What’s happening in November? Here at the Almanac, wethink of November as the month of food, when the best of cooks can shine, and the best of eaters will surely get their fill ahead of winter. Here’s what November brings—from weather forecasts tofolklore!
And the dead leaves lie huddled and still,
No longer blown hither and thither;
The last lone aster is gone;
The flowers of the witch-hazel wither …
–Robert Frost(1874–1963)
The Month ofNovember
November, the 11th month of the year, has 30 days and marks the beginning of the winter holiday season for most folks, even if the winter solstice doesn’t occur until lateDecember.
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When Is Thanksgiving 2024? Traditions, History, and Recipes
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We’ve made this month, named for the ninth (novem) month in the early Roman calendar, into a social time of community suppers, feasts of thanksgiving, and generalelections.
NovemberCalendar
- November 1is Diwali andAll Saints’ Day.
- November 2 is Sadie Hawkins Day.
- November 3 at 2 A.M.is the end of Daylight Saving Time. Set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night at bedtime!See more about DST.
- November 4isWill Rogers Day.
- November 5is Election Day (U.S.). Don’t forget to vote in state and federal elections! Every vote counts. Make an Election Day Cake tocelebrate.
- November 11is VeteransDay(U.S.) and Remembrance Day (Canada).
- If you’re fortunate, you may experience an “Indian Summer” in November, but according to the traditional definition, it can only occurbetween November 11 and 20!What is an IndianSummer?
- November 19 is Discovery of Puerto Rico Day.
- November 28 isThanksgiving Day (U.S.). Understand the history and origins of Thanksgiving.
- The day after Thanksgiving, November 29 this year, is known as Black Friday.
“Just for Fun” Dates inNovember
November is Banana Pudding Lovers Month—who knew? Here are some more wacky celebrations to look forwardto:
- Nov. 1: National Cook for Your PetsDay
- Nov. 6: Zero-TaskingDay
- Nov. 9: National ScrappleDay
- Nov. 16: National ButtonDay
- Nov. 21: World HelloDay
- Nov. 23: FibonacciDay
November Moon &Astronomy
The Full BeaverMoon
November’s full Moon istraditionally called the Beaver Moon. Why this name? In the colonial era, this was the month to set one’s beaver traps before the swamps froze and beavers retired to their lodges, to ensure a supply of warm winterfurs.
In 2024,November’s full Moon occurs onFriday, November 15. Read ourNovember Moonpage for moreinformation!
NovemberWeather
According to weather folklore, a heavy November snow will last untilApril.
See our predictions for Novemberandcheck out our 2024-2025 Winter Forecast!
November WeatherFolklore
- If there’s ice in November that will bear a duck, there’ll be nothing after but sludge and muck.
- November take flail; let ships no moresail.
- If trees show buds in November, the winter will last untilMay.
- There is no better month in the year to cut wood thanNovember.
- Ice in November brings mud inDecember.
Recipes for theSeason
It’s time to start thinking about holiday preparations—for Thanksgiving andbeyond!
Consult our collection of Thanksgiving recipes—from the big bird to stuffing to deserving side dishes todesserts!
You may also enjoy these make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes; they can be prepared ahead of the big feast day to save you some valuable last-minute cookingtime.
If you’re serving turkey, here aretips on how to roast the bird.
Got leftovers? Try this Day-After-Turkey-Dinner Hash!
Learn more about Thanksgiving’s foods with these fun factspages:
- The Great Yam Scam: Are Sweet Potatoes Really“Yams?”
- CranberryTrivia
- TurkeyTrivia
NovemberGardening
Use small stakes or markers where you’ve planted bulbs or late-starting plants in the perennial garden to avoid disturbing them when you begin spring soilpreparation.
Check trees around your house for weak branches that should be removed by you now, rather than by snow and icelater.
If you’re in the midst of raking leaves, see our advice on how to use them in the garden.
See more gardening jobs for the month ofNovember.
Did You Know: Autumn is the best time to prepare your yard properly for healthy spring growth. It’s much easier to handle these tasks now! See our “10 Fall Cleanup Tips for a Better Spring Garden.”
NovemberBirthstone
November’s traditional birthstone is the topaz, usually a yellow to amber color. The ancient Greeks believed that topaz could make a wearer invisible. A symbol of honor and strength, topaz was also believed to bring longevity and wisdom. Learn more about topaz—and November birthstones.
BirthFlowers
November’s birth flower is the chrysanthemum.Generally, chrysanthemums represent cheerfulness. A red one conveys, “I love you.” White symbolizes truth or pure love. A yellow one indicates slighted love. Learn more about the birth flower of November.
EverydayAdvice
The holiday season is now upon us! Check out ourHoliday Cooking and CleaningChecklist
It’s also the start of cold and flu season. Here arenatural cold remedies for your body andmind.
Stay warm with a cozy fire. See the best types of firewood for burning.
NovemberZodiac
November’s Zodiac Signsare:
- Scorpio: October 23 to November21
- Sagittarius: November 22 to December20
What do you love about the month of November? Tell us in the commentsbelow!