Late autumn may be here—but that doesn’t mean you should cower in your house. Author Brian Attebery tracks how the view “self” and our minds have been conceived in science fiction at OMSI’s Science Pub (Nov 4). The 40th Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival arrives Nov 8–17. Once you’re full on intellectual food, work up an appetite for the annual NW Food and Wine Festival (Nov 16).

Hear what the kids are listening to when Leeds-based dubstep-pop act Rusko drops the bass on Nov 12. Pretty Lights (Nov 23) dazzles at Memorial Coliseum with equal parts upbeat dance tunes and downtempo grooves. For a change of pace, see folk-rock singer Brandi Carlile return to the Schnitz (Nov 23) for an encore of last year’s popular rock-symphony mash-up.

Skip the Black Friday frenzy and get a head start on holiday shopping at Portland’s Largest Garage Sale (Nov 2) at the Expo Center to find used and antique treasures. On Thanksgiving Day, fight off the tryptophan at the four-mile Turkey Trot at the Zoo (Nov 28). Join a guided nature hike, every Saturday at Tryon Creek State Natural Area.