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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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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Bring your jack-o'-lantern or uncarved pumpkin to Hudson River Park for its annual pumpkin smash event. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park
Bring your jack-o'-lantern or uncarved pumpkin to Hudson River Park for its annual pumpkin smash event. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park

Free Things To Do in NYC from Wednesday, November 1-Sunday, November 5

Pumpkin Smash at Lehman College

Bedford Park, the Bronx
Wednesday, November 1
Wondering what you should do with your jack-o’-lanterns after Halloween? Head to the Lehman quad and throw your pumpkins off the platform on the upper quad onto the target below, or hurl one across the quad in the giant slingshot! READ MORE

Día de los Muertos Family Celebration

Greenwood, Brookyn
Wednesday, November 1
Throughout Mexico, from October 31 to November 2, departed loved ones are commemorated through prayer, offerings, altars, music, dance, and food. Spend the afternoon celebrating Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with crafts, storytelling, and snacks. READ MORE

Inwood Pumpkin Pageant

Inwood
Wednesday, November 1
The Inwood Pumpkin Pageant returns to Isham Park for another spooky display of Halloween artistry. Local residents bring their carved jack-o'-lanterns to the park the evening after Halloween for a grand community event. READ MORE

Day of the Dead Celebration

Astoria, Queens
Thursday, November 2
The Museum of the Moving Image invites visitors to celebrate Day of the Dead with a performance by Aztec Mexica dance, poetry, and music from indigenous dance troupe Yayauhki Tezcatlipoka, and a face-painting session inspired by historical characters from Día de Muertos. All ages are welcome to explore the public altar in the museum’s courtyard, followed by a catrina and catrin contest hosted by artist historian Rosa Ruíz and Catrinamía. READ MORE

31st Annual Canstruction Competition 2023

Battery Park City
Thursday, November 2-Monday, November 13
An extraordinary annual design competition, and the most unique food charity in the world, Canstruction challenges teams of architects, engineers, and contractors to build sculptures made entirely out of unopened cans of food.  READ MORE

Calpulli Community Celebrates Dia de los Muertos

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, November 4
Talented young dancers from the Calpulli Community perform to festive songs in honor of Dia de los Muertos (day of the dead), a native Mexican tradition that celebrates the unending bonds between the living and the dead. READ MORE

Hudson River Park's Pumpkin Smash

Midtown West
Saturday, November 4
Bring your jack-o'-lantern or uncarved pumpkin to Hudson River Park's Pier 84 to squash, smash, and smush it into compost to help keep the park beautiful, green, and growing. The fun-packed afternoon includes free face painting from Silly Cheeks and circus entertainment by Bindlestiff performers. READ MORE

Magnetic North

Upper West Side
Saturday, November 4
Vancouver-based performer, producer, and composer Ruby Singh (aka RupLoops) utilizes vocal percussion, fresh rhymes, live looping, and an arsenal of eclectic instruments from around the globe for an interactive, family-friendly concert that freely incorporates dub reggae, electro-pop, rap, and eastern classical compositions. READ MORE

Paws-on History: Puff Paint Cats

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, November 4
Celebrate the Queen of the Manor: Mary! No, not Mary King—Super cat! In honor of the King Manor's favorite cat and National Cat Day—which fell on Sunday, October 29—use puff paint to create a one-of-a-kind, colorful cat work of art. READ MORE

Storytelling Nature Walk with Rachael Harrington

Inwood
Saturday, November 4
Local storyteller Rachael Harrington leads participants on a walk through Highbridge Park, observing natural elements along the way. Kids create original characters and fairy tales based on the unique natural features in the park. READ MORE

Le Carrousel Extravaganza

Midtown West
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, November 4-Sunday, November 26
Swing by Bryant Park on weekends in November for a mix of discovering scientific marvels, singing, and hopping along, trickery and magic, and a sprinkle of joy. READ MORE

LES Pumpkin Smash

Lower East Side
Sunday, November 5
Don't let your pumpkin haunt a landfill! Join LES Ecology Center at La Plaza Cultural for Pumpkin Smash 2023. Bring your pumpkins, jack-o'-lanterns, and gourds for a smashing good time! READ MORE

Family Day: Judy Chicago

Lower East Side
Sunday, November 5
Visit the New Museum on Family Day for art-making activities inspired by Judy Chicago: Herstory. The program takes place in the Sky Room. READ MORE
NYC is home to the largest celebration of veterans in the nation at its Veterans Day Parade. Photo courtesy of the event
NYC is home to the largest celebration of veterans in the nation at its Veterans Day Parade. Photo courtesy of the event

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, November 6-Sunday, November 12

Book Reading & Signing with Children's Author Gayle Boss

Morningside Heights
Monday, November 6
Come to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and meet best-selling author Gayle Boss. Gayle reads and signs copies of the new children’s edition of her beloved advent book, All Creation Waits, the story of 24 different woodland animals that adapt to the changing season. READ MORE

Election Day in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Tuesday, November 7
Join Prospect Park Alliance when school is closed for Election Day. Enjoy free nature education activities, animal encounters, bird walks, and more at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, and take a ride on the beloved Prospect Park Carousel. READ MORE

Diwali Celebrations at Pier 57

Chelsea
Wednesday, November 8
Celebrate Diwali with Children’s Museum of the Arts and The Culture Tree during a free all ages artmaking program at Pier 57. READ MORE

Diwali at BCM

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Thursday, November 9
Celebrate the South Asian Festival of Lights at the Brooklyn Children's Museum during Amazon Free Hours. The story of Diwali is brought to life through a puppet show, presented by The Culture Tree, and other activities include storytime with author Navina Chhabria, a mithai (Indian sweets) making workshop, and lantern making in the ColorLab art studio. READ MORE

Diwali Celebration at the Seaport

South Street Seaport
Friday, November 10
Celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, with a joyful afternoon that includes dance performances, a dance workshop, and traditional art activities. The dance portion of the celebration begins with traditional dances, the garba and dandiya raas. READ MORE

Veterans Day in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, November 11
Prospect Park hosts day of kid-friendly programming in honor of Veterans Day.  READ MORE

NYC Veterans Day Parade 2023

Midtown East
Saturday, November 11
The largest celebration of service in the nation, the annual New York City Veterans Day Parade, returns in person and steps off at 9:30am from 26th Street and Fifth Avenue. It then proceeds north up Fifth Avenue to 47th Street.   READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Citywide
Saturday, November 11
It's National Public Lands Day, and that means your admission is FREE! On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

Veterans Day Ceremony

Midtown West
Saturday, November 11
The Intrepid Museum hosts a poignant Veterans Day Ceremony at 3:30pm on Pier 86, which is free and open to the public.  READ MORE

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Arrival 2023

Midtown West
Saturday, November 11
Welcome the 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. The holiday spruce arrives at Rockefeller Center with plenty of time for decorating before the lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 29.  READ MORE

17th Annual Brooklyn Children’s Book Fair

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Sunday, November 12
The annual Brooklyn Children's Book Fair brings together 40 Brooklyn authors and illustrators to share their latest books. Throughout the day, children and their companions can attend readings and presentations, learn about the creative process, get books signed, and have fun drawing and coloring. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, November 13-Sunday, November 19

Santa on the Steps of the Sanctuary at the Brick Church Fair

Upper East Side
Wednesday, November 15
Ho, ho, ho! Head over to the steps of the Brick Street Church's sanctuary for a special visit with Santa Claus. Capture the magic of the season with festive photos, and create lasting memories. The Brick Church's 80th annual fair is a great place to kick-start some holiday shopping, too. READ MORE

DTBK Gets Lit: Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Albee Square

Downtown Brooklyn
Friday, November 17
Celebrate the holiday season Brooklyn style. The Downtown Brooklyn Gets Lit: Holiday Lighting Party at Albee Square features a live DJ, special guest performances and, of course, the countdown to the holiday lights. READ MORE

Double Feature: "Fantastic Mr. Fox" & "The BFG

Upper West Side
Saturday, November 18
Columbia University School of Arts' monthly series of films for the whole family offers free screenings of The Fantastic Mr Fox (PG) at 1pm, and The BFG (PG), at 2:45pm. READ MORE

Forest Chalk Art

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, November 18
Urban Park Rangers get little imaginations going at James Forten Playground. Kids can help draw a chalk forest, learn about the native plants and animals that call Brooklyn home, and touch and feel some pelts and biofacts.  READ MORE

Wildlife Viewing: City Squirrels

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Saturday, November 18
Kids can learn all about squirrels in New York City and how they play an important role in NYC parks. READ MORE
There's no charge to say cheese with Santa at Macy's Santaland. Photo by Jody Mercier
There's no charge to say cheese with Santa at Macy's Santaland. Photo by Jody Mercier

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, November 20-Thursday, November 30

Miller Theater Pop-Up Concert: Russell Greenberg

Upper West Side
Tuesday, November 21
Free and fun Pop-Up Concerts provide the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with today’s most exciting new music. Sit onstage and mingle with the musicians and fellow concertgoers after the show. READ MORE

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

Upper West Side
Wednesday, November 22
The Macy's Balloon Inflation returns! Watching the giant balloons expand is a tradition for many NYC families—almost as important as the Thanksgiving Day Parade proper.  READ MORE

97th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Midtown West
Thursday, November 23
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to once again march down the streets of New York City for its 97th annual holiday celebration. READ MORE

Macy's Santaland

Midtown West
Opens Friday, November 24
Santa swoops back over to Macy's for visits with his littlest fans! Wander the rainbow road to his workshop, where you'll meet jolly old St. Nick. Share your wishlist before receiving a special gift and posing for a keepsake photo. READ MORE

Small Business Saturday Tree Lighting in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Saturday, November 25
JJ Byrne Park lights up with holiday cheer as Park Slope's Small Business group hosts its annual tree lighting event, complete with touch-a-truck, carol singing with the Park Slope Conservancy, wrapped treats, and—of course—Santa! READ MORE

Build Your Own Nature Kite

Tottenville, Staten Island
Saturday, November 25
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a celebration of the oldest form of aviation, the kite! Learn about this old tradition with a discussion of the history of aviation, as well as a hands-on opportunity to craft your own kite from recycled materials.  READ MORE

Light Up Brooklyn Commons

Downtown Brooklyn
Wednesday, November 29
Celebrate the start of the holiday season while enjoying festive outdoor activities, including ice sculpting, holiday music, a tree lighting, and a visit from Santa. READ MORE

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2023

Midtown West
Wednesday, November 29
The 91st Rockefeller Center Christmas tree illuminates for a national close-up. Families across the US can view the Christmas tree lighting from home, live on the national broadcast “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC. READ MORE

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