Calendar of November Events in Boston

The retail world may want to push you directly into holiday shopping, but November offers plenty to avoid the commercial jingles for a few more weeks. Bob Dylan, the Celtics and Bruins, and the start of the annual tradition, the Nutcracker, highlight November in Boston.

• Plimoth Plantation
  
  Re-live the days of the original Thanksgiving at this living museum in Plymouth, site of the Pilgrims' first landing in the 17th century, with a special calendar of holiday events.

• Vegetarian Food Festival
  Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 2009
  Vegetarians, vegans, and those just interested in the health and social benefits of a meat-free diet can enjoy free food samples at the 14th Annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival. Now a two-day event, held at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, the festival will feature award-winning chefs, cookbook authors, and children’s activities. Free.

• Boston Christmas Festival
  Nov. 6-8, 2009, $12
  The annual Christmas crafts festival features affordable holiday gifts, original decoration ideas, specialty foods, and a gingerbread house competition.

• Miley Cyrus
  Nov. 9, 2009, 7 p.m.
  The teen star lands at the TD Garden for what should be an evening filled with shrieking teenage girls. Tickets start at $39.50.

• Bob Dylan
  Nov. 13-15, 2009, 7:30 p.m., $50.50-$80.50
  The popular singer-songwriter brings his legendary act to the Wang for three nights.

• Star Wars in Concert
  Nov. 14, 2009, 8 p.m., $32.50-$72.50
  Succumb to the Force, not to mention the allure of a live orchestra playing the music of Star Wars in front of a giant screen featuring scenes from the hit trilogies at the TD Garden.

• Broken Lizard Live
  Nov. 14, 2009, $22-$28
  Best known for cult classic films like "Super Troopers" and "Beerfest," troupe goes back to its roots of sketch comedy in this live show.

• Bruins and Celtics
  The Celtics kick off their first full month of the season with home matchups against New Orleans, Phoenix, and Orlando. On the ice, the Montreal Canadiens come to the Garden for the first time this season to face the Bruins. Other home opponents include the Sabres, Panthers, Islanders, and the Stanley Cup defending Penguins.

• Mac and Cheese Throwdown
  Nov. 15, 2009, 2:30 p.m.,$10
  Bring your best mac and cheese recipe to Great Scott's, where for just $10, you'll have the chance to taste all the entrants and vote for the best one.

• Boston, Books, and Baseball
  Nov. 19, 2009, 7 p.m., $75-$150
  Everybody Wins! Metro Boston (EWMB), the Boston-based literacy organization, holds its annual fundraiser at Fenway Park, with a number of silent auction items up for grabs.

• Frog Pond Opening
  Nov. 19, 2009, 5:30 p.m.
  Skate for free on the Boston Common rink, as Frog Pond opens for the winter season complete with an opening ceremony Skate rentals will be at normal rates.

• Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony
  Nov. 21, 2009
  The largest tree in New England is the focus of this lighting ceremony, featuring all-day entertainment, including Motown recording artist Jada. Tree lighting takes place at 5:30 p.m.

• Sonic Youth
  Nov. 22-23, 2009, $29.50
  Alternative rock legends invade the Wilbur for a pair of shows, likely to play some new ones of their phenomenal new album, "The Eternal."

• Stone Zoo's ZooLights
  Nov. 26-Dec. 30, 2009
  ZooLights return to the Stone Zoo on Thanksgiving. This tradition runs through the end of December from 5 -9 p.m. each evening, featuring a dazzling display of holiday lights.

• Nutcracker
  Nov. 27-Dec. 27, 2009, $35-$162
  Boston Ballet begins its annual telling of the holiday classic with an evening show the day after Thanksgiving.