Putting together a list of the best things to do in Seattle in November was easier than you might think. Granted the days are colder, around the mid-40s-50s, and the sun sets around 4:30 PM, but the city more than makes up for it with Christmas lights and holiday spirit to boot.
As fall merges into winter, the city suddenly comes alive with local craft fairs encouraging shopping small over the holidays, and local businesses are all too eager to put on events to attract locals and holiday travelers. There’s even a fair number of hikes to do if you don’t mind layering up.
To make sense of all there is to do in November in Seattle, I’ve compiled a list of the must-do activities regardless if you’re a local or a visitor!
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Best Things to Do in Seattle in November
Save this list to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update it when I discover more of the best Seattle November events! For a snapshot of more fun activities, check out my Seattle events calendar.
Celebrate the Day of the Dead
The day after Halloween is Dia los Muertos, a Mexican holiday dedicated to celebrating passed loved ones through festivities. Here are some can’t miss Dia los Muertos festivals happening around Seattle:
- Downtown Seattle (Oct 31-Nov 3, $50pp)
- Burien (Nov 1, free)
- Tacoma (Nov 1-2, free)
- Phinney Ridge (Nov 2, free)
- Shoreline (Nov 2, free)
Experience Seattle Restaurant Week
website | neighborhood: various | dates: Oct 27- Nov 9 | price: ~$20-65pp | best for: experiencing new restaurants
Seattle’s Restaurant Week is a chance for locals and visitors to sample from a range of food trucks, pop-ups, and restaurants across Seattle at a discounted price. Over two weeks, participating restaurants curate menus from $25-$65 per person. It’s the perfect excuse to try Seattle hidden gems you haven’t gotten around to prioritizing. I put together a list of this year’s best deals on Instagram.
Attend a craft fair
Seattle is famous for celebrating local makers year round, but the holidays are especially good for discovering them because of all the Seattle Christmas markets. Here are some some of my faves that kick off the season in November:
- Best of the NW Fall Show (Nov 8-10, $3-5pp) – 115+ local artists, food trucks, and raffle prizes
- Gobble Up (Nov 15-16, $2pp) – Food-focused fair with artisanal pantry staples
- Renegade Craft Fair (Nov 23-24, $5 suggested entry) – 180+ artists selling curated goodies
- Geek Craft Expo (Nov 29-Dec 1, $5-15pp) – Nerdy handmade goods for the geek in your life
Grab a bite at a food & drink festival
Seattle is a big-time foodie city, so there’s always a food and drink festival around the corner. November is no exception. Here are some not to miss:
- Pour (Nov 1, $35pp) – Wine tasting event put on by Seattle’s urban wineries
- Chef Sharing & Pairing: Rioja (Nov 7, $85pp) – Enjoy dinner at Palisades paired with Spanish wines
- Candlelit Tequila Tasting (Nov 7, $30pp) – Sample tequilas at Poquitos over chips & salsa
- Sips & Sounds (Nov 8, $25pp) – Sip wine from one of the few Black-owned wineries
- Winter Beer Taste (Nov 9, $15-70pp) – 30+ local breweries sampling their winter ales
- Whiskies of the World (Nov 9, $99pp) – Sip whiskies from around the world
- Salut Mes Amis! (Nov 10) – Oysters and wine at Le Caviste
- Stock the Cellar (Nov 16, $20pp) – Wine tasting event and discounted bottle sale
- Beaujolais Dinner (Nov 21) – Cedar & Elm is hosting their annual a la carte French meal
- Mimosa Walk (Nov 30) – Sip mimosas while you shop in Burien
Go on a food crawl
There are only so many meals in a day, so knowing where to prioritize your time is crucial. Save yourself the stress and do one of my self-guided food tours. They’re updated regularly and include tips on when to go and what to order, along with some fun facts and honorable mentions so you can customize your experience.
If you’d rather have an in-person tour, check out one of these curated food & beverage tours:
- The Original Food and Culture Tour of Pike Place Market
- The Seattle Coffee Tour
- Secret Food Tours
- Seattle Chocolate Tour
Enjoy a Thanksgiving meal
If you’re visiting over Thanksgiving or don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen making my famous sourdough stuffing, let a local restaurant do the labor for you. Here are some spots offering both take-home meals and dine-in on Thanksgiving day.
Take-home meals
- Bonnie Rae (delivery, $340) – Meal for 4-5, or a la carte sides
- The Canal (Ballard, $300+) – Meal for 2-6
- Carillon Kitchen (Kirkland, $75) – Pre fixe Thanksgiving spread
- Cocina Casera (Cap Hill) – A la carte Thanksgiving fixings
- The Comfort Zone (Central District, $45+) – Meal for 2 or a la carte
- Communion (Central District, $195+) – Get a full spread for 2-4, plus add ons
- DERU Market (Kirkland) – Order a full meal a la carte, plus cakes and pies
- Ebb and Company (delivery) – A la carte Thanksgiving sides and wine
- Ethan Stowell Restaurants (Wallingford or SODO, $295) – Meal for 5-6
- Here Today (Downtown, $60+) – Meal for 2-8 people
- Iconiq (Mt. Baker, $80+) – Meal for 2 or a la carte
- Jack’s BBQ (all locations) – Texan-style a la carte smoked turkey and sides
- Jerk Shack (Central District, $300+) – Meal for 6-8
- Lady Jaye (West Seattle) – $145+ for meat, sides, and biscuits
- Le Coin (Fremont, $375) – Meal for 4-6, plus optional add ons
- Mamnoon (Capitol Hill, $55+) – Middle Eastern sides to adorn your table
- Next Level Burger (Ballard, $130) – Vegan, gluten-free meal for 4-5 or a la carte
- Outsider BBQ (Ballard) – A la carte southern turkey, brisket, and sides
- Perihelion Brewery (Beacon Hill, $110+) – Meal for 3-4
- Plum Bistro (Capitol Hill, $230) – Vegan Thanksgiving spread for 5-6
- Spice Waala (all locations, $26) – Tandoor chicken and sides (call to order)
- Terra Tovela (Kirkland, $375+) – Meal for 4-8, plus add-on pie available
- Tomo (White Center, $475) – Meal for 6-8
- Veggie Grill (U-District or Downtown, $130) – Vegan, gluten-free meal for 4-5 or a la carte
- W Seattle (Downtown, $105) – Full meal for 2. Email Stephanie.Cobbs@WHotels.com to reserve.
Take-home desserts and baked goods only
- Bakeshop (Queen Anne) – A la carte bread, rolls, cakes, and stuffing kits
- Ben’s Bread Co. (Phinney Ridge) – A la carte pies, rolls, and breads
- Dahlia Bakery (Downtown) – A la carte pies, bread, and quiche
- Flora Bakehouse (Beacon Hill) – A la carte pies, breads, and cakes
- General Porpoise (all locations + The Whale Wins) – Pies for $30
- Kemi Dessert Bar (Cap Hill) – Cakes and pies, including a slice sampler
- Lady Grey Cake (Pioneer Sq) – Whole cakes for $75-$80
- The Leeky Fig (Pioneer Sq) – A la carte desserts, rolls, and stuffing. Also an option to donate a meal.
- NW Gluten Free Baking Co. (Bellevue) – A la carte gluten-free desserts and breads
- Pastry Boy (delivery or pick up) – A la carte pies
- Temple Pastries (Central District) – A la carte desserts, cloud pie available T-Day
- Zylberschtein’s (Lake City) – A la carte mini pies
Dine-in Thanksgiving Day
Some of these spots are also offering take-home meals.
- 13 Coins Restaurant (Pioneer Sq & Sea-Tac) – $50pp. Or $195 take-home meal for 4.
- Andare (Downtown) – $39 for turkey, a la carte sides
- Ascend Prime (Bellevue) – $145/adult, $40/kid 5-12 for tableside brunch buffet via carts
- Ben Paris (Downtown) – $85 for 3 courses
- Bluewater Bistro (Leschi) – $59/adult, $24/kid for 3 courses. Or $190+ take-home meal for 6.
- Cafe Flora (Madrona) – $85/adult, $28/kid for a vegetarian 4-course meal
- Cedar & Elm (Kenmore) – $105pp for 3-course family style meal
- Copperleaf (Sea-Tac) – $130/adult, $40/kid for buffet
- Daniel’s Broiler (Bellevue) – $90/adult, $40/kid for 4 courses
- Daniel’s Broiler (SLU & Leschi) – $75-90/adult, $40/kid for 4-courses or buffet
- Father Mulligan’s Heritage Bar (Kenmore) – Dine-in or in-room dining Thanksgiving plate for solo diners
- Goldfinch Tavern (Downtown) – $165/adult, $70/kid for 3 courses
- Hearth (Kirkland) – $70/adult, $35/kid under 12 for 4 courses. Or $70pp take-home meal.
- Hyatt Regency (Renton) – $100/adult, $50/kid for a buffet
- Maximilien (Downtown) – $150pp for 6 courses. Live accordion music from 5-7 pm.
- Salish Lodge & Spa (Snoqualmie) – $115+/adult, $30/kid for 3 courses
- STELLA (First Hill) – $75pp for 4 courses
- STK Steakhouse (Bellevue) – Prices not available, but offering a full meal for dine in or takeout
- Tidal+ at Hyatt at Olive 8 (Downtown) – $39 for turkey, a la carte sides
- Water’s Table (Renton) – $125/adult for 4 courses. Kids a la carte menu.
Other options in November
If you have plans on Thanksgiving day, there are some options throughout the month:
- Jarlsgiving at Skål Beer Hall in Ballard (Nov 14)
- Friendsgiving at DeLille Cellars (Nov 14)
- Share Our Table Friendsgiving at Salish Lodge with Sparkman Cellars (Nov 16)
- Free Thanksgiving Meal at the Salvation Army in Greenwood (Nov 22)
- After Thanksgiving Survival Kit from Layers Green Lake (Nov 29)
Embrace the holidays with Christmas activities
True Christmas lovers know not to wait until Thanksgiving is over to celebrate the best time of the year. There are a ton of Seattle Christmas activities going on, with these starting in November:
- Wild Lanterns (Nov 15-Jan 19, $30-50pp) – Explore the zoo illuminated with light sculptures
- Seattle’s Christmas Market (Nov 21-Dec 24, $15pp) – European-style market with 60+ artisan huts
- Julefest (Nov 22-24, $5-20pp) – Christmas market modeled after the ones in Nordic countries
- Festival of Trees (Nov 23, $350pp) – Gala for Seattle Children’s where you bid on designer trees
- Winterfest (Nov 29-Dec 31, free) – Ice skating, holiday performances, and lights
See a performance
With theaters and venues on every corner, there’s always a live performance happening in Seattle. Here are the ones I’m excited about in November:
- Earshot Jazz (Oct 17-Nov 3)
- Camelot (Everett, Oct 19-Nov 10)
- Wicked (Nov 6- Dec 1)
- Freakout Festival (Nov 7-10)
- Sleeping Beauty Light & Dance Show (Nov 8-9)
- We Call it Flamenco Spanish Dance Show (Nov 13)
- Can Can Wonderland (Nov 21-Jan 5)
- Legally Blonde (Issaquah, Nov 12-Dec 22)
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Nov 25)
- Nutcracker (Nov 29-Dec 28)
Have fun at a cultural festival
Each month the Seattle Center hosts free cultural festivals as a way for the community to learn and embrace one of its many cultures. In November, there’s the Diwali: Lights of India Festival (Nov 2) and the Hmong New Year celebration (Nov 9).
In addition to the Seattle Center events, there’s a Hawaiian Festival November 10 for $40-60 per person, which will feature live music, dancing, vendors, and snacks. There’s also the Odunde Festival on November 16, a celebration of African music, dance, and food.
Attend an orchestra concert by candlelight
Celebrate the holidays in style with a candlelight orchestra featuring your favorite cover band. Catch covers of Queen (Nov 6), Bridgerton (Nov 7), Taylor Swift (Nov 12), Joe Hisaishi (Nov 14 & 22), or Coldplay & Imagine Dragons (Nov 14 & 22).
See a band
Embrace Seattle’s music scene and catch a live performance from your favorite musical talent. Here are some that are on my list to watch for:
- Sabrina Carpenter (Nov 6)
- Usher (Nov 10-11)
- The Blood Brothers (Nov 14)
- Mark Ambor (Nov 17)
- Latto (Nov 25)
Go leaf peeping
As fall nears to a close there’s still time to hunt for the best fall foliage in Seattle. While hike for larches is over by this time of year, there are still plenty of fabulous fall colors in November.
Catch a game
While summer sports season is cloed, it’s not too late to catch a Kraken (hockey), Seahawks (pro football), or Huskies (college football) game. Tickets sell out quickly around this time of year, so get them in advance!
Take a hike on a free admission day
In honor of Veterans Day (Nov 11), both state and national parks will be offering free admission. State parks will also have free admission on November 29 for Autumn Day, so grab a puffy and plan your hikes around Seattle!
Go wine tasting or on a brewery crawl
Seattle knows their way around craft beer bars, and even when the weather is less than optimal, many breweries make up for it with heated outdoor seating and winter-inspired ales. Check out my guide to the best Seattle breweries for ideas of where to go, or go on a crawl of my favorite Ballard breweries.
If you’re up for a short drive, you can spend the day wine tasting at any of Woodinville’s 130+ tasting rooms.
Visit a museum on their free days
I’m always on the hunt for free things to do in Seattle. Most museums offer at least one free day a month so visitors can get a dose of culture without spending an arm and a leg. These museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of every month (November 7):
- Seattle Art Museum
- Seattle Asian Art Museum
- National Nordic Museum – Must be reserved in advance
- Museum of History and Industry – 5-8 PM
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
- Henry Art Gallery – Suggested donation of $20 on other days
- Museum of Flight – 5-9 PM
- Volunteer Park Conservatory – Also on the first Saturday (Nov 2) for kids under 12
- Washington Park Arboretum Walking Tour – 11:30 AM-1 PM
- Seattle Japanese Garden – Free tour at 1 PM
These museums offer free admission every day:
- Frye Art Museum
- Olympic Sculpture Park
- Center for Wooden Boats
- The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
- Klondike Gold Rush Museum
- Center on Contemporary Art
Forage for mushrooms
When you have nearly nine months of rain, you gotta reap the rewards somehow. In this case, it’s Seattle’s abundance of wild mushrooms. Savor the Wild Tours offers guided tours around the Seattle area. You’ll learn how to identify edible mushrooms and differentiate them from tricky lookalikes. Plus, you’re guaranteed to walk away with at least a handful of shrooms (even if you don’t find any).
Can’t make it to one of their tours? Skål Beer Hall is offering a medicinal mushroom and plant foraging class November 20. You won’t go into the woods like you will with Savor the Wild, but this lecture-style class is perfect to geek out over a pint or three.
Attend a cat convention
website | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | dates: Nov 2-3 | price: ~$27pp | best for: cat lovers
This convention is for the crazy cat lady in your life. It’s a weekend dedicated to celebrating all there is to love about cats. There will be food vendors, education booths, retailers, and, yes, actual cats.
Geek out at Geek Girl Con
website | neighborhood: First Hill (get directions) | dates: Nov 9-10 | price: ~$45pp | best for: celebrating girls in gaming & tech
Geek Girl Con is an inclusive environment celebrating the legacies of women in science, technology, comics, art, and gaming. There will be panels, retailers, and a DIY Science Zone for kids to conduct experiments with the help of legit scientists.
Embrace your inner poet at the Cascadia Poetry Fest
website | neighborhood: Capitol Hill (get directions) | dates: Nov 1-3 | price: ~$60-200pp | best for: poetry centered around environmental awareness
The Cascadia Poetry Festival is a gathering of poets and like-minded creatives to celebrate poetry that explores environmental and socio-political pursuits. In addition to live poetry readings, there will be workshops for poets to share and learn from one another.
Dance your heart out at the Sea to Sky Swing Fest
website | neighborhood: Sea-Tac (get directions) | dates: Nov 7-11 | price: ~$145-160pp | best for: swing dance convention
West coast swing dancer pros and aficionados are going to want to check out the Sea to Sky Swing Fest. It’s a swing dancing convention featuring classes, seminars, and dance competitions, with it all culminating in a big Saturday night show.
Visit the Seattle Car Show
website | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | dates: Nov 14-17 | price: ~$20pp | best for: car lovers
If you’ve been dying to know what’s new in the car world, mark your calendars for the Seattle Car Show. It’s geared toward (sorry, no pun intended) what’s new in the industry, especially advancements in electric vehicles. There will even be a career fair for people looking for a career in automotive technology.
More to do around Seattle
After you check out all the best things to do in Seattle in November, check out my guides for more ideas.
