NYC events in November 2025

If you didn't get to visit before Halloween, don't worry because The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze stays open into November. The event showcases 7,000 glowing, intricately carved pumpkins in all kinds of delightful arrangements.

Blaze: Hudson Valley runs at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County runs through November 16. Tickets are on sale now with prices starting at $24.

The New York Comedy Festival is where the best of the best comedians of NYC gather each year, and this year, it’s celebrating its 21st anniversary with more than 200 comedians performing more than 100 shows at venues throughout the five boroughs.

If you've laughed at comedy shows in NYC in the past few years, it probably had something to do with at least one of the comics on the super stacked lineup this year.

Its initial blockbuster lineup has just been announced, with comedy legends like Margaret Cho and (somehow) Louis C.K. welcoming members of the podcast generation, including The Basement Yard and Hannah Berner. A special treat comes in the form of a Strangers with Candy reunion, with cast members Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello reuniting on the 25th anniversary of the cult Comedy Central series’ cancellation.

The dates for the New York Comedy Festival are Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 16, 2025. Get tickets on the NYCF website.

NYC's biggest running event is back with the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, which will see thousands of runners from all over the world compete in a 26.2-mile race that spans all five boroughs. It's impressive, to say the least!

Even if you’re not running in the event, turning out to cheer on the athletes is time well spent. This year's race is on Sunday, November 2.

This annual cans-for-a-cause competition pits architecture teams against each other to create larger-than-life art installations using thousands upon thousands of cans of food, all in the name of ending hunger (every can is donated to City Harvest to help feed those in need).

Head to Brookfield Place in Manhattan (230 Vesey Street) from October 30-November 10 (10am-7pm) to see the unveiling of these engineering spectacles, all built after months of planning. Then check back to see if your favorite takes home any titles in judges’ categories like Best Use of Labels, Best Meal and Structural Ingenuity. You can even vote for your favorite sculpture once the sculptures are unveiled. 

Every year, teams go all out with creativity. Expect to be wowed by 23 differents sculptures. Past sculptures have included a hot air balloon, a bodega cat, baby Yoda, Winnie the Pooh, Mario, Buckingham Palace, a pigeon sipping a coffee, and lots more.

Admission is free, but do your part by donating some canned goods to the cause.

Want to get out of the city this fall? You're in luck: Classic Harbor Line offers scenic fall foliage sails aboard gorgeous vintage vessels with a front-row seat to the picturesque changing of the seasons stretching from the Hudson River to the Palisades. Cruises run daily from October 4 through November 16.

Enjoy the chance to admire the spectactular fall foliage in a completely new way: By boat! Plus, these elegant 1920s-style yachts make the experience extra special. In addition to gawking at the leaves, you'll also get to see iconic landmarks such as the George Washington Bridge, the Cloisters, the Palisades and the Little Red Light House.

Plus, Classic Habor Line offers several more unique options, including the Urban Naturalist Tour: Fall Foliage of the Grand Palisades, which offers a light lunch and narration from an expert on history and nature facts. There's also the Grand Palisades Fall Foliage Schooner Sail if you're looking to travel largely by wind alone, with more time to contemplate the beautiful surroundings.

The annual pageant of giant balloons, floats, cheerleaders, clowns, marching bands, theater and Broadway in New York performances and celebs is a must-see.

The parade is on Thanksgiving Day, of course! But we’ll spell it out for you: Thursday, November 27.

Lightscape, Brooklyn Botanic Garden's gorgeous, after-dark illuminated spectacular promises a glittering winter wonderland where you'll feel like you're strolling through an enchanted forest. More than 1 million lights combine to form illuminated trail of art by local and international artists.

Don't miss the iconic Winter Cathedral, where you'll definitely want to snap a selfie. Plus, expect firefly fields, glowing bluebonnets, flocks of luminous birds and a reimagined Sea of Light.  

As always, a curated playlist of music brings the light art to life, and there will be food concessions along the trail that offering seasonal treats like hot cocoa, hot cider, and mulled wine as well as light bites, cookies and sweets.

Tickets are now on sale for the event, which runs from November 21, 2025 through January 4, 2026. This year’s show offers off-peak and peak pricing, ranging from $29-$44 for adults and $15 to $28 for kids.

Out of all the yuletide razzle-dazzle NYC has to offer, the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights display is among the most spectacular. Each year, more than 100,000 people flock to the Brooklyn nabe to witness some of the most over-the-top Christmas lights we’ve ever seen­—think huge inflatable Santas and snowmen, and houses that blast Christmas carols from loundspeakers. There is a lot of ground to cover, as many houses in the area participate over multiple blocks and avenues. (We’re talking tens of thousands of lights).

The festivities typically start the weekend after Thanksgiving. Here's our full guide to the fun.

Every year, The Rink at Rockefeller Center ushers in the holiday season by opening up to the public to skate under a golden Prometheus. Once peak season hits, there’s going to be a bit of a wait to get on the slick stuff.

Tickets start at $22 per person, but the exact price depends on the date, the time of day and age. Skate rentals are available for $12. Tickets are on sale now.

The winter festivity has already begun even before the snow falls. The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park returns to NYC with exciting holiday shops, food and activities. 

Its 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink that’s free to use (if you bring your own skates) is always the highlight, but its Winter Village in all its holiday spirit is a close second. This year, over 190 new and returning kiosks will be there for you to peruse through—all at one of the best NYC parks.

The Winter Village is open through March 1, 2026, but the holiday market closes on January 4.

After being closed for construction since 2018, the Studio Museum in Harlem will reopen on Saturday, November 15 in a new seven-floor, 82,000-square-foot building on West 125th Street. To celebrate the grand opening day, the museum will host a community event with free admission and activities for all ages. 

The building, custom-designed for the museum, will house art exhibitions, educational opportunities, program spaces and an expansive lobby. For its first show, the Studio Museum will present the work of the late sculptor Tom Lloyd; it’s a full-circle moment as his work was part of the institution’s opening back in 1968. Another debut show will draw from the museum’s vast collection, underscoring the museum’s role as a steward of art by artists of African descent.

Party for a great cause at the returning Gotham Gala, which this year will benefit Almost Home, a New York-based non-profit dedicated to rescuing and re-homing unwanted and abandoned animals.

Along with the worthy charitable component, the special event—taking place on Saturday, November 22 at Eden in Midtown—promises live music, performers, red carpet photo ops, opportunities to network, raffles and plenty of dancing. Plus, it's a fabulous excuse to get dressed up for a fun night out.

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2025. Expect to see your favorite makers plus brand new creatives to help you live smarter, gift better and support local businesses. 

FAD—which stands for Fashion, Art and Design—takes over different venues with a horde of independent vendors and creators. Admission is free and dogs are welcome!

Peruse handmade jewelry, apparel, skincare products, tableware, artisanal packaged food, and more. Whether you're shopping for you or a friend (or even getting an early on that holiday shopping), there are plenty of local gems to pick up. 

Here's the fall schedule: 

• November 8-9: Fall pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo
• December 6-7: Holiday pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo; holiday pop-up at St. Paul in Cobble Hill 
• December 13-14: Holiday pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo; holiday pop-up at St. Paul in Cobble Hill 
• December 20-21: Holiday pop-up at Empire Stores in Dumbo; holiday pop-up at St. Paul in Cobble Hill 

Imagine the best kind of dinner party—but it's for 3,000 people, and the vibes are off the charts. That’s The Big Shabbat, set to take over Javits North in New York City on November 21. And it’s not just any Shabbat dinner: This is a bid for the Guinness World Record, aiming to eclipse Berlin’s current record of 2,322 attendees.

This year, it's New York's turn to show what community looks like. Picture a sweeping family-style, kosher vegetarian spread, curated by heavyweights like Adeena Sussman, Joan Nathan, Beejhy Barhany and Jake Cohen. There will be 300 challahs, 1,500 pounds of salmon and thousands of hors d'oeuvres, all orchestrated by 10 chefs, 45 assistant chefs and 156 servers. And yes, as per Guinness rules, once the motzi blessing is said, everyone must stay in their seat for a full hour to legitimize the record attempt.

The evening promises more than food and festivity. There will be a mini-Western Wall where guests can leave notes that might go to Jerusalem, as well as live music, dancing and special surprises. To break the Guinness World Record, attendees must check in by 6:30pm and remain physically present until 8:30pm. Tickets are $54 and can be purchased here.

The Queens Craft Brigade hosts an exceptional community of makers exclusively from the borough of Queens. The independent, queer-owned market at Katch Astoria brings together talented makers exclusively from around the borough and has created monthly curated events featuring artwork, jewelry, fashion, crafts and more. This year marks the eigth year anniversary of QCB.

Here's the fall schedule:

— November 29: Small Business Saturday
— December 13: Holiday Market

Remember dearly departed dogs at AKC Museum of the Dog's Dia de Muertos ofrenda. The community altar will a collection of photos of dogs who have passed on, and you're welcome to contribute a photo of your own dog here until October 26. The ofrenda will be on display until November 2. 

Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a celebration to honor and commemorate the lives of the deceased and welcome the return of their spirits. Come to the museum to learn more about this meaningful day and celebration of loved ones, as well as its historical connection to dogs.

Bid adieu to Halloween with a smashing good time at Hudson River Park's Pumpkin Smash. Bring your own jack-o-lantern or pumpkin, along with some safety goggles, and smush your pumpkin into compostable bits. 

You’ll get to choose a bat, hammer or shovel to break up your gourd. Then, stick around to learn how composting works. Park staff will convert the gooey bits into nutrient-rich compost to nourish the park's plants. In past years, more than 6,000 pounds of pumpkin scraps were collected and used for compost (and kept out of the landfill!). 

It's all happening at Pier 84 on Saturday, November 1 from 12pm to 3pm.   

At this Irish Halloween celebration, kids can learn about the spooky traditions indigenous to the Emerald Isle. Irish Arts Center's Oíche Shamhna (that's EE-huh how-nah) promises spooky shows, creepy crafts and magical music.

This year's event will explore the similarities and differences between the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and the Latin American celebrations of Día de los Muertos, with performances from Darrah Carr Dance and Mazarte Dance Company, storytelling in Spanish, Irish, and English, and a visual arts project by Chilean artist Niktalope.  

The fun takes place on Sunday, November 2 at the Irish Arts Center in Hell's Kitchen. It's recommended for ages 4–8, but kids of all ages are welcome. Be sure to buy tickets in advance.

Turns out, the North Pole knows how to throw quite a party. Join in on the fun at Santa's Secret, a seductive speakeasy and immersive wonderland that's back in NYC for a fifth year. 

Here's what's on tap at this adults-only holiday extravaganza: Delightfully cheeky characters, including mischievous living toys, seductive gingerbread ladies, and the famed jacked lumberjack. The journey culminates at Santa's Secret Speakeasy, where guests will enjoy live music, themed cocktails and a dazzling variety show featuring burlesque, aerialists and jaw-dropping acts.

This year, the event is moving to a massive new location: 10 Columbus Circle in Midtown. Just don't let Santa party too hard—or how will he deliver all the presents with a hangover?!

The show runs from November 13 until December 31. Tickets start at $65/person.

The original birthplace of wine? Not what you're thinking. While France and Italy may come to mind, it is actually the country of Georgia that lays claim to the title. According to the Georgian National Museum, the area's winemaking past dates back to 6,000 B.C., and is still going strong today. Thirsty? This Georgian wine festival invites all for a taste of history. 

On November 8th, over 30 winemakers from the Republic of Georgia will come together for a first-of-its-kind wine fair, the Amber Georgia Wine Fair. Spearheaded by Zurab Mgvdliashvili and Iago Bitarishvili of the Natural Wine Association of Georgia, National Wine Agency of Georgia and Alexis Percival of New York's Ruffian Wine Bar, the festival held at Brooklyn's Industry City will honor and celebrate Georgian amber wine and the region's impact on global winemaking as a whole. Producers and Georgian natural winemakers will be on-site, pouring tasters from all around the region, and the cultural event will also include food and music, designed to bring a taste of Tbilisi to New York. 

Tickets are on sale now. General admission is $50 per ticket, while trade tickets are available for $25. There is an afterparty that GA goers can buy as a bundle for $70. Tickets to the trade after-party are $45. Buy yours here. 

The Bronx Zoo's sparkling seasonal outdoor celebration featuring animated lights and LED displays of animals from around the world is back. Expect the zoo to dazzle with millions of lights and hundreds wildlife lanterns spread across six lantern trails. 

Beloved favorites return, including the holiday train and Enchanted Sea, plus look for new additions such as snow tube slides, an illuminated ice-themed throne and virtual snowball throwing.

Holiday Lights will run at the Bronx Zoo on select dates from November 21, 2025 through January 4, 2026. Pricing starts at $26.95 for kids under 13 and $41.95 for adults. 

NYC is packed with holiday markets every fall with holiday spirit and unique gifts. While fancy Christmas window displays may entice you, NYC's holiday markets offer a chance to shop local. With everything from clothing to holiday ornaments to artwork, there's something for everybody on your holiday shopping list.

Shopping for the perfect gift doesn't have to be stressful; make it fun at these holiday markets.

This fall, explore the long and rich history of queer communities in Manhattan's East Village and Lower East Side with Close Friends Collective's Queer History Walking Tours. 

The non-profit Henry Street Settlement and Close Friends Collective takes you on a two-hour storytelling journey through six stops. The stops change depending on the tour guide, current events or time of the year, but no matter what, the tour focuses on the importance of New York queer spaces and how they've evolved over the years. 

The organization is fronted by its founders and guides, a mix of historians, educators and a postdoctoral fellow: Salonee Bhaman, Jimmy Fay, Natalie Hill, erin reid, Katie Vogel (Henry Street Settlement public historian) and Daniel Walber. These walking tours are the combination of their love for public history and their desire to not let queer spaces/narratives be forgotten. 

Here's the November dates:

— Lower East Side, Saturday, November 8, 11am-1pm