Southern Affairs (November | December 2023)

November 1-December 31 
Downtown in December 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 

Downtown Oklahoma City becomes a veritable winter wonderland during its annual Downtown in December celebration. The festival includes thirty events and attractions, including some of the city’s favorite traditions like the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival and the Devon Ice Rinks at the Myriad Gardens. Get a thrill with snow tubing at the ballpark, catch a performance of the Nutcracker from OKC Ballet or a Canterbury Voices concert and holiday shop at a variety of pop-ups and Mistletoe Market. Of course, kids love a stop with Santa Claus and the whole family can enjoy the beautiful light displays throughout Automobile Alley and Bricktown, as well as horse-drawn carriage rides.  

November 2-7 
33rd Annual New Orleans Film Festival  
New Orleans, Louisiana  

New Orleans’ creative spirit shines bright at the annual New Orleans Film Festival, hosted by the nonprofit organization New Orleans Film Society. The annual festival hosts more than 500 filmmakers from every corner of the world, showcasing more than 220 films across pop-ups and passionately preserved historic venues. The film festival not only champions emerging, diverse filmmakers and provides an opportunity to engage with visionary films, directors and other film lovers, it is one of the few film festivals that is Oscar®-qualifying in all three Academy-accredited categories. Guests can expect to feel inspired and connected after discovering new artists, enjoying the opening night Second Line parade, late-night cocktails, live music in historic mansions and cinematic Mississippi River views.  

November 3-12 
National Peanut Festival 
Dothan, Alabama  

The nation’s largest peanut festival is returning this fall to honor the Wiregrass area peanut growers and celebrate the harvest season. This year, the family-friendly festival — themed “Peanuts Galore and So Much More!” — is commemorating the famed legume with amusement rides, animal shows, a petting zoo, agricultural displays, concerts, beauty pageants, arts and crafts displays, food, and of course, tons of peanuts. Don’t miss out on the recipe contest featuring the salty snack too! New this year, the National Peanut Festival is hosting a two-hour opening night parade on the fairgrounds, which will feature local bands and other favorite fairground entertainment acts.  

November 10-11 
Hilton Head Oyster Festival  
Hilton Head, South Carolina 

Bring your appetite to Hilton Head Island for steamed, stewed and fried oysters. The festival kicks off at Shelter Cove Community Park with an evening of all-you-can-eat steamed local oysters, low country boil, pulled pork, seafood chowder and chili. The second day of the festival is hosted at Lowcountry Celebration Park and features kid’s activities, local artisan pop-up shops and a competitive oyster shucking contest. While feasting on your favorite shellfish, enjoy local live music, beverages, other food and a kid’s zone that includes moon bounces, carnival games, prizes and more. 

November 11-12 
Texas Book Festival 
Austin, Texas  

One of the largest and most prestigious literary festivals in the country, the annual Texas Book Festival features more than 275 nationally and critically acclaimed authors across all genres and age groups. The family-friendly fest is hosted at the State Capitol and 20+ surrounding venues for a true taste of downtown Austin. Guests have the opportunity to meet the emerging and established authors behind this year’s top books, as well as fellow book lovers. The Texas Book Festival also features local food trucks, nearly 100 exhibitors, family activities and more. 

November 11-December 8  
Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights 
Vienna, Virginia  

Lace up your shoes for a stroll along an elegant garden trail decorated with thousands of sparkling lights. The half-mile walk through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna features lighted nature themes ranging from fairy gardens to flowers and beehives, animated displays showcasing family favorite flora and fauna and sparkling tunnels along a paved wheelchair and stroller-accessible trail. Stay cozy with a hot beverage (with an option to spike your cider or hot cocoa!) as you admire the lights. Top off the evening with a s’mores kit and roast your own marshmallows at the fire pit. 

November 11-December 31 
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland  
Nashville, Tennessee 

Christmas at Gaylor Opryland is a beloved Nashville tradition that has become legendary for providing magical holiday events and activities for winter visitors, as well as a stunning display of millions of lights. Pick an active adventure and go ice skating and ice tubing or opt for traditional holiday fun like gingerbread decorating, holiday music and festive brunch. Make sure to head to ICE!, the property’s signature holiday attraction featuring scenes from beloved holiday stories brought to life in magnificent sculptures hand-carved from more than two million pounds of ice. Pack cozy clothes — ICE! Brings visitors into the winter wonderland and down slides made entirely of ice. 

November 23 - December 9  
Mountain Country Christmas in Lights 
Hiawassee, Georgia  

Soak up a seasonal treat at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds with their Mountain Country Christmas in Lights, which transforms the fairgrounds into a spectacular, magical holiday light show, complete with special Christmas music, holiday food, hot chocolate and of course, a visit and pictures with Santa. Double up on your festivities with a stop at the Outdoor Craft Market, open every Thursday and Friday from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 4-9 p.m. This market features local arts and crafts vendors — perfect for last-minute holiday shopping. New this year is the live Cowtown exhibit, which contains an old-time creamery where kids have the opportunity to experience the process of making butter, ice cream and soap using historic tools and machines!  

November 24 - December 31  
Island of Lights Festival 
Carolina Beach, North Carolina 

Carolina Beach decks the hulls and halls with this island-wide festival that offers a month of seasonal events. The Island of Lights festival kicks off with Lighting at the Lake, featuring a one-mile trail of beautiful lighted displays around Carolina Beach Lake Park and a visit from Santa. The traditional parade of lights gets a coastal twist on December 2 with the Christmas Flotilla, where dozens of fishing boats and pleasure craft decorated with thousands of lights present a dazzling display cruising the waterways. The month concludes with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach, featuring a DJ, dancing, refreshments and party favors. 

December 2-3 
46th Annual Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour 
Louisville, Kentucky  

Get a rare glimpse inside Old Louisville’s historic Victorian mansions and townhouses during the 46th Annual Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour. This self-paced, easy walking tour allows visitors to go inside these preserved buildings and admire their stylish holiday decorations while learning about the history and architecture of this nationally recognized historic preservation district that boasts the largest collection of Victorian mansions in the United States. The tour kicks off at the Old Louisville Visitors Center in Central Park, and docents are stationed at each home to greet visitors.