New York City Events November 2019

• Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
• Thanksgiving Dinner
• Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Joel, Elton John
• New York City Marathon
• Black Friday NYC Sales
• Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular
• Fall Foliage Cruises
• Nutcracker Ballet
• NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
• Thanksgiving Day
• NY Giants & Jets, Knicks & Nets, Rangers & Islanders
• Holiday Markets in NYC

• 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
• Park Central
• La Quinta Inn Central Park

Nov 8, 2019 – Jan 5, 2020
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
• Night Hotel - Rated the #1 Sexiest Hotel in America (best for couples)
• 3 West Club - consistently receives excellent reviews, especially the location and value for the price.
• Radio City Apartments - a NYC Insider Guide Favorite

Our best guess is that the tree will be lit Wednesday, December 2, 2020, as it is almost always the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019
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. However, it is the week after Thanksgiving that represents the true start of Holiday Season in NYC for many New Yorkers.

NY Sightseeing Pass

• Choose from 100 sights
• Choose 1-10 days or # of Attractions
• Unlimited Hop On Hop Off Bus
• NY Sightseeing Pass

The New York Pass

• Includes 100 tours and attractions
• Choose 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 Days
• Digital or Physical Pass
• New York Pass

Go New York Explorer

• Choose from 90+ sights
• Good for 30 Days
• Smartphone, print or physical card
• Explorer or Build Your Own

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.

New York Rangers Schedule

New York Giants Schedule

New York Knicks Schedule

Islanders

New York Jets Schedule

Nets

• Jerry Seinfeld – November 21-22; Beacon Theatre
• Ariana Grande – November 12, 2019; Barclays Center
• Jonas Brothers – November 23, 2019; Barclays Center
• Elton John – November 16, 2019; Nassau Coliseum
• We Will Rock You (Queen) – November 14-17, 2019; Hulu Theater at MSG
• Billy Joel – November 15, 2019; MSG (70th Show!)
• New York Comedy Festival – November 4-10, 2019
• Rockettes Christmas Spectacular – Nov 8, 2019 – Jan 5, 2020
• Nutcracker Ballet – Nov 29, 2019 -January 5, 2020
• Disney on Ice – Road Trip Adventures, November 6-30, 2019 (NY/NJ)

• A Christmas Carol - November 7, 2019 - January 5, 2020
• Rockettes Christmas Spectacular - Nov 8, 2019 - Jan 5, 2020
• The Illusionists Magic of the Holidays - November 29, 2019 – Jan 5, 2020
• Nutcracker Ballet - November 29, 2019 – Jan 5, 2020
• Cirque du Soleil ‘Twas the Night Before… - December 12-29, 2019 @ Hulu Theater at MSG

November 6-10, 2019, Prudential Center (NJ)
November 13-17, 2019, Barclays Center
November 21-30, 2019, Nassau Coliseum

• NYC Rooftop Lounge Tour - guaranteed access to exclusive nighttime hot spots as you sip cocktails under the sky
• The Ride Bus Night Tour - Let the city wink and twinkle at you with our street lamps, skyscrapers, and bridge lights that make the city truly come alive after the sun goes down
• Spirit of New York Dinner Cruise - family-friendly with the wait staff singing popular tunes and an after dinner DJ
• Broadway Comedy Club - laugh out loud all night long

• Central Park Bike Tour with Photoshoot – guided two-hour 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.

• Booking.com offers 40% off select reservations worldwide for stays between November 27 – March 31, 2020. Book between November 25 – December 2, 2019 for a 40% discount.
• New York Sightseeing Pass – Up to 42% off Sightseeing Passes Black Friday and Cyber Mondya, 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)
• New York Pass – on sale November 29 – December 2, 2019. Prices usually go up for the NYP in December, so now is the time to buy. What’s better than our best sale of the year? Taking your trip to NY to new heights with a helicopter ride over New York City. Everyone who buys a New York Pass between Black Friday and Cyber Monday will have the chance to win an incredible helicopter tour experience, courtesy of HeliNY.
• Go New York Card – November 25 – December 2, 2019, sightseers will receive an extra 15% discount on Go City passes.

Friday, November 22, 2019, sets at 8:00pm and 9:15pm. 
Gin Fizz in Harlem

Audrey Silver, award winning jazz singer and songwriter, will be accompanied by a remarkable group of musicians as she sings original works and jazz standards at Gin Fizz. Each time Audrey performs, she brings to the stage her love for the music and a hope that she can help her audience experience the same beauty, fascination, and delight in the music that she does.

More Info: Jazz Performance Audrey Silver Sings Jazz Standards

• 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.

Parade – Thursday, November 28, 2019, 9am-12pm
Balloon Set Up – Wed, November 27, 3-10pm

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?

freestyle love supreme - closed, see List of Broadway Shows

Sept 13, 2019 - Jan 12, 2020. 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 — arrives on Broadway. 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, Daveed Diggs, James Monroe Iglehart, and more, every night brings the unexpected.

A Christmas Carol on Broadway

November 7, 2019 - January 5, 2020 - A new interpretation of Charles Dickens' classic story about Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge debuts on Broadway this holiday season. The ghosts of the past, present and future visit Scrooge and remind him what is really important in life. Time Out raves, “Five stars. It’s a stunning piece of visual theatre.”

The Illusionists Magic of the Holidays

November 29, 2019 - January 5, 2020 - The mind-blowing spectacular of 'The Illusionists Magic of the Holidays' on Broadway showcases the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible Illusionists on earth, alongside special guests Light Balance. In 2019, the show stars Dom Chambers and Eric Chien, the multi-talented magic makers known for their appearances on America's Got Talent, along with master entertainers Chris Cox, Paul Dabek, Kevin James, Sos & Victoria Petrosyan and Enzo Weyne.

Beetlejuice Broadway Musical

Beetlejuice tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange teenager obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” Lucky for Lydia, her new house is haunted by a recently deceased couple and a degenerate demon who happens to have a thing for stripes. When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, he comes up with the perfect plan involving exorcism, arranged marriage and a girl scout who gets scared out of her wits. Previews March 28, Opened April 25, 2019. Ages 10+

Tootsie Comedy Musical

Closing Jan 5, 2020. Based on the classic film, Tootsie tells the story of a talented, but difficult-to-work-with actor who will do anything to land the role of a lifetime - including adopting a new, female persona, Dorothy Michaels. His audacious, desperate stunt lands him the role of a lifetime,only to cause complete comedy and chaos in his life. Previews March 29th, Opens April 23, 2019.

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

From humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her transformation into the global Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, Tina Turner didn't just break the rules, she rewrote them. This new hit stage musical, presented in association with Tina Turner herself, reveals the untold story of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of her age, gender and race. Previews: Oct 12, 2019, Tickets on sale through September 2020. Ages 14+

Jagged Little Pill Broadway Musical

The Healys are a picture-perfect family, but looks can be deceiving. When the cracks beneath the surface begin to show, they must choose between maintaining the status quo or facing harsh truths about themselves, their community, and the world around them. Featuring Alanis Morissette’s iconic songs including “Ironic,” “You Oughta Know,” and “Hand In My Pocket,” plus brand-new songs written for the show. Previews: November 3, 2019

• To Kill a Mockingbird - Jeff Daniels/Ed Harris (play adapted by Aaron Sorkin)
• A Soldier's Play - Blair Underwood, David Alan Grier (Dec 27, 2019 - March 15, 2020)
• Plaza Suite Comedy Play - Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick (March 13-July 12, 2020)
• American Buffalo - Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell, Darren Criss (March 24, 2020 - open)
• Birthday Candles - Debra Messing (April 2-June 21, 2020)
• The Music Man on Broadway - Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster (September 9, 2020 - open)

See More: Celebrities on Broadway and List of NYC Broadway Shows

November 11-December 9, 2019, Mondays
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!

November 11: Waitress, Chicago, Oklahoma!, The Lightning Thief
November 18: Come From Away, Rock of Ages
November 25: Dear Evan Hansen, Frozen, The Illusionist
December 2: Beetlejuice, Tootsie, Mean Girls
December 9: Phantom of the Opera, WICKED

• Thanksgiving and Parade NYC Vacation Packages
• Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Vacation Package
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular Hotel Package

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

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™

November 29, 2019 -January 5, 2020
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.

November 23, 2019 – January 26, 2020

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.

• Broadway
• Concerts
• Sports
• Things to Do

Ready to see the Giants star quarterback, Eli Manning or 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

For a long time, I was only pro taxi as Uber had so many issues and just congested NYC. However, the launch of uberPOOL has made rides much more affordable as well as better for our roads and the environment.

uberPOOL basically combines rides, so you may go out of your way for a few minutes, but the rides will cost you about 30% less. This is a great option for 1-2 people (any more than that and you'll have to take your own car). Many times, you'll have the whole ride to yourself anyway if they can't find you a match, so you'll save huge $$. Even better, get $5 off your first Uber or uberPOOL using my link or with code uber-nycinsiderguide.

Start of New York City Marathon

Sunday, November 3, 2019

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
• NYLO NYC – Right near the finish line for both spectators and runners
• JW Marriott Essex House – Right on Central Park to cheer on your favorite runner at the finish line