November is for the Undiscovered. Usher in the Holidays with These New Finds.

Turkey dinners and holiday decorating always come with November, but this year expand your experiences with family and friends by exploring the undiscovered events, festivals, museum exhibitions and independently-owned retailers that you can find only in Raleigh, N.C. In an area known for its bright and creative minds, these two exhibits are a natural fit. The North Carolina Museum of Art presents the blockbuster exhibitions The Worlds of M.C. Escher: Nature Science and Imagination (10/17-1/17/16) and Leonardo Da Vinci's Codex Leicester and the Creative Mind (10/31-1/17/16). In addition to visual arts, the performing arts are a large part of Raleigh's creative scene, and the Carolina Ballet dances to Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 (11/19-22) while Broadway Series South presents Rudolph (11/27-12/30). Can't miss: Twenty displays made up of thousands of LED lights create unforgettable sights during the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival-Cary (11/28-1/3/16) at Koka Booth Amphitheatre :: All Creative Genius events

Holiday Shopping

Raleigh has no shortage of independently-owned shops and boutiques, shopping centers with nationally-known retailers and also holiday shopping events-all of which make it easy to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. The North Carolina State Fairgrounds are home to the Raleigh Antiques Extravaganza (11/20-22), made up of more than 125 exhibitors featuring quality antiques and old collectibles, and the Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market (11/27-29), a complete holiday experience featuring personal gifts, crafts, jewelry, art, pottery and holiday foods. Can't miss: The Carolina Artisan Craft Market (11/6-8) at the Raleigh Convention Center featuring more than 115 of the best contemporary fine craft artists from across N.C. and the U.S. :: All holiday events

Sports Scene Heats Up the Cool Season

Even with the weather turning cooler, the sports scene in Raleigh is still as hot as ever! Playing at PNC Arena, the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (11/1), Dallas Stars (11/6), Ottawa Senators, (11/7), Minnesota Wild (11/12), Philadelphia Flyers (11/14), Anaheim Ducks (11/16), Toronto Maple Leafs (11/20), Los Angeles Kings (11/22) and Edmonton Oilers (11/25). And more than 1,200 youth boys' and girls' soccer teams from around the country will head to the CASL visitRaleigh.com National Soccer Series (11/7-8, 11/14-15, 11/20-22, 12/4-6) for soccer action. Can't miss: Some of the best of college women's soccer comes to WakeMed Soccer Park during the ACC Women's Soccer Championship (11/6 & 8) :: All Adrenaline Junkie events

Enriching Events

One of the North Carolina Museum of History's most anticipated annual events, the 20th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration (11/21) brings together musicians, dancers, artists, storytellers and authors from N.C.'s eight state-recognized tribes for a family-friendly event. Stroll across Bicentennial Plaza to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences where visitors of all ages can explore the diversity of mammals, examining the ancestry and evolution of the biggest, smallest and most amazing mammals that have walked the Earth at a special exhibition, Extreme Mammals (through 3/27/16). Can't miss: North Carolina's Favorite Son: Billy Graham and His Remarkable Journey of Faith (11/6-7/10/16) opens at the North Carolina Museum of History and explores Billy Graham's life and ministry spanning several decades :: All Lifelong Learner events 

Holiday Finds for the Music Maniac

From holiday concerts to good, old-fashioned rock-and-roll, Nov. is a month filled with live music performances of every genre-even marching bands. The holiday season in Raleigh officially kicks off with the 71st Annual WRAL Raleigh Christmas Parade (11/21), which holds the title of the largest Christmas parade between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. If kids haven't had enough holiday fun at the parade, the North Carolina Symphony presents A Frozen Journey (11/25), including musical selections from The Polar Express and Frozen, and during its annual Holiday Pops (11/27-28) concert featuring your holiday favorites, Santa even makes a special appearance! Can't miss: It will be music to your ears during the Capital Area Handbell Festival (11/6-7) when 300-400 hand bell ringers from several states ring en masse under a nationally-known hand bell clinician :: All Music Maniac events 

Harvest Flavors and Hearty Foods

Nov. is the perfect time for eating-with fresh harvest flavors and hearty foods, Raleigh offers various Foodie events that will get you pumped for Thanksgiving dinner. More than 20 individuals, businesses and non-profit groups show off their cooking skills at Fuquay-Varina's annual downtown Chili Cook-Off (11/7) while downtown Raleigh's historic City Market is the backdrop for the N.C. Wine Festival at City Market (11/7). This food and wine festival showcases the best of N.C. where guests will have the opportunity to mingle with winemakers and local artisans while enjoying wine tastings, food pairings, live music and entertainment throughout the day. Can't miss: Experience an afternoon of exciting recipe demos using seasonal ingredients during the Mix 101.5 WRAL Taste of Home Cooking School (11/10), providing entertaining and relatable cooking instruction for the home cook :: All Foodie events