From eggs Benedict to freshly carved turkey, the Thanksgiving Brunch buffet at The Carillon will be loaded with the perfect balance of breakfast classics and Thanksgiving favorites. This makes it an ideal option if you don't feel like spending all day in the kitchen this year. For $68 for adults and $30 per child, you can dig into a Thanksgiving feast and then head home and relax, no clean-up necessary.

Reserve your spot in advance and then come to The Carillon between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. Its special buffet boasts a breakfast hash and omelet station where guests are welcome to build their own customized creations with the help of a chef. You can also snack on charcuterie and cheese, as well as roasted root veggie salad and soups such as butternut squash bisque. Save some room for entrees like turkey and prime rib sliced right in front of you at the carving station, as well as lamb and grilled swordfish. There will also be an assortment of sides (think cornbread dressing and green bean casserole) and desserts such as pumpkin cheesecake.

Public Domain/Pixabay/nutmarketca

The Texas International Wine Competition was such a hit in its inaugural year that it's coming back for round two on November 17th and 18th. After the vino victors have been crowned, the fun doesn't end. It continues on with the Texas International Food and Wine Roundup on the 18th at 6 p.m., in Ironwood Hall where the competition also takes place.

This bash helps to cap off the festival with sips of some of the top wines from the competition. Along with glasses of the award-winning wines, you can also expect snacks inspired by cuisines from all across the world. Local bands and performers provide the live music for the evening. Ticket proceeds go to the Whole Planet Foundation, an organization that's committed to alleviating poverty around the globe.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr jamesfischer

Austin is a hub for culture and music, which is what makes it the perfect place to celebrate Irish and Scottish traditions. The Austin Celtic Festival has been doing this for two decades. This November 4th and 5th, the fest returns to Pioneer Farms with a lineup of live music, dancing, and other forms of educational fun.

When you come to the festival, bring family or a group of friends along to enjoy the live Celtic music played by both international and local artists. Check out the Scottish country dancing, the Irish step dancing, and other quick-paced performances. Take part in the Highland Games, which include everything from strongman competitions to the caber toss, or just watch while other athletes face off. Of course, there will also be ample opportunities to learn about Celtic culture at the Celtic Village, and you can grab some authentic Irish or Scottish food between activities, too.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr wackybadger