November bridges golden-leaf days and glittering holiday lights. You’ll cheer the world’s largest marathon, browse the first Christmas stalls, then warm up with jazz or a late-night slice. Mornings stay mild enough for park runs, but evenings call for a coat—last Staten Island Ferry leaves heated cabins open all night.
| Category | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|
Weather | 15°C / 60°F highs; crisp, mostly dry. | Starts 13°C / 55°F, ends 8°C / 46°F; first frost possible. | 0 – 5°C; chance of snow, brisk winds off Hudson. |
Crowds & vibe | Leaf-peepers and Halloween revelers; busy but balanced. | Marathon surge, mid-month lull, holiday buzz after Thanksgiving. | Peak tourist season; Rockefeller crowds daily. |
Key events | Village Halloween Parade, Comic Con. | Marathon, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Parade. | Tree lighting, Radio City Spectacular, NYE prep. |
Best for | Photographers, theater premieres. | Sports fans, early shoppers, budget seekers mid-month. | Holiday romantics, families with kids. |
Book early? | Hotel deals OK except Halloween week. | Reserve rooms for Nov 1–3 & 27 – 29 now; other dates flexible. | Yes. Book hotels, Rockettes tickets months ahead. |
Transport notes | Occasional UN traffic lock-downs. | Marathon street closures Nov 2; subways run extra trains. | Midtown gridlock; allow 30 min taxi buffer. |
Budget | Moderate rates. | Lowest hotel prices Nov 10–20; surge Thanksgiving week. | Highest winter prices; expect 20 %+ on dining. |
| Event | Dates | Event type | Location | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
New York City Marathon | 2 Nov 2025 | Sporting Event | Central Park | Watch 50,000 runners plus roaring crowds. Secure a spot on First Ave by 9am; subways skip some local stops until noon. |
Veterans Day Parade | 11 Nov 2025 | Parade | Fifth Avenue, 26th–45th St | Nation’s largest veterans parade steps off 12:30pm. Arrive 25th St for elbow-room and coffee trucks; some crosstown buses detour until 4pm. |
Bryant Park Winter Village | 1 Nov 2025 – 5 Jan 2026 | Holiday Market | Bryant Park, 42nd St | Skate free (bring your own blades) and browse 170 craft huts. Weeknight evenings stay quieter; locker rentals sell out after 6pm. |
Union Square Holiday Market | 14 Nov – 24 Dec 2025 | Holiday Market | Union Sq Park | Hand-poured candles, Nepali dumplings, and live brass bands. Go before 11am for space to haggle; subway exits get congested weekends. |
Balloon Inflation Event | 26 Nov 2025 | Exhibition | 77th–81st St around AMNH | See Snoopy inflate 6–10pm. Best entry: 79th St & Columbus. Security lines move faster with small bags only. |
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | 27 Nov 2025 | Parade | Central Park West to Herald Sq | Arrive by 6:30am for rail-side curb between 68th–72nd St; portable restrooms scarce south of 59th St. Dress for 5 °C dawn chill. |
NYC Black Friday Sales | 28 Nov 2025 | Shopping Event | Citywide | Doors open 6am; electronics sell out first. Subway runs on weekend schedule—leave extra time if heading to Woodbury bus at Port Authority. |
Holiday Window Unveilings | 24–30 Nov 2025 | Exhibition | Fifth Ave 49th–59th St | Saks’ light show every 10 min after dusk, Bergdorf’s haute-fantasy windows debut 8pm 24 Nov. Sidewalks jam—view from opposite curb after 10pm. |
Mind the clock change: Daylight Saving ends Nov 2; sunset jumps to 4:45pm, so plan outdoor photos before 4.
Layer smart: Mornings feel mild but marathon-day winds drop to 5 °C on bridges—stash a packable puffer.
Pre-load OMNY: Contactless taps beat MetroCard queues, especially after Veterans Day tourists arrive.
Marathon Sunday streets: Many crosstown buses suspend till 4pm—use subways below 59th St or walk.
Parade strategy: For Macy’s balloons, choose Central Park West 68th–72nd St: broad sidewalks, nearby restrooms at Tavern on the Green.
Holiday markets hack: Shop weekday mornings; vendors often knock 10 % off before lunchtime lull.
Restaurant Week preview: Winter edition dates drop late November—set calendar alerts for 2-for-1 fine-dining seats.
Snow is rare but possible late month; flurries fell Thanksgiving weekend in 2018. Pack a warm coat just in case.
No—both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving parades are free curbside. Arrive 90 minutes early for front-row viewing.
Most museums close; observatories and some Broadway shows open late afternoon. Check individual sites and book ahead for 27 Nov.
Yes, on Sunday schedule. Expect crowded trains pre-parade and post-meal.
Saks launches its 5-minute light show every 10 minutes from 5pm to 11pm starting 24 Nov.
Bryant Park rink is free if you bring your own skates; rentals cost $18–$55 depending on date.
Book Nov 10–20; rates dip 25 % between marathon and holiday surge, especially in Long Island City hotels one stop from Midtown.
Absolutely. NYC’s reservoir water tastes crisp in cool weather—carry a refillable bottle and skip pricey bottled options.
Bryant Park’s attendants-managed facilities stay open until midnight, spotless and warm—lifesaver after window-viewing.
Local farmers’ pumpkins star on trattoria menus from Midtown to Carroll Gardens.
Where to eat: Frankies 457, Court St, Brooklyn
Cold air equals steamy sliced pastrami stacked high on rye—share or brave it solo.
Where to eat: Katz’s Delicatessen, 205 E Houston St
Fresh-fried rings tossed in cinnamon sugar at green-markets every morning.
Where to eat: Union Square Greenmarket, 17th St
Holiday window-side carts fold sweet chestnut paste into thin crêpes late evenings.
Where to eat: Le Crêpe Café cart, Bryant Park.
