Month by month · 35 guides
Things to Do in NYC in November 2026
The dates that are set for November 2026, with Antonina Pattiz's own guides to the parade, Thanksgiving week, the early holiday openings and what to wear.
The dates this November
Checked Nov 4, 2026Announced means the venue has posted it. Expected means last year's timing or a second-hand source, until the venue posts. Not announced means there's no date yet. Each row links its source.
The parade and Thanksgiving
4 guides- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual tradition that reaches beyond New York City (more than 45 million people tune in to see it on the TV).checked September 2026
- Celebrating Thanksgiving in New York City (2026 Guide)Beyond 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 spent the last few years soaking in all the fun things to do in NYC on Thanksgiving Day & weekend.checked September 2026
- Best Thanksgiving dinner restaurants in New York CityI’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 that earned a permanent place in my rotation.
- 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 picks.
The holidays start in November
6 guides“Better still, I suggest visiting in early November so you can enjoy ice skating in Central Park surrounded by beautiful fall foliage.”
- Iconic NYC Holiday Markets First Time Visitors Can't Afford to Miss (2026)Celebrating the holidays in New York City is something everyone should make an effort to experience firsthand. On par with the city’s soaring Christmas trees and outlandishly-decorated restaurants, the holiday markets are a delight to explore.
- 10 Best Christmas Performances in New York City (2026 Guide)As 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.
- 10 Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York City (Local’s Guide)The 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 you’d like to try your hand at pirouettes and leaps (or merely stretch your legs), here’s a roundup of my favorite rinks.checked September 2026
- 14 Wonderful 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 year like clockwork, luxury department stores entice passers-by with jaw-dropping decorations and elaborately-adorned facades.checked September 2026
- 12 Festive 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 you go?
- 10 Awe-Inspiring New York City Christmas Trees (Local’s Guide)The 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 with limited vacation days, you might be wondering “where can I find the best Christmas trees in New York City?”checked September 2026
What to wear in November
3 guides“November can be mild or bone chilling depending on the hour.”
“Late November brings more of a chill in preparation for winter.”
“Average late November temperatures in New York City hover around 50°F.”
- Autumn in New York City: Outfit Ideas (& Helpful Packing List)Fall is the best time to visit New York City (fighting words, I know, but I stand by them!). The biggest challenge of visiting NYC during autumn is preparing for the weather.
- What to Wear in New York City in the Winter (+Packing List)It’s no secret that winters in New York City can be “a bit much,” so in an effort to make things easy on you, I’ve created a fool-proof NYC winter packing list from a local’s perspective.checked September 2026
- 4 Essential Winter Coats New Yorkers Swear By (2026 Guide)A lot of readers have reached out asking about the best winter coats for New York City. As a 10-year local, I figured why not give it a shot? After living through 10 chilly seasons, here’s a list of the 3 winter coats I have on constant rotation at home.
The last of the fall color
3 guides“The best time to see fall foliage in New York City is the first or second week of November.”
- 10+ 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 shortage of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows gracing the city come November.
- 16 Great Spots to See Fall Foliage in Central ParkI start every morning with a walk through the park and have found the absolute best spots for fall color in Central Park.
- 27 Fun Fall Activities in New York City (Helpful 2026 Guide)As 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 whimsical feel, serving as an invitation to slow down and enjoy the moment.
The Thanksgiving tracker
Thanksgiving week, place by place
34 places, from the parade route and the balloon inflation to the restaurants that open.
Open the trackerThe map
Thanksgiving and Christmas on the map
Every place from her Thanksgiving and Christmas guides, pinned.
Open the mapChristmas on the mapWhat readers asked about November
Ask meClosed due to a fire.
Thank you so much for telling me, Linda! You’re right. Papillon had a kitchen fire in July and it’s still closed, with no reopening date yet. I’m so sad about it, because it’s my top pick at Christmas. If you want a…
Christmas-Decorated Restaurants in New YorkOh how fun! I hope you have the most wonderful trip -- this city really is magical. Enjoy every second!
Things to Do for Christmas in New YorkHi, 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 YorkMore guides for November
20, by topicChristmas 10
- 29 FESTIVE Things to Do for Christmas in NYC (2026 Guide)There'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 suddenly even the most jaded New Yorkers are walking a little slower to take it all in.30 places, 23 worth it · Updated Mar 22
- The Best Christmas Lights in NYCAs 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 to impress.10 places, 9 worth it
- 15 Festive New York City Christmas Activities for KidsVisiting New York City during the holidays with kids will leave you with a lifetime of cherished memories. But let’s get real, adequate planning is crucial because it’s no easy feat!14 places, 12 worth it
- 19 Best Free Things to Do in New York City During ChristmasSomething about the holidays makes it tempting to flirt with poor financial decisions, thankfully there are plenty of exciting free things to do during Christmas in NYC.19 places, 16 worth it
- 17 Epic 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. The magical holiday feeling gets me every time!16 places, 13 worth it
- 13 Best 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 second fiddle in the Big Apple.11 places, 10 worth it
- 10 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 be tricky, but after years of eating my way through the city, I’ve found the spots worth your time.10 places, 8 worth it
- 12 Christmas Pop Up Bars in New York City (Worth Waiting For)The 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 top decorations, craft holiday cocktails, live music, to provide both locals and tourists alike with unforgettable holiday memories.12 places, 12 worth it
- 15 Christmas Movies Filmed in New York City (Holiday Guide)After years of binging movies filmed in New York City during Christmas, I finally had the chance to experience the season firsthand after moving to the Big Apple six years ago.
- 10 EPIC NYC Christmas Photo Spots (Perfect For Instagram)If 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 bit as enchanting as you’ve imagined, so why not make your friends at home a tad envious?10 places, 9 worth it
Desserts 2
- 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 in NYC.14 places, 13 worth it
- Best apple cider doughnuts in New York City17 places, 16 worth it
Fall 1
Shops 1
More 6
- 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 guide you through the mesmerizing displays and festive lights that define the neighborhood during the holiday season.
- Complete Guide to Macy’s Santaland in NYC (Tips for Keeping Your Sanity)Of 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 inside the largest department store in the world, no expense is spared to make this a memorable affair for your little one.
- Ice Skating in Central Park (Everything You Need to Know)Thankfully, the rink is open for five months, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the experience after the holiday crowds depart. Let's cover everything you need to know!
- The Charming West Village in Autumn (Photo Journal)I recently took a stroll through my favorite neighborhood during my favorite time of year, the charming West Village in autumn. There's never a shortage of fun things to do in the West Village, but something about autumn makes this neighborhood sing.
- 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 city quietly earns back my devotion with, every single autumn, right around the time the light goes gold and the first cool morning makes you reach for a jacket you forgot you owned.
- The Magic of Fall in New YorkFall 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 stunning colors adorning the trees!
