Some say November is “quiet”—but not in Shores & Islands Ohio! From Veterans Day to festive markets, from the big game to big family gatherings, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate this month. As the calendar turns from pumpkins to pine, our region shines with events that capture the best of fall and the first hints of holiday cheer along the Lake Erie coast.
Veterans Day at the Liberty Aviation Museum
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025
Liberty Aviation Museum, Port Clinton
For Veterans Day in 2025, we are giving veterans, active military, and their immediate families FREE Admission to the Liberty Aviation Museum! Also, 20% off sale in the gift shop for EVERYONE! Shop early for Christmas for best selection.
Learning the North Coast Inland Trail
Thursday, Nov 13, 2025
Veteran’s Memorial Park, Genoa
As part of the Outdoor Hiking Challenge, the Park District of Ottawa County and Partners are leading a series of Guided Walks throughout the autumn season. Explore all the North Coast Inland Trail (NCIT) has to offer through a guided walk in Veterans Memorial Park and the newly completed portions of the trail. No registration necessary.
Lights on the NorthCoast
Starts Friday, Nov 14, 2025-Dec 31, 2025
Erie County Fairgrounds, Sandusky
Jingle Bell Rock towards Lights on the NorthCoast's Christmas Drive-thru light display and Interactive Walk-thru light display. There will be an epic amount of over 1 million lights. Also join in on the holiday fun with indoor Christmas-themed putt-putt, Christmas Village, food trucks, and much more!
Guided Hike Series
Saturday, Nov 15, 2025
Old Woman Creek, Huron
Explore Old Woman Creek Reserve through our Guided Hike Series. Each hike will provide participants with a unique experience connecting with nature through learning and observation. November 15 - Let's Talk Turkey! Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Holiday Craft Show at Historic Lyme Village
Saturday, Nov 15, 2025
Historic Lyme Village, Bellevue
Craft vendors will be on hand in the Schaeffer-Wolfe Barn at Historic Lyme Village to help with your holiday shopping. $1 entry fee, hourly door prizes.
"Dinner with The Liverpool Lads" - Firelands Historical Society Fundraiser
Saturday, Nov 15, 2025
Mesenburg Plaza Place, Huron
The Liverpool Lads are coming back to the Firelands!! Enjoy a “Fab” night out with northeast Ohio’s favorite Beatles tribute band! Admission includes concert, buffet dinner, access to raffle items, and 50/50 drawing. CASH BAR. All proceeds to benefit Firelands Historical Society expansion project. $50/person or $90 per couple (2 tickets)
Freedom and Flourishes
Sunday, Nov 16, 2025
Sawmill Creek Convention Center, Huron
Experience the sweeping beauty of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, brought to life by Piano Cleveland artist and Cleveland International Piano Competition Medalist Maxim Lando. Combining lush Romantic-era music with themes of honor, memory, and reflection, we celebrate our veterans and active military personnel with John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare and Aaron Copland’s A Lincoln Portrait, among others.
Christmas Cookie Decorating Class
Friday, Nov 21, 2025
Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center, Sandusky
Get in the holiday spirit with Shores & Islands Ohio! Join Cookies by Moe for a fun and festive Christmas cookie decorating class. Learn decorating tips and techniques as you create your own custom sugar cookies—made fresh with love by Cookies by Moe. Tickets are $25 per person, and refreshments will be provided by Shores & Islands Ohio. Advanced reservations required. Space is limited, so call 419-625-2984 to reserve your spot today! $25/person
Harvest Run
Saturday, Nov 22, 2025
Mad River Harley-Davidson, Sandusky
Help launch a new tradition! Join Mad River Harley-Davidson for an In-Store Poker Run benefiting Victory Kitchen this holiday season. Come play your hand, enjoy the camaraderie, and make a difference this holiday season! Even though your entry fee goes directly to Victory Kitchen, Mad River Harley-Davidson encourages all riders to bring canned goods to help stock the shelves. Donations can also be dropped off at Mad River beginning Nov 1st.Ride to Victory Kitchen: If the weather permits, you’ll finish the day with a police-escorted ride to Victory Kitchen to deliver the canned food donations. Kickstands will go up at 2:45 pm! $10/person
Holiday Open House
Saturday, Nov 22, 2025
The Arts Guild of Vermilion & Main Street Vermilion, Vermilion
Enjoy a holiday drink & treat while shopping the gallery. Local artists, one-of-a-kind gifts, fine art, Small Town. Great Lake. gifts, jewelry & more! Cookies and punch served from Noon-5 pm and light appetizers and wine served from 5-8 pm
Songs of Thanksgiving (Chorale Concert)
Saturday and Sunday, Nov 22-23, 2025
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Sandusky
The annual Songs of Thanksgiving concerts are a special musical experience celebrating the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday through beautiful choral works and stories. This year’s program theme is “From Hope, Gratitude”: acclaim through musical scenes the hope and gratitude of family and friendship found during this special time of year. $35/person (students $5)
Hayes Train Special 2025
Starts Friday, Nov 28, 2025
RB Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Fremont
This operating model-train display runs through an intricate Victorian holiday scene. Interactive buttons allow visitors to control aspects of the trains’ movements along the winding, multi-tiered layout. Access to the “Hayes Train Special” is free, although donations will be accepted. The “Hayes Train Special” will be open through Sunday, Jan 4, 2026.
Sandusky Christmas Market 2025
Starts Friday, Nov 28, 2025
Schade-Mylander Plaza, Sandusky
This festive event is set to bring together this extended community to celebrate the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! This Christmas Market is set to transform downtown Sandusky into a magical winter wonderland this holiday season. This enchanting holiday event will feature an array of local artisans, festive food vendors, live entertainment, and fun for the entire family! Additionally, be sure not to miss the Washington Park Holiday Tree Lighting Event, taking place just before, only a couple blocks away. The three weekend long Market event will go through Sat, Dec 13.
Gideon Owen Holiday Market
Starts Friday, Nov 28, 2025
Gideon Owen Wine Company, Catawba
Join Us for the 2025 Holiday Market at Gideon Owen Wine Company! The most magical time of the year is back! The Holiday Market returns to the winery — filled with festive charm, local artisans, seasonal treats, and of course, your favorite Gideon Owen wines. Stroll through our twinkling market booths, discover unique gifts from talented local makers, sip mulled wine by the fire, and soak in the cozy holiday spirit. It’s the perfect way to kick off your festive season with friends and family! The four weekend long Market event will go through Sun, Dec 21.
Ohio State University Marching Band Concert
Friday, Nov 28, 2025
Sandusky High School, Sandusky
The Pride of the Buckeyes nationally renowned Ohio State University Marching Band will be in concert at Sandusky High School. Every 4 years since 1971, the OSU Marching Band plays a concert in Sandusky on their way to The Game next day in Ann Arbor. The Band will play their half time show highlights and all the Buckeye favorites. All proceeds support scholarships for local students attending Ohio State.
The Race Before The Game
Saturday, Nov 29, 2025
Cameo Pizza, Sandusky
Go Bucks and Go Blue during this 9th annual event in downtown Sandusky. There isn’t a better way to start the morning of the Ohio State/Michigan game day than “Dotting the i” or “Blocking the M.” And you can do both in this one-of-a-kind event. There is no other city with a unique street grid like Sandusky's to complete this kind of course. The “Dot the i” course is approximately 5 miles, and the “Block the M” course is approximately 4 miles.
Small Shop Saturday
Saturday, Nov 29, 2025
Downtown Vermilion
Shop Small Saturday is an American Express/FedEx event that encourages people locally and all across American to support small, local businesses, the very heartbeat of an amazing downtown. This is a wonderful opportunity to get a jump start on Christmas shopping, meet local business owners, and invest your dollars back into the community. Stop in Main Street Vermilion between 10 am-4 pm and pick up your free collector canvas tote, while they last, one bag per shopper, please. Local merchants also have some Shop Small Saturday specials, sales, and discounts! Shop small. Shop local. Shop Vermilion.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Saturday, Nov 29, 2025
Downtown Vermilion
The holiday magic begins at 11 am as Santa cruises down the Vermilion River in style! Catch a wave of holiday cheer as he makes his grand entrance and heads to his cozy Santa House from 12-2 pm to greet all the good boys, girls, and furry friends! Your four-legged family members are MORE than welcome to join in on the fun for photos with Santa too! Whether they’re posing with jingle bells or just looking adorable, they’ll have their moment to shine. Bring your wish lists, your holiday spirit, and your furry companions, it’s a festive tradition you won’t want to miss!
This no shortage of fun this NO-vember! Find all area events at SHORESandISLANDS.com/events
