Steal My North Fork Itinerary for November
2024 Candlelight Tour and Tree Lighting (Photo Credit: Petite North Fork)
November packs a punch with everything from harvest activities to holiday happenings. This month, we’re cozying up with comfort food, going on a ton of leaf peeping hikes, visiting local holiday markets, and more. Read on to learn all the details of our November plans on the North Fork.
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Not (ever) missing the Candlelight Tour and Tree Lighting
This event is one of my very favorite North Fork events. There’s something so Hallmark-y about visiting with Santa in an old barn, taking tours of historical houses, watching traditional demonstrations, playing classic children’s games, and then watching the lighting of the prettiest Christmas tree on the North Fork with friends and neighbors. Magical, right?! This year’s Candlelight Tour and Tree Lighting presented by the Southold Historical Museum will take place on Friday, November 28, from 3 to 6 p.m. This sweet holiday event is free and open to all.
Catching Descendants: The Musical, presented by Riverhead High School’s Blue Masques
You don’t have to travel far to watch a live performance of Descendants: The Musical. This weekend, on Saturday, November 1, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, November 2, at 1 p.m., Riverhead High School’s Blue Masques will be performing their production of the Disney hit in the High School’s Charles Cardona Auditorium. Tickets, which will be available at the door, cost $15 for general admission and $5 for Riverhead students with ID.
Hiking the North Fork while checking out the changing leaves
With the sounds of leaves crunching underfoot, November is our family’s favorite month to hike. You’ll find us on a North Fork trail weekly, but especially on Thanksgiving morning — a beloved, annual family tradition. Lucky for us North Forkers, the North Fork has plenty of hiking trails with every variation, including length, landscape, ease, and access. If you’re wondering where to begin, here are some of our favorites.
Celebrating Dia de los Muertos
On Sunday, November 2, from 1 to 3 p.m., we’ll be joining Sonia Spar, Town of Southold's Spanish Community Relations Specialist, Jennifer Murray of Turtleback Environmental Education Center, and Carmen Campos of Puppeted, for a bilingual, family event where we’ll craft, hike, and enjoy a puppet show about Monarch migration and its cultural significance. This second annual event will take place at Veterans Memorial Park in Mattituck. It is free and open to all.
Creating at Art Lab in the Cottage
Art Lab on the Lawn is moving into the Cottage at Hotel Moraine for the cooler months. November’s open art lab session will take place on Sunday, November 16, with two sessions, one from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., and a second from noon to 1 p.m. Each session, led by Nicole Roccaro of Artfully Long Island, will feature three art stations, with the opportunity for artists of every age to design and create one-of-a-kind art using recycled and upcycled materials. Sign up to join us here.
Making lunch feel special at The Treatery
I’ve found that it’s the simplest things that my kids remember lovingly the most. With that in mind, this month, I’ll be surprising them by “heading to lunch” only to pull up to The Treatery. There, we’ll nosh on grilled cheese sandwiches (and more!) before indulging in the best cookies ever. The Treatery is currently open Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shopping small at a Holiday Market at The Heart of It
On Sunday, November 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., our fam will be headed to the Holiday Market at The Heart of It in Aquebogue. There, we’ll be shopping small from local vendors stocked with handmade gifts and snaking on local treats. This Holiday Market is free to attend, but an RSVP is suggested.
Watching one of the best holiday movies: Elf
Nothing welcomes the holiday season more than watching a holiday flick with friends. On Saturday, November 15, at 7 p.m., we’ll be watching Elf with our crew at Mattituck Park District’s Holiday Movie Night. The movie screening is free and open to all and will take place in the Community Room at Veterans Beach. Popcorn will be free for kids. No RSVP required to attend this event.
Ooohing and aaahing at the Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees is back for its sixth year. This winter wonderland event and fundraiser, which vitally supports CAST, will take place on Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday, November 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Treiber Farms in Peconic. Our family loves to vote (and bid!) on our favorite locally sponsored trees and wreaths, each uniquely decorated, enjoy live music, and nosh on sweets and treats from the Cookie Cottage concession stand.
Crafting and shopping at the Tanger x J.Crew Factory Holiday Market
Shop for holiday clothes and partake in crafts all in one place? Sign us up! The new Tanger x J.Crew Factory Holiday Market has that and more on Sunday, November 2, from 2 to 6 p.m. There, we’re looking forward to holiday crafts, an ornament charm bar, foil calligraphy, and gourmet treats. Inside J.Crew Factory, we’ll browse the “Merry Little Gift Shop” and shop for holiday wear. This event is free to attend.