Credit: @mitzgami on Instagram
From delighting in wondrous festivals and parades to indulging in locally made goodies and getting a jump start on holiday shopping, November in New York is packed with events, thrills, and fun for all!Be sure to check out our full calendar to see all the exciting events happening across the Empire State.
Masks are encouraged, but optional in most settings per New York State guidelines. Individual businesses or attractions may require mask wearing. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available.
October 29 – November 5
Savor eight days of delicious deals from Garden City to Montauk during Long Island Restaurant Week. More than 130 restaurants across Nassau and Suffolk counties will offer prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus for $24, $29, $39, and $46, letting you sample some of the best eats the region has to offer with cuisines and culinary delights to satisfy all cravings.
November 3-4
Feel like you’re in the wild west in New York State at the Adirondack Stampede Rodeo, celebrating more than 30 years of incredible competition. Don your cowboy boots and hat, and watch as cowboys and cowgirls compete in steer wrestling, barrel racing, bronco and bull riding, and more! Set to a professionally produced sound show, and featuring top national and regional competitors, this is one of the state’s most unique experiences on offer this November. After the rodeo, the audience is invited to the Round-Up Party in the Heritage Hall. Glens Falls; Prices start at $18.
November 4-5
Be curious. Be creative. Be in Beacon for two days of music, art, and fun as more than 300 artists including aerialists, choirs, bands, dance troupes, and comedy groups perform at over 20 venues in the coolest small town in America at this second annual event. Relax by one of the bonfires burning all along Main Street and enjoy discounts on food and beverages, as well as services and retail items. Beacon; Festival passes range from $39 to $107.48.
November 5
Credit: Joe Buglewicz/NYC & Company
There’s nothing quite like marathon day in New York City. There are plenty of spots to cheer on runners along the 26.2-mile course that winds its way through the five boroughs. Join the fun in Brooklyn as runners make their way past the Brooklyn Academy of Music or feel the excitement in Manhattan, where various points along the route will put you near finger-licking good food like Dinosaur Bar-B-Que or explore-worthy attractions like the Museum of Modern Art. NYC; free to spectate.
November 6-12
Credit: @prime_saratoganational on Instagram
Think restaurant week is just for locals? Think again! Saratoga County Restaurant Week offers seven days of prix-fixe lunch and three-course dinners at participating Saratoga favorites like Prime at Saratoga National, offering a mouth-watering three-course, $35 dinner that includes sweet corn and ham chowder, honey roasted miso salmon, and pumpkin cheesecake. A trip to Saratoga Springs for restaurant week? It’s the port-poached amarena cherry on top of your November! Saratoga Springs; Three-Course Dinner: $25 or $35 plus tax & tip | Lunch Specials: $15 plus tax & tip.
November 9-January 7
Credit: @luminocityfestival on Instagram
Wonder and imagination come to life in an awe-inspiring display of art, light, and color at the LuminoCity Festival. Celebrate the holiday season as you navigate this immersive glowing world full of magic and dazzling lights spread out across Eisenhower Park. Encounter sea creatures as you make your way through the Mystical Jellyfish Forest, take a journey through the Wonderland Tea Party into the Rose Garden and past the Caterpillar’s Perch before stumbling on the Cheshire’s Glow, and more at this breathtaking festival of lights. East Meadow; Timed ticketing; prices vary.
November 10
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The Culinary Institute of America was founded in 1946 to prepare returning World War II veterans for careers in the culinary arts. As a thank you to all who have served our nation, the CIA is treating veterans to a complimentary lunch or dinner at its restaurants on the Hyde Park campus. Veterans dining at American Bounty, The Bocuse Restaurant, and Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici (lunch only) will receive a complimentary meal (reservations required). Without a reservation, current and former service members can stop by the CIA for a meal on the house at the Apple Pie Bakery Café (up to $20), and The Egg student dining venue (up to $15). Hyde Park
November 11-12
Credit: @cgoverts on Instagram
Get ready for fun and games at The Strong Museum in Rochester during the National Toy Hall of Fame Celebration Weekend. In honor of its 25th anniversary, three toys will join the illustrious hall from a list of 12 finalists that includes baseball cards and Barbie’s longtime boyfriend Ken. A bonus fourth inductee will also be chosen by the public from a list of five finalists that failed to make the cut in previous years. Join The Strong’s celebration weekend to honor the newly-inducted toys, enjoy a magic show, and head over to the Timeless Classics Play Zones to get some hands-on time with some Hall of Fame fan favorites. Rochester; General admission starts at $23, ages two and younger get in free.
November 11
For those who enjoy hunting for treasure, or prefer to gift a unique work of art to loved ones at the holidays, the 45th Herkimer County Arts & Crafts Fair is a must. Shop over 100 vendor stalls on the Herkimer College Campus to find handmade pottery and baskets that are both art and for everyday use, as well as original paintings, gourmet treats, and jewelry. Your attendance also benefits the community—all proceeds from entry fees go toward the college’s tuition scholarship program. Herkimer; $5 entry fee. Children five years old and younger get in free.
November 11
This year marks the fest’s 19th anniversary, and craft beverage fans will delight in finding new flavors amid the beers, wines, and ciders available for sampling. Roam three floors of the Holiday Valley Lodge to experience live music, great drinks, and a smorgasbord of favorite pub foods. It’s the perfect way to bid adieu to fall and get excited for a fun winter season. Make the most of your experience with a stay at Holiday Valley, where lodging packages will be available at the Inn at Holiday Valley, the Tamarack Club and Holiday Valley Rental Properties. Ellicottville; Ticket prices vary.
November 18
Credit: New York State Brewers Association
Here’s your chance to explore all of the great beers from New York State’s finest breweries all under one roof! Drink beer on the very same stage that musical legends like Bob Dylan and Tony Bennet performed on as more than 55 breweries from far and wide gather at the historic Landmark Theatre in downtown Syracuse for the 10th annual New York State Craft Brewers Festival. Beer enthusiasts will discover new styles, flavors, and brands as they meet the masters behind the craft. Some of Syracuse’s best food vendors will also be on hand dishing out savory eats. Each ticket comes with a 7-ounce souvenir tasting glass. Syracuse; Tickets $60 in advance, $70 at the gate; $15 for designated drivers.
November 18-19 (plus two additional weekends in December)
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Break out your sparkling holiday attire or that ugly seasonal sweater and get ready for the Shawangunk Wine Trail’s ultimate holiday wine tasting event! Brotherhood (America’s oldest winery), Robibero, Benmarl, and other participating wineries will be decked out for the season as you can sip some of the Hudson Valley’s best wines and get a jump on your holiday shopping. Choose from three itineraries that group four wineries together with short travel time in mind and then get to tasting! Each taster ticket includes a tasting flight at each location, exclusive Shawangunk Wine Trail souvenir wine tasting glass and holiday ornament, plus a holiday-themed ornament from each winery on your itinerary. Various starting locations; Tickets start at $41.39, designated driver tickets are free.
November 23
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For millions, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a Turkey Day tradition, but if you want to experience the wonder in-person, head to Manhattan this November for its 97th anniversary. Look out for the Beagle Scout Snoopy and Blue Cat & Chugs balloons as they make their big parade debut, wave to the elaborate floats, and enjoy the star-studded acts performing along the 2.5-mile route. To get a good viewing spot, it’s recommended that spectators arrive before 6:30 am. Wear warm clothes and bring a thermos of warm coffee or hot cocoa to help you stay warm. If you happen to be in the city the day before the parade, you can see the balloons being blown up near the American Museum of Natural History just off of Central Park West. Manhattan; Free to attend.
Starting November 24
Credit: @bethelwoodscenter on Instagram
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, where everything becomes merry and bright for a special drive-thru holiday light show. Enjoy the magical glow from the comfort of your own car as the 1.7-mile route takes you through Snowflake Alley, Candy Cane Lane, Groovy Way, and other dazzling themed displays. You can sweeten the drive with a box of fresh-baked goodies available as an add-on when purchasing tickets. Bethel; Tickets start at $30 per car.
November 24-26
Photo Courtesy of Jingle Falls USA
Celebrate the winter season in Niagara Falls during Jingle Falls USA! This three-day weekend event is jam-packed with fun events that are sure to get you and your family in the holiday spirit. Enjoy life-sized gingerbread displays at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, hop aboard the Candy Cane Express, meet Santa’s reindeer and the big man in red himself, take a horse and carriage ride, and more as the spirit of the season takes over Old Falls Street. Niagara Falls; Some registration and fees apply.
November 25
The only thing better than wine…is wine and chocolate. Head to the NYS Fairgrounds for the Syracuse Wine and Chocolate Festival to sample pours from dozens of New York State’s wineries, cideries, and distilleries and eat your way through a fabulous selection of tasty nibbles and treats, chocolates, and sweets. You’ll also get some serious retail therapy browsing mini boutiques featuring purses, jewelry, clothing, and more. Attendees receive a souvenir wine glass and one of Landies Candies’ award-winning chocolate stuffed pretzels. Syracuse; $30 plus fees; Designated driver tickets are $15 plus fees.
November 25-26 (with upcoming dates in December)
Join in on the magic of the holidays as Zoo New York, the “only zoo dedicated to the animals of New York State,” hosts Winter Wonderlights, when hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights transform the 32-acre zoo at Thompson Park into a glowing wonderland. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, take part in winter and holiday activities, and of course, see the zoo’s animals amid festive decorations and lights. Watertown; $7 per person.
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