Things to do on a Sunday in New York

Opt outside to enjoy the great outdoors with free hikes across the five boroughs. The Urban Park Rangers will lead the following outdoor adventures on Friday, November 28:

— Manhattan: Venture through Inwood Hill and Fort Tryon Parks on this Northern Manhattan Parks Super Hike. 

— Brooklyn: Stroll the Salt Marsh Nature Trail for a scenic adventure.

— Queens: On this hike, find the oldest living organism in New York, the “Alley Giant” tulip tree.

— The Bronx: Be guided through you through many of the featured hiking trails in Van Cortlandt Park. 

— Staten Island: Take a lengthy hike in Deere Park.

Get out of the house the day after Thanksgiving for some fresh air and a break from your house guests at Green-Wood Cemetery's Post-Turkey Day Walking Tour on Friday, November 28.

Green-Wood Cemetery’s 478 acres of hills, valleys, glacial ponds, and paths make up the permanent residence of more than 570,000 in its 478 acres. The Brooklyn cemetery, established in 1838, is a National Historic Landmark and is recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful cemeteries. More than half a million visitors explore the cemetery’s grounds, architecture, and history every year.

Be sure to dress warm for this late autum stroll; tickets cost $30/person.

The Queens Craft Brigade hosts an exceptional community of makers exclusively from the borough of Queens. The independent, queer-owned market at Q.E.D. 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 schedule for the rest of 2025:

— November 29: Small Business Saturday
— December 14: Holiday Market

NYC Ferry fans and holiday fanatics—this is your Super Bowl. The largest ferry fleet, NY Waterway, has just announced its Winter Waterway Holiday Market inside the Midtown Ferry Terminal featuring music, festive food, shopping, crafts and other special activities for kids, including five visits from Santa himself. 

Shop around this indoor market featuring jewelry, candles, clothing and books. When you need some fuel for your shopping spree, enjoy holiday-themed snacks and beverages, available for purchase from over 16 vendors including Cold Stone Creamery, My Mountain Sweets and Glace. Families can also join special events like the opening weekend tree lighting celebration and appearances by Santa (Santa will be there on November 30; December 7, 13, 20, and 21). 

The market opens for the season on Saturday, November 29 inside the Midtown Ferry Terminal in Manhattan (459 12th Avenue at West 39th Street). It's free to attend and will be open every Friday through Saturday from 11am to 8pm until December 28. 

A brand new double-decker carousel is set to spin holiday cheer throughout the season in Greeley Square at 33rd Street and Broadway, offering rides through January 6, 2026.

The two-story swirl of lights, music and storybook creatures will spin from 10am to 10pm daily, offering plenty of opportunity to catch a ride before, during or after your holiday shopping. Tickets cost $7/person.

Speaking of shopping: the carousel will be in the perfect location. It will sit just steps from Macy’s Herald Square, where the holidays are already in full swing.

On the day after Thanksgiving, the neighborhood of Dyker Heights undergoes a transformation, as residents along several blocks in this Brooklyn neighborhood festoon their homes with elaborate holiday decorations.

And we're not talking about a Christmas tree or a simple nativity scene: Among the kitschy pieces you might see are life-size reindeer, huge inflatable Santas and snowmen, Christmas carols blaring from loudspeakers and tens of thousands of lights.

See the lights from November 28 through New Year's Eve.

For the first time, a holiday market is popping up in Chinatown. The non-profit Welcome to Chinatown is transforming the second floor of Canal Street's Kam Man Market into a month-long holiday market featuring more than 35 AAPI-owned retail and food vendors.

The festive market will celebrate Chinatown's brick-and-mortars. Featured vendors include the streetwear brand DAWANG, children's books creators The ABC Digest, It's Ahn-Thu Ceramics and Favor Coffee. Plus, a different pop-up will take over each weekend serving treats all day long. A percentage of benefits will support Welcome to Chinatown's mission to ensure Chinatown remains open as a beacon of cultural and economic resilience. 

The market will be open every Friday through Sunday from 12-6pm until December 21 on the second floor of Kam Man Market (200 Canal Street). 

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 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.

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 through January 4, 2026. Pricing starts at $26.95 for kids under 13 and $41.95 for adults. 

Train aficionados of all ages are certain to be transfixed by the scenic components of this show, featuring model trains, toy stations and miniatures from the Jerni Collection at The New York Historical. The dispaly illustrates the design evolution from the early 20th century to the era of World War II. 

Lighting and accompanying music make for an immersive experience on the first floor of the Upper West Side museum. This year, families can explore the objects on view with a special scavenger hunt and train-themed storytimes on select dates. 

The exhibit's on view until February 22, 2026.