The changing seasons teach us that nothing ever stays the same. For every spring there is a winter, and for every lush summer there is an autumn to turn those same green leaves into crunchy piles of orange and brown.
In November, some of us find ourselves feeling especially tender — there is less sunshine.
Because the season hits us all differently, this list of things to do includes a little bit of everything. This list has parties to go to and markets to shop at, but also ideas for self care and opportunities for quiet, meditative moments.
The things you do in November can be a gift you give to yourself: a lesson, or a planted seed for next spring.
Use these buttons to jump down the list to different kinds of events.
Art shows to see
All of these exhibitions are free. Check their schedules before you go, as hours may vary due to holidays.
- Awareness, rage, protest and visibility are explored in Alejandra Carrillo’s solo exhibition “Reflejos Grabados.” See the prints and mixed media works, which also explore her Chicana experience in the Midwest, at Tube Factory through Dec. 16.
- At City Natives Gallery, inside the Murphy Arts Center, “The Untruths: Figurative Portrait Series by the late Walter Flagwaa Johnson” will have paintings about the ills of colonialism through Nov. 30.
- The prestigious “National Sculpture Society 91st annual awards exhibition” is on display through Dec. 15 at the Indy Art Center.
- Newfields’ Waller Gallery is always free. Now through Nov. 24, you can see “Better Together: ArtMix’s Snapshot of True Inclusion,” which includes art by 31 local artists of all abilities and backgrounds, ranging in age from 15 to 72.
- Witherspoon Presbyterian Church is not usually an art gallery, but for Spirit & Place Festival the space will host the photo exhibition “Souls of the Seasoned Saints: An Exploration and Exhibition of Aging Bodies.” You can check out the exhibit Nov. 4-10.
Creative ways to practice self care and wellness
- Go birdwatching. You don’t need binoculars or fancy equipment. If you visit the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center, you can use their observation deck and read up on what birds to look out for. If you want a challenge, use Indiana’s Interactive Map of Birding Trail Sites.
- Pick up poet Korie Grigg’s journal “Healing Looks Good On You” from Ujamaa Bookstore. The book is an invitation to help you write your heart out.
- Now through Nov. 25, you can take a break at the Artist Rest Lounge at 1000 Words Gallery. The retreat space was created by artist Sarah Jené and the design agency Rokh. Free.
- For $17, add a full moon yoga session to your schedule. On Nov. 16, Irvington Wellness Center will host a Full Moon Beaver Supermoon Yin Yoga and Shamanic Sound Healing.
- If cycling and community service are your speed, go to Cranksgiving 2024 Nov. 16. The bike ride is also a food drive, but also a scavenger hunt. $20.
- Stay in your pajamas at home and try Tai Chi. On Nov. 11, the Indianapolis Public Library is having a free Tai Chi class online.
- If you would rather wear stretchy clothes and go out, on Nov. 12 the Indianapolis Public Library is having a free Chair Yoga & Mindfulness class at the Spades Park Branch.
- Some of the best things in life are free. The arboretum at the Indiana Statehouse has a “Moon Tree” sycamore that was planted in 1979 from a seed that traveled to space.
- The sun now sets around 5:45. Highland Park, on Indy’s eastside, is a nice spot to watch the free spectacle.
Workshops and classes to learn something new
Many of these free classes and events are offered by the Indianapolis Public Library. Check out all their offerings for more.
- Go on an architecture tour for $10. On Nov. 7, Indiana Landmarks will host a talk about the origins and popularity of the Italianate and Second Empire styles in Indianapolis, from 1850 to 1880.
- Adults who need help creating a resume, searching for a job or career, or filling out an online job application can receive free one-on-one assistance at the Haughville Branch on Nov. 11.
- On Nov. 11, Neighbors Unidos, a group for learning English and Spanish, will meet at the library’s Eagle Branch.
- Eiteljorg Artist-In-Residence Bobby Silas will make a special stop at Haughville library branch for a free Sikyatki pottery workshop on Nov. 12.
- Take a self-defense class. On Nov. 15, the West Perry branch will have the free workshop, Are You Smarter than a Scammer?
- Learn how to set up a Gmail account. Martindale-Brightwood Branch has a free class on Nov. 20.
- For $40, on Nov. 30, you can take a beginner elbow basket-making class at the Eiteljorg
Films and theater to watch
- The 24th annual Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival happens Nov. 8-17 with live events at Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant and online streaming options. Tickets start at $12.
- Nov. 8-23, go see “Funny, Like an Abortion,” a serious comedy about reproductive rights play by Rachel Bublitz.
- Garfield Park Arts Center is screening Fritz Lang’s 1924 epic “Die Nibelungen!” for free on Nov. 9.
- At the Butler Art & Events Center, the Ukrainian Society of Indiana will host a free screening of Academy Award-winning documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” on Nov. 8.
- Arts For Lawrence will offer a $15 existential performance on Nov. 15, featuring washed-up Power Rangers: “Super Cyber Battle Rangers, A Musical,” presented by the Indiana Drama Club.
- Make it a date night (actually, afternoon) on Nov. 23. The Indy Cinema Series at Central Library is hosting a matinee screening of the 1923 American silent romantic-comedy film “Safety Last!”
- Now through Nov. 24, go see “Fiddler on the Roof” at Beef and Boards.
Parties and social gatherings with like-minded people
- To learn facts about otters holding hands, join Metazoa Nov. 12 for craft beer and animal trivia. Reserve a table for your team (21+ only).
- Nov. 13 at Dream Palace Books, join artist Ozzy for a collage night with supplies provided. You can bring your own project or start a new one.
- Add a dose of mystery to your shopping at the Black-Owned Business Treasure Hunt on Nov. 30.
- If your fancy also squeaks on the basketball court, buy your tickets for the Nov. 30 Midwest Sneaker Gala now. Early bird tickets start at $50.
Food and drinks that feel good in November
- Fancy turkey eaters: Now’s the time to order your Thanksgiving meats from Goose the Market.
- Don’t eat meat? Order your vegan catering for Friendsgiving parties from Black Leaf Vegan.
- November is a good time to eat an Oaxaca-style tamal, while brushing up on local tamale history.
- Have a chili dog at Nick’s Chili Parlor while listening to this.
- Nurse your post-The Eras Tour blues with hard cider at the Ash & Elm Taylor Swift Trivia night on Nov. 20.
- Eat a gordita from La Parada. Getting one is exactly like what Jim Gaffigan said about getting your burger in a Styrofoam clamshell, presented like an engagement ring.
Music concerts and performances
- On Nov. 6, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will partner with the Sphinx Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to developing young Black and Latinx classical musicians for a free concert at Madam Walker Legacy Center.
- For $25, you can listen to classical music guitarist Carlos Bedoya. The Colombian musician will perform Nov. 7 at Eskenazi Hall, inside Herron School of Art and Design.
- Hear the Butler Percussion Ensemble, led by artist-in-residence Jon Crabiel, for free on Nov. 20. Pro tip: Several free student-musician performances are happening throughout the month.
- Mozart lovers should check out the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra’s “Autumn Sketches” concert on Nov. 23, where “Symphony No. 35 in D Major” will be performed. Vaughan Williams’ iconic “Concerto for Oboe” is also part of the repertoire. $35 and up.
- Indianapolis Women’s Chorus has two concerts happening Nov. 23-24. The women will tackle the powerful question “How do we work together to make our world a better place?” through song. Tickets start at $30 but there’s also a “pay what you can” option.
- For $35-$45, you can go down memory lane, dance and sing along with “Sounds of Motown with A Snippet of Motown Christmas.” The show is at the Athenaeum’s Basile Theater, Nov. 23-24.
Things to do for bookworms
- “Sometimes Y,” an open mic that follows in the footsteps of poet Etheridge Knight, happens at the Chatterbox every first Thursday at 6 p.m. In November, you can catch the readings on Nov. 7. Free.
- Attend the poetry reading, “Poets at Tomorrow,” at Tomorrow Bookstore on Mass Ave., on Nov. 13. Free with a “pay what you can” option.
- Emmy-winning Jamaican poet and writer Kwame Dawes will be reading at Shelton Auditorium on Nov. 19. Free.
- On Nov. 19, join the New York Times-bestselling illustrator and author of children’s books Juana Martinez-Neal at the Central Library. Free.
- Author Mona Susan Power will give a free online talk, Native Rights and Culture in Fiction through the public library on Nov. 20.
- Céline Semaan, an environmental and social justice writer and author of “A Woman is a School,” will be at Golden Hour Books on Nov. 22. Free, but seating is limited.
Family-friendly and free storytimes
The Indianapolis Public Library has free family-friendly activities almost every day. These are just some of our favorites, plus some other things we found.
- Black History Saturday School kicks off Nov. 9 with the Center for Africana Studies at IUI. The program is free for kids ages 8-12.
- The Irvington Branch is having a bilingual storytime/hora del cuento bilingüe en español on Nov. 13.
- If you’d rather hear fish stories and explore life as a fish, the East 38th Street library branch has a preschool program on Nov. 13 with fishing instructor Clint Kowalik.
- At Indy Reads, on Nov. 16, join author Mike Fuller for a reading of his new book, “The Black Snowboarder.” Free.
- There’s nothing better in this world than jazz music in November. On Nov. 17, the Central Library’s Family Concert Series presents Hot Jazz for Cool Kids for free.
- Babies up to 24 months are invited to Storytime at College Avenue, at the College Avenue branch on Nov. 22.
Art discussions for art nerds
- Love and hate in design are the heart of the matter at the Nov. 19 discussion with Design Arts Collective at the Indy Art Center. $15.
- On Nov. 20, you can hear Creatives on Creatives: Iman Tucker (founder of Believe Brand Co.) & Oreo Jones (musician, curator and Chreece organizer) at Draft Creative Space. $5-$10.
- Read and share with other zine lovers at the Zine Salon, at East 38th Street library branch, on Nov. 26. Free.
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