Things to Do for Kids in New York City in November 2026
Inwood Pumpkin Pageant in Isham Park
Inwood – FREE
Sunday, November 1, 2026
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. Website
Canstruction at Brookfield Place
Battery Park City – FREE
Daily through Monday, November 9, 2026
This extraordinary annual design competition is 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. Website
Día de los Muertos Family Celebration in Green-Wood Cemetery
Sunset Park, Brooklyn – FREE
Monday, November 2, 2026
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) at Green-Wood Cemetery with crafts, storytelling, and snacks. Website
MoMath's Annual Puzzle-Hunt
Chelsea – FREE
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Puzzle hunters, new and experienced, are invited to form teams of 4-6 solvers for this special program in conjunction with the National Museum of Mathematics. Strike out to explore nearby locations outside the museum as you solve a series of fun—and challenging—puzzles. Website
Blue Man Group: A New Holiday Surprise
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Midtown West
Opens Thursday, November 12, 2026
Blue Man Group’s first holiday production and Broadway debut features classic holiday music performed on Blue Man Group’s iconic custom instruments, following the Blue Men as they discover the traditions, rituals, and joyful absurdities of the holidays with a few unexpected detours along the way. Website
Herald Holiday Fair in Greeley Square Park
Midtown West
Opens Thursday, November 12, 2026
Magical holiday fun pop-ups in Greeley Square, including the return of the neighborhood’s now famous double-decker Christmas Carousel. In addition, visitors can take a thrilling ride down the Snow Slide, or experience a virtual reality journey aboard the Magical Sleigh Ride. Website
Flip Circus in Forest Park
Woodhaven, Queens
Opens Friday, November 13, 2026
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. Website
Do Not Try This at Home at the New Victory Theater
Midtown West
Opens Saturday, November 14, 2026
The Streb Extreme Action company falls, flips, flies, and crashes in a marathon of physical fortitude. Across a series of action events choreographed by daredevil Elizabeth Streb, she and her Action Heroes name the impossible and then do it. Website
New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
Bronx Park, the Bronx
Opens Saturday, November 14, 2026
The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show returns for its 35th year! Model trains zip through a miniature wonderland of nearly 200 New York landmark replicas, each re-created from natural materials such as leaves, seeds, twigs, bark, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. Website
The Elf Experience at Rockefeller Center
Midtown West
Opens Saturday, November 14, 2026
Journey through Papa Elf’s storybook and into the North Pole, where you can visit Santa’s Workshop, meet Mr. Narwhal, travel through the Candy Cane Forest, and stop for a sweet treat in the Winter Village. Website
A Christmas Carol at The Perelman Performing Arts Center
Financial District
Opens Friday, November 20, 2026
PAC NYC brings the acclaimed production of A Christmas Carol from London’s The Old Vic to New York in a uniquely intimate staging. Website
Filament Theatre’s Rain at Lincoln Center
Upper West Side
Friday, November 20-Sunday, November 22, 2026
Rain is a mesmerizing and wondrous sensory experience for babies and their families in which they are invited to slow down, notice, and wonder. Website
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Opens Friday, November 20, 2026
Explore the Brooklyn Botanic Garden after dark during the illuminated spectacular, Lightscape, which celebrates the beauty of nature in winter on an enchanting trail animated by dazzling light, color, and sound. Website
Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo
Bronx Park, the Bronx
Opens Saturday, November 21, 2026
Holiday Lights return to the Bronx Zoo, bigger, brighter, and greener than ever before. The beloved holiday tradition covers acres of the zoo, lighting the grounds with custom Asian lanterns, wildlife-themed LED displays, and animated light shows on the historic Astor Court. Website
The Pop Ups Family Concert at the Jewish Museum
Upper East Side
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Catch the pop grooves and high energy of the Grammy-nominated band The Pop Ups and the joyful, inventive sounds of Princess Backpack and Benjamin, along with the rollicking fiddle of Melody Allegra. These two notable bands and musician friends come together in a special shared performance! Website
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation
Upper West Side – FREE
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
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. Website
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Midtown West – FREE
Thursday, November 26, 2026
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marches down the streets of New York City for its centennial holiday celebration. Website
Macy's Santaland
Midtown West – FREE
Opens Friday, November 27, 2026
Santa swoops back over to Macy's for visits with his littlest fans! The famous Macy's attraction is getting a brand-new look for the 2026 holiday season, so there are plenty of surprises in store. Come armed with your wishlist to share with Santa before receiving a special gift and posing for a keepsake photo. Website
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center
Upper West Side
Opens Friday, November 27, 2026
The New York City Ballet's annual confection returns, complete with the famous one-ton Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 40 feet, an onstage snowstorm, and hundreds of elaborate costumes, including one for Mother Ginger that measures nine feet wide and weighs 85 pounds! Website
A Charlie Brown Christmas at Lehman College
Kingsbridge, the Bronx
Sunday, November 29, 2026
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season in Charles M. Schulz’s timeless story celebrating the spirit of Christmas. Website
Annie at 92Y
Upper West Side
Opens Sunday, November 29, 2026
Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including “Tomorrow.” The 92Y unfurls the Broadway musical at the full 2 1/2-hour length, including a 15-minute intermission. Website