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Veterans Day Weekend 2025 in NYC: Best Things To Do with Kids

The Big Apple Circus puts up its big top in Damrosch Park for a seasonal run beginning Friday night. Photo courtesy of Big Apple Circus
The Big Apple Circus puts up its big top in Damrosch Park for a seasonal run beginning Friday night. Photo courtesy of Big Apple Circus
11/7/25 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this Veterans Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Tuesday, November 11, is Veterans Day, and that means it's time for the biggest celebration of service in the United States: the NYC Veterans Day Parade. You can also salute our military at the Intrepid Museum's wreath ceremony.

More weekend fun includes catching up with the zany troupe of the Big Apple Circus when it opens at Lincoln Center on Friday, and welcoming the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree with a day-long festival of fun on Saturday. You can also celebrate reading at the Brooklyn Children's Book Fair.

More Things To Do in New York City this Week with Kids

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Best Things To Do in NYC Veterans Day Weekend with Kids

Broadway Magic Hour at the Broadway Comedy Club

Midtown West
Select dates through December 30, 2025
The Broadway Magic Hour features master magicians Jim Vines and Carl Mercurio in a performance that includes mind-boggling mysteries and hilarious comedy for all ages. Witness magic, mind-reading, comedy, and grand illusions! READ MORE

Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Opens Friday, November 7
The magic of the Big Apple Circus returns to New York City — bolder, brighter, and more breathtaking than ever — with the comedic genius of Johnny Rico, the jaw-dropping trapeze artistry of the Flying Maluendas’ from Chile, and the high-energy acrobatics and human pyramids of Ukraine’s Bingo Troupe. READ MORE

Magic Shadows at Flushing Town Hall

Flushing, Queens
Friday, November 7
The talented dancers of Catapult work behind a screen to create seemingly impossible dancing shadow silhouettes of shapes from the world around us. Dancers become a mountain, a full-size elephant, a helicopter, a house with a window, and people inside the window. READ MORE

Flip Circus in Forest Park

Forest Park, Queens
Opens Friday, November 7
World-class clowns, acrobats, jugglers, and daredevils display their talents in a big top so intimate that no audience member is more than 50 feet from the ring. READ MORE

Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off at the Museum of the City of New York

Upper East Side
Opens Friday, November 7
The Museum of the City of New York invites bakers from across the five boroughs to create gingerbread displays revolving around the theme of “Iconic New York”—creating distinctive buildings, places, or things that represent their neighborhood, community, or borough. READ MORE

North Pole Express in Manhattan

Midtown West
Debuts Saturday, November 8
Santa brings the North Pole to the heart of Manhattan. Take a tour of Midtown Manhattan’s storied holiday lights as you listen to thrilling Christmas tales told by one of Santa’s elves. The journey ends with a visit from Santa himself.  READ MORE

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Arrival 2025

Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, November 8
Welcome the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree when it arrives on the plaza with plenty of time for decorating before the lighting ceremony on Wednesday, December 3. Kids can celebrate the 60th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas with a Snoopy meet-and-greet and more. READ MORE

Wall-to-Wall Stevie Wonder at Symphony Space

Upper West Side – FREE
Saturday, November 8
Symphony Space’s beloved annual marathon returns with a joyful, all-day tribute to the iconic Stevie Wonder. From chart-topping hits to hidden gems, the event showcases a wide range of artists who reimagine Wonder’s songbook through soul, R&B, hip-hop, world music, and beyond. The party goes on all day—drop in any time. READ MORE

Indigenous Peoples Week at CMOM

Upper West Side
Through Sunday, November 9
Celebrate Indigenous creativity, resilience, and contributions. Explore symbols, materials, and stories from Indigenous communities past and present. READ MORE

WQXR's Classical Kids Fair

Corona, Queens – FREE
Sunday, November 9
WQXR is throwing a Classical Kids Fair at the Queens Theatre and you’re invited! Kids of all ages can try out some real musical instruments, take part in live performances, dance and songwriting workshops, arts and crafts, and more.   READ MORE

Yaniza: Family Concert at the Jewish Museum

Upper East Side
Sunday, November 9
Singer-songwriter Yaniza and friends perform joyful pop melodies, including original songs “Fly Away (Free Bird),” “Grateful,” and “Happiness,” that are full of life lessons based on her diverse background of being Dominican, Black, and Jewish.   READ MORE

LES Pumpkin Smash

Lower East Side – FREE
Sunday, November 9
Don't let your pumpkin haunt a landfill! Join LES Ecology Center at La Plaza Cultural for Pumpkin Smash 2025. Bring your pumpkins, jack-o'-lanterns, and gourds for a smashing good time! READ MORE

Brooklyn Children’s Book Fair at the Brooklyn Museum

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, November 9
The annual Brooklyn Children's Book Fair brings together nearly 50 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

Community Day at Mark Morris Dance Center

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn– FREE
Sunday, November 9
Participants of all ages, abilities, and experience levels are invited to step into the Mark Morris Dance studios, explore a range of classes, and end the day together with a joyful intergenerational dance party. READ MORE

Domino Square Ice Rink Season Opening

Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Opens Monday, November 10
Williamsburg's waterfront ice rink at Domino Square is a stunning 7,000-square-foot rink that invites skaters of all ages to enjoy a magical winter experience with the Manhattan skyline as a breathtaking backdrop.   READ MORE

Anne Frank: The Exhibition at the Center for Jewish History

Chelsea – FREE
Tuesday, November 11
Anne Frank: The Exhibition offers free admission to families, educators, and hometown heroes (police officers, firefighters, first responders, medical professionals, and military personnel) in honor of the Veterans Day holiday.   READ MORE

Veterans Day Ceremony at the Intrepid Museum

Midtown West – FREE
Tuesday, 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

NYC Veterans Day Parade 2025

Gramercy – FREE
Tuesday, November 11
The largest celebration of service in the nation, the annual New York City Veterans Day Parade, steps off at 12:30pm from 26th Street and Fifth Avenue. It then proceeds north up Fifth Avenue to 45th Street.   READ MORE

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About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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