Dip Into Manhattan’s Chocolate Show

Hard-core chocolate lovers rejoice! The 4th annual Chocolate Show, Nov. 15 to 18 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. in Manhattan, brings together master chocolatiers and more than 50 top brands of chocolates.

The exhibit features demonstrations, tastings, chocolate dresses, chocolate sculptures, a chocolate-making center and holiday gifts.

Contact the Chocolate Show, 250 W. 103rd St., 4C, New York, NY 10025; (212) 865-6100, https://www.chocolateshow.com.

Texas

San Antonio flips the switch on its holiday celebrations Nov. 24, illuminating 122,000 lights along River Walk. After the lighting ceremony, decorated floats parade down the San Antonio River. Other seasonal events include carolers, Handel’s “Messiah” and a tour of mansions built by early German immigrants. For shopping, there’s the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s crafts market, German wares at Kristkindlmarkt and Mexican gifts at Bazar Sabado.

Contact the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 2277, San Antonio, TX 78298-2277; (800) 447-3372, https://www.sanantoniovisit.com.

Washington

Throughout November, the Wild Mushroom Festival brings together the restaurants and B&Bs; on Long Beach Peninsula, in the southwest part of the state.

Shoalwater restaurant plans an Italian wine and wild mushroom dinner on Nov. 2. The Shelbourne Inn will host a talk on identifying wild mushrooms, followed by a cooking demonstration.

The more adventurous can sign up for a hike with a wild mushroom expert and tramp the peninsula looking for edible fungi.

Contact the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Center, P.O. Box 562, Long Beach, WA 98631; (800) 451-2542, https://www.funbeach.com.

Maryland

At the 10th annual Annapolis by Candlelight, Nov. 2 and 3, 12 private homes in the historic Murray Hill section will be open to tours. Restaurants in the historic district will offer special dinners and discounts for tour takers.

Early reservations are suggested. Contact the Historic Annapolis Foundation, 18 Pinkney St., Annapolis, MD 21401; (410) 267-7619, https://www.annapolis.org.

Louisiana

Celebration in the Oaks takes place Nov. 23 to Jan. 6 in New Orleans’ City Park. Massive ornaments and more than 2 million lights will be set out for this two-mile driving tour through one of the largest collections of live oaks in the world.

Try a ride on a horse-drawn carriage or the antique miniature train through the forest. After the drive, visitors can park and walk through the holiday-decorated Botanical Garden and Storyland, visit Santa and ride the carousel.

Contact Celebration in the Oaks, 1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124; (504) 483-9415, https://www.new orleans.com/citypark.

Germany

From Nov. 28 to Dec. 22, Heidelberg’s traditional Christmas Market sprawls over the city’s picturesque Old Town.

Light projections turn City Hall into a colorful Advent calendar. The creche has live animals. Vendors offer hot chestnuts and mulled wine. Churches plan concerts and Christmas pageants.

Contact the German National Tourist Office, 122 E. 42nd St., 52nd Floor, New York, NY 10168-0072; (212) 661-7200, https://www.cvb-heidelberg.de.

Mexico

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Nov. 1 and 2, will be celebrated all over Mexico City. Large hotels set up ofrendas (altars) and create special menus.

Bazaar Sabado, in San Angel, has one of the most elaborate displays. Mixquic, a southern suburb, is well known for the fervor with which residents honor the dead in cemeteries and churches.

Other places with commemorations include San Lucas Xochimanca (Iztapalapa), Santa Cecilia Tepetlapa (Xochimilco) and San Antonio Tecomitl (Milpa Alta).

Contact the Mexican Tourism Board, 2401 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90057; (213) 351-2069.

*

Events appears monthly.