Best Things To Do in NYC This Week (Nov 17–23, 2025)
November’s moving fast, and New York’s officially in its “hot cocoa and holiday chaos” era. Between light shows, concerts, and pop-up markets, the city’s packed with ways to make the most of this week. To help you plan your next few days around town, this guide to the best things to do in NYC this week (Nov 17–23, 2025) is packed with can’t-miss events, foodie finds, and festive experiences worth bundling up for.
Heads up: Always check the official event pages for the latest info—details can change. Free entry might still need an RSVP or have separate costs for food, drinks, or activities.
Things To Do NYC Nov 17-23: Stevie Nicks, NYBG Train Show & More
Free Fun Events
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards
Two million lights, a giant hot air balloon installation, live performances, and photos with Santa. Hudson Yards turns into a full holiday playground and makes wandering around feel festive even on a weekday.
- Date: November 17, 2025-January 7, 2026
- Location: New York City
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com
- Best for: Families, holiday tourists, and shoppers.
Wedding Salon NYC
If you’re planning a wedding or just love the world of pretty things, this one’s a treat. The Wedding Salon is taking over the Infinity Mega Yacht with cake tastings, cocktails, fashion shows, spa services, makeovers, and top vendors all in one place.
- When: November 17, 2025
- Where: Infinity Mega Yacht, New York City
- Tickets: Free with RSVP.
- Website: https://weddingsalon.com
Wedding Salon NYC
If you’re planning a wedding or just love the world of pretty things, this one’s a treat. The Wedding Salon is taking over the Infinity Mega Yacht with cake tastings, cocktails, fashion shows, spa services, makeovers, and top vendors all in one place.
- When: November 17, 2025
- Where: Infinity Mega Yacht, New York City
- Tickets: Free with RSVP.
- Website: https://weddingsalon.com
QVC Holiday House
QVC is bringing a full holiday takeover to the Flatiron District, complete with themed rooms, celeb appearances, and fun surprises hosted by Kathy Hilton and her “Enchanted Entourage.”
- When: November 19-20, 2025
- Where: Iron23 (29 West 23 Street, New York)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.qvc.com
- Best for: Content creators, shoppers, and anyone who loves a festive pop-up.
Bloomingdale’s x Burberry Holiday Unveil
Bloomingdale’s is kicking off the season with a huge Burberry-wrapped façade, a full holiday window reveal, and a live performance from RAYE. Inside, you’ll find special shopping experiences, exclusive holiday collections, and even a Parisian café transformation.
- When: November 19, 2025
- Where: Bloomingdale’s (Lexington Avenue & 59th St, New York)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.bloomingdales.com
- Best for: Shoppers, holiday-window fans, and fashion lovers.
Diamond Crystal Salt’s House of Brining
Thanksgiving prep but with a spa day twist? The House of Brining pop-up reimagines brining as self-care, complete with custom spice blends, mini massages, and free goodies.
- When: November 20, 2025
- Where: 95 Rivington Street, New York
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.houseofbrining.com
- Best for: Foodies, home cooks, and wellness fans.
Smiling Friends HQ Pop-Up
Adult Swim fans, you can step inside the show’s quirky headquarters, snag photos in the break room, and spin the prize wheel for exclusive merch. It’s weird, funny, and very much on brand.
- When: November 21-23, 2025
- Where: Brooklyn’s Empire Ferry Fulton Lawn
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/AdultSwim
- Best for: Fans of Smiling Friends and pop-culture collectors.
RESONANCE: A Community Sound Healing Experience
If you need a reset before the December rush hits, this sound-healing session might do the trick. It’s a gentle afternoon meant to help you pause and reconnect.
- When: November 22, 2025
- Where: 876 Riverside Drive, New York
- Tickets: Free admission (RSVP recommended)
- Website: https://www.culturelime.org
- Best for: People needing a breather and anyone curious about healing sessions.
Homecoming Bazaar
If your weekend plans involve “just browsing,” the Homecoming Bazaar at Grand Bazaar NYC might test your willpower. This community market is filled with local gems, such as vintage fashion, handmade jewelry, global textiles, and gourmet treats.
- When: November 23, 2025
- Where: 100 West 77th St., New York
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://grandbazaarnyc.org
- Best for: Weekend wanderers and local shoppers
Guerlain Shalimar: 100 Years of Love Experience
This free exhibit celebrates the iconic Shalimar fragrance with scent exploration, historical moments, and a complimentary gift to take home. It’s luxurious but surprisingly easygoing.
- When: Until November 20, 2025
- Where: Waldorf Astoria New York (305 Park Avenue, New York)
- Tickets: Free admission (reservations required)
- Website: https://www.guerlain.com
- Best for: Beauty lovers and fragrance fans.
Alison Roman First Bloom Pop-Up
Food writer Alison Roman brought her upstate shop to the Lower East Side with a cozy pop-up stocked with pantry items, ceramics, lifestyle finds, and a small café menu. It’s an easy stop if you’re already in the neighborhood.
- When: Until November 30, 2025
- Where: Casetta Wine Bar (61 Hester Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: @alisoneroman
- Best for: Foodies, casual shoppers, and anyone who loves a well-curated space.
Columbus Circle Holiday Under the Stars
Inside The Shops at Columbus Circle, you’ll find the city’s largest indoor light show with 44 glowing stars dancing to music every half hour. Broadway performances, kids activities, and Santa visits round out the fun.
- When: Until January 4, 2026
- Where: 10 Columbus CircleNew York
- Tickets: Free admission (some events are ticketed)
- Website: https://www.theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com
- Best for: Families and indoor explorers.
You Found Me SKULLPANDA Pop-Up
This one’s a moody, playful world filled with limited-edition collectibles, unique photo corners, and exclusive SKULLPANDA x Wednesday pieces. It’s part spooky, part cute, all very Instagrammable.
- When: Until January 6, 2026
- Where: Penn District (430 7th Avenue, New York)
- Tickets: Free admission (RSVP recommended)
- Best for: Collectors, fans of Wednesday, and anyone who loves quirky art.
Nature Made Wellness Experience at TENSPACE
Feeling burnt out already, and it’s not even December? Swing by TENSPACE for the Nature Made Wellness Experience, where you can sample vitamins, make a self-care promise, and feel a little more balanced before heading back into the city rush.
- When: Until January 31, 2026
- Where: SoHo (434 Broadway, New York)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.tenspacebrand.com
- Best for: Anyone in need of a wellness break.
NY Transit Museum Holiday Train Show
The Holiday Train Show at Grand Central returns with model trains, tiny landmarks, and a glittering North Pole finish line. It’s pure nostalgia on rails, and it’s totally free.
- When: Until February 2026
- Where: New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store (Shuttle Passage) Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd Street, New York
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://grandcentralterminal.com
- Best for: Kids and grown-ups who love model trains.
Bryant Park’s Winter Village
It’s official: Bryant Park’s Winter Village is in full swing, and the city’s holiday season has started. Grab your skates (or rent some), glide under the skyline, and check out the holiday shops that make this park feel like a winter fairytale.
- When: Winter Village – Until March 1, 2026 / Holiday Market – Until January 4, 2026
- Where: 41st Street and, 6th Ave, New York
- Tickets: Free and paid
- Website: https://bryantpark.org
- Best for: Ice skaters, gift hunters, and people who love a good midtown moment.
Paid & Ticketed Things To Do
The Big Shabbat
A dinner with 3,000 people? The Big Shabbat is going for a Guinness World Record with a kosher vegetarian feast, pounds of salmon, mountains of challah, and thousands of hors d’oeuvres. Just remember, once the meal starts, no leaving your seat for an hour — Guinness rules.
- When: November 21, 2025
- Where: North Javits (445 11th Avenue, New York)
- Tickets: Currently sold out, but you can join the waitlist.
- Website: https://www.thebigshabbat.com
- Best for: Foodies and anyone who wants to be part of a world record.
Tree Hut Dancin’ Queen Ice Skating Pop-Up
Domino Park is turning into a playful holiday escape with Tree Hut’s Nutcracker-inspired skating pop-up. Expect cute photo ops, giveaways, and wintry surprises that smell as good as they look.
- When: November 21-22, 2025
- Where: Domino Park (15 River Street, Brooklyn)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Instagram: @treehut
- Best for: Skaters and holiday date nights.
Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar
Mariah Carey has officially claimed the holidays with a rooftop bar. Expect glitter, themed cocktails, sing-along moments, and plenty of photo spots.
- When: Until December 28, 2025
- Where: Untitled (3 Freeman Alley, Freeman Alley, New York)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Instagram: @mariahsholidaybar
- Best for: Girls’ nights, festive dates, and Mariah stans.
Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
A New York Christmas isn’t complete without the Rockettes. This year marks their 100th anniversary, so expect even more sparkle, synchronized kicks, and holiday nostalgia.
- When: Until January 4, 2026
- Where: Radio City Music Hall (1260 6th Ave, New York)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.rockettes.com
- Best for: Holiday traditionalists.
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
This one’s pure enchantment. Lightscape transforms the Brooklyn Botanic Garden into a glowing wonderland with over a million lights, art installations, and yes, a giant “Winter Cathedral” tunnel perfect for selfies.
- When: November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026
- Where: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.bbg.org
- Best for: Couples, friend groups, and anyone who loves a stroll.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Forget regular zoo trips because the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights turns the whole place into a glowing wildlife wonderland. Enjoy glowing animal lanterns, millions of LEDs, snow tube slides, and even an illuminated ice throne.
- When: November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026
- Where: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://bronxzoo.com
- Best for: Families and anyone who loves holiday lights.
New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
If you’ve never seen a city built entirely from bark, seeds, and leaves… well, here’s your chance. The Holiday Train Show at NYBG is back, featuring mini trains that zip past natural replicas of iconic NYC landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.
- When: November 15, 2025-January 11, 2026
- Where: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.nybg.org
- Best for: Families and train enthusiasts.
Skate at Domino Park
Over in Brooklyn, SKATE at Domino Park keeps things fresh with DJ nights, live performances, and themed skating parties. Twirling gracefully or just trying not to fall? Well, it’s all part of the fun.
- When: Until February 22, 2026
- Where: 15 River St, Brooklyn
- Price: Tickets will go on sale soon.
- Website: https://www.dominopark.com
- Best for: Group hangs.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Skating under the golden Prometheus statue at Rockefeller Center never gets old. It’s touristy, it’s iconic, and it’s still one of the most magical spots in the city. Go early if you can, as lines can get long once the tree lights up later this month.
- Where: 600 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.rockefellercenter.com
- Best for: Tourists and first dates.
Gottesman Rink at the Davis Center
Good news for uptown, the Harlem Meer now has its very own ice rink. The Davis Center Rink is the city’s newest spot for winter skating, hockey, and figure skating lessons with a killer view.
- When: Until March 8, 2026
- Where: East side of Central Park (between 106th and 108th Streets)
- Tickets: Adults (17+) – $10 peak / $5 off-peak, Children (ages 4–16) – $5 for all sessions, Children (3 and under) – Free for all sessions, Skate Rentals – $10, Add-ons – Lock purchase $5; Skate aids $10; Skate sharpening $15
- Website: https://daviscenter.centralparknyc.org
- Best for: Families and skating/hockey enthusiasts.
Wollman Rink in Central Park
Skating at Wollman Rink feels like a classic New York winter moment. You can rent skates, take lessons, or just enjoy gliding around with the skyline as your backdrop.
- When: Until March 15, 2026
- Where: 830 5th Ave, New York
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://wollmanrinknyc.com
- Best for: First-timers, families, and classic NYC bucket-list moments.
Concerts
Maroon 5 – LOVE IS LIKE Tour
Adam Levine and the band are back, and their latest tour brings all the hits and new songs, from “This Love” to “Sugar.” Expect big energy, nostalgia, and a few people trying (and failing) not to sing along.
- When: November 19-20, 2025
- Where: Madison Square Garden
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.maroon5.com
- Best for: Pop-rock fans.
Stevie Nicks
The legend herself, Stevie Nicks, graces NYC this week. Her voice, her energy, that unmistakable aura — it’s all there. Prepare for a night of goosebumps and maybe some tears during “Landslide.”
- When: November 19, 2025
- Where: Barclays Center (620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://stevienicksofficial.com
- Best for: Fleetwood Mac fans and pop-rock listeners.
Katseye
If you’ve been watching this global girl group on TikTok, here’s your chance to see them live. Katseye’s mix of powerhouse vocals and choreography is pure pop perfection, and they’re bringing that global energy straight to New York.
- November 21: Hammerstein Ballroom (311 W 34th St., New York)
- November 22: The Theater at Madison Square Garden
- Tickets: Click here (Nov 21) or here (Nov 22).
- Website: https://www.katseye.world
- Best for: EYEKONS and pop fans.
Feeling the holiday spirit yet?
If this week’s plans have you in full festive mode, you’ll love my next read — How to Experience Holiday in NYC on a Budget: A Guide to Free & Cheap Fun. It’s packed with wallet-friendly ideas to keep the cheer going without breaking the bank. Because in New York, you don’t need to spend big to have a magical time.
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