Things to do in NYC in November 2026

Día de Muertos Celebration featuring Guachinangos and a Community Ofrenda

Sun, Nov 1

6pm

David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center · Lincoln Square / Upper West Side, Manhattan

All-ages cumbia concert with a community ofrenda, so you can bring photos or notes for loved ones. The 2025 edition, co-presented with Mano a Mano, was free and first-come, first-served.

TCS New York City Marathon

Sun, Nov 1

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge start; finish in Central Park · All five boroughs (Staten Island to Central Park)

First course change in 15 years: a revised loop through the Bronx (East 135th St, Alexander Ave, East 141st St) before the Madison Avenue Bridge. Check start times and spectator info on nyrr.org.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrival (Meet the Tree Day)

Sat, Nov 7

Rockefeller Plaza · Midtown, Manhattan

The tree is raised over the rink weeks before the Dec 2 lighting, which is covered separately. Arrival usually happens early in the morning.

NYC Veterans Day Parade

Wed, Nov 11

Fifth Avenue · Fifth Avenue, Manhattan

Organised by the United War Veterans Council and billed as America's Parade. The 2026 start time, cross streets and grand marshal weren't posted when we checked.

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show & Windows

Mon, Nov 23

Saks Fifth Avenue flagship · Midtown, Manhattan

Nov 23 is the return/unveiling date; end date not yet published. In 2025 the facade show ran every 10 min, 5–11pm, Nov 24 – Jan 4.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (100th)

Thu, Nov 26

TV broadcast from 8:30am ET (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)

Central Park West and Sixth Avenue to Macy's Herald Square · Upper West Side to Herald Square, Manhattan

This is the 100th parade. In recent years it ran 8:30am–noon from W 77th St & Central Park West, down CPW, along Central Park South, then down Sixth Ave to Herald Square. Macy's hadn't posted the 2026 route yet. Viewing is free on CPW (W 75th–61st) and Sixth Ave (W 59th–38th).

Reposo y Recuerdo (Día de Muertos installation)

Oct 9 – Nov 15

Daily 10am–5pm

Historic Chapel, Green-Wood Cemetery · Green-Wood / Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Marigold-canopy ofrenda installation by artist Laura Anderson Barbata in the cemetery's Historic Chapel.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Oct 10 – Mar 27, 2027

Daily 9am–midnight

Rockefeller Center · Midtown, Manhattan

Skate rental costs extra. The new Skate House and VIP Skate open Nov 14. The rink closes Dec 1–2 for the tree lighting.

Holiday Shops at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Oct 28 – Jan 3, 2027

Mon–Fri 11am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10am–8pm; Christmas Day noon–5pm

Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan

180+ glass-kiosk shops run by Urbanspace; opens at noon on Oct 28. The Lodge food hall and bar stays open to Feb 28, 2027.

The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Oct 28 – Feb 28, 2027

Daily 8am–10pm; 8am–midnight Nov 19–Jan 3 (opens noon Oct 28)

Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan

NYC's only free-admission rink. Bringing your own skates still requires a free timed ticket reserved in advance. Bank of America cardholders get 10% off rentals.

Wollman Rink

Oct 28 – Mar 16, 2027

Mon–Tue 10am–2:30pm; Wed, Thu, Sun 10am–9pm; Fri–Sat 10am–10pm

Wollman Rink, Central Park · Central Park, Manhattan

Each date's price tier is set on the rink's calendar, and prices include tax. Children 3 and under skate free.

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

Nov 4 – Jan 4, 2027

Radio City Music Hall · Midtown, Manhattan

230 performances, the most since the show debuted in 1933. Shows run up to several times a day, including Christmas morning. Prices vary by date, so check the Rockettes 'Times & Prices' calendar.

Grand Central Holiday Fair

Nov 9 – Dec 24

Nov 9–Dec 16: Mon–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm; Dec 17–23: 10am–8pm; Dec 24: 10am–6pm; closed Thanksgiving

Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal · Midtown East, Manhattan

Indoor, climate-controlled fair with about 40 local artisan vendors. Direct access from Grand Central subway and Metro-North.

NYBG Holiday Train Show

Nov 14 – Jan 10, 2027

Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, New York Botanical Garden · Bedford Park, Bronx

Nearly 200 plant-made landmark replicas, new One Vanderbilt model this year. Select evenings open to 8pm; timed tickets; Metro-North to Botanical Garden.

Shine Bright at Hudson Yards

Nov 16 – Jan 7, 2027

Hudson Yards (Vessel, Public Square, The Shops) · Hudson Yards, Manhattan

Lighting ceremony at Vessel Nov 16 (doors 5pm, starts 6pm). 2M+ lights, 725 trees; free Santa photos weekday evenings Nov 27–Dec 23.

Macy's Herald Square Holiday Windows

Nov 19 – Jan 4, 2027

Macy's Herald Square · Herald Square, Manhattan

The 2026 windows tell the Blue Hippopotamus story, tied to the parade's 100th year. A countdown clock to the parade is also at Herald Square.

Winter Lantern Festival: Illuminate the Farm (Queens)

Nov 19 – Jan 3, 2027

5pm–10pm, last entry 9pm

Queens County Farm Museum · Glen Oaks, Queens

Thu–Sun until Dec 17, then nightly through Jan 3. Hundreds of handmade silk lanterns; timed tickets via Fever, under-3s free.

A Christmas Carol (PAC NYC)

Nov 20 – Jan 3, 2027

Perelman Performing Arts Center · World Trade Center / Lower Manhattan

Andy Karl plays Scrooge. Runs 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission.

Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Nov 20 – Jan 3, 2027

Brooklyn Botanic Garden · Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Running again in 2026. Timed evening entry via Leap; garden closes to daytime visitors at 3:30pm during the run; under-3s free.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

7 date ranges, Nov 21 – Jan 3

Lights on 4:30pm; last entry 8pm (park access from 1pm)

Bronx Zoo · Bronx Park, Bronx

Advance tickets required, rain or shine. New this year: evening access to Children's Zoo, World of Darkness and World of Reptiles.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker (New York City Ballet)

Nov 27 – Jan 2, 2027

David H. Koch Theater · Lincoln Center, Manhattan

About 2 hours and recommended for ages 5+. Every person needs a ticket, including lap children. Latecomers aren't seated. A sensory-friendly performance follows on Jan 3, 2027 at 1pm.

Harlem Holiday Lights Celebration & Parade of Lights

2026 dates not posted yet

125th Street · Harlem, Manhattan

In 2025 it ran Nov 18 at 6pm. Organised by the 125th Street BID; the parade switches on the 125th Street holiday lights.

Macy's Santaland

2026 dates not posted yet

Macy's Herald Square · Herald Square, Manhattan

Free reservations open Fri Nov 20 and are released on a rolling basis 7 days ahead. Sensory-friendly hours are offered. A paid premium visit for up to 8 guests includes a photo package.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

2026 dates not posted yet

Streets around the American Museum of Natural History · Upper West Side, Manhattan

Traditionally held the afternoon before Thanksgiving next to the American Museum of Natural History. Macy's hadn't published 2026 hours or entry points when we checked.

Union Square Holiday Market

2026 dates not posted yet

Union Square Park · Union Square, Manhattan

In 2025 it ran Nov 13 – Dec 24. Run by Urbanspace with nearly 200 vendors at the southwest corner of the park.