New York City Events November 2021

Thursday, November 25, 2021
9am-12pm on NBC

What could be more fun than Broadway Stars, Shrek, Spider Man, Hello Kitty, Smurf, SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Snoopy, Mickey Mouse and Buzz Lightyear all partying together in New York City?

Start of New York City Marathon

November 7, 2021

The NYC Marathon is 26 miles and 385 yards of the world’s most diverse marathon course. Make sure to map your route carefully on this day, as many streets will be blocked and closed. Especially the Upper East Side (Met and Frick) and the finish line in Central Park. More Info: www.ingnycmarathon.org

• Hampton Inn Manhattan Financial District – closest to the Staten Island Ferry
• the Quin – “I stayed here…as I was running the NYC marathon and wanted a hotel in walking distance of the finish line. Best choice ever!”
• JW Marriott Essex House – Right on Central Park to cheer on your favorite runner at the finish line

• JW Marriott Essex House New York – unparalleled views without the hassle of crowds and cold weather
• the Quin – ‘Great Hotel for The Thanksgiving Day Parade!!!’ and ‘I would definitely return!!!’
• New York Hilton Midtown – ‘Great location to see the Macy’s parade.’ and ‘All we had to do was go downstairs and watch the parade pass by.’

Some of our top value picks near Central Park include:

• 1 Hotel Central Park
• Mandarin Oriental (photo)
• La Quinta Inn Central Park

November 18, 2022 - January 2, 2023 (Tickets On Sale April 2022)
Daily @ 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm (some variations)

• Great Tickets: Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
• Insider Guide: Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall Guide

• The Jewel facing Rockefeller Center - great value and location. My NY high school classmates stayed here for our reunion
• Radisson Hotel Midtown-Fifth Avenue - rebranded and reopened in August 2019, some suites & kitchens.
• 3 West Club - consistently receives excellent reviews, especially the location and value for the price.
• Radio City Apartments - a NYC Insider Guide Favorite

Dec 1, 2021 - Jan 16, 2022 (Confirmed Dates)
Ceremony, 7-9 pm

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting is a highlight of every winter in NYC. The unlit tree arrives in November, and after Black Friday and Thanksgiving, the department stores open their famous window holiday displays.But, it is the week after Thanksgiving that represents the true start of Holiday Season in NYC for many New Yorkers.

Explore the top holiday markets in NYC, sip hot cocoa, ice skate and shop your way through our fantastic holiday bazaars, featuring unique artisan gifts for the whole family. We review Grand Central Holiday Market, Union Square Holiday Market, Shops at Winter Village Bryant Park, flea markets, Holiday Markets Shopping Tours and more. Cross off your holiday shopping list with our full season Guide to Holiday Markets in NYC

• Rockettes at Radio City
• Cirque du Soleil ‘Twas the Night Before…
• Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
• NY Sightseeing & Attractions Passes
• One World Observatory
• Empire State Building
• Rangers, Knicks, Giants, Jets
• Central Park Carriage Rides
• Manhattan Helicopter Tours

November 20, 2021 - Jan 23, 2022

A dazzling and detailed replica of Manhattan, made entirely from plants, leaves, seeds and bark. There are at least 14 electric trains running in loops around the city, which showcases more than 175 scaled iconic buildings and structures such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium, and the Statue of Liberty. The exhibit is great for both kids and adults, and makes an especially beautiful date night with cocktails on "Bar Car Nights" in December. Located in the Bronx, accessible by Subway and Metro North.

Tickets: Holiday Train Show All-Garden Pass (good for Holiday Train Show and grounds 10am-5pm, not for Glow or other evening events)

November 24, 2021–January 22, 2022 (25 Select nights)
5–10 pm

Back for it’s second year, let it GLOW at The New York Botanical Garden. Discover the beauty of the landmark landscape and historic buildings after dark, breathtakingly illuminated with a newly expanded 1.5-mile colorful experience. Washes of brilliant color, thousands of dazzling LEDs, illuminated plant stories, and whimsical, picture-perfect installations reflect the surrounding gardens and collections—creating a spectacle not to be missed! @ NYBG

• Billy Joel – Nov 5 & Dec 20, 2021; MSG
• Jerry Seinfeld – Nov 18-19 @ Beacon Theatre
• Mary J. Blige – Nov 18 @ Barclays Center
• Rockettes Christmas Spectacular – November 5, 2021 – January 2, 2022
• New York Comedy Festival – Nov 8-14, 2021
• Nutcracker Ballet – Nov 26, 2021 – Jan 2, 2022
• Disney on Ice – Nov 3-7, 2021 @ Prudential Center (NJ) & Nov 10-14, 2021 @ Barclays Center

• Rockettes Christmas Spectacular - Nov 5, 2021 - December 17, 2021 (originally Jan 2, 2022)
• Nutcracker Ballet - Nov 26, 2021 - Jan 2, 2022
• Cirque du Soleil ‘Twas the Night Before… - Dec 9 - 27, 2021 @ Hulu Theater at MSG
• Big Apple Circus - Nov 11, 2021 - Jan 30, 2022
• A Charlie Brown Christmas Live - Dec 21–24, 2021
• Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas! - Dec 10, 2021 - Jan 2, 2022

Company Broadway Musical - Starring Patti LuPone & Katrina Lenk

Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical comedy about life, love and marriage, presents this iconic musical with the lead role of “Bobby” re-imagined for the first time as a woman. At Bobbi’s 35th birthday party all her friends are wondering why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man? Why doesn’t she settle down and have a family? Her friends are driving her mad! Find out how she handles it through Sondheim’s iconic songs – The Ladies Who Lunch, Being Alive and Side by Side. Previews Nov 15th, Opens Dec 9, 2021. Ages 16+

freestyle love supreme

Oct 7, 2021 - Jan 2, 2022. Before Hamilton! Before In The Heights! More than 15 years after its inception, Freestyle Love Supreme — the original hip-hop musical phenomenon from Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Anthony Veneziale — returns to Broadway for a limited engagement. Every performance, the crew takes the crowd on a freestyle, hip-hop, improvisational, never-before-seen comedy ride. Performers take suggestions from the audience and spin them into instantaneous riffs and full-length musical numbers. With spontaneous guest appearances from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Christopher Jackson, Wayne Brady, Utkarsh Ambudkar, James Monroe Iglehart, Daveed Diggs, and more, every night brings the unexpected.

Diana The Musical

Closing December 19, 2021. When Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles, she instantly became a cultural phenomenon. Leading fiercely with her heart, Princess Diana stood up for her family, her country and herself. She defied expectations, she rocked the royals and she created a legacy that will endure forever. DIANA is the electrifying new musical about a woman who chose to be fearless, and as a result became timeless. Previews November 2, Opened November 17, 2021.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - 2018 TONY Award Winner Best Play

Returns Nov 12, 2021 as a 1 Act/ 1 Ticket Play. It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father to three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. Previews March 16, Opens April 22, 2018. (Ages 10+).

• Great Seats: Harry Potter Tickets
• Insider Guide: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The Lehman Trilogy Broadway Play - Sep 25, 2021- Jan 2, 2022

Directed by Academy Award®, Tony® and Golden Globe® winner Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy follows three brothers from their arrival in America in search of a new life, to the collapse of the firm they established, to the resulting financial crisis, the largest in history. The Wall Street Journal says, "You should crawl across broken glass to see it." NYC Insider Guide saw this in London and it was AMAZING! The acting is superb, the characters indelible and the set design totally unique. This is a true New Yorkers play and a must-see.

• NYC Rooftop Lounge Tour - guaranteed access to exclusive nighttime hot spots as you sip cocktails under the sky
• InviteOnly Party @ the Hottest NYC Clubs - VIP access to NYC Clubs with Bottle Service and dancing.
• New York Dinner Cruise - family-friendly and/or romantic cruise with excellent service, spectacular sights and delicious menu offerings.
• Broadway Comedy Club - laugh out loud all night long

• New York Fall Foliage Tours - helicopters, Circle Line: Bear Mountain Full-Day Cruise and more options
• Bear Mountain Fall Foliage Cruise - all day upstate cruise and onboard Oktoberfest with music, food and beer specials. Oktoberfest Cruise usually runs Saturdays and Sundays Sept-Nov.

• Private Central Park Walking Tour with a Personal Photographer – guided bike tour through the fall foliage with a personal photographer taking pictures the entire way!
• NYC Rooftop Lounge Tour – guaranteed access to some of our exclusive nighttime hot spots as you ascend to the city’s rooftop bars to sip cocktails under the starry sky.

My research shows plans start at $20 USD per week per person that include Covid Medical Care, and you can add trip cancellation and other travel insurance coverage (luggage, delays, etc) in the online comparison tool. Our US medical expenses are not for the faint of heart, or anyone used to medical care being paid for (our ACA-Obamacare charges $600/month + the first $7,000 of medical expenses per year be paid per person and then denies 17% of care as "not medically necessary" so you have to pay for that care outside of the $600/$7,000). Please consider this small investment if it makes sense for you. We recommend SquareMouth to compare global travel health insurance plans.

• Fall Foliage Cruises - Jump aboard a classic sailboat and head north up the Hudson River to take in the beautiful fall foliage. 
• Explore Central Park on Bike or Foot or Horse Carriage Tour - the fall foliage is a don't miss in NYC!
• NYC Rooftop Lounge Tour - guaranteed access to exclusive nighttime hot spots as you ascend to the city’s rooftop bars to sip cocktails under the starry sky.

November 3-7, 2021 @ Prudential Center (NJ)
November 10-14, 2021 @ Barclays Center

Ticket Deals: Disney on Ice

Nov 11, 2021 – Jan 30, 2022
Lincoln Center Plaza in Damrosch Park

Big Apple Circus returns to New York City’s Lincoln Center this fall, putting a modern twist on a beloved classic and performing throughout the holidays and into the New Year. This all-new production will feature Guinness world record holder, daredevil, Nik Wallenda and his fearless family of highwire walkers. Joining the Wallendas is an international cast of gold-medal-award-winning, world-class circus artists in this Reenergized, Reimagined, and Reinvigorated production of circus artistry. See these performers, previously on America’s Got Talent, The X-Factor, or YouTube, “live” in this up-close and immersive event.

Tickets: Big Apple Circus

More info: bigapplecircus.com

Nov 26, 2021 – Jan 2, 2022
Tickets on Sale in September

From the moment the lights dim, you will be transported to a magical place filled with adorable children, marching toy soldiers, a glowing one-ton Christmas tree that seemingly grows forever, mischievous mice, waltzing snowflakes, the Land of Sweets and some of the most glorious dancing on earth.

Photo: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™

• Metropolitan Opera - Sept - May
• NYC Ballet - September - May; (Fall, Nutcracker, Winter, Spring)
• NY Philharmonic - Sept to June
• Jazz at Lincoln Center - all year

November 4 – December 16, 2021, Thursdays | 5:00-6:00pm
Shops at Columbus Circle

Adults and children can watch FREE Broadway performances while holiday shopping at The Shops at Columbus Circle. Kick off the holiday season with Broadway Under the Stars and enjoy live performances featuring the most popular shows on Broadway!

• Thursday November 4th – Chicago & Waitress
• Thursday November 11th – The Phantom of the Opera
• Thursday November 18th – TBD
• Thursday December 2nd – Diana The Musical
• Thursday December 9th – TBD
• Thursday December 16th – Mrs. Doubtfire & Moulin Rouge

• Booking.com offers 30+% off select reservations worldwide for stays between Nov 18, 2021-June 30, 2022. Book between Nov 18-Dec 1, 2021 for a 30% or more discount.
• Ticketmaster – who sells Rockettes, Rangers, Knicks, Cirque du Soleil and tons of other NYC tickets, is offering 15-50%+ savings with code "FRIDAY" for purchases made 11/24 to 11/29/21. All ticket offers valid on select seats, performances, games and dates as applicable.
• Viator – from Wed 11/24 through Wed 12/1, use code "BLACKFRIDAY10" to save 10% on almost anything in NYC – tours, shows, holiday tours, holiday lights, etc. ($30 max discount per order).
• New York Sightseeing Pass – Up to 42% off Sightseeing Passes Black Friday and Cyber Monday, adding to the already 20% Off November Sale and Up to $100. Includes Unlimited Hop on Hop off Buses, One World Observatory, $40 Credit to use towards Empire State Building Observatory and up to 100 attractions and tours. (Read our NYC Attractions Pass Comparison)
• Go New York Card – November 23-30, 2021, use code "BFAFF5" to save 5% on Go City passes.

• Broadway
• Concerts
• Sports
• Things to Do

Ready to see the Giants and catch our newest star recruit, Saquon Barkley? Perhaps you'd rather see football's newest stars on the Jets roster? Either way, there's nothing like a traditional American football game, so head on out to MetLife Stadium, where tickets start at just $40 per game!

• Giants Tickets: StubHub | Ticketmaster | Groupon
• Jets Tickets: StubHub | Ticketmaster | Groupon
• Insider Guides: NY Giants and NY Jets

Get your New York Rangers tickets and schedule to see our NY hockey team live in action at Madison Square Garden. The NY Rangers have made the finals and/or playoffs the last six consecutive seasons. Their games are the easiest sporting events in NYC to attend, right in Midtown Manhattan, a block from the Empire State Building.

• Rangers Tickets: StubHub | Ticketmaster | Groupon
• Insider Guide: NY Rangers Tickets, Schedule, Directions

No matter how they are performing, Knicks games are always a blast and there's nothing like an event at MSG. Come join our NY basketball team live in action at Madison Square Garden, "The World’s Most Famous Arena." Go NYC style with cheap seats, fast paced sports action, hot dogs and beer and cheer on the New York Knicks today! As a general rule, with plenty of exceptions, basketball games start at either 7:30pm or 12:00pm, November through April.

• Knicks Tickets: StubHub | Ticketmaster | Groupon
• Insider Guide: NY Knicks Tickets, Schedule, Directions

November 6-7, 2021
Metropolitan Pavilion

The Makeup Show is bringing you some of the most influential artists and brands in today’s beauty industry. Follow the celebrity makeup artists and industry experts on our Seminar and Demo stages as they show you the latest trends, techniques and share their business expertise to help guide you to a successful career. Shop for the must-have products in makeup, skincare and hair care brands at pro discount prices, plus so much more!

More Info: The Makeup Show – A Beauty Experience

November 27, 2020 - January 10, 2021
Randall's Island

This year's festival is one of the few large-scale events happening this holiday season - all outdoors and socially distanced. This year, the festival will present a brand new theme and never-before-seen art installations on view for 29 nights.

• More Info & Tickets: LuminoCity Festival of Lights
• Directions: Take the Uptown or Downtown 4, 5, or 6 train to 125th St and transfer to the M35, which goes right to Randall’s Island.

November 20, 2021, 10am-5pm
Flatiron Plaza South

Disney has launched Mickey and Friends Stay True: Stay-Cation, a nationwide campaign inspired by Mickey and Friends (otherwise known as the Sensational Six) and their passions for food, arts & fashion, and pets & play.