• Venardos Circus | Friday, Nov. 3-Sunday, Nov. 19 | Times vary | Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd., Asheville | $16.95-$27.95 | The Broadway-style, animal-free circus invites you under the big top for a dazzling experience.
• The 4th Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival | Friday, Nov. 3-Sunday, Nov. 5 | Times vary | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, 87 Haywood St, Asheville | $3-$45 | See talented tattoo artists + wild performers (like Alakazam the Human Knot or a heavy metal magician), and explore an array of vendors.

• Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn Pop-Up Opening | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 10 a.m. | 8 Town Square Blvd., Asheville | Free | Pop in the holiday market to shop seasonal flavors and get a head start on gifting — plus, the first 100 visitors get a free snack bag of Asheville Mix.
• 75th Anniversary Dance Party | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 7-11 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | $50-$65 | Don your best 70s attire and get your dancing shoes on as the Asheville Art Museum celebrates its anniversary with food, drinks, music, a silent auction, and nostalgia.
• Xiu Xiu | Saturday, Nov. 4 | 7 p.m. | Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville | $26.45 | See the first show at Burial Beer Co.'s new music venue, Eulogy — it’ll be a blend of post-punk, synthpop, and alt-folk.

• Marquee Live! | Sunday, Nov. 5 | 12-4 p.m. | Marquee Asheville, 36 Foundy St., Asheville | Free | Enjoy live music, art installations, mimosas, food trucks + more at this interactive brunch experience.
• Fall Back Brunch | Sunday, Nov. 5 | 1-2:30 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St., Asheville | Free | Set your clocks back and join Asheville Drag Brunch at this fundraiser for nonprofit Tranzmission.
• Conversations in Film: “Her” | Sunday, Nov. 5 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10-$15 | Sit in for a screening of Spike Jonze’s 2013 film, followed by a discussion led by local author Meta Commerse.

• Celebrate the work of independent publishers at Asheville Zine Fest, showcasing zines, comics, and anthologies galore. The fest kicks off with a soiree tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at The Odd, followed by a market, workshops, and a brunch + open reading throughout the weekend — find the full schedule.

• While you’re thinking about what you’re serving the family for Thanksgiving, it’s also important to think about serving those in need. Roll up to the front of Sportsman’s Warehouse at the Asheville Outlets on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to support MANNA FoodBank’s Turkey Drive, accepting donations of birds and non-perishable sides.

• October came and went in a flash, and with the holiday season right around the corner, things aren’t slowing down — that’s why we created a handy guide for you to make a plan for November with a round up of must-do events.

Why go?

• Italian beef. Okay, so there’s more to Chitown than a seemingly never-ending supply of thinly sliced roast beef sandwiches, but they are worth the trip no matter how far away you are.
• And coming up on the Chicago radar: the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thurs., Nov. 23, and performances of “A Christmas Carol” at the historic Goodman Theatre.

Act like a local:

• Explore: Color Factory Chicago. Travel through the colors of the rainbow at this interactive art museum.

Where to stay:

• Vrbo: Bella Villa on Taylor Street. Complete with three bedrooms + two baths, this second-floor flat overlooks “Little Italy.” (~$233/night)*