While the next month or so will undoubtedly fly by, November holds more than a few events that are cause for pumping the winter brakes. We’ve rounded up a small collection that, no matter your particular interests, should be able to justify a pre-holiday getaway.
Cirque du Soleil: Zarkana, Las Vegas
Debuting today at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star ARIA Resort & Casino and sporting a slightly darker atmosphere than most Cirque du Soleil productions, Zarkana follows the character of Zark on a quest to regain his powers and the love of his life. This, of course, involves a journey packed with almost unbelievable acrobatic feats (like high-wire jump roping), visually dazzling costumes and set pieces that seem to morph and blend with each background change. Starts November 1
Stanley Kubrick: The Ultimate Trip, Beverly Hills, Calif.
We’ll be honest — if you don’t understand what the Star Child is at the end of 2001: A Space Odyssey, this exhibition, showing through March 3, probably won’t help. But, for film buffs and Kubrick diehards (most likely two groups that have considerable crossover), this collection of photographs, screenplay drafts, production designs and more will provide a compelling look into the master director’s wholly unique universe. Explore the collection at the headquarters gallery of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. November 8
The Lord Mayor’s Show, London
Alderman Roger Gifford is officially the 685th Lord Mayor of London and, to start his term, he’ll make his way to the city’s Royal Courts of Justice in the gilded State Coach during this spectacle of a procession. With a completely impressive lineup of participants — 125 horses, 18 vintage cars, 21 carriages, a Japanese Taiko drum band, a steamroller, a boat, a Sherman tank, an F-Type Jaguar, 22 marching bands and more than 6,500 people — this three-plus mile parade will be seen by almost 500,000 people live and millions more on the BBC. Those are some very big numbers. Why not join in? November 10
A Trio of Marathons
What plummeting temperatures? Runners looking to test their mettle have many race options in November, but a couple of big-name events — namely the Philadelphia and Seattle marathons — are what the true competitors will be carbo-loading for this month. And at the historic Athens Marathon in Greece, athletes have the added bonus of running the same route as the one used during the 2004 Summer Olympics. Athens (November 11), Philadelphia (November 18), Seattle (November 25)
Beaujolais Nouveau, Hershey, Pa.
Attention all wine lovers: If you’re swinging through this chocolate-centric destination in mid-November, welcome the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Hotel Hershey with a complimentary tasting of Georges Duboeuf’s latest arrival, along with French-inspired hors d’oeuvres. And if the small taste isn’t enough to satisfy your palate, $15 flights of four Beaujolais Nouveau wines will be available at the hotel’s Trevi 5 and Circular Dining Room. November 15
Tony Abou-Ganim Southwest Spirit Summit, Tucson, Ariz.
Master mixologist and Forbes Travel Guide Tastemaker Tony Abou-Ganim brings a three-day celebration of all things spirit-centric to Tucson’s Casino Del Sol Resort. With a focus on drinks crafted in the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico, the packed lineup of seminars, dinners, competitions and happy hours aims to introduce (slightly tipsily, by the sounds of it) festival-goers to the wide selection of Southwest spirits available today. Bonus: the summit will benefit nonprofits including the Helen David Memorial Fund and the Museum of the American Cocktail. November 16-18
The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Chicago
The countdown to the major holiday rush is, well, over, as Chicago kicks off the season with this vibrant parade of Disney World proportions. One million lights on 200 trees will be illuminated by none other than Mickey and Minnie Mouse themselves, who will graciously make the chilly trip north from Florida. After the procession has made its way down Michigan Avenue, a fireworks display over the Chicago River officially erases any doubt that the holiday blitz is upon us. November 17
