And just like that, somehow it’s November. But before you bust out the Michael Bublé album and decide to re-watch Home Alone for the tenth time, we’ve got some social calendar planning to do. As we say hello to the first golden drops of summer, we have some epic events to cram in before the silly season hits.
Luckily for you, there’s loads to fill your days this November, with everything from Christmas markets to gin festivals to musical concerts and so much more happening in our pocket of paradise. So if you’re looking for ideas to fill your calendar, check out our list of the ten best things to do on the Sunshine Coast this November.
Yonder Festival
Now in its third year running, Yonder Festival is back again, bringing with it an eclectic program of tantalising music, enchanting performances, engaging workshops and incredible artists. Yonder’s 2021 program breaks the norm of a typical festival experience by cultivating diversity, innovation, inclusion and positivity. We’re for it. Across four stages, you will witness the talent of Australia’s emerging musos, including WAAX, King Stingray, Alter Boy and more. In true Yonder style, there will be a range of roving performances, cabaret shows, circus acts, comedy and spoken word acts that will encourage the audience to explore their creativity. Final tickets are almost sold out, so round up your squad and get your hands on these limited tickets for a truly epic festival experience.
When: Thursday 25 to Saturday 27 November
Where: Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi Country (Mary Valley)
Cost: $331.99 for a three-day adult ticket
November Christmas Weekend Fair
‘All I want for Christmas is’…permission to shop. Well, you’re in luck, because we hereby grant you permission to spend your Christmas bonus (and let’s be real, your ‘savings’) on homemade local goodies. Sunshine Coast Arts and Craft are bringing back their annual November Christmas Fair this month, where loads of amazing local artisans will be selling their goodies. Of course, you’ll need to refuel after your day of marketing trawling and luckily for you, the cafe will be dishing up delicious handmade treats and coffee all day. This is the place to get all those stockings stuffed.
When: Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 November, from 9am to 3pm
Where: Montville Community Hall, Main Street, Montville
Cost: Free
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert Musical
Get ready to shake your groove thing, Caloundra! Based on the iconic Oscar-winning 1994 Australian film, Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert is the hilarious adventure of three loud, proud and very different friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for the outback to put on the show of a lifetime. This epic musical is a heart-warming story of self-discovery, mateship and acceptance, set to a non-stop parade of dance-floor classics including It’s Raining Men, Hot Stuff, I Will Survive, I Love the Nightlife and many more! Grab your best frock, fluff your feathers, polish your platforms and get excited for this incredible musical performance.
When: Friday 12 & Saturday 13 November, 2pm or 7:30pm
Where: The Events Centre, 20 Minchinton Street, Caloundra
Cost: $69.90 per ticket
Gin Festival
Something gin-credible is coming to Nightquarter this month...Get excited, Nightquarter is hosting an amazing juniper celebration this November and will be joined by a huge lineup of local and international gin distilleries. You can sip your way around the world as you learn the juicy deets behind each drop, sip some of your favourite gin cocktails and try some new, exciting concoctions. At the Gin Festival, expect to sample drops from some of your favourite bevvie brands including Botanist, Fords, Mr Consistent and loads more. Nightquarter will be overflowing with live entertainment and almost too much street food to choose from, making for a truly unforgettable evening. This is not the night to be the designated driver.
When: Saturday 20 November, 4pm onwards
Where: NightQuarter, Birtinya
Cost: Adults: $5.00, Teens: $4.00, Children: $2.00
Maleny Handmade Christmas Market
It’s never too early to start shopping for Christmas gifts—you don’t want to be that disorganised person panic buying gifts during the festive craziness. Luckily for you, Maleny Handmade Christmas Market is happening this month, so you’ve got plenty of time to sort your goodies. Support local artists and purchase original artisan gifts for your loved ones at this sweet handmade market, with everything from hand drawn artwork to homemade cakes and handcrafted gifts. Are you struggling to find that perfect Secret Santa gift? Look no further. Open all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, this is the place to fill up your stockings.
When: Friday 12 November, from 10am to 3pm;
Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 November, from 9am to 3pm
Where: Maleny Community Centre, 23 Maple Street, Maleny
Cost: Free
Sunset Vinyl Session On The Lake
We all love a few Friday knock off drinks—c’mon, you’ve worked hard, you deserve to celebrate. But you can kick it up a notch at this month’s Sunset DJ Vinyl Session at Lake Currimundi. On Friday 5 November, DJ Ollie Jacobs will spin the decks, showcasing his favourite vinyl selections, as the suns sets deep over the stunning Lake Currimundi. Dig into craft beer, quality wine, cocktails and stone baked pizza as you watch the sunset and bask in the serenity. Now that’s what we call a good Friday knock off.
When: Friday 5 November, from 4:30pm to 7pm
Where: Thrills Espresso, 1 Watson Avenue, Lake Currimundi
Cost: Free
Day Of The Dead Festival
Put on your best La Catrina makeup and follow the marigolds to NightQuarter this November for their special Día de los Muertos celebrations! As the boundary between our world and the spirit world dissolves, welcome the souls of the dead back for a night of food, drink and music. You can expect Nightquarter to bring the heat with a sizzling firebrand live show from mad mariachis Kallidad, roving Fridas and traditional food and drink throughout the night. There will be a traditional Day of the Dead ceremony, a smoking ceremony, fire performers, live mural painting, flower workshops and loads more to keep you busy and celebrate Día de los Muertos in style. Tickets are expected to sell out, so snag yours ASAP.
When: Saturday 6 November, 4pm onwards
Where: NightQuarter, Birtinya
Cost: Adults: $5.00, Teens: $4.00, Children: $2.00
Collectorama Fair
Who doesn’t love a cheeky bargain? For all our thrifty penny pinchers out there, you need to head to the Collectorama Fair to score a sweet deal on fashion, accessories, knick-knacks and treasures you didn’t even know you needed. Going 30 years strong and boasting over 150 stalls, there’s a reason this vintage gala fair is so popular with locals looking to snag a bargain. Grab your shopping bags, head to the gorgeous Nambour Showgrounds and settle in for a day of shopping ‘til you drop—great deals guaranteed.
When: Saturday 6 November, 7am to 2pm
Where: Showgrounds Road, Nambour
Cost: Adults: $6.00, Under 12’s: Free
Secret Garden Micro Music Event
The Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens will be transformed into a mini concert venue this month, playing host to performances from talented local and touring artists at the Secret Garden Music Event. From indie tunes to gritty blues and reggae vibes, the featured artists will take over the Sculpture Garden and transform it into an intimate live performance space. Grab a picnic blanket, relax with your friends in this unique setting and chill out to the tunes of local artists Lydia Fairhall and Kelly Brouhaha. Weekend plans, sorted.
When: Sunday 7 November, 2:45pm to 5:15pm
Where: Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, Tanawha
Cost: Adults: $15, Children: $5.00
Sunshine Coast Craft Fair
If you’re looking for a unique gift, artistic inspiration or just want to do some craft browsing, the Sunshine Coast Craft Fair is the place you need to be. The craft fair will be filled with exciting new craft supplies, tools, kits and loads more from top leading suppliers in the craft industry. Each shopper will receive a lucky door ticket to win a $20 Gift Voucher to spend on their favourite craft goodies, which is a win-win if you ask us. Get crafty and head down to the Sunshine Coast Craft Fair this month.
When: Friday 12 & Saturday 13 November, from 10am to 2pm
Where: Mantra Mooloolaba Beach, 7 Venning Street, Mooloolaba Beach
Cost: Free
If you’re not exhausted after filling your social cal with all these epic events, kick it up a notch and market hop your way through the best markets happening on the Sunshine Coast this month.
Image Credit: Yonder Festival