You’re currently planning your trip to New York and have lots of questions: what’s the weather like at this time of year? Is it a good idea to go now? What should you bring with you? But most importantly, what is there to do in New York in November? Discover all the answers to your questions in this guide.
New York in November : good or bad idea?
November is a particularly unique month to visit New York. Weather conditions are certainly less pleasant: it’s rather cold at this time of year, even though temperatures aren’t yet freezing. But good news: the atmosphere remains lively.
According to this chart showing average temperatures over the past five years in New York, November is a relatively cool month that truly marks the transition to winter. Maximum temperatures generally range between 46°F and 61°F, while minimums can drop to 32°F, particularly toward the end of the month.
This data, based on three years of history, provides a reliable picture of the weather conditions you can expect. It’s therefore essential to bring warm clothing for your stay! Mornings and evenings are particularly cool, but afternoons can still be pleasant, especially early in the month when highs often reach 57-59°F. There’s a progressive cooling trend throughout the month: the last days of November are noticeably colder than the first, signaling the imminent arrival of New York winter. Plan an adaptable wardrobe with a warm coat, scarf, gloves, and several layers of clothing that you can adjust depending on the time of day.
According to average November precipitation over the past three years, New York experiences relatively dry weather in November with occasional rain episodes. Average daily precipitation generally remains moderate, rarely exceeding 0.4 inches per day. There are also long dry periods, particularly at the beginning and middle of the month.
For your stay, a small folding umbrella should suffice, as precipitation is generally moderate when it does occur. Weather shouldn’t be a major obstacle to enjoying outdoor activities, although having a backup plan for the few rainy days is still a good idea.
In November, you can take advantage of the best travel rates: the trip is less expensive for both plane tickets and accommodations.
New York in November has pleasant moments in store for you. In the city’s streets and stores, the magic of Christmas is already in the air as the days go by. Christmas markets have started opening their doors, a great opportunity to find gifts and souvenirs for your loved ones.
As you explore the neighborhoods, you’ll see New Yorkers busy with Thanksgiving preparations, a major Christian and family holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
Additionally, New York’s streets are less crowded than in December and previous months, because November always sees a decrease in tourist traffic. You can thus visit the city at a leisurely pace and spend less time waiting in lines at attraction entrances.
For the month of November, outdoor activities and must-see tourist sites are accessible. Here are some of them:
- Visit New York’s historic monuments and massive buildings: the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Chrysler Building…
- Explore the city’s most iconic streets and neighborhoods: Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village, Wall Street…
- Attend the biggest shows and musicals on Broadway
- Treat yourself to its best viewpoints: the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, The Summit, One World Observatory…
- Take a boat cruise to discover New York City from a different perspective
Beyond all these activities that are accessible year-round, you’ll have the chance to experience exceptional events in New York that are only available in November.
New York’s November 2025 Schedule
The Thanksgiving holiday, on 27 November 2025
Thanksgiving is one of the most important events in the United States. As every year, on this occasion, Macy’s organizes the Thanksgiving Day Parade during which giant balloons parade around Manhattan.
Don’t miss the exceptional Black Friday sales the day after Thanksgiving either. A tip: get up early to be there when stores open and take advantage of the best deals.
Walking in NYC’s most beautiful parks
Walking in New York in November is all the rage. It’s one of those things you really have to do if you’re there at this time of year. Starting with Central Park, which is by far the most famous park in the world. Throughout November, the “green lung of New York” takes on its autumnal colors. From yellow to red to orange, it’s a colorful spectacle that nature offers you before the end of the season.
Apart from that, there are other parks that are interesting both for the quality of their landscapes and the scope of their activities:
- Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, offers a range of entertainment: ecotourism, cycling, fishing…
- The New York Botanical Garden, in the Bronx is one of the largest botanical gardens in the United States.
- Greenbelt Park, is a huge natural forest on Staten Island with large trees (beeches, oaks…). Hiking is also very popular here.
- Battery Park offers a breathtaking view of the Statue of Liberty.
2 November 2025 : New York Marathon
This is one of New York’s biggest annual sporting events. More than 50,000 participants will take part. The start will be on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Find all the information to watch or participate in the New York Marathon.
Want more sports activities? Attend an NBA, NHL, or NFL game in iconic stadiums such as Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, and MetLife Stadium. Otherwise, you can go ice skating at New York’s major rinks: The Rink at Rockefeller Center or the Wollman Rink in Central Park.
November’s major sporting events
Watch a basketball match
New York Knicks
November marks the start of the NBA regular season, with the New York Knicks returning to the electric atmosphere of Madison Square Garden to battle it out with their rivals for a place in the standings. The 2025-2026 schedule is unveiled in August, so we’ll be listing their games for November as soon as we have them.
Brooklyn Nets
After a somewhat disappointing 2023-2024 season, the Nets will be keen to return to form at the start of the new season. If you want to cheer them on while taking advantage of the Barclays Center’s low prices, find out about their games as soon as the NBA schedule is published:
Or attend a hockey match
New York has a top NHL hockey team, the New York Rangers. After a great 2023-2024 season, the Rangers will be supported by an unwavering fervour! If you’d like to live the experience, find out more about their match in November, as soon as the NHL calendar is published.
Not forgetting American football
The two New York teams, the Giants and the Jets, will experience a key turning point in their seasons in November! One month before the final stretch of the NFL regular season, they will have to do their best to be in the top seven places in the standings in order to qualify for the play-offs.
The schedule for the 2025-2026 season will be unveiled in August and we will post the games in November:
Find out more about the Jets’ November fixtures as soon as they become available:
Soccer in November?
For the time being, it is impossible to say whether either of the New York teams will have any matches to play in November. Major Leagues Soccer’s regular season begins in February and ends in September. If one or both teams finish in the top eight, they will advance to the play-offs and play matches in November.
We will post below if the New York Red Bulls have any games in November :
And if it’s New York City FC who make the play-offs, you can book your tickets:
Other events not to be missed in November
11 November 2025: Veteran’s Day
Veteran’s Day holiday. A parade of soldiers and veterans will march down Fifth Avenue, from 26th Street to 52nd Street, starting at 11:30 am.
14 November 2025: Pickle Day
The Lower East Side celebrates “Pickle Day”, when the pickle is honored. Head to Orchard Street for pickle tastings in all their forms.
From November 2025 to January 2026: Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden – Holiday train show
The New York Botanical Garden will be transformed into a model train depot. Trains will run on a track alongside models of the city, including the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.
In November 2025, you will also be able to attend the Christmas Tree Lighting event, during which the largest tree in America will be lit until January 2026.
