As the holiday season approaches in the Wilmington area, there are plenty of exciting events to look forward to in November. From delicious food festivals to wine dinners, there’s something for everyone on the calendar.

On November 1st, a downtown Wilmington restaurant is celebrating its 13th anniversary with a special event. Located at 123 Princess St., this Australian Barbie will feature a four-course meal paired with five wines from Brad Hickey of Brash Higgins Wine. Tickets for this culinary experience are priced at $150.

From November 3rd to 5th, the popular Greek Festival Drive Thru will be held at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on 608 College Road. This drive-thru event allows you to pick up homemade Greek cuisine and experience Greek culture without leaving your car. The hours for this event are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

November 4th marks the 10th anniversary of the Taste of Wrightsville Beach, a beloved event that showcases the restaurant scene in this beach community. This event raises money for Weekend Meals on Wheels of New Hanover County and offers more than 35 local cuisine, beer, and wine tasting booths. General admission tickets are priced at $100 and include all samples. Children under 21 years old can attend for $25, and children under 5 get in for free.

Also on November 4th, the Polish Festival at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church is celebrating its 23rd year at 4849 Castle Hayne Road in Castle Hayne. This festival promises a variety of food, baked goods, beer, and music, and will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For beer and cider enthusiasts, the inaugural Applearchy Cider Festival will take place on November 4th at Brunswick Beer and Cider on 1313 S Dickinson Drive in Leland. This festival will feature live music, apple pressing, apple cider doughnuts, Mimi & Papa’s Gourmet Popcorn, and local produce. Tickets for the event range from $30 to $35 and include a tasting glass for sampling beers and ciders from across the Carolinas.

The Veg-Out Festival, originally scheduled for an earlier date, will now take place on November 4th. This festival focuses on green living and healthy eating and offers vendors, cooking demonstrations, and vegan and vegetarian food options. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 10 Cowan St. in Wilmington, and admission is free.

On November 8th, the Lumina on Wrightsville Beach Holiday Inn Resort will host a wine dinner at its recently renovated restaurant, Solstice Kitchen + Cocktails. This five-course dinner will feature Spanish-meets-Southern dishes paired with wines and will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Exciting news for coffee lovers! The new Scooter’s Coffee location in Wilmington will have its grand opening on November 10th. This event will feature special deals, such as buy one drink, get another free with their mobile app, and free stickers. Be sure to stop by starting at 5:30 a.m. at 6851 Market St., Wilmington.

If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, don’t miss the wine dinner at Ciana Ristorante Italiano on November 13th. Located at 4724 New Centre Drive in Wilmington, this dinner will have a “Taste of France” theme and will feature a delicious four-course meal. Tickets for this event are $79 per person, and you can reserve your spot by emailing jackie@cianarestaurant.com.

On November 15th, the Carolina Beach Bar Club will host Cranksgiving, a food drive/bike ride starting at Good Hops Brewing on 811 Harper Ave. in Carolina Beach. This event aims to support Martha’s Kitchen by stocking their kitchen. While the race is free to participate in, each team is encouraged to spend around $20-30 on groceries.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Wilmington, located at 15 Van Campen Blvd., will be hosting special dinners in November, including a Friendsgiving Bourbon Pairing Menu on November 15th. This chef-crafted four-course dinner will feature bourbons and bourbon cocktails. The dinner will start at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are available for $65.

For an artistic dining experience, head to the Cameron Art Museum and its CAM Café on November 16th for The Art of Food event. This five-course dinner will feature dishes inspired by the artwork at the museum and will cost $95 per person. To make a reservation, call 910-777-2363.

Last but not least, mark your calendar for November 28th, when Blue Surf Arboretum West at 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington will host a wine dinner featuring wines from Napa. To attend this dinner, please inquire about tickets at the restaurant.

Stay connected with the latest food news in the area by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following them on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, reach out to Allison Ballard, the food and dining reporter at the StarNews, at aballard@gannett.com.

There you have it – a rundown of all the exciting wine dinners and food festivals happening in Wilmington, NC, this November. Don’t miss out on these incredible culinary experiences and the chance to support local businesses and organizations!