While the month is a time of transition, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a lot of great things to do in Pennsylvania in November.
Whether you want to enjoy the beautiful fall weather or are already looking for Christmasy things to do in PA, there’s something for everyone to do this month.
Check out my 10 handpicked things to do in PA in November, and then start planning your travels around the state.
(Article Updated October 14, 2023 for Pennsylvania events in November 2023.)
Autos and Ales in Hershey – November 3
Step inside the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, one of PA’s best car museums, for their annual Autos and Ales event in Hershey.
This beer festival is held amongst the museum’s amazing collection of antique automobiles. During the event, sample beers from 60 different breweries from both the local area and further afield. You can also enjoy live music and delicious food.
For more information, visit the event’s website.
Lake Erie Wine Country Harvest Festival – November 3-5 and 10-12
Love wine? Head to the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania for the fantastic Lake Erie Wine Country Harvest Festival during the first two weekends of November.
During the event, visitors can head to each of the wine country’s 20+ wineries (of which more than a dozen are in Pennsylvania) and sample delicious wines, each of which is paired with food. Along the way, you’ll get to explore this beautiful corner of the state and see why it’s such a great wine region.
For more information, visit LakeErieWineCountry.org.
Koziar’s Christmas Village in Bernville – Opens November 4
Koziar’s Christmas Village in Berks County is one of Pennsylvania’s best destinations for holiday cheer. If you want to start your holiday season off right, Koziar’s opens for the season on Saturday, November 4, and will be open through January 1, 2024.
Walk through their Christmas wonderland, which features more than one million lights, and get ready for this festive season. You might even see Santa during your visit.
For more information, head over to their website.
PA Bacon Fest in Easton – November 4-5
If you love bacon, you won’t want to miss the 11th annual PA Bacon Fest in Easton. Over two days, 80,000 bacon lovers descend on this beautiful Lehigh Valley city to celebrate this delicious product.
Come enjoy live music, a bacon-eating competition, a hog-calling contest, over 150 vendors, and, of course, some delicious food.
For more information visit the festival’s website.
Slovak Heritage Festival in Pittsburgh – November 5
Billed as one of the largest Slovak cultural events of the year in the United States, the Slovak Heritage Festival will be returning for its 33rd year this November.
Held at the fabulous Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh campus, this festival celebrates many different aspects of Slovak culture. Visitors will be able to try traditional food, watch cultural dances, listen to lectures, shop from vendors, and much more.
Find out more about the event on its Facebook page.
Dedication Day in Gettysburg – November 19
Every year, the town of Gettysburg holds a celebration honoring the anniversary of the day the Gettysburg National Cemetery was dedicated in 1863, an event best known for President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
This year’s event will once again be held in person on the spot where Lincoln gave his famous speech 159 years ago. The event will feature live music, tours of the David Willis House, a wreath-laying ceremony, and speakers.
Find out more information about this year’s events here.
A Longwood Christmas in Kennett Square – Begins November 17
Every year, Longwood Gardens in southeastern Pennsylvania decks itself out for the holiday season. One of the best holiday attractions in all of Pennsylvania, A Longwood Christmas should be on every PA traveler’s list.
In 2023, their display will be titled “A Very Retro Christmas”, and visitors will be able to stroll through their large conservatory and the surrounding gardens to see their magnificent holiday displays. The display will run from late November through early January.
For more information, visit Longwood Garden’s website.
Light Up Night in Pittsburgh – November 18
Celebrate the start of the holiday season at Light Up Night in Pittsburgh. Now in its 61st year, this festival features live music, the opening of the German-inspired Holiday Market in Market Square, and the lighting of the Christmas lights in downtown Pittsburgh.
The night ends with a fantastic fireworks display that shouldn’t be missed.
For more information, check out the event’s website.
The National Dog Show in Oaks – November 18-19
While it’s not shown on TV until Thanksgiving Day, The National Dog Show takes place before the holiday in the Philadelphia suburbs. Come out and see some of the best show dogs in the world compete for the title of Best in Show.
In addition to watching dogs get judged, visitors can see demonstration events, meet some of the show dogs, browse vendors, and much more.
For more information, visit NationalDogShow.com.
Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philly – November 23
The nation’s oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade will return to downtown Philadelphia this November. The parade travels 1.5 miles through the city on the morning of Thursday, November 23, and will feature marching bands, floats, balloons, and much, much more.
Come see this slice of history that’s been an annual tradition in the city since 1920. For more information, click here.
Looking for other things to do in Pennsylvania? Check out our list of things to do in October and things to do in December.
Do you know of any great things to do in Pennsylvania in November? Let us know in the comments section below!
Do you have an upcoming event you think should be included in a future monthly edition? Click here for more information and to submit your event.
"
Do you ever explore the North East part of Pennsylvania?
I do. In fact, I’ve visited that area a few times this year including just last week. Here are some links to my northeast PA content: https://uncoveringpa.com/the-poconos and https://uncoveringpa.com/northeastern-pennsylvania
Thank you! I love that you go month by month. I do use this as a guide for my chillax planning 😊
Appreciate your monthly article. Actually, attended the Slovak Heritage Festival this past weekend because you wrote about it. It was nice, but very hectic and a lot of people with little room to move. The menu was limited (5-6 items), and like most food festivals, some items way overpriced ($6 for one small stuffed cabbage roll).