November is when Puerto Rico really swinings into holiday mode. This month ushers in Thanksgiving, the traditional family holiday, which also features a special Thanksgiving tour this year. But it's also the official start to the long-running and fun-filled Christmas season. As for events and goings-on, there's almost no end to what's available. Like music? Two of Puerto Rico's best pop stars are playing at the Coliseum. Into sports? I give you a divas-only half-marathon, a bodyboarding championship and a the NCAA.
Highlights:
- Thanksgiving is a special time on the island, with its own unique flavors and traditions, and one pretty cool tour.
- The Puerto Rico Tip Off brings eight of the best college basketball teams to Puerto Rico, including perennial powerhouse North Carolina.
- The Discovery of Puerto Rico Day is, naturally, a big deal, and the town of Aguada does it justice with a huge parade.
Events Calendar:
- November 2-13: The Encanto World Series Bodyboarding Championship takes place at Middles Beach in Isabela, with $85,000 up for grabs in total prize money.
- November 2-30: The world-renowned Body Worlds exhibition can be seen at the Galeria Paseo Portuario in San Juan.
- November 5: 'Rican crooner Marc Anthony comes to the Coliseo de San Juan for one night.
- November 12: Following his fellow Rican, Ricky Martin brings "Music, Sex and Soul" to the Coliseo.
- November 12: Before Thanksgiving, go Dancegiving with Pitbull at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
- November 13: Glam up and run like a diva at the Diva Half Marathon in San Juan.
- November 17-20: The Puerto Rico Tipoff brings eight college basketball teams to the Coliseo. You'll have the chance to see 12 games over the course of three days, including Alabama, Maryland, Purdue, and other NCAA teams.
- November 17-January 8: La Feria converts the Hiram Bithorn stadium into a makeshift amusement and family fun park starting in November and running through the holiday season.
- November 19: The town of Aguada celebrates the discovery of Puerto Rico with the aptly named Discovery of Puerto Rico Day with a massive parade held on November 19.
- November 24: Kick off Thanksgiving with a tour into lechón country with Debbie Molina-Ramos and Legends of Puerto Rico.
- November 24-27: Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico is a homely, family affair; it's a time when the relatives all gather for a gut-busting meal. Check out how it's done on the island.
- November 25-27: The 10th Annual Festival del Pastel takes place in Orocovis. This culinary festival celebrates the iconic food of the Christmas season: the Puerto Rican Pastel, which has its origins with the Taíno Indians.
