Want to get into the holiday spirit, but don't like the colder temps that come along with the season? Head to sunny Florida for late fall and early winter. The Sunshine State is home to several great celebrations and events—from food festivals, art shows, light displays, and more—leading up to the holidays. Enjoy musical performances along the Gulf Coast Pensacola, Florida - courtesy of Visit Pensacola Taking place this November, the Annual Frank Brown Songwriters' Festival will once again bring nationally acclaimed songwriters and musicians from around the world to venues along Florida's Gulf Coast from November 9th to 19th, with several can't-miss engagements at the iconic Flora-Bama on Perdido Key. Next year will mark 40 years as the festival continues to provide musicians an opportunity to share their stories behind lyrics that otherwise may go unheard with music-loving fans. Additionally, this November also marks the 10-year anniversary of a Pensacola staple, the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival. A 12-day celebration of culturally creative happenings, events, and moments under one banner, this year's events will take place from Thursday, November 2nd to Monday, November 13th. Set to be one of the most memorable iterations yet, this year's Foo Foo Fest will see leading acts such as Manchester Orchestra, Broadway star Megan Hilty, immersive fine art experiences and tours, performances by the Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Children's Chorus and others. Celebrate the holidays on the beach Celebrating its 11th year in Jacksonville Beach, Deck the Chairs will start November 22nd. During this unique event, visitors will see American Red Cross Lifeguard chairs decked in coastal holiday decorations and lights. New for the event this year is an additional display at James Weldon Johnson Park in Downtown Jacksonville that debuts on December 6th. Each year, thousands come out to see the decorations and support local arts education. Take part in a frost-free snowball fight From November 24th to December 29th, the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens will host the Dazzling Nights exhibition. Immersive lighting displays dazzle the property and can be enjoyed on evenings throughout the holiday season. With their nightly snowfall during the event and snowball fights inside a gigantic snow globe, guests can have a wintery experience not common to Floridians. See dazzling lights in St. Augustine Christmas lights illuminate St. Augustine, Florida - courtesy of Florida's Historic Coast For the past thirty years, St. Augustine has marked the Saturday before Thanksgiving with Light Up! Night (November 18th this year). During the annual Nights of Lights, millions of twinkling white lights come to life and illuminate the historic architecture of the nation's oldest city. The festival has roots in the Spanish tradition of placing lit white candles in the windows of homes to mark the Christmas season. Light Up Night! is a free event that begins at 4 p.m. with a spirited holiday performance by Showtime USA at City Hall. Then at 6 p.m., the All-Star Orchestra takes the stage with great swing and big band sounds at the historic Plaza de la Constitución Gazebo. At 6:45p.m. the switch is flipped, lighting up the city. St. Augustine has many local businesses that provide a variety of ways to sit back, relax, and enjoy the lights. Join Ancient City Tours for guided walking tours full of fascinating stories, or check out Old Town Trolley's Famous Nights of Lights Tour and Ripley's Red Train Nights of Lights Tours. For a vintage vibe, climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage and take in the lights leisurely. Rides with The Tasting Tours are offered daily, including boutique wines and VIP boarding. Take in the entire illuminated landscape from the sea by booking an intimate and highly customizable sailing experience on one of St. Augustine Sailing's luxury sailboats departing from Camachee Cove Marina. For larger groups, the Schooner Freedom brings traditional sailing techniques to life during their Sunset and Nights of Lights sails. For a powered boat journey, hop on board with Florida Water Tours, St. Augustine Scenic Cruise, St. Augustine Boat Tours, St. Augustine Eco Tours, Pia & Me Charters, and Red Boat Tours. For a piratical spin, check out the Black Raven Pirate Ship. Enjoy fresh seafood in Ormond Beach Daytona Beach Located between The Casements and the Halifax River in Ormond Beach, Rockefeller Gardens will celebrate the coastal lifestyle and all things water at the 13th Annual Riverfest Seafood Festival on November 18th and 19th. Guests can enjoy freshly caught fried fish, sip on a craft beer and enjoy live music and much more. The kids can even get in on the fun with the annual kid fish clinic. That same weekend, Woodland Boulevard in DeLand will transform into an artist’s garden of colors with the 30th Annual Fall Festival of the Arts. The event will feature works from 170 national artists, who will display and sell artwork in a wide variety of mediums including paintings, sculpture, glass, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, wood, ceramics and fiber. Go on a festive shopping spree in Jacksonville Holiday lights in Jacksonville, Florida - courtesy of Visit Jacksonville Holiday shoppers traveling to town will want to check out the St. Johns Town Center Holiday Spectacular on November 11th. The outdoor mall's annual event includes giveaways from the Town Center's stores, ornament decorating, oversized games, a 360 photo studio and live entertainment. The Spectacular ends with Santa Claus lighting a 32-foot holiday tree and kicking off a fireworks display. Residents of Jacksonville love putting together light displays throughout their businesses and neighborhoods during the holidays. Thanksgiving weekend brings the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade, a 30-year tradition, where boats float down the North and South Banks of the St. Johns River with fantastic holiday light arrangements. The parade finishes with a fireworks show featuring one-of-a-kind waterfall fireworks on the Main Street and Acosta Bridges. Gather at Daytona International Speedway for the Turkey Run The largest combined car show and swap meet in the United States is celebrating its golden anniversary in 2023 with the 50th Annual Daytona Turkey Run on November 23rd through 26th at Daytona International Speedway. Car enthusiasts will gather to view show-quality cars from around the county, discover beautifully restored classics and foreign cars. From accessories to hard-to-find parts to classic cars, there’s something for everyone at the Turkey Run.

Mexico City sets the scene for one of the most important holidays in Mexico — Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This ancestral tradition dates back to pre-Hispanic Mexico, with roots originating in the cultures of Mesoamerica. Over time, these traditions were blended with Catholic beliefs to give rise to the holiday we know today, celebrated across Mexico. For American travelers, Mexico City is one of the easiest international destinations to access, thanks to thousands of non-stop flights. Benito Juarez International Airport is one of the main hubs of Latin America, with direct U.S. flights from Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Chicago, Houston, and several other major cities. The central pillar of the celebration is remembering the lives of those no longer living. Loved ones and family members take to cemeteries and each other's homes with offerings of flowers, water, photographs of the deceased, their favorite food and drink, and other items that help to remember those who passed. The celebration is so integral to Mexican culture that UNESCO has established it as a Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and nowhere in Mexico celebrates Day of the Dead as vibrantly and passionately as Mexico City. This year’s celebration promises to be just as magical, poignant, and beautiful as ever. Catch pre-holiday festivities all month long The Mexican flag and Dia de los Muertos decor by Antonio Lapa - Unsplash The month-long celebration kicked off on October 6th with the Festival de la Llorona en el Embarcadero de Cuemanco, which took place on the canals of Xochimilco, the Venice of the Americas. The evening show takes place aboard the colorful trajineras and includes a performance on the legend of La Llorona (The Crying Woman). On October 18th, the Festival de las Flores de Cempasúchil takes over Paseo de la Reforma with thousands of brilliantly colored marigolds illuminating the path of the dead. It is estimated that five million marigold flowers will be produced this season. Marigolds in Mexico City by Roger Ce - Unsplash October 21st marks one of the most highly anticipated events of Day of the Dead in Mexico City: the Desfile de Alebrijes Monumentales, a parade of giant puppets that measure up to eight feet tall. Alebrijes are gorgeous works of art that blur the lines between reality and surrealism. They have become one of the most time-honored traditions of Mexico City's Day of the Dead. Catrina's parade in Mexico City by Salvador Altamirano - Unsplash The parade is a precursor to the next magnificent event. The following day, October 22nd, begins the Mega Procesion de Catrinas. This spectacle is a massive parade that begins at the Angel of Independence in Reforma and ends at the Zocalo, in the heart of the Centro Historico. Hundreds of gorgeous Catrinas take to the streets, with hauntingly beautiful painted faces, elaborate costumes, flowers, and music. La Catrina is the primary figure of Day of the Dead, a representation of an Aztec figure, The Goddess of Death, who was later popularized by engraver Jose Guadalupe Posada. Engines rev on October 26th at the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix, one of the most important events in professional car racing. Enjoy a week-long main event Colorful skulls by Sam Brand - Unsplash All of this is, of course, a build-up to the actual Day of the Dead. Celebrated between October 31st and November 5th, this is when the offerings are made to the dearly departed. In Mexico City, the Zocalo hosts an Ofrenda Monumental, or massive offering that fills the entire plaza with altars, flowers, incense, photographs, and much more. Thousands of people take to the streets dressed as zombies for another festive, colorful, decked-out parade. All are invited to participate in the events spread out over the month of October. Celebrations are held in every city across the country. But there is no better place in Mexico to experience Dia de Los Muertos than in the beautiful, vibrant, exciting capital city.

As Veterans Day approaches, Columbus, Ohio stands out as one of the top places in the country to honor and celebrate veterans. Ohio's capital is home to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, which is currently celebrating its fifth anniversary as the only museum in the country that honors veterans from all branches of service. In addition, the city's blend of neighborhoods, dynamic nightlife, noteworthy music scene, arts and culinary experiences, events, attractions and accommodations are all made unforgettable by the diversity of its outgoing locals who eagerly await and warmly welcome visitors. Here are several reasons why Columbus is a must-visit destination this Veterans Day. See courage up close and personal at a one-of-a-kind veterans museum American flags strung up as a decoration by Tim Mossholder - Unsplash The National Veterans Memorial and Museum takes visitors on a narrative journey, sharing the personal stories of veterans as you progress through the various stages a veteran would, from taking the oath of enlistment to attending basic training and from deploying to returning home and reintegrating as a civilian. At this unique museum, history is presented through a dynamic, participatory experience with photos, letters and personal effects, multi-media presentations and interactive exhibits. On Veterans Day, visitors are invited to participate in an annual commemorative ceremony to honor the contributions of veterans. The history of the museum goes back to former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn who was the visionary behind the $82 million project that opened in October 2018 after six years of planning and construction. One of the primary focus areas of the museum in addition to educating the public is to serve veterans. They do this by offering year-round resources and programs, including Jiu Jitsu, yoga and art classes, as well as a space to hear other veterans' stories through their Veteran Voices program. Experience other unique military museums Skyline of Columbus, Ohio by Oz Seyrek - Unsplash Other Veterans Day experiences visitors can have while in Columbus include visiting Motts Military Museum, whose mission is to share artifacts and recount their history through the stories of those who witnessed them firsthand while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Exhibits range from ones focusing on the Revolutionary War to World War II and from the Vietnam War to Dessert Storm. Visitors can see uniforms, weapons, military aircraft, tanks, boats and armored vehicles from past wars up close in an intimate setting. In a hanger outside, visitors can see larger artifacts such as a fire truck from the September 11, 2001 attacks. Pay your respects at the Ohio Veterans Plaza A National Guard helmet by Israel Palacio - Unsplash Not far from the National Veterans Memorial and Museum downtown is the Ohio Statehouse. On the Capitol grounds, visitors can stop by the Ohio Veterans Plaza, which honors Ohio veterans from World War II to the present. Limestone walls feature inscribed letters with moving messages from veterans who depict being at concentration camps, being injured during combat, missing their children's milestones and spending holidays apart from loved ones. The inspiration for the plaza is rooted in an act of civil disobedience. In 1981, two Vietnam veterans erected under the cover of night on the Capitol grounds a hand painted four-by-eight-foot sheet of plywood as a tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War. The two were to be charged with trespassing and destruction of state property until then-State Senator Richard Pfeiffer, intervened. Pfeiffer, also a Vietnam veteran, convinced officials to allow the handmade monument to stand for a period of time. Shortly after, the Ohio legislature passed a bill to install a permanent veteran's monument. Support local veteran-owned businesses In addition to these experiences, visitors to Columbus will also find a thriving community of veteran-owned businesses, providing a unique opportunity to support and connect with local entrepreneurs who have served in the armed forces. Some of the local businesses include Crew Supply Co., which creates high-quality barware and infusion kits, and Jump Start Java, which provides barista-style gourmet coffee for businesses. — Learn more about all there is to see and do in Columbus this fall here.

As the flavors of fall arrive in Northern California’s Mendocino County so does the annual crop of coveted candy cap, chanterelle, porcini and hedgehog mushrooms. Straddling historic Highways 1 and 101 with nearly 2,500 square miles of live oak and stately redwood groves, the region is a natural hotspot for some 3,000 mushroom varieties, 500 of which are edible. The annual haul is nothing short of historic, nurturing nirvana for local chefs, winemakers and fungi foragers. It’s a full belly experience this November as Mendocino’s annual Harvest Festival kicks into gear. Add in a variety of top-shelf wine events, farmer’s markets, cannabis events, hotel deals and 24 state and national parks to cut a chanterelle path and the seasonal salute is nothing short of fantastic. The event is county wide and runs from October 27 to November 12, 2023. Additionally, a variety of hotel packages are available throughout the Harvest Festival including the new Nicholson House in Mendocino village, ocean-friendly Hotel Breakers in Gualala, Fort Bragg’s Beachcomber Motel and the vintage Andiron Seaside Inn and Cabins. For a cannabis-friendly stay, check into the elegant Madrones in wine-centric Anderson Valley for a next-level experience set in bucolic rose gardens. Below are some of the experiences available for travelers to the area. Take a magical mushroom ride Mushroom selections on the Skunk Train - courtesy of Visit Mendocino County Take a ride back in time through old-growth redwoods and pristine wilderness aboard the historic Skunk Train (1885). The 14-mile loop departs from Fort Bragg traversing Pudding Creek Estuary before landing front and center at the new trestle pavilion at Glen Blair Junction. On tap are more than a dozen wineries pouring Mendocino AVA’s award-winning juice, a cache of local chefs crafting mushroom-infused edibles, whiskey tastings with a local master distiller, educational fireside chats and a network of nature trails to track and treasure the annual haul. Details: Saturday November 4, 2023; 11:30 am – 3:30 pm, Fort Bragg, California., $180.00/person. Explore local forests and meadows A waxy cap mushroom in the wild - courtesy of Visit Mendocino County Join local mycological enthusiast Adrienne Long for an exploration experience. Staged at the Stanford Inn by the Sea, the event kicks off with a mushroom talk followed by a foray into the local forests and meadows in search of the season’s top gems. Private tours also available. Details: November 3-5; November 10-12; 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., $55.00/person; www.stanfordinn.com. Talk mushroom identification at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens The real deal rolls out this November at the stunning Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, which each fall and winter plays host to more than 160 species of mushrooms. Join naturalist and mycologist Mario Abreu on an identification walk among the fungi on a fun-filled and informative afternoon. Details: November 11, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., $20.00/non-members; $10.00/members; www.gardenbythesea.org. Walk on the wild side and enjoy mushroom refreshments A ganoderma oregonense mushroom - courtesy of Visit Mendocino County Pack the boots and a sense of adventure. Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center will host guided mushroom identification walks with a large mushroom display and talk by expert Eric Schramm. Forays into nature will be led by local naturalists followed by toasty mushroom refreshments and nibbles featured in Alison Gardner and Merry Winslow’s Wild Mushroom cookbook. Details: November 12, 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; $30.00/person; www.jughandlecreekfarm.org. Taste mushroom-inspired cuisine and signature dishes Unique mushroom dinner creations - courtesy of Visit Mendocino County From the annual epic Mushroom & Beer Dinner to a foray with Mr. Fungi at the Michelin two-star Harbor House Inn, chefs throughout the county are firing up the stoves for a seasonal repast packed with exotic flavors. Belly up to the six-course fungi-forward diner at the legendary Little River Inn, where Chef Marc Dym will deliver a savory repast paired with a thought-provoking line-up of brews from Russian River Brewing Company. Nearby, Stanford Inn’s Ravens restaurant rolls out a Medicinal Mushroom Breakfast while Ukiah’s Left Coast Seafood joins Graziano Family of Wines for a multi-course extravaganza showcasing foods freshly-harvested from farm, land and sea. Gualala’s Mar Vista Farm + Wine Dinner is a new addition this year, focused on the season’s top bounty paired with Murder Ridge Winery’s award-winning wines. Hopland The Golden Pig is also on the roster as is the HarborView Bistro & Bar with an evening of wild mushroom dishes paired with Pinot; the bar will also be serving a signature Candy Cap Mushroom Old Fashioned throughout the festival, belly up!