NEWSLETTER
Photo Courtesy of Macy's, Inc.
From delighting in wondrous festivals and parades to indulging in locally made goodies and getting a jump start on holiday shopping, November in New York is packed with events, thrills, and fun for all! Discover one of the longest-running rodeos in the Northeast, celebrate the opening of a museum dedicated to all things Broadway, and catch the excitement of professional hockey, only in New York State!
Masks are encouraged, but optional in most settings per New York State guidelines. Individual businesses or attractions may require mask wearing. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available.
LuminoCity Festival (Long Island)
November 9-January 8, 2023
Credit: @luminocityfestival on Instagram
Wonder and imagination come to life in an awe-inspiring display of art, light, and color at the LuminoCity Festival. Celebrate the holiday season as you navigate this immersive glowing world full of magic and dazzling lights spread out across 17 acres at Eisenhower Park. Encounter prehistoric creatures while exploring the land before time at the Dinosaur Adventure, go on an illuminating Wildlife Safari, meet the Cheshire Cat and White Rabbit at Alice’s Enchantment, and more at this breathtaking festival of lights. East Meadow; Timed ticketing; prices vary.
Visit the New Museum of Broadway (NYC)
Opening November 15
Experience the lights and magic of Broadway like never before at a brand new museum dedicated to the “Great White Way.” Opening November 15 at 145 West 45th Street, the Museum of Broadway celebrates musicals, plays, and the people who make them with a unique immersive and interactive theatrical experience featuring exhibits on Oklahoma!, The Wiz, Rent, and other hit productions. See dazzling costumes, props, renderings and rare photos while traveling through a visual history of Broadway and even get a look behind the curtain in the making of a Broadway show. Manhattan, Timed tickets; General admission $39 plus $4 service fee.
New York State Craft Brewers Festival (Finger Lakes)
November 19
Credit: @newlynewengland on Instagram
Here’s your chance to explore all of the great beers from New York State’s finest breweries all under one roof! More than 55 breweries from far and wide will gather at the historic Landmark Theatre in downtown Syracuse for the 9th annual New York State Craft Brewers Festival. Beer enthusiasts will discover new styles, flavors, and brands as they meet the masters behind the craft. Some of Syracuse’s best food vendors from Pastabilities to Limp Lizard will also be on hand dishing out savory eats. Each ticket comes with a 7-ounce souvenir tasting glass. Syracuse; Tickets $60 in advance, $70 at the gate; $15 for designated drivers.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze (Hudson Valley)
Through November 20 (also Long Island through November 6)
Credit: @sleepyhollowspellbound on Instagram
Just because Halloween is over, it doesn’t mean that the boo-tastic festivities are! The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze continues its fiery display every weekend in November. Wander through a Jack O’Lantern-lit wonderland to see swooping bats, life-sized dinosaurs, a Pumpkin Planetarium, and more at the historic Van Cortlandt Manor. Croton-on-Hudson; Admission prices vary.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (NYC)
November 24
Photo courtesy of Macy's, Inc.
For millions, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a Turkey Day tradition. If you feel like you’ve watched it live on TV long enough, and want to experience the wonder in-person, head to Manhattan this November for its 96th anniversary. Look for the Bluey balloon as the lovable puppy makes its big parade debut, wave to the parade floats, and enjoy the star-studded acts performing along the 2.5-mile route. To get a good viewing spot, it’s recommended that spectators arrive before 6:30 am. Wear warm clothes and bring a thermos of warm coffee or hot cocoa to help you stay warm. If you happen to be in the city the day before the parade, you can see the balloons being blown up near the American Museum of Natural History just off of Central Park West. Manhattan; Free to attend.
Peace, Love, and Lights (Catskills)
Starting November 25
Credit: @bethelwoodscenter on Instagram
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, where everything becomes merry and bright for a special drive-thru holiday light show. Enjoy the magical glow from the comfort of your own car as the 1.7-mile route takes you through Snowflake Alley, Candy Cane Lane, Groovy Way, and other dazzling themed displays. You can sweeten the drive with a box of fresh-baked goodies available as an add-on when purchasing tickets. Bethel; Tickets start at $30 per car.
Get into the Holiday Spirit! (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
Various Dates
If the dipping temperatures and bare trees have you dreaming of a winter wonderland then the Thousand Islands-Seaway is ready to help you get a head start on the holiday season. Support small businesses and get a jump on gift shopping at the 4th Annual Christmas Market in Sackets Harbor (November 12). Go down the rabbit hole to discover unique arts, crafts, immersive activities, and interactive entertainment as Wonderland in Sackets (November 19-20) transforms the charming downtown into a pedestrian-friendly festival inspired by the classic book “Alice in Wonderland.” Head over to Old McDonald’s Farm to celebrate Christmas on the Farm (November 27) and meet Santa in the beautifully decorated Gathering Barn, where you can also snack on some cookies and milk or hot chocolate. Visitors can also mingle with the animals in their winter homes, including the farm’s two reindeer, Sven and Jingle Bells. Zoo New York will get decked out in festive gear and be lit aglow during Winter Wonder Lights (starting November 25). Prices and locations vary.
Catch a Sabres Game (Greater Niagara)
Various dates
Credit: Bill Wippert
It’s hockey season in Buffalo, and there’s no better way to spend an evening in November than at the KeyBank Center cheering on the home team. The Sabres have the home advantage several times in November so get your tickets and your team gear ready for game day! If you have some time before the game, explore Canalside Buffalo, a short walk from the arena. This attraction offers family-friendly experiences, dining, and nature parks. Don’t miss the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum, where kids and parents alike will delight in the interactive exhibits and programs. For fans of big ships and military history, a stop at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park is a must. Sabres home games are November 2, 8, 10, 12, 15, 23, 25, 28. Buffalo; Ticket prices vary for all games and attractions.
Adirondack Stampede Rodeo (Adirondacks)
November 4-5
Feel like you’re in the wild west in New York State at the Adirondack Stampede Rodeo, celebrating 31 years of incredible competition. Don your cowboy boots and hat, and watch as cowboys and cowgirls compete in steer wrestling, barrel racing, bronco riding, bull riding, and more! Set to a professionally produced sound show, and featuring top national and regional competitors, this is one of the state’s most unique experiences on offer this November. After the rodeo, the audience is invited to the Round-Up Party in the Heritage Hall. Glens Falls; Prices start at $20.
New York City Marathon (NYC)
November 6
Credit: Joe Buglewicz/NYC & Company
There’s nothing quite like marathon day in New York City. There are plenty of spots to cheer on runners along the 26.2-mile course that winds its way through the five boroughs. Join the fun in Brooklyn as students and faculty from the Brooklyn Academy of Music perform for the crowds and runners or feel the excitement in Manhattan, where various points along the route will put you near finger-licking good food like Dinosaur Bar-B-Que or explore-worthy attractions like the Museum of Modern Art. NYC; free to spectate.
Saratoga’s Annual Restaurant Week (Capital-Saratoga)
November 7-13
Credit: @prime_saratoganational on Instagram
Think restaurant week is just for locals? Think again! Saratoga County Restaurant Week offers seven days of prix-fixe lunch and three-course dinners at participating Saratoga favorites like 30 Lake, offering a mouth-watering three-course, $35 dinner that includes vegan tomato “bisque,” shrimp scampi, and zeppole tossed in lemon sugar, and Prime at Saratoga National, where diners can choose one of three entrees: glazed duck confit, seared salmon, or blistered cauliflower. A trip to Saratoga Springs for restaurant week? It’s the port-poached amarena cherry on top of your November! Saratoga Springs; Three-Course Dinner: $25 or $35 plus tax & tip | Lunch Specials: $15 plus tax & tip.
Holiday Valley Beer and Wine Festival (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
November 12
Credit: William Bacon
This year marks the fest’s 18th anniversary, and craft beverage fans will delight in finding new flavors amid the beers, wines, ciders, and spirits available for sampling. Roam three floors of the Holiday Valley Lodge to experience live music, great drinks, and a smorgasbord of favorite pub foods. It’s the perfect way to bid adieu to fall and get excited for a fun winter season. Ellicottville; Ticket prices vary.
Herkimer County Arts & Crafts Fair (Central New York)
November 12
For those who enjoy hunting for treasure, or prefer to gift a unique work of art to loved ones at the holidays, the 44th Herkimer County Arts & Crafts Fair, one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in New York State, is a must. Shop over 100 vendor stalls on the Herkimer College Campus to find handmade pottery and baskets that are both art and for everyday use, as well as original paintings, gourmet treats, and jewelry. Your attendance also benefits the community—all proceeds from entry fees go toward the college’s tuition scholarship program. Herkimer; $5 entry fee. Children five years old and younger get in free.
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