November has arrived and with it, we leave behind us the sometimes-too-warm weather of early fall and start thinking about sweaters, comfort food, and of course, the holiday season. Below are just some of the many events waiting for you this November in McKinney! Make sure to check our website calendar regularly, too, as there are always new events being added. And even better, sign up for our weekly newsletter so you'll always be in the know, via your email, what's coming up each weekend!
Stay Awhile!
While you're adding events below to your personal calendar this month, don't forget to visit our bed & breakfast and hotel listings so you can turn your visit into a long weekend (or longer)!
Dinosaurs Live!
(Runs through Feb. 20, 2023)
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
Encounter the 46-foot T-Rex and nine new life-size animatronic dinosaurs along the nature trails at the 16th Annual Dinosaurs Live Life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs exhibit. This event always offers great opportunities for fun family photos. Tickets to their December event, Holidays at the Heard, are already on sale. Get them before they sell out, which they always do! (They are hosting a family campout event on Nov. 5, but that too sold out.)
Admission: This exhibit is included in museum admission.
Also at the Heard Museum: Check the museum website for a wide variety of regular events including Second Saturday Bird Walks, Zip Line Days, Night Hikes, and more!
Read Across America
(Nov. 1-30)
Roy & Helen Hall Library, 101 E. Hunt St.
Read Across McKinney is a FREE month-long initiative in November to bring people together over a great book. This event includes multiple activities including book discussions, and author talks throughout the month to complement the book selection and encourage people to make new connections in the community.
FREE Concerts at Hub 121
(Nov. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19)
Hub 121, SH 121 & Alma Drive
Hub 121 in McKinney's Craig Ranch hosts free concerts on the weekends. Check their calendar for dates and times of their November offerings by A Ghost Named Hank, Blake Nation, Shania Twang Tribute Band, the Ultimate Heart Tribute Band, King George, and Barefoot Nation.
St. Gabriel 21st Annual Holiday Boutique
(Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
St. Gabriel The Archangel Catholic Community, 110 St. Gabriel Way)
More than 100 artisans will display and sell hand-crafted items including pottery, jewelry, wood works, candles, clothing, holiday gifts, and more. There will be vendor raffles throughout the day as well as lunch and a huge bake sale. Admission is free.
Red White & Big Band IV - Veterans Day Concert
(Nov. 11, 7 p.m.)
McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 111 N. Tennessee
Celebrate Veterans Day at the McKinney Dance Band's free annual Veteran's Day concert honoring the "red, white, and the blues" and our cherished U.S. Armed Forces veterans, of course! Bring your dancing shoes if the music moves you to get up and "cut a rug". As always, no tickets are required. This concert is made possible in part by a grant from the McKinney Arts Commission.
MAST (McKinney Art Studio Tour
(Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Nov. 13, noon-5 p.m.)
24 Locations throughout McKinney
This annual event spotlights McKinney talent and businesses that support it. Featuring 72 local artists over 24 locations, this family-friendly, educational event includes live demonstrations in painting, stained glass, fused glass, pottery, sculpture, and photography! Visit the event website to preview the artists who will be featured and to find the tour map.
French Food & Wine Festival
(Nov. 17, 6:30-10:30 p.m.)
The Cotton Mill, 610 Elm St.
Spend the evening in a festive and "à la française" atmosphere with your friends, colleagues, partners, or clients, and enjoy great entertainment and delectable bites by area chefs and wine and champagne, too!
Vintage Market Days
(Nov. 18-20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Myers Park & Event Center, 7117 CR 166
It’s time to spruce up your Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations and what better place to do that than at the annual Vintage Market Days Christmas Event held at Myers Park & Event Center. Mark your calendars and plan to arrive early for a weekend of fun, shopping, food trucks, and live music!
Home for the Holidays ... A McKinney Christmas
(Nov. 25-27)
Downtown McKinney Square
Each year, Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the holiday season in McKinney. Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, flavors of Christmas, and the holidays in downtown McKinney. The Community tree lighting ceremony takes place Friday evening, and the weekend will be filled with visits with Santa, a kids craft area, great food, and all sorts of holiday entertainment. See the website for the times each day and for a list of all the activities taking place.
Believe 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run
(Nov. 26, 8-10 a.m.)
Mitchell Park, 300 E. Louisiana
This race puts the fun in fundraising by combining a healthy holiday event with the opportunity to help The Holy Family School of McKinney provide tuition assistance for low-income families.
Ongoing Events and other event links:
- Farmers Market at Chestnut Square (Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon)
- Third Monday McKinney Trade Days (Nov. 18-20 - the weekend before the third Monday of each month)
- Jump Into Art Studios (weekly classes)
- The Comedy Arena (weekly events)
