju & Danji, attendees will explore the ancient art of Korean fermentation, with jang (fermented soybeans) taking center stage in the meal. This special gathering offers a culinary journey rooted in tradition, where the natural environment shapes the flavors.
FESTIVALS
Desert Air Festival: Nov 15-17; Palm Springs, CA
Desert Air 2024 is returning to Palm Springs, offering a unique fusion of electronic music and desert landscapes. Held across two iconic venues — Palm Springs Air Museum and Palm Springs Surf Club — the festival promises poolside beats by day and tarmac-set performances under the stars by night. The lineup boasts heavy hitters like Kaytranada, Jamie xx and Club Heat (Tove Lo & SG Lewis), alongside genre-bending artists like Mall Grab and Avalon Emerson. Expect immersive art installations, vintage airplane rides and after-parties, making it more than just a music festival.
Miami Book Fair: Nov 17-24; Miami
The Miami Book Fair 2024 is an eight-day literary celebration featuring over 500 authors, offering something for every book lover. Hosted at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus, this multicultural event spans genres, with presentations in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. Highlights include ticketed “Evenings With” talks by renowned figures like Don Lemon, Connie Chung and Amy Tan, as well as a vibrant street fair from November 22 to 24, filled with book vendors, live readings and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re a die-hard reader or just enjoy a good story, this festival promises to captivate.
Sports
New York City Marathon: Nov 3; NYC
The 2024 TCS New York City Marathon will take runners through a breathtaking 26.2-mile course across all five boroughs of the city. Over 50,000 participants from around the world will compete, starting at Staten Island and finishing in Central Park. This iconic race is known not only for its challenging course but also for the electric energy from the crowd, with thousands of spectators lining the streets to cheer on runners. From seasoned athletes to charity runners raising funds, the marathon remains a symbol of endurance and community in the heart of New York.
NFL Munich Game: Nov 10; Munich, Germany
This month, the NFL returns to Munich’s Allianz Arena for a thrilling matchup between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants. As part of the NFL’s growing international presence, this will be the Giants’ first-ever game in Germany, while the Panthers serve as the designated home team. With Munich previously hosting successful NFL games, including a standout debut in 2022, this game promises to be a highlight of the NFL’s 2024 season.
Las Vegas Grand Prix: Nov 21-23; Las Vegas
The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix promises an electric weekend of high-speed thrills as Formula 1 cars race down the iconic Las Vegas Strip. This unique nighttime race spans a 3.8-mile circuit, showcasing the neon-lit skyline while drivers push speeds up to 217 mph. Beyond the race, the event offers a festival atmosphere with performances by top artists like OneRepublic, Alesso and Ludacris across multiple stages. With luxury hospitality options, thrilling support races like the Ferrari Challenge, and unforgettable fan experiences, it’s set to be one of the premier events of the F1 calendar.
Theater
The Eagle and the Tortoise: Nov 2; Williamstown, MA
The Eagle and the Tortoise, by playwright, performance artist and XLISTER Sister Sylvester, invites audiences into an immersive experience at the 62 Center in Williamstown. This performance blends live storytelling, multimedia elements and a unique live sound and video installation, where the audience collectively reads from a hand-made book. The show explores the deep connections between animals, humans and the environment, pushing the boundaries of documentary theater and performance art. Expect an experimental and thought-provoking experience that sparks conversations around ecology and interspecies connections.
Coriolanus: Through Nov 9; London
The National Theatre’s Coriolanus comes alive with David Oyelowo in the titular role as the flawed Roman general who can’t connect with the world around him. Lyndsey Turner’s direction, paired with artist and XLISTER Es Devlin’s jaw-dropping set design — a fusion of ancient Rome with modern, minimalist vibes — takes the experience to another level. The production takes a fresh approach to Shakespeare’s political drama, delivering tension, power and raw emotion throughout.
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