November in NYC might mean shorter days and colder temps, but hibernating in sweatpants and fuzzy slippers is not the solution.
It’s officially time to embrace black puffer jacket conditions and put on an extra pair of socks: between the holiday craze, seasonal activities and bites, and beloved traditions, there’s plenty to look forward to as the year comes to a close.(Even if the sun sets at 5pm.)
Allow us to give you the rundown of the best NYC November events and we guarantee you’ll be out and about in no time.
See the record-breaking Monet exhibit in Brooklyn
Considered the largest collection of works from impressionist Claude Monet in a quarter century, “Monet and Venice” at the Brooklyn Museum offers the perfect dreamy escape into gorgeous Italian environs.
Out of the exhibit’s 100 paintings, there will be 19 originals from Monet, including Brooklyn’s own Palazzo Ducale, which was acquired in 1920. Museum-goers can expect a deep-dive into the artist’s later work that has oftentimes gone unexplored.
📍 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
Stop by Cherry Lane Theatre & Wild Cherry for dinner and a show
Storytelling is heating up on stages and stovetops in the West Village.
Approximately one month ago, A24 reopened Cherry Lane Theatre, the oldest Off-Broadway theater in the city. Additionally, the film and television studio partnered with the Frenchette chefs for Wild Cherry, the theater’s culinary component.
With book talks, a Sophia Coppola Sunday series, and Weer, a comedy from Natalie Palamides, the lineup is certainly a hit. And if you didn’t fill up on goodies at the concession stand, let Wild Cherry dazzle with some spectacular dishes: steak tartare, lobster club, tuna crudo, and frog legs — though you could never go wrong with a cheeseburger, either.
📍 38 Commerce Street
Watch the fall foliage in Central Park
NYC’s communal backyard, Central Park, is gearing up for a stunning fall. And now that November has arrived, we’re ready to be dazzled with warm beautiful hues.
The Central Park Fall Foliage map is officially live, keeping a real-time account of the 18,000 trees across its 843 acres and when they will turn the perfect shades of red, orange, and gold.
Cheer on runners at the NYC Marathon
While the idea of running 26 miles isn’t for everyone, we guarantee you’ll find something to love about the NYC Marathon, whether it’s cheering on friends or admiring the handiwork of bystanders’ clever signs. (We could all use a good chuckle, right?)
Learn more about the November 2nd event online.
Catch a double screening of both Wicked movies
New Yorkers, get ready to defy gravity for five straight hours. Wicked fans can experience the story of Elphaba and Glinda like never before. A special double feature screening is coming to NYC on Thursday, November 20th, just one day before the sequel’s official release.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about securing a ticket.
Get free tickets to Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway
Everyone’s favorite sci-fi series is finally making its way back to our screens for its final season.
From November 4th–8th, Stranger Things: The First Shadow will host a special Hawkins High School Homecoming Week at the Marquis Theatre, featuring immersive fan experiences and exclusive giveaways — including free tix to the show.
We have all the details ready for fans of the Upside Down.
Step into cascading waterfalls without leaving Manhattan
Slip away from the city’s fast pace and into the serene Arte Museum New York at Chelsea Piers.
Created by South Korea’s award-winning design studio d’strict, the team behind the viral 3D wave in Seoul a few years back, this inspiring art experience blends nature and sound in mesmerizing ways. Wander through cascading digital waterfalls and glowing forests that respond to your every move. It’s the perfect peaceful escape that feels worlds away… without ever leaving Manhattan.
Find out more and grab your tickets now!The Reina Sofía School Orchestra touches down at Carnegie Hall
For its first-ever U.S. performance, the Spain-based school will bring its young musicians and the Colombian Youth Philharmonic to Carnegie Hall on November 13th at 7pm for a gorgeous lineup.
Conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada will lead the players through the vibrant Albéniz’s El Puerto, from Iberia, Book I, Barber’s violin concerto — with Renaud Capuçon at the helm — and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”, a piece that debuted at NYC’s iconic music hall over 130 years ago.
Tickets start at $30, and student discounts are available at the box office. Book your seat on the Carnegie Hall website.
Head out for an exciting, art-filled day trip
The Mattatuck Museum is a long-standing art and history cultural center in Waterbury, CT. This fall, it presents four new exhibitions you won’t want to miss:
- Beau McCall : Buttons On! — a retrospective of the new yorker’s visual art using unexpected objects, fabrics and materials.
- The Universe of Gerald Saladyga, examining “what lies beneath the surface of society and the volatile spaces that people create and inhabit.”
- Ruminations: 100 Years of Rauschenberg, featuring works from the genre-defying artist.
- Free to Be, celebrating the creativity and vision of artists on the autism spectrum.
The Mattatuck Museum isn’t just centered on exhibits, it’s also a place for wellness and art enthusiasts featuring classes, workshops, salsa nights and a brand new café. And while these events are a must-do, they also make a perfect excuse to get a head start on your holiday shopping (we happen to think a museum year-pass sounds like a dream present!) Check out Mattatuck Museum’s seasonal offerings online.
Belt one out at the West Village’s new karaoke bar
Saving that Cher impression for someplace special? You’re in luck.
Beatbox, a new karaoke spot in the West Village, is calling your name. Per Secret NYC writer Bri Perry, the new space “reimagines karaoke as a full-blown concert experience, blending recording studio intimacy, music video energy, and high-design hospitality.”
Let’s rest our vocal chords for an evening out — and drink plenty of water!
Get tickets to an upcoming concert
Sabrina Carpenter. Maroon 5. John Legend. STEVIE NICKS!
November’s concert calendar has plenty of great acts that you can’t miss. Have you gotten a seat yet?
Last Chance To Explore This ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Light Trail at NYBG
Until Nov. 30th only, New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is transformed into Halloween Town!
Tim Burton’s world in The Nightmare Before Christmas comes to life but as the season ends so will this incredible experience. Tickets are still available, don’t miss out on these incredible photo-ops, exclusive merch and more!
Witness the return of an award-winning show
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is officially back in NYC!
Based on the book by Tony Award® winner Rachel Sheinkin with music and lyrics by Tony Award® winner William Finn, it’s a night out you don’t want to miss in the Big Apple.
A few lucky audience members are even invited to be volunteer spellers, joining the all-star cast on stage to participate in the Bee! Can you spell “must-see”? Get tickets for this exciting revival!
Cast your vote on Election Day
NYC’s mayoral election is fast approaching: Tuesday, November 4th.
Now that Eric Adams has exited the race, New Yorkers have three candidates to choose from:
- Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D)
- Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D)
- Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa (R)
You can find a polling site near you for the day of the event. If you’re planning on acting ahead of time, peruse our early voting guide.
Skate around Central Park’s new ice rink…
Central Park’s Davis Center got plenty of buzz this summer, but the cold weather isn’t stopping the outdoor activity.
Beginning November 15th, a new rink is coming to the north end of the park, providing those uptown with skating sessions, hockey lessons, and plenty of views of the Harlem Meer.
Learn more about its opening on the Davis Center website.
…or the rink at Domino Park
In 2024, the rink at Domino Park was the seasonal newbie in town.
Now, Williamsburg’s hottest ticket is returning for a second season of wintry delight along the waterfront. Mark your calendar for the season’s kickoff on November 10th.
Attend a Candlelight concert
The ultimate cozy winter experience? A Candlelight Concert!
Venture to one of NYC’s most gorgeous locations — such as St. Ann’s, Brooklyn Heights’ Gothic revival church — for a string performance dedicated to some of the world’s most renowned artists: Coldplay, Adele, Hans Zimmer, and so on. Not only is it a feast for the ears, but the eyes as hundreds of (fake) candles adorn the altar where the musicians perform.
Wander through “Viola’s Room” at The Shed
This “audio-driven sensory labyrinth” from Helena Bonham Carter is open until November 16th at The Shed — due to popular demand.
Make sure to secure your spot before it comes to a close.
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The beloved tradition returns for its 99th season on Thursday, November 27th.
Before you feast, make sure to catch your favorite performers, balloons, and floats make their way from the Upper West Side to Herald Square.
Visit Winter Village at Bryant Park
The city’s ultimate holiday market returns for the 2025-2026 season —before Halloween — on October 24th.
It’s the ultimate gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, complete with shops of local artisans, ice skating, sweet treats, and more holiday goodness.
Marvel at the return of the Saks Holiday Lights Show
The lights went dark in 2024, but we can confirm that the spectacular Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show is back for the 2025 season.
The 16th annual tradition will kick off on Monday, November 24th, and it promises to be a “luminous celebration of light and sound.” Six windows of the department store will be decked out as well, and this year, they will be NYC-centric: snowy Central Park, a fashionable, Saks’ take on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and so forth.
Shop a small business in NYC
Clothes, books, homeware, plants, toys — it’s all up for grabs at mom and pop shops across NYC.
Why not stay in your neighborhood for Small Business Saturday on November 29th and give back to your local community?
Stop by NYC’s most iconic Christmas tree
Grab your Santa hat and elf ears.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will arrive in NYC on November 8th, accompanied by a full day of entertainment for the kiddos: crafts, music, and more.
This year’s tree hails from East Greenbush, a town in Rensselaer County. It’ll get ready for its NYC departure on Nov 6th when it’s officially cut down!