November means the holiday season arrives with excitement. November Happenings & Events offer favorites like Christmas at Kingwood, Holiday Art Fair at the Mansfield Art Center, craft shows, Christmas lights & tours, Santa Claus comes to town, and Snow Trails prepares to open for its 62nd season!
Before we get to the details, we have a few reminders. The first Crow Festival at the Mansfield Art Center continues daily through November 6th. Pop in to see crow-inspired artwork and catch a glimpse of a murder of crows as they fly overhead. Don’t worry; in this instance, “a murder” equates to a “flock”; it’s not as ominous as it sounds.
BibleWalk, Ohio’s only wax museum, offers free admission to The Heart of Reformation Tour thru November 5. While visiting, check out the Museum of Woodcarving. This impressive work of faith is the world’s largest collection of woodcarvings by one man.
Get ready for ski season and save money at the Snow Trails Ski Patrol Swap Weekend (November 3-6). Buy and sell gently used equipment and apparel, plus get your 50/50 Raffle Ticket to further support the not-for-profit Snow Trails Ski Patrol. Plus, celebrate the coming Winter Season with us at the Pre-Season Party with Fireworks (November 19) where you’ll find the Snowflake Loft Bar open, live music by The Thirsty Travelers, the Deja Food food trailer, and fireworks.
Shopping at Craft Shows, Holiday Fairs & Open Houses
Christmas is the time of giving, and if you’re looking for that special gift, you may find it at one of the specialty shops or craft shows listed below.
The First Friday Shop Hop is held Friday, November 4th, and offers a chance for you to get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping. Make your list, check it twice, grab your checkbook, and support local businesses while purchasing unique items for those you love or yourself; we won’t judge.
Rustik Market is hosting a Christmas Open House on November 4th with live music, Christmas cookies, giveaways, and a vintage Christmas truck for photo ops while they show off their 2022 Christmas collection. Wade Gardens celebrates the holiday season with an open house full of creative inspiration (November 7-13).
The Hillsdale Arts & Crafts Festival (Nov. 12) celebrates its 48th year with over 100 vendors.
The 53rd Annual Holiday Art Fair at the Mansfield Art Center starts November 19 and runs into December, featuring fine art, functional crafts, and gifts for the holiday season. When you stop into shop, don’t forget that you can purchase gift certificates for art classes offered at the MAC.
A Holiday Sip & Shop at The Village Hub in Crestline (Nov. 25th & 26th) will entice shoppers with over 80 vendors, ice skating, food trucks, carriage rides, live music, Santa, and more.
Tiny Tim Shoppe opens November 19 in downtown Mansfield! With the assistance of a volunteer, children can shop for and wrap Christmas gifts for family and friends of all ages. Gifts are $15 and less.
Make plans for a day to select that perfect family tree at Kleerview Farm, opening November 21. Don’t forget to pet the reindeer!
Christmas Lights, Tours & Santa!
Santa makes an appearance at the Christmas Open House at the Richland Carrousel Park (Nov. 19th). Festivities include photos with Santa, free rides on the carrousel when Santa rides, carolers, a cake, and more.
Oak Hill Cottage Christmas Tours will be offered on Sundays, starting November 20th. Tour this Gothic Revival Landmark decked out in Victorian fashion for the holidays.
Christmas at Kingwood begins November 26. Bundle up, buy a cup of hot chocolate in the café, and wind your way through the magical light displays on the 47-acre garden estate. Hundreds of simple, yet striking, string light trees that range from 2-feet to 28-feet high illuminate the grounds with vibrant color. The mansion is decorated in grand style, including an 18-foot tree in the foyer of Kingwood Hall. Peek into the stunningly decorated rooms while you are serenaded with live music by local performers. Christmas at Kingwood is an enchanting wonderland that will rekindle your magical holiday memories!
‘Tis the Season to Learn Something New
Take a needle felting class (Nov. 19th) at Alpaca Meadows to learn the basic needle felting technique to make a colorful turkey following step-by-instructions.
Shady Lane Alpaca offers an Advanced Stain Glass Nativity Workshop (Nov. 20th). You’ll leave with a stained-glass piece with Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus that you can proudly display. The Phoenix offers Taproom Trivia (Nov. 15th) for those looking to exercise their brains.
Theater & Live Music
Just Jazz Live Duo will be playing at The Phoenix (November 5th)
The Mansfield Playhouse presents Exit Laughing (Nov. 11, 12, 18 ,19), the story of what ensues when a group of four friends anticipates their weekly game of Bridge, and one suddenly dies. The fun begins when one borrows the ashes from the funeral home, and chaos ensues.
Sister Act: the Musical at the Renaissance Theatre (Nov. 18, 19 & 27, and into December) is based on the 1992 comedy about a disco diva who witnesses a murder and is placed in protective custody as a nun.
Family Fun Continues
Kingwood Center, the Ohio Bird Sanctuary, and Malabar Farm State Park all offer opportunities for family fun.
If you haven’t yet, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Kingwood Center for free during the last Free First Monday of the year.
Keeper Talks at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary continue each Saturday and Sunday in November. Meet the bird handlers and resident birds and learn interesting avian facts to amaze and amuse your family and friends.
Join the Malabar Farm State Park naturalist for a hands-on experience in the Main Barn for the final Farm Friday of the year. Stop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on November 4th.
The Richland County Public Library offers an opportunity to meet Harry S. Truman in Plymouth (Nov. 3rd), Mansfield (Nov. 15th), or Bellville (Nov. 21st) and meet for Storytime at Relax, It’s Just Coffee (Nov. 14th).
Calendar of Events
For the most up-to-date event listings, live music, and other community events, visit our ever-changing Calendar of Events at DestinationMansfield.com.