20 things to do in NYC this month

We found the best things to do in NYC this weekend and beyond, including Wicked celebrations, Bryant Park’s Winter Village, the New York Comedy Festival, and more.

Erin Cavoto
Written byErin Cavoto

The sun is setting earlier, the temperature is dropping, and the holiday season has officially descended on New York City. Some of the best things to do in NYC right now include seasonal activities, like checking out the food scene at Bryant Park’s Winter Village, visiting Central Park’s newest ice skating rink, or seeing the famous Radio City Rockettes. To make the most of this time of year in the city, we picked 20 activities in NYC this month that everyone can enjoy — whether you're a theatre lover or you just want to soak up the holiday magic.

Of course, no NYC trip would be complete without catching a show, so discover our roundup of the best plays and musicals in NYC in November.

1.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail

2.

Beetlejuice's 41 Days of October

3.

Wicked Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel

4.

Stranger Things Radio Room Pop-up

5.

Wicked film re-release

6.

New York Comedy Festival

7.

Gottesman Rink at the Davis Center opening

8.

Mamma Mia! brunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner

9.

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

10.

La fille du régiment at the Metropolitan Opera House

11.

Stardust Diner Wicked Wednesday

12.

Bryant Park Winter Village

13.

New York Cheese and Wine Week

14.

Big Apple Circus

15.

Stevie Nicks at the Barclays Center

16.

Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?)

17.

Gotham Storytelling Festival

18.

Last-chance dining at 44&X

19.

Broadway After Dark: The Curtain Call Crawl

20.

Mamma Mia! drinks at Iris

1.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail

Date and venue: Now through November 30 at the New York Botanical Garden

New York Botanical Garden’s hauntingly fun Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail is your seamless transition from spooky season to holiday celebration. Step into some of your favorite scenes from the classic animated film, as Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, and more come to life in this immersive light trail set among the lush flowers and plants. And no Nightmare Before Christmas-themed event would be complete without the iconic music playing.

Get Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail tickets now.

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Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail

2.

Beetlejuice's 41 Days of October

Date and venue: Now through November 10 at various locations

Halloween may be over, but October is actually 41 days long, if you’re a Beetlejuice fan. The Broadway production at the Palace Theatre is celebrating its return with 41 Days of October, a slate of events happening through November 10. Activities include a postcard giveaway every Tuesday, a costume contest every Thursday, panels, restaurant crawls, and more. Check out the full list of events.

Get Beetlejuice tickets now.

3.

Wicked Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel

Date and venue: Now through November 11 at The Plaza Hotel’s Palm Court

For the second year in a row, The Plaza Hotel’s Palm Court is putting on a special afternoon tea, dedicated to Wicked. The themed menu of tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets features items like the Emerald City Cucumber Sandwich, Shiz University Salmon Sliders, and Changed For Good Cheesecake. This elevated tea experience is a thrillifying way to spend an afternoon — so make a reservation and grab your best green and pink attire.

Get Wicked on Broadway tickets now.

4.

Stranger Things Radio Room Pop-up

Date and venue: November 7-8 at 22 Little West 12th St.

Head back in time to the ‘80s with this Stranger Things pop-up. In honor of the show’s fifth and final season coming out in November, the radio room pop-up will include '80s music, a photo booth, claw machines, and more. The pop-up is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — why not go before seeing Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway?

Get Stranger Things: The First Shadow tickets now.

Get Stranger Things: The First Shadow tickets

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09:00

Breakfast at Liberty Bagels

Regularly named one of the city’s best bagel shops, the unassuming Liberty Bagels is the perfect spot to get a classic NYC breakfast sandwich.

10:00

Macy’s Herald Square

One of the world’s largest stores, Macy’s is a sight to behold, especially when it’s decked out for the holidays.

5.

Wicked film re-release

Date and venue: November 14-20 at select AMC, Regal, and Alamo Drafthouse movie theatres

Prepare for Wicked: For Good by revisiting Elphaba and Glinda’s adventures on the big screen. A special Wicked re-release is taking place at select movie theatres across the city, where fans can head back to Shiz and see where it all started for the two witches, before catching Part 2 of the Wicked movie musical when it comes out on November 21.

Get Wicked Broadway tickets now.

Get Wicked Broadway tickets

6.

New York Comedy Festival

Date and venue: November 7-16 at various venues

Some of the best comics in the world will be in the city this month as part of the annual New York Comedy Festival. Shows will take place in various venues across the city from small comedy clubs to main stages like Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, and the Beacon Theatre. Catch big names like Stephen Colbert, Margaret Cho, and Trevor Wallace, as well as up-and-coming comics performing stand-up sets, improv, sketches, and more.

Check out more comedy shows in New York this month.

7.

Gottesman Rink at the Davis Center opening

Date and venue: November 15 at Gottesman Rink in Central Park

While the famous Wollman Rink has already opened for the season, it's not the only Central Park ice skating rink this year. The Davis Center’s Gottesman Rink opens for its first year as part of the center’s efforts to foster community through outdoor recreation. It opens on November 15 and will have free skating lessons and a discounted $5 rate for open skating during its opening weekend.

8.

Mamma Mia! brunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Date and venue: November 16 at Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Catching Mamma Mia! on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre? First, go next door to Ellen’s Stardust Diner on November 16 for a bottomless brunch featuring performances of ABBA songs from the hit musical. Guests are encouraged to dress for the event, so break out your sequins, flare pants, and anything else Donna and the Dynamos would approve of. Showtimes are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and advance tickets are required.

Get Mamma Mia! Broadway tickets now.

Get Mamma Mia! Broadway tickets

9.

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

Date and venue: Now through January 4 at Radio City Music Hall

If the Radio City Rockettes are back, then it really is the holiday season in NYC. The high-kicking precision dance troupe have returned to Radio City Music Hall for the annual Christmas Spectacular, dazzling audiences with jaw-dropping dances, sets, costumes — and even an appearance from Santa Claus himself. Don’t miss your chance to catch the Rockettes during their 100th anniversary.

Get Radio City Christmas Spectacular tickets now.

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Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

10.

La fille du régiment at the Metropolitan Opera House

Date and venue: Through November 12 at the Metropolitan Opera House

Now is your last chance to catch La fille du régiment, which closes November 12. The opera, about a young woman who is orphaned on a battlefield and raised by a French army regiment, is both funny and heartfelt. Grey's Anatomy star Sandra Oh makes her Met debut in this production and has been an audience favorite.

Get La fille du régiment tickets now, and browse more operas at the Met.

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11.

Stardust Diner Wicked Wednesday

Date and venue: November 19 at Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Thank goodness! Wicked Wednesday is back at Ellen’s Stardust Diner in honor of Wicked: For Good’s premiere on November 21. For one day only, the famous Broadway diner will have a Wicked makeover, casting two of its singing waitstaff as Elphaba and Glinda as they belt out your favorite songs from the show.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m., so make sure you’re in line well ahead of time — the diner does not take reservations. If you can’t make it for Wednesday, Ellen’s will be serving special Elphaba Green Shakes or Glinda Pink Shakes from November 19-23 to celebrate the movie release.

Get Wicked Broadway tickets now.

Get Wicked Broadway tickets

12.

Bryant Park Winter Village

Date and venue: Now through March 1 at Bryant Park

An NYC holiday must-do is a visit to the Bryant Park Winter Village. Ice skate with free admission (skate and locker rental fees apply), shop at the holiday market, and hit up the delicious food vendors featuring all types of global cuisines. Just a short walk from the Theatre District, it’s the perfect place to hang out before or after a show.

13.

New York Cheese and Wine Week

Date and venue: Now through November 23 at various locations

If you believe cheese belongs in every meal, then New York Cheese and Wine Week is for you. Throughout the three-week celebration, participating restaurants offer special cheese dishes and wine pairings, and many are located in or near the Theatre District.

14.

Big Apple Circus

Date and venue: Now through January 4 at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park

Kicking off this weekend is the Big Apple Circus, which takes up residency near Lincoln Center at Damrosch Park. Displaying high-flying acts and death-defying stunts, as well as comedic routines and more. Perfect for families, the Big Apple Circus is in town for the holiday season, making it a great stop on anyone’s seasonal trip to the city.

Get Big Apple Circus tickets now.

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Big Apple Circus

15.

Stevie Nicks at the Barclays Center

Date and venue: November 19 at the Barclays Center

The legendary Fleetwood Mac frontwoman comes to NYC this November, with a one-night performance at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Stevie Nicks will perform songs from her entire career, including Fleetwood Mac hits like “Dreams,” “Rhiannon,” and “Landslide,” plus solo tunes like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stop Dragging My Heart Around.” Don’t miss your chance to see this two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer live.

Get Stevie Nicks tickets in NYC now.

Get tickets

16.

Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?)

Date and venue: Now through November 16 at The Public Theater

Writer and performer Zoë Kim explores her identity and her Korean family’s story in this solo show, which closes off Broadway soon. The show dives into abuse, loneliness, and issues with self-image that Kim experienced, and it's a unique and thought-provoking performance.

Get Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?) tickets now.

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Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?)

17.

Gotham Storytelling Festival

Date and venue: Now through November 16 at Under St. Marks Theater

For its 15th year, the Gotham Storytelling Festival will showcase some of the best storytellers in NYC. Participants will tell tales across genres and formats: comedic acts, musical performances, one-person plays, and more. Check out the full lineup here, with various acts running from now through November 16.

18.

Last-chance dining at 44&X

Date and venue: Now through November 26 at 44&X

The restaurant 44&X has been a Hell’s Kitchen mainstay and favorite restaurant of Broadway-goers for decades. It’s even name-dropped in the currently running Off-Broadway play Messy White Gays, a satire that takes place over brunch in a Hell’s Kitchen apartment. 44&X will close its doors on November 26, so now is your chance to visit the beloved spot. Make a day of it, and catch a performance of Messy White Gays while you’re at it!

Get Messy White Gays tickets now.

Get Messy White Gays tickets

19.

Broadway After Dark: The Curtain Call Crawl

Date and venue: Nightly at 11 p.m. following Broadway shows

This unique late-night crawl kicks off the minute you leave your Broadway theatre, where you’ll be met by a fabulous drag queen as your guide. The 2-hour private tour meanders through Hell’s Kitchen and is filled with surprises at every turn, including live performances.

Broadway After Dark: The Curtain Call Crawl promises Broadway stories and “insider tea” in addition to cocktails and plenty of glam. Tickets start at $69 per person, and you must book as a group.

What's on Broadway
Wicked

Wicked

Gershwin Theatre
The Lion King

The Lion King

Minskoff Theatre
MJ The Musical

MJ The Musical

Neil Simon Theatre
The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

Broadway Theatre

The Book of Mormon

Eugene O’Neill Theatre
Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Al Hirschfeld Theatre
& Juliet

& Juliet

Stephen Sondheim Theatre
Chicago

Chicago

Ambassador Theatre
Hamilton

Hamilton

Richard Rodgers Theatre
Buena Vista Social Club

Buena Vista Social Club

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
Oh, Mary!

Oh, Mary!

Lyceum Theatre
The Outsiders

The Outsiders

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
Hell's Kitchen

Hell's Kitchen

Shubert Theatre
Waiting for Godot

Waiting for Godot

Hudson Theatre
Six

Six

Lena Horne Theatre

20.

Mamma Mia! drinks at Iris

The Mediterranean restaurant Iris is celebrating Mamma Mia!’s return to Broadway with a trio of martinis inspired by the show and the Greek Isles. Sip on Donna’s Martini, a gin martini with olive bitters; Sophie’s Martini, a pistachio lemon drop; or Rosie and Tanya’s Martini, a strawberry rhubarb daiquiri-inspired drink.

Iris is located a short walk from Mamma Mia! on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Get Mamma Mia! tickets now.

Get Mamma Mia! tickets
Mamma Mia! drinks at Iris