From food fests to wine dinners, here are 21 November events at Wilmington restaurants

As the Wilmington area prepares for the holiday season, November brings a bevy of events from food festivals to wine dinners. Here's a look at what's on the calendar.

Is there an event we should add to this list? Let us know by emailing aballard@gannett.com.

Nov. 1: As this downtown Wilmington restaurant prepares to turn 13, they're celebrating with another mannaversary at 123 Princess St. It's an Australian Barbie, with four courses and five wines with Brad Hickey of Brash Higgins Wine. Tickets are $150.

Nov. 1: A new spot in the Porters Neck area, Freya's Haus, is hosting an Oyster & Wine Pairing with the help of chef Keith Rhodes. A selection of three local oysters will be paired with three wines, including a sparkling selection. Tickets are $20.

Nov. 2: The Starling Whiskey & Wine Bar are partnering with Salt & Charm for a Dia de Los Muertos pop-up event. Look for Skull Wines, mezcal cocktail specials, and a menu with Beef Empanadas, Pozole Rojo and Cochinitos de Piloncillo. Details here.

Nov. 3-5: The popular Greek Festival Drive Thru is back at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at 608 College Road in Wilmington, where you can pick up some homemade Greek cuisine and enjoy some Greek culture without leaving your car. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Nov. 4: It's the 10th anniversary of the popular event that celebrates the restaurant scene of this beach community. The Taste of Wrightsville Beach raises money for Weekend Meals on Wheels of New Hanover County. Look for more than 35 local cuisine, beer and wine tasting booths. General admission is $100 and includes all of the sample. Children under 21 years of age are $25 and those younger than 5 can get free admission.

Nov. 4: The popular Polish Festival is celebrating 23 years at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church at 4849 Castle Hayne Road in Castle Hayne. Look for food, baked goods, beer and music. It takes place 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Nov. 4: Brunswick Beer and Cider at 1313 S Dickinson Drive in Leland is hosting the inaugural Applearchy Cider Festival. Look for live music, apple pressing, apple cider doughnuts, Mimi & Papa's Gourmet Popcorn and local produce. Tickets are $30-$35 and include a tasting glass for sampling beer and ciders from across the Carolinas.

Nov. 4: Do you know what else pairs with oysters? Cars. At least at the Oysters & Octane Car Show at the Leland Shuckin' Shack location, 1175 Turlington Ave. It takes place beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Nov.4: It's the rescheduled Veg-Out Festival, which focuses on green living and healthy eating. Look for vendors, cooking demonstrations, vegan and vegetarian food vendors and more at this free event. It takes place 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 10 Cowan St. In Wilmington.

Nov. 5: You can learn about plant-based cooking from some of the best in the area. The Green House restaurant, 1427 Military Cutoff Road near Wrightsville Beach, is hosting TGH Cooking School, with an eight-hour curriculum that includes pantry basics, dish building, flavor balance and the necessary tools. It's 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and is $275 per person.

Nov. 5: In Wilmington's Cargo District, End of Days Distillery is hosting a release party for their PX Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon & Rye. They're also unveiling their new onsite Concept Kitchen Co. with chef Bobby Zimmerman of the We Are True Blue restaurant group, as well as their redesigned patio. It's at 1815 Castle St. You can reserve your spot.

Nov. 8: Lumina on Wrightsville Beach Holiday Inn Resort (1706 N. Lumina Ave.) is hosting a wine dinner at its recently renovated restaurant, Solstice Kitchen + Cocktails. It features a five-course dinner of Spanish-meets-Southern dishes paired with wines. It begins at 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 10: The new Scooter's Coffee location in Wilmington is hosting a grand opening. Look for specials like buy one drink, get another free with their mobile app and free stickers. It begins at 5:30 a.m. at 6851 Market St., Wilmington.

Nov. 12: In Wilmington's South Front District, The Second Glass restaurant is hosting a wine pairing event with winemaker Matt Nagy and Benevolent Neglect wines. Look for five courses from chef Ryan O'Janpa and limited-release wines. It's 5-7 and tickets are $100.

Nov. 13: The next wine dinner at Ciana Ristorante Italiano, at 4724 New Centre Drive in Wilmington, will feature a "Taste of France" theme. It's 6-9 p.m. and tickets are $79 per person. Email jackie@cianarestaurant.com to reserve your spot.

Nov. 14: In addition to a weekly, oyster happy hour, Seabird restaurant, 1 S. Front St. in Wilmington, is hosting an Oyster & Muscadet wine dinner with Ana Shellem of Shell'em Seafood Co. It will cover harvesting practices, include food, and include a tasting of different Muscadet wines, as well as a glass of wine. It begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $105.

Nov. 15: The food drive / bike ride that is known as Cranksgiving takes place beginning at Good Hops Brewing at 811 Harper Ave. in Carolina Beach. It's an event hosted by the Carolina Beach Bar Club on behalf of Martha's Kitchen to help stock their kitchen. The race is free, but each team should plan to spend about $20-$30 on groceries.

Nov. 15: The Wilmington location of Carrabba’s Italian Grill (15 Van Campen Blvd.) is hosting a couple of special dinners in November, including a Friendsgiving Bourbon Pairing Menu. It's a chef-crafted four-course dinner featuring bourbons and bourbon cocktails. It begins at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $65.

Nov. 16: Cameron Art Museum (3201 S, 17th St. in Wilmington) and its CAM Café are hosting The Art of Food event with a five-course dinner where the dishes are inspired by the artwork. It's $95 per person. To make reservations, call 910-777-2363.

Nov. 17: It's all events at the new Ellipse, 1502 S. 3rd St. in Wilmington. They have a full schedule of tastings, wine and cheese classes and brunch events. All of which are available with ticket purchase on their website. For those who miss the former restaurant in the same space, there's a Mariposa Date Night, which includes an eight-course tapas tasting, sangria specials and a full bar. It's $64.

Nov. 28: The next wine dinner from Blue Surf Arboretum West, 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington, will feature wines from Napa. Tickets are available through the restaurant.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wine dinners and food festivals in Wilmington, NC, in November