The biggest things to do in Chico in November 2026 are the Downtown Chico Christmas Preview on Sunday, November 22, from 4 to 8 PM, the Chico Ice Rink opening in City Plaza on November 12, Small Business Saturday downtown on November 28, and free Friday and Saturday live music at The Barn at Meriam Park. The farmers markets run every Saturday and Wednesday.
November 2026 highlights
- Downtown Chico Christmas Preview. Sunday, November 22, 4:00 to 8:00 PM, Downtown Chico. A Downtown Chico tradition since 1978, with holiday decorations, entertainment and Santa photos. Free.
- Chico Ice Rink. Opens Thursday, November 12, in City Plaza and runs through January 17, 2027. Admission is $15. Check the Chico Rec website for session times.
- Small Business Saturday. Saturday, November 28, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Downtown Chico.
- Free live music at The Barn at Meriam Park. Most Friday and Saturday nights, doors 5:30 PM and music 6 to 8 PM, all ages.
Events in Chico in November 2026
| Date | Event | Time | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 6 | Ivy Flats, live music (free, all ages) | Doors 5:30 PM, music 6 to 8 PM | The Barn at Meriam Park |
| Sat, Nov 7 | Fall Lecture Series: California's Last Grizzly Bear (ticketed) | 10:00 to 11:00 AM | Chico History Museum |
| Sat, Nov 7 | St. John's Holiday Boutique (free admission) | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM | St. John's Episcopal Church |
| Sat, Nov 7 | Chad Bushnell, live music (ticketed, all ages) | Doors 6:30 PM, music 7 to 9 PM | The Barn at Meriam Park |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Meet and Greet: monca's New Executive Director | 3:00 PM | Museum of Northern California Art (monca) |
| Thu, Nov 12 | Chico Ice Rink opens for the season ($15) | See Chico Rec for sessions | City Plaza, Downtown Chico |
| Fri, Nov 13 | The Strung Nugget Gang, live music (free, all ages) | Doors 5:30 PM, music 6 to 8 PM | The Barn at Meriam Park |
| Sat, Nov 14 | Girls on the Run of the North State Fall 2026 5K Fun Run | 7:30 AM | Sycamore Field |
| Sat, Nov 14 | Cana Road Band, live music (free, all ages) | Doors 5:30 PM, music 6 to 8 PM | The Barn at Meriam Park |
| Sat, Nov 14 | Adam Del Monte, guitarist and composer | 7:00 PM | Museum of Northern California Art (monca) |
| Sun, Nov 15 | Closing Reception and Artist Talk: Alternate Visions | 3:00 PM | Museum of Northern California Art (monca) |
| Wed, Nov 18 | Wilson's Weird Wednesday Birthday Bash (variety show, $5 cover) | Doors 6:30 PM, show 7:30 PM | The Barn at Meriam Park |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Ozomatli with Debajito (night 1) | 7:00 to 9:30 PM | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Bored Teachers: Is It Friday Yet?! Comedy Tour (Chico Performances, ticketed) | 7:30 PM | Laxson Auditorium, CSU Chico |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Mars Robinson, live music (free, all ages) | Doors 5:30 PM, music 6 to 8 PM | The Barn at Meriam Park |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Ozomatli with Debajito (night 2) | 7:00 PM | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Chico Eagles Auxiliary Craft Faire (free, also Nov 22) | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Chico Eagles Event Hall |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Roy Dyer and Locked and Loaded, live music (free, all ages) | Doors 5:30 PM, music 6 to 8 PM | The Barn at Meriam Park |
| Sun, Nov 22 | Downtown Chico Christmas Preview (free) | 4:00 to 8:00 PM | Downtown Chico |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Trivia Night (free, all ages) | Doors 5:30 PM, trivia 6 to 8:30 PM | The Barn at Meriam Park |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Holiday Inn, the musical (ticketed) | 7:30 PM | Chico Theater Company |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Small Business Saturday | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Downtown Chico |
| Sat, Nov 28 | The Sun Followers, live music (free, all ages) | Doors 5:30 PM, show 6 to 8 PM | The Barn at Meriam Park |
Every week in November
- Chico Saturday Farmers Market. Saturdays, 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Downtown Chico Municipal Parking Lot at E. 2nd St. and Wall St.
- Chico Wednesday Farmers Market. Wednesdays, 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM, North Valley Plaza Mall Parking Lot.
- Rooftop Music Mondays. Mondays at 6:00 PM, Hotel Katerina Rooftop Bar.
- Pub Trivia. Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, Mulberry Station Brewing Co.
- Mulberry Swing Social and Industry Thursday. Thursdays at 6:00 PM, Mulberry Station Brewing Co.
Early December
The Chico Community Tree Lighting is on Friday, December 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in City Plaza, and the Chico Parade of Lights rolls through Downtown Chico on Saturday, December 5, at 6:00 PM. See events in Chico for the weekly list.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Christmas Preview in Chico in 2026?
The Downtown Chico Christmas Preview is on Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM in Downtown Chico. It is free.
When does the Chico Ice Rink open?
The Chico Ice Rink in City Plaza opens on November 12, 2026, and runs through January 17, 2027. Admission is $15. Session times are on the Chico Rec website.
Where is there free live music in Chico in November?
The Barn at Meriam Park has free, all-ages shows on most Friday and Saturday nights in November, including Ivy Flats on November 6, Cana Road Band on November 14 and The Sun Followers on November 28.
Is there a farmers market in Chico in November?
Yes. The Chico Saturday Farmers Market runs downtown from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and the Wednesday market runs from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the North Valley Plaza Mall Parking Lot.
Event details change, so confirm with the organizer before you go. Thinking about moving to Chico? Call or text me at 707-672-6549. Happy to help.
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