Month by month · 35 guides
New York in November.
What I do in New York in November, from my own visits: the guides that are right this month and the dates as they land.
Start with these
What I’d read first in November- Things to Do for Christmas in NYC
- New York City Christmas Light Displays10 places, 9 worth it
- Iconic NYC Holiday Markets First Time Visitors Can’t Afford to Miss10 places, 9 worth it
- Christmas Performances in New York City8 places, 8 worth it
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide 2026
- Fall Activities in New York City23 places, 16 worth it
Inside November
7 topicsMy best lists in November
All my lists- The best things to do for Christmas in New York
- The best Christmas lights in New York
- The best holiday markets in New York
- The best Christmas shows in New York
- The best fall things to do in New York
- The best Christmas things to do in New York with kids
- The best holiday window displays in New York
- The best free things to do at Christmas in New York
- The best ice skating rinks in New York
- The best Christmas decorations in New York
- The best hot chocolate in New York
- The best Christmas-decorated restaurants in New York
Dates in November
Every date on the map- SunNov 1Gottesman Rink at the Davis Center (Harlem Meer) opensHarlem · announcedChristmas 2026
- WedNov 4through Jan 4Radio City Christmas Spectacular runMidtown · announcedChristmas 2026
- SatNov 7through Jan 3North Pole Express holiday lights bus tourMidtown, Bryant Park side · announcedChristmas 2026
- SatNov 14through Jan 10NYBG Holiday Train ShowBronx · announcedChristmas 2026
- SatNov 21NYCRUNS Great Gobble 5KProspect Park, Brooklyn · free · announcedThanksgiving
- WedNov 25Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon inflationUpper West Side · announcedChristmas 2026
- WedNov 25Macy's Parade balloon inflationUpper West Side · expectedThanksgiving
- ThuNov 26Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeMidtown · free · announcedChristmas 2026
- ThuNov 26Central Park Run Club Turkey TrotCentral Park · free · expectedThanksgiving
- ThuNov 26Macy's Parade route street closuresUpper West Side · free · expectedThanksgiving
- ThuNov 26Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeMidtown · free · expectedThanksgiving
- ThuNov 26Prospect Park Turkey Trot (Race for Reconciliation 5-Miler)Prospect Park, Brooklyn · free · announcedThanksgiving
From the trackers. Announced means the venue said so. Expected carries last year's timing until it lands.
What readers asked about November
Ask meHi, thanks so much for the info! Just wanted to let you know that reservations are now opening up 6 days ahead of time (not 5!) I found this out too late unfortunately!
Oh thank you so much for the heads up! I'll get that updated right away -- really appreciate you letting me know!
Guide to Macy’s Santaland in New YorkMy son and I are planning to travel to NYC just for the parade. We cant afford a hotel or air bnb so in order to fulfill his dream, Im planning to pull an all nighter and drive in from West Virginia, arriving at 6am.…
Oh how fun! I hope you have the most wonderful trip -- this city really is magical. Enjoy every second!
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade GuideJust FYI to update or edit your post of 8 months ago… Levain Hot Chocolate is not $3.00, but rather $5.45, and more with specialty milk. (Almond. Etc) Thank you 😊
Hot Chocolate in New YorkEvery guide in November
35, by topicChristmas 16
- Things to Do for Christmas in NYCThere’s a moment every December when the city shifts. The lights go up on Fifth Avenue, the air smells like roasted chestnuts and cold pavement, and…Updated · Sep 2026
- New York City Christmas Light DisplaysAs a local, I’m always on the lookout for the best Christmas lights in New York City. Luckily, the city is full of dazzling displays that never cease…10 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
- Iconic NYC Holiday Markets First Time Visitors Can’t Afford to MissCelebrating the holidays in New York City is something everyone should make an effort to experience firsthand. Whether it’s your first visit or your…10 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
- Christmas Performances in New York CityAs someone who’s enjoyed more than two dozen holiday shows in NYC firsthand, I thought it might be helpful to share my personal list of favorites.8 places, 8 worth it · Sep 2026
- New York City Christmas Activities for KidsVisiting New York City during the holidays with kids will leave you with a lifetime of cherished memories. Whether it’s your first visit or your…13 places, 12 worth it · Sep 2026
- Holiday Window Displays in New York CityOn brand with the city’s reputation as a holiday destination, the famous Christmas window displays in New York City are known the world over. Every…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Free Things to Do in New York City During ChristmasIt’s no secret that the Big Apple is expensive, so finding free Christmas activities in New York City is a priority for locals and tourists alike.17 places, 16 worth it · Sep 2026
- New York City Christmas TreesThe Big Apple’s holiday decor is hard to beat and nothing embodies the holiday spirit more than the striking Christmas trees in New York City. But…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York CityThe winter months bring more than just the misery of cold weather and gray skies, they also usher in the joy of ice skating in New York City! If…10 places, 7 worth it · Sep 2026
- Things to Do at Rockefeller Center During ChristmasLet’s play out a hypothetical. You land in New York the week of Christmas and have a few hours to seize as much holiday magic as possible, where do…10 places, 6 worth it · Sep 2026
- Spots for Christmas Decorations In New York CityAs a local, there’s nothing I love more than Christmastime in New York City when the city transforms into a winter wonderland. I get asked about New…15 places, 13 worth it · Sep 2026
- Christmas-Decorated Restaurants in New York CityI love the way restaurants decorate for Christmas in New York City. On par with the city’s reputation for extravagant decor, restaurants don’t play…11 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Holiday Treats You Must Try During Christmas in New York CitySome would argue that having a food bucket list is just as important as having an experience bucket list. Finding great Christmas desserts in NYC can…10 places, 8 worth it · Sep 2026
- Christmas Pop Up Bars in New York CityThe abundance of Christmas pop-up bars in New York City is proof that the holidays in the Big Apple are unmatched. The popular haunts use over the…12 places, 12 worth it · Feb 2024
- Christmas Movies Filmed in New York CityAfter years of binging movies filmed in New York City during Christmas, I finally had the chance to experience the season firsthand after moving to…Updated · Feb 2024
- NYC Christmas Photo SpotsIf you’re spending the holidays in New York City, chances are you’ll want to share the magic with everyone. And who can blame you? The city is every…10 places, 9 worth it · Feb 2024
Fall 4
- Fall Activities in New York CityAs Central Park bursts with vibrant fall colors and the city slowly prepares for the holiday season, the humdrum of daily life in NYC takes on a…23 places, 16 worth it · Sep 2026
- Fall Treats in New York CityThere’s only one time a year I look forward to spam e-mails.fall. After countless meals across the five boroughs, here’s my honest guide to the best…15 places, 13 worth it · Sep 2026
- Spots to See Fall Foliage in Central ParkFall in Central Park is a sight to behold. But Central Park spans 843 acres and it’s hard to know exactly where to go to see the best fall color.…13 places, 8 worth it · Sep 2026
- Breathtaking Spots for Fall Color in New York CityDespite the city’s reputation as a Concrete Jungle, there are plenty of great spots to see beautiful fall foliage in New York City. There’s no…13 places, 9 worth it · Sep 2026
Desserts 3
- The Best Hot Chocolate in New York CityI love hot chocolate just as much as the next person, so believe me when I tell you I did my due diligence when searching for the best hot chocolate…15 places, 14 worth it · Sep 2026
- Spots For The Best Pumpkin Pie in New York CityI have a soft spot for New York City, and its Pumpkin Pie scene is a big reason why. From hole-in-the-wall gems to neighborhood staples, these are my…10 places, 10 worth it · Sep 2026
- Amazing Apple Cider Donuts in NYCNew York City may not have the small-town charm of Vermont or Massachusetts, but that doesn’t mean it can’t deliver on flavor. If apple cider donuts…17 places, 16 worth it · Sep 2026
Thanksgiving 2
- Tantalizing Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurants in NYCI’ll be honest. I’m a little obsessed with Thanksgiving dinner in this city. I’ve tried more spots in NYC than I can count, and these are the ones…15 places, 14 worth it · Sep 2026
- Celebrating Thanksgiving in New York CityBeyond turkeys and parades, Thanksgiving heralds the start of the city’s cherished holiday season. I’m lucky enough to call the city home and have…18 places, 15 worth it · Sep 2026
Winter 1
Shops 1
More 8
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide 2026The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights have been captivating locals for four generations. As a seasoned explorer of this cherished tradition, I'm here to…Updated · Sep 2026
- Ice Skating in Central ParkIce skating in Central Park is a blissful, memorable experience regardless of The city skyline serves as a magnificent backdrop to a cherished…Updated · Sep 2026
- Complete Guide to Macy’s Santaland in NYCOf all the cherished holiday traditions in New York City perhaps none is more magical for children than visiting Santa in real life at Macy's. Tucked…Updated · Sep 2026
- Autumn in New York City: Outfit IdeasPost Overview.What to Wear in New York City in Fall This What to wear in New York in fall guide has you covered.Updated · Sep 2026
- The Charming West Village in AutumnI recently took a stroll through my favorite neighborhood during my favorite time of year, the charming West Village in autumn. There's never a…Updated · Sep 2026
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade GuideNew for 2026: every place in this guide is on my Thanksgiving tracker, the parade route, where to stand, the balloon inflation and the restaurants…Updated · Sep 2026
- Fall in NYC: The Weekends I Plan My Whole Autumn AroundI have lived in New York for six years, and I can tell you exactly which weekends I clear my calendar for. Not the big obvious ones. The ones the…Updated · Jul 2026
- The Magic of Fall in New York CityFall is in full swing around here and I, for one, couldn’t be happier. There have been so many “pinch me” moment over the past week because of the…Updated · Nov 2023