From twinkling tree lightings and holiday markets to a restaurant week with deals worth booking ahead for, November outside the city is busier than you’d think.
November in the New York suburbs is an in-between month. Fall and the winter holidays overlap, with some autumn festivities still running while the first holiday lights start to switch on, even though Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away.
That’s good news for anyone who wants to get out of the house this month. Whether you’re squeezing in one last fall outing or getting a head start on the holidays, there is plenty to do. And not everything is tied to the season: farmers markets, theater productions, and culinary events also fill the calendar. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in the NYC suburbs this November.
Fall Fun
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Time is running out to catch this fall event. Through Nov. 8, Van Cortlandt Manor is lit up by more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins, all created on-site by a team of artists. The trail winds through the historic grounds with synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack, and the courtyard has a snack stand stocked with seasonal treats. Tickets start at $24.
Date: Through Nov. 8
Location: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S. Riverside Ave., Croton-on-Hudson
Fall Foliage Helicopter Tour
For a unique perspective on New York’s colorful leaves, consider a Fall Foliage Helicopter Tour. Tours depart from Westchester County Airport and take you over the Hudson River as well as the hills, forests, and mountain ridgelines of the Hudson Valley.
You can book a private flight, which is a great option for a date or family outing, or buy a seat on a shared flight if you’re watching your budget.
Date: Tours run daily through Nov. 15 (subject to actual leaf color changes)
Location: Westchester County Airport, 240 Airport Rd., West Harrison
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week
Stuck in a dining rut? Try something new during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. Twice a year, participating Hudson Valley restaurants offer discounted prix-fixe menus, and the fall round runs Nov. 2 to 16.
Brunch is $24.95 or $29.95, lunch ranges from $24.95 to $39.95, and dinner costs $29.95, $39.95, or $44.95. Each restaurant picks its own price, so check the menus before you book.
Date: Nov. 2-16
Location: Multiple restaurants throughout Hudson Valley
Community events
Irvington Farmers Market
Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Irvington’s Main Street fills up with local growers and food makers within 200 miles. At this farmers market, you’ll find organic produce, baked goods, fish, cheese, pretzels, kimchi, dumplings, and wood-fired pizza (and so much more), along with live music. We can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday morning.
Date: Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: 101 Main St., Irvington
Westchester Book Festival
Now in its second year, the Westchester Book Festival takes over several venues around Katonah on Nov. 7. Fiction and nonfiction authors give talks and sign copies of their books, which will be on sale at each location.
Date: Nov. 7
Location: Multiple venues in Katonah
“Annie” at Yorktown Stage
Catch this classic musical at Yorktown Stage on select dates from Nov. 14 to 29. It’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages, and the local setting makes it a lot less of a production than a trip into Manhattan. General tickets cost $30.
Date: Nov. 14-29
Location: Yorktown Stage, 1974 Commerce St., Yorktown Heights
Holiday light shows
LuminoCity Festival
LuminoCity Festival takes inspiration from Chinese lantern festivals. Every holiday season, Eisenhower Park turns into a walk-through gallery of glowing sculptures and light installations.
This year’s holiday festival will feature four themed zones: Magical Wonderwood, Dino Safari, Holidayville, and Tundra Twilight. Together they’ll hold more than 100 illuminated and animatronic creatures, lit-up winter landscapes, and a 40-foot Christmas tree.
There will also be a Happy Holidays Hop, a 20-foot Santa you can bounce around in, an LED dance floor and LED seesaws, the Lumi Express—a holiday train ride that lets you see the lights from a seat instead of on foot—and plenty of photo opportunities, with classic holiday scenes you can step right into. Adult tickets start at $36.53, but early-bird discounts are available.
Date: Nov. 11 to Jan. 3
Location: Eisenhower Park, 1899 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow
Peppermint Christmas
Peppermint Christmas is a neighborhood icon in New Rochelle, and it’s now in its 30th year. The house on Hill Street is decked out with about 17,000 LED lights all set to music, plus lit-up trees, oversized wreaths, and a crowd of lawn figures that includes Santa, teddy bears, and other familiar characters. The display starts up in mid-November.
Date: Mid-November
Location: 96 Hill St., New Rochelle
Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Extravaganza
Stay out of the cold and enjoy holiday lights from the comfort of your car. This drive-thru display in Valhalla stretches about a mile and offers plenty of festive sights, including a 100-foot light tunnel, dancing trees, glowing snowballs, a candy cane lane, a 50-foot dove, and glittering angels.
Ned and Albert, the event’s elf mascots, will make their usual appearance, and the 40-foot Christmas tree will also return for this year’s show, which starts at $44 per car.
Date: Nov. 27 through Dec. 31
Location: 1 Bronx River Pkwy., Valhalla
Roy’s Christmas Land
Visitors to Roy’s Christmas Land can expect about 25,000 lights alongside decorations from the 1930s through the 1950s, old-school lawn ornaments, giant toy soldiers, and nativity scenes. There’s even a Santa mailbox, and the family writes back to hundreds of letter writers every season.
Keep in mind this show takes place at someone’s home, so enjoy it from the sidewalk and keep the noise down.
Date: Late November
Location: 50 Parsons St., Harrison
Christmas tree lightings
Tree Lighting Celebration
Kick off the holiday season early in Yonkers at this Tree Lighting Celebration. A 40-foot tree is the star of this show, with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch also making appearances. Add a train ride, roaming costumed characters, food trucks, a DJ, and dedicated selfie spots, and you’ve got a fun night for kids and adults alike.
Date: Nov. 13
Location: 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers
New Castle Historical Society Tree Lighting Ceremony
For something smaller and cozier, Chappaqua hosts an old-fashioned tree lighting event with carolers, hot cocoa, cookies, and a visit from Santa. It usually takes place the day after Thanksgiving, but 2026 details haven’t been announced, so check for updates before you go.
Date: Hasn’t been announced yet
Location: 100 King St., Chappaqua
Holiday markets
Greenburgh Nature Center Holiday Market
Shop for sustainable gifts made by local artists at the Greenburgh Nature Center Holiday Market. After you’re done shopping, head indoors to check out the model train show.
Date: Nov. 14-15
Location: 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale
Muscoot Farm Holiday Gift Market
Get your holiday shopping done early at the Muscoot Farm Holiday Gift Market. Last year’s market featured handcrafted gifts from more than 30 local artisans, plus free hot beverages, fire pits, and holiday music.
Date: Nov. 22
Location: 51 Route 100, Katonah
Lyndhurst Mansion Holiday Market Weekend
Lyndhurst Mansion’s Holiday Market Weekend brings together local makers selling handcrafted treasures ranging from handmade jewelry to home decor to skincare. Holiday snacks and beverages will also be available to fuel your shopping. Tickets cost $11.25.
Date: Nov. 27-28
Location: Lyndhurst Mansion, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown
