November round up: Expat events in Istanbul

How fast the time passes; suddenly, November, the month of giving thanks and ushering in the holiday season, is upon us. But do not fret, along with the cooling weather and falling leaves, comes a long list of events and things to do in Istanbul that can curb homesickness and get you in the holiday season in your home away from home.

Nov. 3-4: InterNations' Expat Events

On Tuesday, InterNations, the world's biggest expat networking organization, will be holding a newcomers event at the plush Çırağan Palace Kempinski from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., followed by an "expat-only" networking event that will be held on Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Le Bar of the Shangri-La Bosporus Hotel located in Beşiktaş. Check out www.internations.org to find out more about becoming a member and joining their many meet-ups, which also includes a photography walk and a vegetarian gathering this month.

Nov. 5: Storytelling with Judith Liberman

On Thursday, Istanbul's resident French expat storyteller will be sharing tales of love and her love for storytelling at this event. It starts at 8:00 p.m. and will be held at the Kumbaraci50 theater and performance space in Tünel.

Nov. 7: FARIT historical tour of Belgrade Forest

On Saturday, the Istanbul Friends of ARIT (American Research Institute in Turkey) will guide an exploration by foot of the Ottoman waterworks and settlements in Belgrade Forest. ARIT regularly holds talks and tours organized by their center in Arnavutköy. Call ARIT for reservations: +90 212 257 8111.

Nov. 7-15: 34th Istanbul International Book Fair

The TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center in Büyükçekmece will host 750 publishing houses and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) at this week-long fair that boasts 300 panels, readings, workshops and children's activities.

Nov. 10-11: Globe-to-Globe Hamlet at Zorlu PSM

On Nov. 10 and Nov. 11, the Shakespeare Globe Theater will present the most authentic reenactment of Shakespeare's masterpiece at Zorlu PSM. Shows run at 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 and at 3:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 11.

Nov. 11: Spoken Word Istanbul at Arsen Lupen

Spoken Word Istanbul, a platform for anyone to perform onstage, resumes on Nov. 11 after a summer hiatus at its regular locale in Beyoğlu, Arsen Lupen.

Nov. 15: Blogger Bazaar at Steigenberger

On Nov. 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., popular trend bloggers will be peddling their own collections and hosting stands for their fans. This is the seventh in this event, which is fast rising in popularity, and offers free entry to this unique opportunity to check out up and coming Turkish writers.

Nov. 15: 37th Istanbul Marathon

On Nov. 15, the city, or at least the Bosporus Bridge, will shut down in the morning for this epic 42-kilometer, 15-kilometer, 10-kilometer and fun run across continents. Join in the fun or cheer on the masses as they run, or at the very least be aware there may be traffic delays in the city.

Nov. 20: Very, Very French Festival

On Nov. 20, the new Babylon outlet in Bomonti hosts a series of French bands including Pony, Pony, Run, Run on Nov. 25. Check out the line-up to see some happening bands from France play for an Istanbul crowd.

Nov. 22: Handmade Istanbul Market

On Nov. 22, expats and local artisans will setup stalls of their handmade crafts to raise money for Istanbul's refugee population, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at St. Helena Chapel next to the British Consulate in Beyoğlu.

Nov. 26: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, the American holiday celebrated on the third Thursday in November, is unsurprisingly not widely celebrated in Turkey. However, if you miss a taste of home, the Conrad and Hilton hotels traditionally hold Thanksgiving buffets frequented by many expats.

Nov. 26-28: Omnivore Pop-up Dinners

Omnivore, a wandering restaurant of leading chefs around the world, will host two very special pop-up dinners at Neolokal and a party at Mama Shelter. On Nov. 26, British chef James Lowe joins Swiss chef Nicolas Darnauguilhem while on Nov. 28., French chef Jean-Michel Carrette and Maksut Aşkar from Neolokal will prepare five-course meals for TL 220 ($78.20). On Nov. 28, Mama's Shelter hosts the Omnivorous Party by Badoit, and for TL 110, there will be eight tasters and drink samplings by 10 different Turkish and international chefs.

Nov. 28: Pop-up Restaurant Istanbul

Pop-up Restaurant Istanbul pioneered by a Singaporean-Dutch expat will host a special Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 28 at 8:30 p.m. Check out the Facebook page to reserve your spot at this festive feast held inside her home in Cihangir.

Nov. 28: Food, Film and Coffee Workshop

The Food Film Festival World will be hosting a one-day screening of food-related short films, a masterclass coffee workshop and muffins and coffee for this event organized by a fellow expat from Ukraine at Drip Coffeeist in Beyoğlu.

Nov 28-29: Fashion Film Fest Istanbul

On the last weekend in November, the Fashion Film Festival will be held at Zorlu PSM in which independent and innovative designers as well as the films about them will be available for two-days.

Nov. 29: IWI's Christmas Festival

The International Women of Istanbul (IWI) holds an annual Christmas bazaar with gift stands, international food treats, a raffle, caroling and all sorts of holiday festivities with proceeds going to local charities. Tickets are TL 10 and free for kids up to the age of 12 at this holiday and expat-heavy event held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hilton Bosporus Hotel and Convention Center.

Nov. 1 to Dec. 27: A Capella Fest Dark

Zifiri Karanlıkta, which holds dinners and events in complete darkness and is serviced by a blind staff in their venue in Kağıthane, will add music to the mix and showcase the experience of listening to Turkey's best A Capella groups in complete darkness every Sunday through December. Coming up this month is the Istanbul International A Capella Chorus Festival on Nov. 8, Vocca on Nov. 16, Boğaziçi Caz Korosu on Nov. 22 and Rezonans on Nov. 29.