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NYC Family · Edition #002

Week Ahead,
Day by Day

Planning a week with kids in NYC? We’ve got you. Start with three family favorites, then find the full day-by-day lineup—with the times, prices, age notes, and links you need to make a plan.

Sunday, November 1–Sunday, November 8, 2026
Before you plan: We pulled this week’s family plans into one place. Start with our three favorites, then scroll by day for the full details and links. Before you head out, check with the organizer for the latest tickets and weather updates.

City logistics: A couple of things to plan around: clocks fall back at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov 1, and sunset comes early—about 4:52 p.m. that day and 4:44 p.m. by Nov 8. The NYC Marathon is also on Sunday, with road closures across all five boroughs. Check the course and MTA updates before heading across town.

The full guide, day by day

Here’s the full lineup, one day at a time. Pick the plan that fits your crew, and give yourself a little extra time for the trip across boroughs.

Sunday, November 1

A colorful day at the Garden; plan around marathon traffic

Sun, Nov 1 · Bronx · 1–5 p.m.

NYBG Día de los Muertos finale

Make a day of crafts, music, dance, and the community ofrenda. The parade steps off at 2 p.m., followed by a dance performance, cumbia class, and more activities. The Children’s Adventure Garden closes at 5 p.m.

Parade at 2 p.m.Wearable-art activitiesRain cancels parade only
Weather note: Rain may cancel the 2 p.m. parade, but NYBG says the other activities will continue. Check admission and the day-of update before you head out.
NYBG schedule & tickets ↗Map ↗
Monday, November 2

An easy-on-the-budget afternoon in Brooklyn

Mon, Nov 2 · Brooklyn · 4–7 p.m.

Green-Wood Day of the Dead Family Celebration

Free

Bring the kids for crafts, music, performances, and hands-on ways to celebrate Día de Muertos. Activities are split between the Main Entrance Meadow and the Historic Chapel area, just a short walk apart.

Registration helps with updates, but isn’t requiredWalk-ins welcomeFifth Avenue & 25th Street
A quick access note: A heads-up on the walk: the route to the Historic Chapel has stairs and uneven ground. Green-Wood will have a vehicle for anyone who needs help getting there. Crafts can run out, and weather cancellations come by email.
Green-Wood event details ↗Map ↗
Tuesday, November 3

Remote school day, with an outdoor nature break

Tue, Nov 3 · Brooklyn · 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Fall Discovery Days at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Let the kids roam the Discovery Garden and try hands-on nature stations in the courtyard, meadow, woodland, and marsh. Volunteer Discovery Docents will be there to explore alongside families.

Outdoor programAll agesIncluded with Garden admission
School-day note: One scheduling note: NYCPS students learn remotely on Election Day, so this morning program may overlap with class. Garden admission is required, and the outdoor activities are canceled for rain or temperatures below 50°F. Check for an update before you go.
Program details ↗Garden hours & admission ↗Map ↗
Wednesday, November 4

Holiday season is starting, plus a hands-on art stop

A cheerful Midtown outing, a big holiday show, or a creative museum afternoon on Staten Island—pick the plan that fits your family.

Wed, Nov 4 · Midtown · shops 11 a.m.–8 p.m. · rink 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Winter Village at Bryant Park

Shops are free to browse

The Holiday Shops and rink are already open for the season—the opening day was Oct 28—so Wednesday is a lovely time to pop by. Browse the open-air shops for free, or make a skating reservation. Bringing your own skates? Rink admission is free, but you still need a free timed-entry “Bring Your Own Skates” ticket in advance. Rentals cost extra.

Holiday Shops: weekdays 11 a.m.–8 p.m.Rink: daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m., weather permittingMost skate sessions: 50 minutes
Parent tip: Reserve your own-skates time when tickets for your date are released, about a week ahead. Check the rink page for current availability and weather updates.
Rink hours, prices & reservations ↗Holiday Shops hours ↗Map ↗
Opens Wed, Nov 4 · Radio City Music Hall · through Jan 4, 2027

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

The Rockettes are back for the holidays, with performances starting Nov 4. The show runs 90 minutes with no intermission. Children under 2 can sit on an adult’s lap without their own ticket; everyone age 2 and up needs a ticket. Ticket prices vary by performance, and all sales are final.

90 minutes · no intermissionUnder 2: lap seat, no ticketAges 2+: ticket required1260 Avenue of the Americas
Before you book: Choose the exact performance on the official calendar; showtimes and prices vary, and tickets are final sale.
Performances & tickets ↗Family and ticket FAQ ↗Map ↗
Wed, Nov 4 · Staten Island · 1–4 p.m. · repeats Thu & Fri

Fall Foodscapes at Staten Island Children’s Museum

Need a hands-on afternoon? Kids can make a colorful fall-food collage on a paper plate with cardboard, paper, scissors, and glue. It’s an easy drop-in workshop during your museum visit.

Workshop: 1–4 p.m.Museum: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.1000 Richmond Terrace, Building MAlso Thu, Nov 5 & Fri, Nov 6
Admission

$10 per adult and child; children under 1 and members are free. The museum recommends buying ahead to help ensure entry.

Keep it easy

Make the workshop your anchor, then leave time to explore the exhibits. No age recommendation for this workshop was listed, so check with the museum if you’re planning for a very young child.

November program listing ↗Admission, hours & visit details ↗Map ↗
Thursday, November 5

An early school dismissal and two museum ideas

Thu, Nov 5 · Brooklyn · 2–5 p.m.

Community Access Thursday at Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Free admission

A free afternoon to explore the exhibits and family programs. The museum closes at 5 p.m., so try to arrive with enough time to settle in and play.

145 Brooklyn AvenueBest for ages 6 months–10 yearsReserve a free ticket ahead
School schedule note: Elementary schools and Pre-K Centers dismiss three hours early for conferences. Check your school’s exact schedule before planning the afternoon.
Visit details & tickets ↗Free Thursday FAQ ↗Map ↗
Thu, Nov 5 · Lower East Side · 7–9 p.m.

New Museum late night

Pay what you wish

Need an evening out? The museum is open until 9 p.m., and admission is pay-what-you-wish from 7–9 p.m. Reserve online ahead of time; this one is best for a grown-up night after bedtime.

235 BoweryLimited same-night tickets may be offered onsite
Hours, admission & reservations ↗Map ↗
Friday, November 6

A grown-up night out at Madison Square Garden

Fri, Nov 6 & Sat, Nov 7 · Midtown · 7:30 p.m.

Dave Chappelle: Karmageddon

There are two New York Comedy Festival shows at Madison Square Garden. Ticket prices and availability can shift, so check the venue listing. It’s a device-free show; small devices are secured in Yondr pouches.

4 Penn PlazaDoors 6 p.m.No phones during the show
MSG dates, tickets & policies ↗Map ↗
Saturday, November 7

A little cooking, a little skating, and a show

Sat & Sun, Nov 7–8 · Midtown

Bryant Park Winter Village

Shops open to all

Make a Midtown stop for the Holiday Shops, open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. The rink runs daily, 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Skating is free with your own skates and a reserved time; rentals are available for a fee.

Free rink admission with your own skates and reservationBetween 40th–42nd Streets & Fifth–Sixth AvenuesSkate rentals listed at $18.72–$64.48 before taxOwn-skate reservations release one week ahead
Family tip: Most skate sessions include 50 minutes on the ice. Arrive during your reservation window so there’s time to lace up. Check the official page for current rental prices, open slots, and weather updates.
Winter Village, rink & reservations ↗Map ↗
Sat, Nov 7 · Staten Island · 12–4 p.m.

ShopRite Kidz Cook: Pizza Roll-Ups

Make pizza roll-ups together: kids can help chop the cheese, spread the sauce, add toppings, and roll. New sessions start at noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m.

Ages 4+Limited space · sign up at the door1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M
Admission

Admission is $10 per adult and child; kids under 1 are free. Advance tickets are a good idea if you want to be sure you get in.

Museum hours

The museum is open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Pick one activity to anchor your visit, then see where the kids want to explore.

Class details ↗Admission & visit information ↗Map ↗
Sunday, November 8

Celebrate Diwali, get moving, or skate

Sun, Nov 8 · Upper West Side · activities 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Diwali at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Celebrate Diwali with glowing paper sky lamps, rangoli art, a dance performance and workshop, a Ramleela puppet show, and bilingual storytime.

Designed especially for ages 0–6212 West 83rd StreetMuseum open 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday schedule

Sky lamps: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. · Rangoli: 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. and 2:45–3:45 p.m. · Dance: 2–2:30 p.m. · Puppet show: 2:45–3:15 p.m. · Bilingual storytime: 3:30–4 p.m.

Admission

Tickets are $17 online or $18 at the door for adults and kids ages 1–18. Babies under 12 months are free. Your ticket includes the exhibits and public programs.

Easy one-hour visit: For an easy visit, choose one activity window and get there a little early. Online tickets are $1 less and help lock in your visit.
Diwali schedule ↗Tickets, hours & visit info ↗Map ↗
Sun, Nov 8 · Staten Island · 12–2:30 p.m.

Museum Movers & Shakers

Need to get the wiggles out? Drop in for dance, movement games, and yoga. Sessions start at noon, 12:45, 1:15, and 2 p.m.

All ages1000 Richmond Terrace, Building MMuseum open 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission

Admission is $10 per adult and child; kids under 1 are free. Advance tickets are a good idea if you want to be sure you get in.

Make it your anchor

You can pair a session with the exhibits and walk-in art workshop, or just choose one activity and keep the rest of the day easy.

SICM event calendar ↗Admission & visit information ↗

Bryant Park Winter Village is open Sunday, too. See the Saturday listing for rink hours, prices, and booking details.

A Little NYC History · NYC Plot Twist 👀

One World Trade Center · Lower Manhattan

1,776 feet. And yes, there’s a reason.

That number is doing more than reaching for the clouds.

Here’s the fun detail: One World Trade Center measures 1,776 feet to the top of its spire. That number nods to 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.

And one more little twist: the building opened on November 3, 2014—right in the middle of our week.

Next time you spot it on the skyline, you can tell the kids the number has a story behind it.

NYC never runs out of surprises, does it?

285 Fulton Street · Manhattan
Official WTC timeline ↗Height & symbolism ↗
Parent Hack

Culture Pass: save a museum day for later

Have a library card from NYPL, Brooklyn Public Library, or Queens Public Library? If you’re 13 or older, you can reserve free passes to more than 100 NYC cultural spots. Browse by date or venue, then check the rules—guest limits and availability vary.

Browse Culture Pass ↗

Make the week work for your family

  • Pick one main plan for the day. The Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan can mean a real trek between stops, so leave room for transit and snacks.
  • Heading out Nov 1? Check the marathon route and MTA updates first; rolling road closures affect all five boroughs.
  • On Nov 3, keep school in mind. The BBG program overlaps with the remote-learning day, so it may not work for every family.
  • Save your spot when you can. A free event may still need a reservation, and the New Museum asks visitors to book its Thursday evening in advance.
  • Make the most of daylight. Plan outdoor time earlier and bring an extra layer for the trip home.

Plans can change, especially prices, tickets, and weather updates. It’s always worth checking with the organizer before you head out.

© 2026 The New York City Parent Newsletter.
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