The top 10 things you MUST do in November

November’s shorter days and (finally) cooler weather may tempt you to just keep your head down until Turkey Day. But hold off a few more weeks on the hibernation. Trust us, this month is packed with fun activities and tasty fare that you definitely don’t want to miss. From sampling a new brew to digging in at an outdoor oyster roast, we’ve got 10 things around town you need to do now.

Madly dance the night away at Fall Ball

Don’t be late for this very important date! On Nov. 19 , the Mint Museum Uptown will be transformed into the fantastical world of Alice’s Wonderland for the Young Affiliates of the Mint’s Fall Ball. Head down the rabbit hole for the young professional group’s annual formal evening featuring drinks, food, dancing and (fingers crossed) an appearance by a Mad Hatter or two.

Dig in at Wing Haven Gardens’ oyster roast

Is it just me or does this oyster roast on Nov. 10 sound like the greatest autumn Instagramming opportunity ever? Set in a colorful fall garden with Lowcountry fare like corn chowder alongside local craft brews, this promises to be seriously picturesque. If that image wasn’t enough to convince you, there’s also bluegrass music from the Charlotte Folk Society and bites from Reid’s Fine Foods. It’s basically like living in the pages of Garden & Gun.

Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade

Did you know that Charlotte has the fourth-largest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country? Did you know it’s the largest annual gathering of Carolinians? And that it includes floats, performances, marching bands and even the occasional celebrity? Well, now you know. There’s no excuse for not attending the Uptown event on the morning of Nov. 24.

Chow down at JJ Red Hot’s Sausage Fest

So that you can avoid making the same mistake I did by Googling “sausage fest,” here are all the details you need to know about this Nov. 5 event: It goes from 3-7 p.m. and includes beer and sausage tasting in the parking lot and on the rooftop of the popular Dilworth restaurant. There will be more than 30 beers from 10 different breweries, live music and a corn chowder station.

Hit the road for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

If hopping up on a Saturday morning to run a quick 26.2 miles is your thing, then you’ve probably already signed up for this Nov. 12 run. Godspeed, my friends. Luckily, for the rest of us there are plenty of ways to enjoy the city’s biggest road race without pounding the pavement. There are the shorter runs that morning, or you can go the really fun route and cheer on your fellow Charlotteans as they speed by. After the race, head to the finish line festival in Romare Bearden Park featuring music, food and drinks.

Welcome the cool weather with fireside dining

Guys, I’m not telling you what to do, but I am telling you that if you take a girl on a date that includes a cozy fireplace, you’re not hurting your cause. Charlotte has a few hotspots (get it?) perfect for dining in the glow of a fire on the season’s cooler nights. Elizabeth’s Fig Tree offers the historic fine dining option, while Dogwood Southern Table features a more modern-meets-rustic vibe. For fireside drinks, try the Ritz-Carlton’s lobby or go for more laid-back warmth at Selwyn Pub.

Give back on Giving Tuesday

’Tis the season for helping others and local nonprofit SHARE Charlotte makes this ridiculously easy. Its third-annual #GivingTuesdayCLT campaign launches on Nov. 15 with a market-style event at Unknown Brewing Co. There are 173 nonprofits involved and three ways to help: give money, give time or buy goods for the non-profits through SHARE’s give shop (as in, a few clicks via Amazon lets you buy things like food for Hospitality House or chefs coats for Friendship Trays). You get an easy giving experience, and the non-profit gets exactly what it needs. Everyone wins.

Keep Pounding

Ok, so we’re not exactly in last season’s thrilling run to the Super Bowl, but we did just get a W. This month we’ve got two games at Bank of America Stadium (Nov. 13 against the Chiefs and Nov. 17 against the Saints), so pull out your black and blue and practice your best growl—it’s time to cheer on the home team.

Be adventurous with your beer drinking at Unknown Brewing Co.

For the second year this always-out-of-the-box South End brewery is hosting a festival with local breweries creating unexpected brews. Nov. 5’s Strange Brew festival features the, well, strangest beers you can imagine—last year’s top pick was Bull City Ciderworks’ Bacon Candy Corn Cider—as well as weird food, tarot card readings and live music.

The most American beer in the history of America will debut and only be available this Saturday 5th at our annual strangebrew. #strangebrew pic.twitter.com/63wx1dEROK

— TheUnknownBrewingCo. (@UnknownBrewing) November 2, 2016

Indulge in fall flavors at Amelie’s

We know. Sometimes it’s hard to wait until Thanksgiving for gorging on pumpkin and pecan treats. Enter Amelie’s. During the fall this beloved bakery is even more mouthwatering than usual. So leave your diet at the door and order a Brown Butter Pecan Macaroon, a pumpkin tart topped with cream cheese mousse, or a salted caramel apple cider—or all three. Fall has never tasted better.

Photos: John D. Simmons/Charlotte Observer, Jeffrey Oyler

This story was originally published November 4, 2016 at 1:00 AM with the headline "The top 10 things you MUST do in November."