12 Can't-Miss Things To Do In SoCal This November

November is a busy month, with the year-end push at both work and school and social events marking the start of the holiday season, all competing for Southern Californians' time.

There are two major holidays to plan around — Thanksgiving, which falls on the 27th this year, and Veterans Day, which is always observed on the 11th — as Southern California residents fill out their November calendars.

We've rounded up 12 can't-miss events from around Southern California, including Lightscape, Los Muertos 5K, and Los Angeles Wine and Food Festival. Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Here are our picks:

Camp Christmas

• Dates: Friday through Sunday, Nov. 21 through Dec. 14, then Dec. 17-23
• Location: Camp Christmas, Pine Valley
• Details: The festive event features all the lights and sounds of the holiday season in one place, from a colorful dancing water show to holiday photo ops, train rides and winter hayrides.

Day Out with Thomas

• Dates: Nov. 1-2, 8-9 and 11
• Location: Southern California Railway Museum, Perris
• Details: Take a ride with Thomas and meet Percy and Sir Topham Hatt during this family-friendly event.

Dia de los Muertos Celebration

• Date: Nov. 1
• Location: Downtown Chula Vista Association, Chula Vista
• Details: The heart of Downtown Chula Vista, including Third Avenue and Memorial Park, will be transformed into a vibrant tribute filled with marigolds, music, large-scale folk art sculptures, a community altar, and a few friendly competitions.

Fall Back Festival

• Date: Nov. 2
• Location: Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House, San Diego
• Details: The streets surrounding the iconic Davis-Horton House at 4th and Island Avenue will transport visitors to a bygone era, filled with historic fun, hands-on learning, and memorable adventures for the entire family.

Lightscape

• Dates: Nov. 14 through Jan. 4
• Location: San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas
• Details: Lightscape will illuminate the garden with new artistic installations, along with some returning light-filled favorites throughout a mile-long walking trail.

Los Angeles Water Lantern Festival

• Dates: Nov. 8
• Location: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale
• Details: The event will feature food trucks, music, activities, and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with love, hope and happiness.

Los Angeles Wine and Food Festival

• Dates: Nov. 7
• Location: The Barker Hangar, Santa Monica
• Details: Over three days, guests will savor dishes from local and internationally acclaimed chefs, sip beverage selections from regional and international producers, and experience the cultural mosaic that makes the city a global food capital.

Los Muertos 5K

• Dates: Nov. 1
• Location: El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument, Los Angeles
• Details: The event features a race, face painting, decorating altars and a post-race festival with mariachi bands, folkloric dance groups and stilt walkers.

Red, White and Blue Salute

• Dates: Nov. 8-10
• Location: SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego
• Details: The theme park will offer special Veterans Day entertainment and activities.

San Diego Holiday Market

• Dates: Nov. 1-2
• Location: Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, San Diego
• Details: The market will feature more than 100 makers, crafts at DIY stations, photo walls, snacks and drinks, and a free market tote with goods from small businesses.

Turkey Trot

• Dates: Nov. 27
• Location: Relentless Brewing Company, Temecula
• Details: The family-friendly, non-competitive event will feature cocoa, raffle prizes, costumes and a Tot Trot for the little ones.

Turkey Trot On The Ranch

• Dates: Nov. 27
• Location: The Pavilion Park, Mission Viejo
• Details: Runners and walkers can choose from a 10K, 5K, or the 1K Little Gobbler's Run, making it an event for all ages and abilities.