You’re currently planning your trip to New York and you’re asking yourself all kinds of questions: what’s the weather like this time of year? Is it a good idea to go now? What should you take with you? But above all, what to do in New York in November? Find out in this guide all the answers to your questions.
New York in November : good or bad idea?
November is a very special month to go to New York. The weather is certainly less pleasant: it’s rather cold at this time of year, even if the temperatures are not yet freezing. But the good news is that the atmosphere is still lively.
A tip: if you want to visit the city without chattering your teeth, take something warm with you: coat, gloves, scarves and hats.
In November, you can take advantage of the best travel rates: the stay is cheaper for both air tickets and accommodation.
New York in November is a great time. In the streets and shops of the city, the magic of Christmas is already being felt as the days go by. The Christmas markets have started to open, so it’s a good time to go shopping for gifts and souvenirs for your loved ones.
As you drive through the neighbourhoods, you’ll see New Yorkers preparing for Thanksgiving, a major Christian and family holiday celebrated on the 4th Thursday in November.
On the other hand, the streets of New York are less crowded than in December and the previous months, because November always shows a drop in the flow of tourists. This means that you can visit the city in peace and quiet and spend less time in queues at the entrance to attractions.
For the month of November, outdoor activities and must-see sights are available. Here are some of them:
- Visit the historical monuments and huge buildings in New York: the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Chrysler Building…
- Explore the city’s most iconic streets and neighborhoods: 5th Avenue, Greenwich Village, Wall Street…
- See the greatest shows and musicals on Broadway
- Take in some of the city’s best views: the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, The Summit, the One World Observatory…
- Take a boat cruise to discover New York City in a different way.
Apart from all these activities which are accessible all year round, you will have the chance to discover exceptional events in New York, that are only available in November.
The New York programme in November 2025
The Thanksgiving holiday, on 27 November 2025
The parade
Thanksgiving is one of the most important events in the United States. Every year, Macy’s organizes the Thanksgiving Day Parade, during which giant balloons are paraded around Manhattan.
Meet at 9am at 77th Street and Central Park West.
And don’t miss the great Black Friday sales the day after Thanksgiving Day. A tip: get up early to be there when the shops 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
It is one of the largest annual sporting events in New York. Over 50,000 participants will take part. The start will be on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
Looking for more sports activities? Catch an NBA, NHL and NFL game at iconic stadiums such as Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center and MetLife Stadium. Alternatively, you can go ice skating at New York’s great 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 2025 in New York
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.
