Houston’s November calendar brings free outings, cultural celebrations and holiday traditions to neighborhoods across the city.

The Jewish Book & Arts Festival runs through November 15, with Houston-area writers featured November 10.

Downtown honors veterans November 11 with a ceremony and parade.

The Nutcracker Market opens November 12 in support of Houston Ballet, while a free dance adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes to Miller Outdoor Theatre November 13.

On November 14, visit Bellaire’s arts festival, run for Hermann Park conservation or celebrate Diwali at Discovery Green or Levy Park.

Galaxy Lights also opens at Space Center Houston that day, continuing on select nights into January.

Children’s Museum Houston hosts Thanksgiving activities November 23–29, ahead of November 26 turkey trots and the downtown Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Texas Renaissance Festival continues in Todd Mission through November 29 for those up for a day trip.

Check schedules and admission details before heading out.

Several hundred shelter dogs and cats found homes at the two-day Petco Love Jump into Joy adoption event at Reliant Arena, which ended Sunday, November 8.

Thousands of people visited to meet animals from shelters across South Texas, including Hansen, an Alaskan husky and pit bull mix from the Baytown Animal Shelter.

Petco Love waived its $50 adoption fee on Sunday, making it easier for families to bring a pet home while leaving the long-term commitment of care unchanged.

Among the new arrivals was Delta, a black dog with spotted paws who went home with Kara Lingo.

Volunteer Jadon Ormsby helped find adopters for three pets and urged families to give frightened animals time to settle in.

Candy, who had grown from puppyhood into adulthood in a kennel, was adopted Saturday.

For the pets still waiting in local shelters, the weekend offered a reminder of what a chance to be seen can mean.