Here are 16 things to do this November in Stockton and San Joaquin County

Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record
·8 min read

Spooky season is over and it's time to be thankful and eat lots of pumpkin pie.

Although Thanksgiving day is still a few weeks away, here are some events to look forward to this month.

25th Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival

The 25th Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival is back with more wildlife tours, workshops, an art show, live animal displays and vendors. The three-day event celebrates the "return of the cranes" to the delta.

Admission to the festival is free but tickets for tours are on sale starting at $5 for anyone over 17 years old. There are more than 40 tours available for sign-up from Friday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 5.

For tour tickets visit lodisandhillcrane.org.

  • Location: Hutchins Street Square, 125 S. Hutchins St. Square in Lodi

  • Hours: Hours vary, Friday, Nov. 3, Saturday, Nov. 4, and Sunday, Nov. 5

  • Information: lodisandhillcrane.org

Celebrate Culture

Summer Harrison of San Lorenzo dance at the annual Labor Day Stockton Community Pow Wow on the UOP campus in Stockton on Saturday, August 3, 2022. Since 1981 Native Americans representing tribes throughout California and other western states have celebrated their culture at the Stockton Pow Wow.
Summer Harrison of San Lorenzo dance at the annual Labor Day Stockton Community Pow Wow on the UOP campus in Stockton on Saturday, August 3, 2022. Since 1981 Native Americans representing tribes throughout California and other western states have celebrated their culture at the Stockton Pow Wow.

Back for a second year, the Culture Event at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium will held Saturday, Nov. 4, in honor of National Native American Heritage Month.

This free event is open to the public with live performances, a native art exhibit and food.

  • Location: Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium, 525 N. Center St. in Stockton

  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4

  • Information: nativecoreca.org/events

Día de los Muertos at Weberstown Mall

Denise Flores of Stockton takes a picture of an offend or altar on display at the Mexican Heritage Center's 4th annual De Los Muertos Street Fiesta in downtown Stockton on Oct. 28, 2023. The event, at the intersection of Market and Sutter streets, celebrates Mexican culture and remembers past ancestors. Altars, or offends were on display as well as the car show. A Catrina pageant accompanied musical acts as well as food and crafts vendors.

The Weberstown Mall will be celebrating Día de los Muertos on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the JCPenney Court. There will be a community ofrenda, live entertainment, food offerings, and face painting by MR California Art.

  • Location: Weberstown Mall at the JCPenney Court, 4950 Pacific Ave. in Stockton

  • Hours: 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4

  • Information: weberstown.com

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Bob Hope Theatre

Head over to the Bob Hope Theatre on Friday, Nov. 10 for the Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet.

"Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet," the Ticketmaster website states. "Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger than life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes."

Tickets start at $30.

  • Location: Bob Hope Theater, 242 E. Main St. in Stockton

  • Hours: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10

  • Information: ticketmaster.com

Veterans Day Tribute at Bob Hope Theater

97-year-old Marine veteran Frank Wright salutes during the posting of the colors at the annual Veterans Day Tribute hosted by the United Veterans Council of San Joaquin County at the Bob Hope Theatre in downtown Stockton on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
97-year-old Marine veteran Frank Wright salutes during the posting of the colors at the annual Veterans Day Tribute hosted by the United Veterans Council of San Joaquin County at the Bob Hope Theatre in downtown Stockton on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

Head over to the Bob Hope Theater for the annual Veterans Day Tribute on Saturday, Nov. 11.

The free community event is hosted by the United Veterans Council of San Joaquin County to honor and celebrate Veterans. The program will begin at 10:45 a.m., however, doors open an hour before.

Storytime at the Tiny Library at Weberstown Mall

Captain America will be the special guest reader this month for story time at the Weberstown Mall Tiny Library near Sears and LensCrafters.

The free family event will include stories, crafts and snacks. This is an event sponsored by the Family Resource & Referral Center and 2-1-1 San Joaquin.

  • Location: Tiny Library at Weberstown Mall, 4950 Pacific Ave. in Stockton

  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11

  • Information: facebook.com/weberstown

Stockton Hmong New Year

Jubilyn Le performs with the Nkauj Plhis Txuj dance group in the dance competition at the Stockton Hmong New Year Festival at the 99 Speedway in Stockton on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022.
Jubilyn Le performs with the Nkauj Plhis Txuj dance group in the dance competition at the Stockton Hmong New Year Festival at the 99 Speedway in Stockton on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022.

Head over to the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12 for Stockton Hmong New Year. A celebration with cultural performances, a sports tournament, music, and food.

Children under 5 years old and senior citizens over 66 years old enter free with ID. General admission is $5 for anyone over 6 years old to 65 years old. Parking is $5 per car.

  • Location: San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S. Airport Way in Stockton

  • Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12

  • Information: facebook.com/LFCE.StocktonHmongNY

Holly Jolly Christmas Faire at Lincoln Center

Santa waves from the Stockton Professional Firefighters Local 456 firetruck at the annual Christmas Faire at the Lincoln Shopping Center in Stockton, California, Sunday, Nov, 15, 2020. There are multiple Santa sightings throughout the day. [SARA NEVIS/FOR THE RECORD]
Santa waves from the Stockton Professional Firefighters Local 456 firetruck at the annual Christmas Faire at the Lincoln Shopping Center in Stockton, California, Sunday, Nov, 15, 2020. There are multiple Santa sightings throughout the day. [SARA NEVIS/FOR THE RECORD]

The Holly Jolly Christmas Faire is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 12 at the Lincoln Center. Santa Claus will be in town. There will also be horse and carriage rides and snowfall on the brickwalk. The event is free for the community.

  • Location: Lincoln Center, 374 Lincoln Center in Stockton

  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12

  • Information: lincolncentershops.com

Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Stockton Civic Theatre

The Stockton Civic Theatre is having Beauty and the Beast at the Clyde Nielsen Auditorium. A play with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice.

"The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self," the Stockton Civic Theatre website states. "But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity."

Tickets can be found at stocktoncivictheatre.

  • Location: Stockton Civic Theatre, 2312 Rosemarie Lane in Stockton

  • Hours: Hours vary, Thursday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Dec. 17

  • Information: sctlivetheatre.com/

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias at Adventist Health Arena

Gabriel Iglesias brings his Beyond the Fluffy World Tour to the Coronado Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Rockford.
Gabriel Iglesias brings his Beyond the Fluffy World Tour to the Coronado Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Rockford.

American stand-up comedian and actor Gabriel Iglesias also known by his stage name "Fluffy," will be in Stockton.

He will be performing at the Adventist Health Arena for his "Don't Worry Be Fluffy Tour" on Thursday, Nov. 16. The show will start at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Tickets start at $59.50.

  • Location: Adventist Health Arena, 248 W. Fremont St. in Stockton

  • Hours: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16

  • Information: ticketmaster.com

Fine Arts Festival

Do you like fine arts? Well then head over to the Fine Arts Festival this November.

The free, two-day event is sponsored by the San Joaquin Potters Guild. This year it will be at a new location at the Central United Methodist Church in Stockton.

  • Location: Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Ave. in Stockton

  • Hours: 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18

  • Information: sjpg.org/

Astronomy in the Park

A partial annular eclipse is seen from the campus of San Joaquin Delta College during a watch party held by the Delta College Physics-Math-Computer Sciences Club and the Stockton Astronomical Society in Stockton on Oct. 14, 2023. It began at about 8 a.m. and lasted until about 10:40 a.m. with its peak at about 9:30 a.m. About 50 people attended the event. A solar eclipse is when the moon comes between the Earth and Sun. Stockton was just outside of the eclipse's path and experiences only a partial eclipse covering most but all of the Sun. The Oct. 14 eclipse was an annular eclipse. That's when the moon is at its farthest from the Earth and it doesn't entirely block out the Sun but leaves a ring often called the "ring of fire." A total eclipse will occur on April, 8 2024.

On Saturday, Nov. 18, Stockton Astronomical Society members will again bring out their telescopes for Astronomy in the Park. Telescope viewings take place once a month and feature a different deep sky object every time. This also happens on the Saturday closest to the first quarter moon.

Sunset is at 4:50 p.m. The Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and M13, or Star Cluster in Hercules will be seen then. The event is free, but the county charges $6 for parking.

  • Location: Oak Grove Regional Park, 4520 W. Eight Mile Rd. in Stockton

  • Hours: 4:50 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18

  • Information: bit.ly/46b0VUJ or (209) 471-1674

39th Annual Trout Bout

Hundreds of people participate in the annual Trout Bout fishing derby hosted by San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation and the Delta Fly Fishers at Oak Grove Regional Park in Stockton. More than 2,500 lbs of trout were stock in the park's 10-acre lake prior to the event which featured prizes for both adults and children.
Hundreds of people participate in the annual Trout Bout fishing derby hosted by San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation and the Delta Fly Fishers at Oak Grove Regional Park in Stockton. More than 2,500 lbs of trout were stock in the park's 10-acre lake prior to the event which featured prizes for both adults and children.

The 39th Annual Trout Bout is back at the Oak Grove Regional Park on Saturday, Nov. 18.

Park gates open at 6:15 a.m. and derby registration will close at 10 a.m. The last weigh-in will be at 12:30 p.m. An event hosted by the San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation and the Delta Fly Fishers.

More than 2,000 pounds of trout will be planted. There will be prizes for youth and adults.

During the trout bout children 15 years old and younger can fish for free at Oak Grove’s 10-acre lake. While there's no registration fee, a $5 fishing permit fee and valid California ID are required. A fishing license is required for anyone 16 years and older. There is a $6 vehicle parking fee and a limit of five trout. All participants must bring their own fishing equipment and follow all state fish and game laws.

  • Location: Oak Grove Regional Park, 4520 W. 8 Mile Rd. in Stockton

  • Hours: 6:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18

  • Information: sjparks.com

Stockton Lantern Festival

The Winter Lantern Festival makes its return to East Rutherford's American Dream Mall on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Visitors can step into a dazzling display of over 1,000 handmade lanterns inspired by Chinese myths, legends, and the zodiac.
The Winter Lantern Festival makes its return to East Rutherford's American Dream Mall on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Visitors can step into a dazzling display of over 1,000 handmade lanterns inspired by Chinese myths, legends, and the zodiac.

Stockton Lantern Festival will be in downtown Stockton from November to January. The Stockton Ballpark will transform into Koda's Journey to the Magic Forest with over 20,000 LED lights.

"Follow the footsteps of an 8-year-old boy named Koda to take on an exciting adventure to the deep woods of Caballococha, Peru," the Stockton Live website states. "The lines of reality and imagination start to blur as you weave through the forest."

Early bird tickets are now on sale on Ticketmaster. Tickets start at $22 for adults and $18 for children.

  • Location: Stockton Ballpark, 404 W. Fremont St. in Stockton

  • Hours: 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 14

  • Information: stocktonlive.com

Santa Visit at The Primitive Barn

Children pose with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Mims Corner annual Christmas toy and food giveaway at the Greater Christ Temple church in north Stockton. The is the 11th year for the non-profit's event, and the 2nd year as a drive-thru event due to COVID-19. Organizer Penny Mims says that they prepared 250 boxes of food and bought $3,000-$4000 worth of toys and $6,000 with of bicycles. Home Depot donated $1,000 to the event as well as provided volunteers to help distribute the gifts and food.

Santa Claus will be making a few stops at The Primitive Barn in Linden starting Nov. 24.

He will be at the barn on three dates Friday, Nov. 24, Saturday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 16 to take photos. Admission and parking are free. Donations for reindeer feed are welcomed. The entrance to the barn is at Wall Road.

  • Location: The Primitive Barn, 19783 Highway 26 in Linden

  • Hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 and 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16

  • Information: facebook.com/ThePrimitiveBarn

Lodi Parade of Lights

Country singer Chad Bushnell performs on the Big Valley Ford float as it rolls down Church Street in the Kiwanis Club of Greater Lodi's annual Parade of Lights in downtown Lodi on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. More than 80 floats washed in a sea of lights, marching bands, dance groups, and themed vehicles participated in the Lodi traditional kickoff to the Christmas season.

Downtown Stockton's Parade of Lights is a free event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Lodi.

"The official Christmas kickoff event of Lodi!" the Facebook event description states online. The event has more than 8,000 people interested in the parade.

  • Location: Downtown Lodi, 125 S. School St. in Lodi

  • Hours: 6:15 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30

  • Information: facebook.com/lodiparade

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: November events Stockton