Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette
40 Things To Do in NYC Before School Starts
Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley
Best Swimming Lakes near NYC You Need to Discover
Dreamery uses only the best all-natural milk and cream from local New York State creameries.
Best Cold Treats in NYC for Kids: Ice Cream, Ice Pops, and More
The Brooklyn Museum is a premier art museum, with floors of treasures and outdoor art, too.
Brooklyn Museum Guide For Kids - Everything You Need to Know Before Your Family Visit
The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Top Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in NYC for Kids
Frolic in the Fountain of the Fairs, one of our 100 favorite free things to do this summer in NYC.
100 Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer with Kids
GUIDE
Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide
The Pier 6 Waterlab has been one of our favorite NYC splash pads since it opened in 2010. Photo by Sara M
Play Fountains in NYC Where Kids Can Get Totally Soaked
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
Enjoy the Summer of Spongebob, courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana - and Mommy Poppins!
Your Ultimate Summer Starts with Our Nickelodeon Resort Giveaway, Deals, and Guide
Make a splash at Coney Island when you need to beat the heat in NYC. Photo by author
Heat Wave Hot List: 50 Cool Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard
Where to See Free Summer Movies in NYC for an Outdoor Movie Night
Noshing on a funnel cake on the Coney Island boardwalk is a sweet ending to an epic day of summer fun.
50 Things To Do This Summer in NYC: Summer Fun Guide
Coney Island's shores are easy to get to, and action packed from the rides to the waves. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
Best NYC Beaches by Ferry or Train
See Isabella's flower-filled wonderland in real-life at the new Disney Encanto x CAMP experience at the Flatiron location.
Encanto's Casita Comes to Life at CAMP Fifth Avenue
GUIDE
Family Amusement Parks & Water Parks Guide
NYC school kids head back to school on Thursday, September 7, 2023, according to the newly released NYC public school calendar. Photo by Al De Ingeniis
2023-24 NYC Public School Calendar: New Holidays, Plus 2024 & 2025 Calendars
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Enjoy a wild visit to the Philadelphia Zoo during a weekend getaway to the City of Brotherly Love. Photo courtesy of the zoo
13 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
Lola and Tots offers is a drop-in play as well as membership-based childcare with co-working benefits.
19 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Eat on the rooftop at Fornino on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6. Photo by Lisa Seibold-Winder
Best Outdoor Dining in Brooklyn at Family-Friendly Restaurants
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
The Brooklyn Children's Museum offers three floors of rotating and permanent interactive exhibits perfect for warding off the rainy day blues. Photo courtesy of BCM
Indoor Activities for Kids: 35 Things To Do in NYC on a Rainy Day
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
& Juliet turns Shakespeare's classic tale on its head with plenty of girl power. Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
22 Free Indoor Places To Play in NYC
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones in NYC
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Hunting down pop-up public art displays is one of our favorite free things to do in NYC. Zaq Landsberg's Reclining Liberty is on display in Morningside Park through April 2022.
100 Free Things To Do in NYC With Kids
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
Top Attractions in NYC: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting.
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Find the NYC neighborhood that fits your family.
GUIDE
Moving Guide: Top NYC Neighborhoods for Families
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
GUIDE
News & Openings in NYC
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

Best of November: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Holiday Lights, and More Things To Do in NYC

The Amaze Light Festival in Queens is geared toward all ages. Photo courtesy of the Amaze Light Festival
The Amaze Light Festival in Queens is geared toward all ages. Photo courtesy of the Amaze Light Festival
10/30/22 - By Drew Kristofik

In November, New York City gears up for holidays from Election Day to Veterans Day to Thanksgiving and then scrambles full steam ahead to Christmas.

November ushers in the holiday season in NYC and the biggest events on our calendar are the Macy's balloon inflation and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at the month's end. But, there's plenty of fun before those giant balloons take flight. Families can enjoy Paul Taylor's Family Menagerie Matinee, the annual Canstruction exhibition, and hit the ice at the Rockefeller Center Rink. We're also jumping for joy because the Big Apple Circus returns to Lincoln Center early this month, too.

Mid-month brings the beloved TILT Kids' Day, a gingerbread competition, and the annual Brooklyn's Children's Book Fair, along with the big Titanic exhibition, and a dazzle of kid-friendly shows, including the Fancy Nancy Christmas show.

Speaking of dazzling, holiday lights are illuminating all five boroughs, including Lightscape in Brooklyn, Illuminate the Farm and Amaze Light Festival in Queens, the NYC Winter Lantern Fest on Staten Island, the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights, and NYBG Glow.  

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Bronx Zoo's imaginative Holiday Lights debut before Thanksgiving. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher
The Bronx Zoo's imaginative Holiday Lights debut before Thanksgiving. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher

Top Things To Do in NYC with Kids this November

Inwood Pumpkin Pageant

Inwood–FREE
Tuesday, November 1
The Inwood Pumpkin Pageant returns to Isham Park for another spooky display of Halloween artistry. Local residents bring their carved jack-o'-lanterns to the park the evening after Halloween for a grand community event. READ MORE

Day of the Dead Celebration

Astoria, Queens–FREE
Wednesday, November 2
Museum of the Moving Image hosts a Day of the Dead Celebration featuring live music, dance, and film for families. The Museum’s Kaufman Courtyard resounds with free performances by Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer Academy, followed by a presentation of Aztec Mexica dance, poetry, and music from indigenous dance troupe Yayauhki Tezcatlipoka. READ MORE

31st Annual Canstruction Competition 2023

Battery Park City–FREE
Friday, November 4-Tuesday, November 15
An extraordinary annual design competition, and the most unique food charity in the world, Canstruction challenges teams of architects, engineers, and contractors to build sculptures made entirely out of unopened cans of food.  READ MORE

Paul Taylor Dance Company presents a Family Menagerie Matinee

Upper West Side
Saturday, November 5
The Paul Taylor Dance Company and Orchestra of St. Luke’s celebrate insects and animals during an afternoon of magical storytelling and a peek behind one of New York City’s most iconic curtains. READ MORE

Rockefeller Center Skating Rink Opening Week

Midtown West
Opens Saturday, November 5
The world's most famous ice rink opens for the season. Grab your ice skates and your reservations so you can take a spin on this iconic ice skating rink.  READ MORE

Big Apple Circus

Midtown West/Upper West Side
Opens Wednesday, November 9
The Big Apple Circus returns to Lincoln Center for its 45th anniversary season. Performers include king of the high wire Nik Wallenda, comic daredevil Johnny Rockett, The Kiriku Brothers, aerialist Alan Silva, trapeze artist Elli Huber, juggling master Gena Cristiani, Veranica and Her Talented Dogs, and more! READ MORE

Illuminate the Farm

Glen Oaks, Queens
Opens Friday, November 11
The NYC Winter Lantern Festival transforms the Queens County Farm Museum's grounds into an immersive river of light. Holiday lights and homemade lanterns take the shape of flowers, tractors, farm animals, and more forming a dazzling seasonal display. READ MORE

Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off

Upper East Side
Opens Friday, November 11
Two bakeries from each borough were selected to create a gingerbread display following the theme of Winter in New York and best representing their respective neighborhoods, communities, or boroughs. See the sweet creations on display at the Museum of the City of New York. READ MORE

Titanic: The Exhibition

Chelsea
Opens Friday, November 11
Travel back to 1912 through photographs, handwritten letters, wayward keepsakes, and other personal belongings telling countless stories about the fates and heroic deeds on board. READ MORE

Fall TILT Kids Day

Midtown East
Saturday, November 12
FIAF hosts a day filled with fun activities, including a Drag Queen Story Hour, an arts and crafts session, a musical workshop, and a film screening. Each activity aims to inspire its participants to look at the beauty, variety, and ecological importance of forests. READ MORE

The Three Musketeers

Midtown West
Opens Saturday, November 12
Serving swagger, style, and swordplay, The Acting Company mashes up waltz with spoken word and high court drama with high-fashion hip-hop to reclaim the swashbuckling classic for today. READ MORE

16th Annual Brooklyn Children’s Book Fair

Prospect Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Sunday, November 13
The annual Brooklyn Children's Book Fair brings together 40 Brooklyn authors and illustrators to share their latest books. Throughout the day, children and their companions can attend readings and presentations, learn about the creative process, get books signed, and have fun drawing and coloring. READ MORE

Divi Roxx Family Concert

Upper East Side
Sunday, November 13
Grammy-nominated musician, recording artist, and composer Divinity Roxx combines virtuosic bass playing with an eclectic mash-up of hip-hop, rock, and funk that she calls Alternative Soul. READ MORE

Lightscape

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Opens Wednesday, November 16
Explore the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's after-dark, illuminated spectacular Lightscape, and celebrate the beauty of nature in winter on an enchanting trail animated by dazzling light, color, and sound. READ MORE

Bluey's Big Play

Midtown West
Friday, November 18-Sunday, November 20
Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chill​i embark on their first live US tour. Featuring puppetry, live actors, and iconic sets, Bluey's Big Play is based on an original story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and also contains new music by series composer, Joff Bush. READ MORE

Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Opens Friday, November 18
Holiday Lights return to the Bronx Zoo, bigger, brighter, and greener than ever before. The beloved holiday tradition covers acres of the zoo, lighting the grounds with custom Asian lanterns, wildlife-themed LED displays, and animated light shows on the historic Astor Court. READ MORE

NYBG Glow

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Opens Friday, November 18
Visitors can explore a glowing world of color and light at the New York Botanical Garden's outdoor light show. Washes of brilliant colors, thousands of dazzling, energy-efficient LED lights, and picture-perfect installations enliven the gardens and collections. READ MORE

Artechouse: Spectacular Factory – The Holiday Multiverse

Chelsea
Opens Saturday, November 19
Enter a wintry multiverse filled with magic, joy, and wonder and immerse yourself in an interactive winter wonderland where you can float among giant swinging bells, crash a party of a thousand nutcrackers, take a joyride through giant wreaths, and more. READ MORE

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Opens Saturday, November 19
The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show returns for its 32nd year! Model trains zip through a miniature wonderland of nearly 200 New York landmark replicas, each re-created from natural materials such as leaves, seeds, twigs, bark, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. READ MORE

Amaze Light Festival

Corona, Queens
Opens Saturday, November 19
Stroll inside larger-than-life themed worlds and meet Zing and Sparky, characters from the Amaze storybook, who bring stage dancers, singers, and a light show to life with their magic powers. Visit the holiday market and then stop in and grab a treat at Sparky’s Sweet Spot. READ MORE

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

Upper West Side–FREE
Wednesday, November 23
The Macy's Balloon Inflation returns! Watching the giant balloons expand is a tradition for many NYC families—almost as important as the Thanksgiving Day Parade proper.  READ MORE

96th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Midtown West–FREE
Thursday, November 24
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to once again march down the streets of New York City for its 96th annual holiday celebration. READ MORE

Small Business Saturday Tree Lighting in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, November 26
JJ Byrne Park lights up with holiday cheer as Park Slope's Small Business group hosts its annual tree lighting event, complete with Bubbledad, touch-a-truck, carol singing with the Park Slope Conservancy, wrapped treats, and—of course—Santa! READ MORE

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2023

Midtown West–FREE
Wednesday, November 30
The 91st Rockefeller Center Christmas tree illuminates for a national close-up. Families across the US can view the Christmas tree lighting from home, live on the national broadcast “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC. READ MORE

NYC Winter Lantern Festival: Journey to the East

St. George, Staten Island
Weekends through Sunday, January 8
The Winter Lantern Festival returns for a fourth run in a new venue, transforming SIUH Community Park into an immersive world of light. The Journey to the East features more than 1,000 Chinese lanterns; all handmade by artisans with decades of dedication to their craft. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center
Museum of the City of New York
Titanic | The Exhibition
FIAF - French Institute Alliance Française
Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
The New York Botanical Garden