Guide to Nisswa · The Nordic
Nisswa in November: Your Month-at-the-Lake Calendar & What to Do
Welcome! We're so glad you're here. We're starting something new on our blog: every month we'll publish a monthly calendar and a what-to-do guide for Nisswa and the Brainerd Lakes. Think of it as the note we'd leave for you on the kitchen counter: what's happening in town, where to eat, and how to make the most of your time at the lake, whatever the season.
We're kicking things off with November, one of the quietest and coziest months up north. The boats are out, the leaves have mostly come down, and the lakes start turning steel-blue. It's a month for hot tubs under the pines, long dinners, early holiday shopping and a slower pace. For us, November is the season of slowing down. We love it here because it gives us a moment to pause and reset after the busy summer months, before we ramp up for the holiday season. You'll find us walking the Paul Bunyan Trail with the dogs and kids, soaking up a few more quiet moments.
Key takeaways
- Sat Nov 7 is the Minnesota firearms deer opener, and it's also a big craft-show Saturday in Brainerd and Pequot Lakes.
- Nov 13–14 the Kringle Market opens at The Crossing Arts in Brainerd.
- Thanksgiving (Nov 26): Madden's hosts a buffet, and Sunshine's has smoked dinners for pickup. Reserve early.
- Fri Nov 27 is Nisswa's free City of Lights celebration downtown.
- Many restaurants switch to shorter winter hours in November, so check before you head out.
How this monthly guide works
Each month we'll pull together dated events that we've checked against the organizer's own website or the local chamber calendar, plus seasonal ideas that don't need a calendar at all. Details change, especially in small towns, so where we say confirm before you go, please do. A quick call or a look at the event page can save you a drive.
If you'd like the bigger picture on the area, our Things to Do in Nisswa guide and our cold-weather activities guide are good companions to this one.
November 2026 calendar
| Date | What's happening | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Thu Nov 5 – Dec 31 | Sunshine's Christmas Bar (7th annual) | Sunshine's Summerhouse, Lake Shore |
| Sat Nov 7 | Minnesota firearms deer season opens (MN DNR) | Statewide |
| Sat Nov 7, 9–3 | Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival (Brainerd Lakes Chamber listing) | Brainerd High School; enter at the Gichi-ziibi Center, 602 S 5th St |
| Sat Nov 7, 9–2 | Holiday Craft Show & Bake Sale, cash/check only | The Center, 803 Kingwood St, Brainerd |
| Sat Nov 7 | 14th Annual Deer Hunting Opener Shopping Block Party (listing shows conflicting hours, confirm before you go) | Downtown Pequot Lakes |
| Saturdays Nov 7 – Dec 26 | Ugly Sweater Saturdays at Sunshine's | Sunshine's Summerhouse |
| Fri Nov 13, 3–7 & Sat Nov 14, 10–4 | Kringle Market opening weekend | The Crossing Arts, 711 Laurel St, Brainerd |
| Fri–Sat Nov 13–14, 9–6 | Common Goods 5th Annual Christmas Showcase | Common Goods stores in Baxter, Crosslake and Crosby |
| Wed Nov 25, 2–9 pm | Sunshine's smoked Thanksgiving dinners, pickup only (order ahead) | Sunshine's Summerhouse |
| Thu Nov 26, 11–3 | Thanksgiving buffet at Madden's (call 218-829-2811) | Wilson Bay, Madden's on Gull Lake |
| Fri Nov 27 | Nisswa City of Lights, free; schedule to be announced | Downtown Nisswa |
| Sat Nov 28 | Muzzleloader deer season opens (runs through Dec 13) | Statewide |
Hoping to ski? Mount Ski Gull hasn't announced its 2026–27 opening day yet (it depends on the snow), and online lift ticket and rental sales open November 16.
Opening weekend: deer opener and a big shopping Saturday
The firearms deer opener on Saturday, November 7 is a big deal in our corner of Minnesota. You'll see blaze orange everywhere, the cafés fill up early, and plenty of families build a weekend around it. If you're not hunting, it's a great Saturday to shop. The Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival and the Holiday Craft Show & Bake Sale are both in Brainerd that morning, and Pequot Lakes hosts its annual opener shopping block party downtown.
Out walking the trails or the woods this month? Wear blaze orange (your dog too). We wrote a whole post on it: Pup-Friendly Vacations at the Lake.
Holiday markets begin
November is when the holiday market season quietly starts. The Kringle Market at The Crossing Arts in Brainerd opens Nov 13–14 and stays open through the holidays, with handmade gifts from area artists. That same weekend, Common Goods holds its Christmas Showcase at its Baxter, Crosslake and Crosby stores.
We've put every verified market date for the season, through December, in one place: Christmas Markets in Nisswa & the Brainerd Lakes.
Thanksgiving at the lake
If your crew is coming up for Thanksgiving, you have options. You can cook a big dinner together, pick up a smoked turkey, or let someone else do the dishes:
- Madden's hosts a Thanksgiving buffet Nov 26, 11 am–3 pm at Wilson Bay. Call 218-829-2811 to reserve.
- Sunshine's Summerhouse offers smoked turkey, turkey breast and brisket dinners for pickup on Wed Nov 25, 2–9 pm. Order details here.
Hosting a big group? Our Thanksgiving at the Lake post walks through how we'd set it up at our Gull Lake and Clark Lake homes.
City of Lights: Friday, November 27
The day after Thanksgiving, downtown Nisswa lights up for City of Lights, a free evening that has become a holiday kickoff for the whole area. Past celebrations have included train rides, Polar Express storytelling, bonfires, hot cider, mini donuts, carolers, Santa and fireworks. The 2026 schedule hasn't been posted yet, so check the chamber's City of Lights page as the day gets closer.
It's also a perfect night to start your holiday shopping downtown. See our Holiday Shopping in Nisswa for a shop-by-shop stroll.
What to do when there's nothing on the calendar
Some of the best November days have no plans at all. A few ideas:
- Soak in the hot tub as the sun goes down. By late November the sun sets before 5 pm, so you can catch one before dinner.
- Walk or bike the Paul Bunyan State Trail. It runs right through Nisswa and sits directly across the street from our Clark Lake home. See the DNR trail page.
- Build a fire. Clark Lake has a fire pit with a Solo Stove, and West Twin and Lake Hubert have fire pits too.
- Linger over breakfast in town. Ganley's opens at 7 (closed Wednesdays) and StoneHouse Coffee bakes its scones daily. Our Eat Like a Local post has the details.
- Curl up by the fire indoors. Every one of our homes has a gas fireplace for the gray afternoons.
- Rainy day? BJ's Arcade in Brainerd is an easy trip when the weather won't cooperate.
- Walk the woods. Fritz Loven Park in Lake Shore, just west of Nisswa, has 80 acres of trails along Stony Brook, with snowshoeing once the snow comes.
- Game night. The arcade at our Gull Lake home has more than 5,000 games, which is a lifesaver on a gray afternoon.
Winter hours: a note before you go
A lot of our favorite spots shorten their hours after the summer crowds go home:
- Madden's Classic Grill is on winter hours, Wed–Sat 4–8 (no reservations).
- Ganley's is closed Wednesdays.
- Sunshine's is closed Tuesdays.
- Norway Ridge is open Wed–Sun.
When in doubt, call ahead. It's the most Minnesotan thing you can do.
Staying with us in November
November is a lovely month to have a lake to yourself. All four of our homes are a short drive (or bike ride) from downtown Nisswa:
- Clark Lake: across from the Paul Bunyan Trail, with a lakeside hot tub and fire pit.
- West Twin: a cozy home with vaulted ceilings, a king bedroom, a queen bedroom and a queen bunk downstairs (sleeps 9), plus a lakeside hot tub.
- Lake Hubert: its sunroom with a gas fireplace is made for November.
- Gull Lake: a year-round hot tub, gas fireplace and an arcade, minutes from Mount Ski Gull.
Every one of our homes has a hot tub and a gas fireplace, and hot tubs and fire pits are year-round entertainment here, so pack your swimsuit along with your warmest layers.
FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Nisswa?
Yes, if you love quiet. It's the calm between fall color and ski season. You'll find holiday markets, Thanksgiving dinners and City of Lights, plus plenty of cozy time at the house.
What should I pack?
Layers, a warm hat, boots, and something blaze orange if you'll be walking trails or the woods during deer season (Nov 7 onward).
Are the lakes frozen in November?
Usually not safely. Ice often starts forming late in the month, but it is never "safe" to assume. Check the DNR ice safety guidance and stay off new ice.
How far is Nisswa from the Twin Cities?
About 2.5 hours from Minneapolis–St. Paul.
See you next month
December's calendar is coming next month, full of markets, Santa visits and holiday dinners. Until then, we'd love to host you for a slow November weekend at the lake.
Book direct
Our best rate, no booking fees, straight from us. Book direct at bookingthenordicmn.com. Check dates for all of our homes.
