Our Full Guide to November in NYC

It’s a brand new month and as we head into the holidays, we are so excited to share everything to see and do in the city. This is the time of year where a lot more people come to visit the city as well and are lookin for things to check out. As a local, I can honestly say that the holidays in NYC are the most magical time of the year. Here is everything we are looking forward to doing and seeing this month in the city!

Let’s begin with the most iconic way to kick off the holiday season and winter months. Thanksgiving is on the 27th and we all know the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the best way to start out the day! We have been lucky enough to see it in person a few times and it’s truly a fantastic experience. There are hotels you can book with views, too if you don’t want to stand out in the cold, but you’ll want to book this ASAP! They announce all the details on their site and it will air from 9AM-12PM. Some of our favorite balloons are back and we’re looking forward to seeing the amazing performances. It’s always a great time! If you can’t go in person, you can always watch the live music and fun balloons on tv!

We all love a good Instagrammable moment. The pumpkin arch is back at Pier 17 and it’s the perfect backdrop for your fall photos! Get into the fall spirit and check it out, it’s here only until November 3rd.

I don’t know about you, but I love trying new wine and food bites. NYC is the best place to do this and the iconic food and wine festival is here in Brooklyn this month! There are tons of tastings and holiday bites to check out, but you will need tickets! Check it out, they are here on the 9th.

We’re officially ready to get into the holiday spirit! Christmas in America presents Holiday Lane at Mount Vernon. You can fully immerse yourself into the magic of the holiday season through this immersive experience. The best part is that all net proceeds are being donated to three amazing causes. It’s the season of giving and this is a fantastic way to help out. A few fun things to see at Holiday Lane are Santa himself, 9 themed areas and a Christmas store that is perfect to fulfill those gifts on your list!

The “Nightmare Before Christmas” at the New York Botanical Garden is a holiday event that brings Tim Burton’s beloved film to life in a dazzling display of lights and botanical artistry. Set in the garden’s lush landscapes, this experience features intricately crafted scenes and characters from the movie, illuminated with festive lights that create a mesmerizing atmosphere. Explore gardens transformed into scenes from the film, complete with Jack Skellington, Sally, and other iconic characters. It combines the charm of the botanical garden with the magic of the holiday season, offering a family-friendly adventure that celebrates the creativity and spirit of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in a stunning, immersive setting. It is now staying open through November 30th!

Canstruction is back at Brookfield Place this month and on display until November 10th. The annual exhibition features incredible large-scale sculptures made entirely from unopened cans, depicting everything from viral sensations like the Labubu to iconic NYC landmarks like the Washington Square Arch. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, family-friendly activities, and a digital cookbook, all while supporting a great cause, as the cans are later donated to City Harvest to help feed New Yorkers in need.

New Yorkers understand how cool these are! Rockefeller Chalets are back and they have some fantastic views of the ice rink and holiday market itself. Enjoy drinks and food in your own private chalet with friends this holiday season. Let me just tell you, these bookings fly so you need to get on a reservation while it’s still early!

If you’ve been to the city, you’ll know this is a top attraction. There are so many things to do at The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. I suggest making a whole day out of it! Begin your day out by going ice skating, they have a great rink with free admission with nice rental skates. Then head on over to the Holiday Shops where you can find really cool gifts for loved ones this season. Finish your day by unwinding with the best hot chocolate. They also have cocktails and food options to offer at Bryant Park.

LuminoCity is an unforgettable, immersive experience! There are plenty of lights and imagination to tell a story. This is a timed and festive holiday experience to bring your family to this month and it’s at the top of our list!It’s located  at Eisenhower Park and tickets start at $34 and it closes January 1st. What’s better than an immersive light show with creations of art?! You’ve gotta see it!

Moxy is back with one of the most stunning and festive additions to the season! It’s an enclosed outdoor terrace to sip on pink cocktails until January 1st. The best part is the entire spot is pink so you already know I have to get some photos there!

The Holiday lights are back at the Bronx Zoo! You can experience the wildlife amongst stunning holiday lights. Not only will there be holiday decor, but expect animal lanterns, arches, colored tunnels, tree lighting and more! This is the perfect event to bring your kids to at the end of November to see some animals and get into the holiday spirit. Tickets are on sale now!

Sunday, November 2nd is the NYC Marathon! For everyone running this year, good luck and have a safe run! So much hard work and dedication has gone into your training and you should be so proud! We’ll all be showing our support for them! The race starts in Staten Island and will take place in all 5 boroughs and finish in Central Park.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is always one of the best things to do in the city. At this time of the year, they have something extra special going on! It’s called Lightscape which is an illuminated trail that you can walk through! It takes my breath away and this is the perfect time to go see it. They have different colored lights and shapes of lights that they cast over different objects in nature and hang. This is a great place to bring your family and friends, not to mention it’s makes for a great photo opportunity!

My girls and I love the Brooklyn Ballet! They are performing The Nutcracker on December 6th-14th but tickets will sell out! Be sure to grab them this month to enjoy. They extended tickets this year, which is very exciting!

Ice Skate

My family and I love to ice skate! It keeps us active and we happen to live right by an ice rink, so we go often. Be sure to read our post on the best ice skating rinks to visit in NYC ! They’re all different and great in their own ways. Glide Brooklyn is an ice rink under the Brooklyn Bridge! You can get bites and sips at the Cafè there after you skate. Outdoor activities are usually around for a limited time in the winter months, but early November is usually pretty occupied with plenty of happenings and our favorite things outdoors. Ice skating sticks around for the next season, as well! Who is ready for winter activities?!

Saks Fifth Ave Lights

We look out for the Saks Fifth Avenue light show, which is beyond gorgeous. This is when they decorate the outside of the store with beautiful lights and light them up to perform a show. Different colors and times, it’s all a magical experience! We make sure to go every year! Holiday lights are so special and the perfect way to welcome this time of year! They are lit until early January this year.

Christmas Lights Tour

The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights are back and better than ever! This Brooklyn display is a must-see for us each year. The neighborhood goes all out and it’s so merry and bright! This is something we like to do on a weekend night with the kids! One thing to note is a lot of houses turn their lights off around 9PM so make sure to get there before then!

The UrbanSpace holiday markets are festive open-air pop-ups featuring dozens to hundreds of vendors offering handcrafted gifts, artisanal goods, jewelry, local food, and seasonal treats. These markets are sprinkled throughout iconic spots like Union Square, Bryant Park, Herald Square and Columbus Circle, creating magical holiday atmosphere with beautifully decorated kiosks, twinkling lights, and plenty of charm. This year, Stout Penn Station will be running the brand-new Herald Haus, a cozy new lodge debuting at this year’s Macy’s Holiday Square by Urbanspace. Whether you’re shopping for unique presents, grabbing delicious bites, or just soaking in the winter wonderland vibe, these markets are a quintessential NYC holiday tradition. These run typically through December 24th.

Another hilarious comedy related event is here! There are tons of comedians performing like Tracy Morgan, Judd Apatow, Jeff Arcuri and tribute performances. Some events are sold out but several still have tickets available, so run! It’s all happening at the beginning of the month. This is running November 7th-16th.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is truly an iconic holiday special! The Rockettes always put on a fun show and we love to support the arts. This show always gets us into the holiday spirit! Tickets are available for purchase and can be bought for groups, as well. It begins on the 8th and runs through the whole holiday season!

Black Friday Shopping

Is it just me or do Black Friday sales seem to drop earlier each year? A few stores I like to keep an eye on are J Crew, Old Navy, Amazon, Target, Best Buy and the list could go on and on. But these are the stores that have items like technology at lower prices or basics that I either like to stock up on or wait to purchase for sales. I’ll make a whole post about where I’m shopping this month on Like to Know It!

The Holiday Train Show is back! If you have kids, this is something you’ll want to check out for sure! It’s located at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and runs from November 15th-January 11th. So while you have some time to visit it, get a head start and check it out now! Tickets are on sale now.

Rockefeller Tree Lighting

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is the most well-known tree in the city. And as it should be, it’s stunning! They are lighting it Wednesday, December 3rd and it will stay lit until January 11th. Make a whole day out of seeing the lit tree if you can’t attend the lighting. Go ice skating at the rink, eat lunch and check out the tree!

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