Two November weekends, six reasons to grab an open seat: food and wine on the San Diego waterfront, coffee country in Kona, Toronto’s huge indoor fair, 200-plus balloons over León, brass bands and gumbo in New Orleans, and opening weekend of Atlanta’s holiday lights.
1. San Diego Food + Wine Festival — San Diego, California, USA
When: November 1–8, 2026. The Grand Tasting is Saturday, November 7 (11 a.m.–3 p.m.), followed by the Grand Fiesta on Sunday, November 8.
The 22nd annual festival celebrates Southern California and Baja food with chefs, winemakers and spirits producers. The main draw is the Grand Tasting at Embarcadero Marina Park North on San Diego Bay, with the weekend events forming a two-day celebration on the waterfront.
Nearest airport: San Diego International (SAN), about 3 miles / 10–15 minutes from the park.
Getting there: Taxi or rideshare along Harbor Drive is quickest. The park sits next to Seaport Village, so a downtown hotel puts you within walking distance.
Good to know: Ages 21+. Multi-event packages cost less than buying events one at a time; check the events page for prices.
More info: sandiegowineclassic.com
2. Kona Coffee Cultural Festival — Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA
When: November 6–15, 2026 (both weekends).
Ten days celebrating Kona coffee with farm tours, a lantern parade, the Holualoa Coffee & Art Stroll (Saturday, November 7) and a recipe contest (Sunday, November 8). The second weekend brings the Ho’olaule’a street party (Saturday, November 14) and the cupping competition awards (Sunday, November 15).
Nearest airport: Ellison Onizuka Kona International (KOA), about 7 miles / 15 minutes to Kailua-Kona. Holualoa village is 25–30 minutes upslope.
Getting there: Rent a car. Events are spread across Kailua-Kona, Holualoa and the coffee belt, and public transit is very limited.
Good to know: A $10 festival button covers the family events; some events need their own ticket. Kids 5 and under are free.
More info: konacoffeefest.com
3. Royal Agricultural Winter Fair — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
When: November 6–15, 2026 (both weekends).
The 104th Royal is billed as the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian event in the world, drawing about 300,000 visitors. Highlights include the Royal Horse Show’s international show jumping, livestock and food competitions, and farm-to-table food halls at Exhibition Place.
Nearest airport: Toronto Pearson (YYZ), about 17 miles / 35–45 minutes. Billy Bishop Toronto City (YTZ) is about 2 miles from the grounds.
Getting there: From YYZ, take the UP Express to Union Station, then GO Lakeshore West one stop to Exhibition GO, next to the grounds. GO sells a combo ticket that bundles the ride and fair admission.
Good to know: Royal Horse Show seats cost extra, and weekends are the busiest days.
More info: royalfair.org
4. Festival Internacional del Globo (FIG) — León, Guanajuato, Mexico
When: Friday, November 13 – Monday, November 16, 2026 (covers November 14–15).
The 25th edition fills the sky over Parque Metropolitano de León with more than 200 hot-air balloons and pilots from about 25 countries. Mass launches start at sunrise, and evening “Noche Mágica” night-glows, with tethered balloons lit in time to music, are followed by concerts.
Nearest airport: Bajío/Guanajuato International (BJX), about 19 miles (30 km) / 35–60 minutes.
Getting there: Take a taxi or pre-booked transfer from BJX. Arrive at the gate by 5:00–5:30 a.m. for the 6:30 a.m. launch.
Good to know: General admission on Friday, November 13 is free. Wind can cancel a launch, so plan on two mornings and dress in layers.
More info: vivefig.mx
5. Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival — New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
When: Saturday–Sunday, November 14–15, 2026.
A free two-day festival in Louis Armstrong Park, on the edge of the French Quarter, run by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Expect brass bands, R&B, funk, jazz and blues, many kinds of gumbo alongside po-boys and shrimp ‘n’ grits, cooking demos and an artisan market.
Nearest airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), about 15 miles / 25–30 minutes.
Getting there: Taxi or rideshare to N. Rampart Street. The Rampart streetcar stops at the park, and the RTA Airport Express bus runs downtown.
Good to know: Entry is free (donations welcome). No outside food, drinks, coolers or pets.
More info: jazzandheritage.org
6. Garden Lights, Holiday Nights (opening weekend) — Atlanta, Georgia, USA
When: Opens Saturday, November 14, 2026 and runs to January 10, 2027.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden lights up with millions of colored lights and large-scale displays for the holiday season. The show won ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight in 2023.
Nearest airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), about 12 miles / 20–30 minutes to Midtown.
Getting there: Take MARTA’s Red or Gold line from the airport to Arts Center station (about 25 minutes), then walk about a mile or take a short ride.
Good to know: Timed tickets only. Opening weekend sells out, so book early.
More info: atlantabg.org
Dates, prices and schedules can change. Check the official event site before you travel.
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