Free in November: 37 Things To Do in NYC with Kids

NYC's annual cans-for-a-cause competition, dubbed Canstruction, returns to Brookfield Place in November. Photo courtesy of the event
NYC's annual cans-for-a-cause competition, dubbed Canstruction, returns to Brookfield Place in November. Photo courtesy of the event
10/30/23 - By Drew Kristofik

We've found 37 free things to do in NYC this November with kids, so there's no reason to fall into the spend-and-splurge trap of the holiday season. Our list of free things to do in November includes annual favorites, like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and Macy's Santaland, as well as the Canstruction display at Brookfield Place and the Brooklyn Children's Book Fair.

Diwali celebrations light up the town at Pier 57 in Chelsea, the Brooklyn Children's Museum, and the South Street Seaport.

The Veterans Day Parade marches up Fifth Avenue, and holiday trees start sparkling in Park Slope, Brooklyn Commons, and at Rockefeller Center. Don't forget to get in on the Rock Center tree arrival fun, too!

Read on for more of our top free event picks in November, and don't forget to hop over to our just-released Best of November list, which includes our top picks all month long. You can always find more freebies in our Guide to Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids, from free play spaces to gratis admission hours at museums.

Each of our picks for free things to do this November is listed by the week it falls in, and roughly in calendar order. Everything listed is free, but some events may require tickets or other advance planning. Click through to the event listings for details.

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Places featured in this article:


Upper Quad Area, Lehman College

Brooklyn Central Library, Dweck Center

La Plaza Cultural Community Garden

Cathedral of St. John the Divine

National Parks - Multiple Locations

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

Miller Theater at Columbia University

Conference House Park - HH Biddle House