38 Wintery Weekend Activities and Events in November

There are a number of festive, fun-filled activities and programs that families can enjoy in November. This month’s guide features a variety of events in the New York City area, including popular celebrations such as Gingerbread Lane’s Opening Weekend, the 81^st Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. For more information on this month’s line-up, take a look at our useful guide below!

November 1^st to 5^th:

The Rink at Brookfield Place: The skating rink at Brookfield Place is located at 230 Vesey Street, New York, and is considered to be bigger than the Rink at Rockefeller Plaza. Opening day is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1^st, but is contingent on the weather. Programs at the rink include Learn to Skate as well as Mommy/Daddy and Me classes.

APEC’s Annual Fall Family Pajama Party: The Alley Pond Environmental Center is hosting its’ Annual Fall Pajama Party on Friday, November 3^rd. The program is geared toward children ages 3-years-old and up. Families will spend the evening with “Cowboy Curly at the Campfire” as he shares age-appropriate bedtime stories. This one-day workshop is limited to 40 participants so pre-registration is suggested. The center is located at 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY.

Wildlife Weekends: Wildlife Weekends take place on Saturday, November 4^th and Sunday, November 5^th as well as Saturday, November 11^th and Sunday, November 12^th, at the Queens County Farm Museum. Admission includes access to the Frogs, Bugs, and Animals show, and to hayrides and pony rides. The venue is located at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, New York. Additional events hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Society will take place at The New York Aquarium on Saturday, November 4^th.

National Geographic – Ocean Odyssey: National Geographic Encounter is an immersive, innovative experience that allows families to journey across the Pacific Ocean. Visitors will get the chance to interact and view creatures such as humpback whales, great white sharks, and sea lions. Purchasing a ticket in advance is recommended because it enables entry to a specific time slot. It is located in Times Square at 226 West 44^th Street between 7^th and 8^th Avenue, New York, NY.

November 6^th to 12^th:

Election Day – Camper’s Choice: Election Day: Camper’s Choice takes place on Tuesday, November 7^th, and is a fun, educational way for your child to spend their day off from school. At the Bronx Zoo, children will engage in recreational activities, explore exhibits, and get an up close and personal look at some of the animals. The Bronx Zoo is located at 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York. Additional Election Day programs will also take place in Prospect Park.

Disney on Ice Presents Dare to Dream: From Thursday, November 9^th through Sunday, November 12^th, celebrate the courage it takes to achieve your dreams with five Disney princesses at the Barclay’s Center. In her Disney on Ice debut, Moana goes on a quest with demigod Mau to save her island and discover her own identity. Other princesses making an appearance include Rapunzel and Elsa from Frozen. The Barclay’s Center is located at 620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.

Gingerbread Lane’s Opening Weekend: Gingerbread Lane is opening its’ doors on Saturday, November 11^th at the New York Hall of Science, and will be on display through Monday, January 15^th. Visitors can take in the breathtaking houses comprised entirely of edible gingerbread, royal icing and candy. It is a meticulous process to build all of the gingerbread houses, spanning a full year. Gingerbread Lane has won the Guiness World Record for the world’s largest gingerbread exhibit for the past four years, and Jon Lovitch will again contend for this year’s prize. The New York Hall of Science is located at 47-01 111^th Street, Corona, New York.

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers: Eight-year-old Lucy and her friend Chucky are on the search for buried treasure! Featuring over a dozen hand-crafted puppets, this production from Frogtown Muppet Puppeteers is the perfect mix of adventure and fun for children ages 2 to 7-years-old. The show will take place at Symphony Space, which is located at 2537 Broadway at 95^th Street, New York.

American Girl Place – Grand Opening: The grand opening of American Girl Place at Rockefeller Plaza will take place on Friday, November 11^th and Saturday, November 12^th at 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York. Additional events taking place at this venue include American Girl at Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular on Tuesday, November 22^nd.

November 13^th to November 19^th:

The 16th Annual Holiday Train Show: The 16^th Annual Holiday Train Show kicks off on Thursday, November 16^th at the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex located inside of Grand Central Terminal. Model trains zip through tunnels, by subway stops, around skyscrapers and through cityscapes that are recognizable to both parents and children.

Create A Potted Turkey: On Friday, November 17^th, Hicks Nurseries is hosting a Thanksgiving themed arts and crafts workshop for children. There are two sessions to choose from but reservations should be made in advance regardless. Children can decorate a clay pot with feathers, eyes, mouth and feet and then plant a colorful plant inside. Hicks Nurseries, Inc. is located at 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury, New York.

Perfect Pumpkin Pie Workshop: On Saturday, November 18^th, visit Wave Hill House to make your own delicious pumpkin pie! The venue will provide the requisite ingredients and bake the pie in their café kitchen, so participants can take it home that day. Wave Hill is located at West 249^th Street and Independence Avenue in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York.

Everyone Loves a Parade!: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has a slew of Thanksgiving-themed activities from Saturday, November 18^th through Sunday, November 19th. The programs include an exhibit dedicated to the Thanksgiving Day Parade, where visitors can build their own 3D float, learn the story behind “upside-down puppets,” and finally, watch and participate in the musical parade. The museum is located at The Tisch Building, 212 West 83^rd Street, New York.

November 20^th to November 26^th:

Origami Holiday Tree: The American Museum of Natural History’s annual Origami Holiday tree goes up on Monday, November 20^th, and is on display through the New Year. The theme changes every year, and this year’s theme is Unfolding the Senses, set in tandem with their new exhibit, Our Senses: An Immersive Experience, which focuses on the relationship between the brain and the senses. The museum is located at Central Park West at 79^th Street, New York.

The Big Adventures of Little Dude: The 53^rd Street Library is hosting a puppet show on Tuesday, November 21^st. Children ages 3-7-years-old can join Little Dude, the puppy puppet, as he learns to navigate his big world. Participants will learn more about the importance of good manners, discover how to use finger puppets, and learn the Little Dude song. The 53^rd Street library is located at 18 West 53^rd Street, right across the street from the MOMA.

Holiday Train Show: The Holiday Train Show will run from Wednesday, November 22^nd through Monday, January 15^th, 2018 at the New York Botanical Garden, located at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York. A display of 150 trains will be on display, each painstakingly re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials. This year’s exhibition highlights the beauty of Midtown Manhattan, focusing on iconic skyscrapers and other familiar sights on nearly a half-mile of train tracks.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloon Inflation: Are your children looking forward to seeing the infamous inflated balloons at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Why not get a head start by watching the balloons inflate the day before? From 3pm to 10pm, gigantic characters like Spongebob Squarepants and Snoopy will take shape. The later you arrive in the evening, the likelier it’ll be that the balloons have all been inflated. The entrance is at West 79^th Street at Columbus Avenue. On Thursday, November 23^rd, make sure to the watch the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

PAW Patrol Live!: For a limited time only, PAW Patrol Live! is playing on Friday, November 24^th through Sunday, November 26^th at Kings Theatre. PAW Patrol Live! is based on the preschool series PAW Patrol, and is now touring the country with “Race to the Rescue!” and “The Great Pirate Adventure.” The Kings Theatre is located at 1027 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a well-renowned, theatrical, staged ballet in the Company’s active repertory. The visual effects on stage are particularly grand, and the most famous of them all is the one-ton Christmas tree that grows from a height of 12 feet to 40 feet. Performances take place from Friday, November 24^th through the last day of the year, Sunday, December 31^st.

The Discovery Squad: The Discovery Squad is a unique program at the American Museum of Natural History designed for families affected by autism spectrum disorders. It is open to age 5-14-year-olds, who are accompanied by an adult. The 40-minute tour takes place on select Saturdays, and this month’s session will be on Saturday, November 25^th.  Visitors will also get the opportunity to explore the Discovery Room before the Museum opens to the public. The American Museum of Natural History is located at Central Park West at 79^th Street, New York.

November 27^th to November 30^th:

18th Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square: The 18^th Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square takes place on Monday, November 27^th. Three separate outdoor locations will be set up from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Considered to be New York’s largest holiday festival, there will be free live musical entertainment, street performers and musicians, dishes from top local kitchens, and family fun for children of all ages. The celebration begins with the lighting of the Upper West Side Holiday Tree in Dante Park at Broadway and West 63^rd Street. It continues along Broadway from Time Warner Center to West 70^th Street.

85th Annual Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting: The 2017 Christmas Tree will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, November 29^th at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York. Each year, thousands crowd the sidewalk for the event. The annual tree lighting ceremony is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The tree will remain lit and on display between West 48^th and 51^st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues until 9pm on January 7^th, 2018.

Childcare Professionals Who Know NYC:

At the Nanny Authority, our nannies are familiar with age-appropriate seasonal activities and programs, so parents can feel at ease knowing that their children are a part of a cultural, educational lifestyle when they’re not around. To learn more about how we can assist you in your search for a professional nanny, contact us via e-mail or at 973-466-2669 today!