Our overview features the best events for Brooklyn families in November. Celebrate Día de los Muertos, cheer on runners on Marathon Sunday, volunteer as a family for Thanksgiving, and usher in the holiday season with the first tree lightings, holiday markets, and outdoor light shows.
1. Celebrate Día de los Muertos
Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at one of these family-friendly events with traditional food, dance, music, and more activities for kids.
- Day of the Dead Family Celebration | Green-Wood Cemetery
Friday, November 1 | 4-7pm | FREE | Register here
Discover the rich history and traditions associated with the holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) through family-friendly crafts, performances, music, activities, and food. Registration recommended, but walk-ins are welcomed. No admittance after 5:30pm. - Celebrate Día de los Muertos | Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Saturday, November 2 | 10am-5pm | $15 admission, free for children under 1
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at BCM! Brooklyn-based artist Mincho Vega returns as BCM’s guest curator as we celebrate the traditions and histories of our ancestors from Latin America through art, dance, music, and food. - Festival Día de Muertos | Industry City
Saturday, November 2 | 11am-7pm | Free for kids under 12, $30/adult, $25/high school students with ID
Come celebrate the vibrant Mexican tradition of honoring our ancestors at Industry City. Join us for a day filled with colorful altars, delicious food, lively music, and traditional dances. Embrace the spirit of remembrance and rejoice in the beauty of this cultural celebration.
2. Cheer on NYC Marathon Runners
Sunday, November 3 | Race starts at 8am | Bay Ridge to Greenpoint
Cheer on NYC Marathon runners as they embark on their 26.2-mile challenge starting at the Verrazano Bridge. Stake out a front row cheer spot or bounce around these Brooklyn neighborhood favorites:
- 4th Avenue in Sunset Park
- 4th Avenue in Park Slope
- Mile 8 Cheering Station at 300 Ashland in Downtown Brooklyn | 9am-1:30pm | Come to The Plaza at 300 Ashland to cheer on the runners! They will be giving away cowbells and free coffee, and Batalá and L Train Brass Band will be performing from 9:00-11:30am.
- Lafayette Avenue in Clinton Hill | 8am-12pm | Come cheer at #FABMile8 at Fowler Square (Fulton and Lafayette) on Marathon Sunday! Bring a warm coat donation, as they’ll be kicking off their New York Cares coat drive!
- Bedford Avenue in Bed Stuy
- Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg
- Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint
3. Plan your Election Day
Schools are closed Tuesday, November 5 for Election Day. After going to the polls, attend a family-friendly event, find a fun drop-in activity, or sign the kids up for a day camp!
- Election Day at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Tuesday, November 5 | 110am-5pm | $15 admission
Explore the power of your voice by casting a vote in BCM’s mock election! This year, we have three candidates campaigning to become BCM’s Animal Representative. Learn more about the candidates, make an informed decision, and cast your ballot! - Election Day School Holiday in Prospect Park
Tuesday, November 5 | 12-5pm | FREE
Join Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly programming on Election Day! There will be a fall nature walk, leaf art, and a visit from one of the Audubon’s live animals. See the full schedule of activities here. - Day camps for when public schools are closed
Browse our overview of school holiday camps. There are so many camps to choose from, with activities like art-making, coding and robotics, skateboarding, chess, and so much more! - Best drop-in indoor activities for kids & teens
Looking for a drop-in activity on Election Day? Our guide includes including play spaces, story times, arts and crafts, adventure parks, rock climbing, mini golf, bowling and more for all ages.
4. Brooklyn Folk Festival at St. Ann’s Church
Friday, November 8–Sunday, November 10 | Day pass: $17.50 for kids (6-16), $35 for adults | Brooklyn Heights
The Brooklyn Folk Festival is a celebration of down home music, cultural diversity and memory. The annual festival provides an opportunity for community to come together, enjoy music and take part in workshops, film screenings, contests and jam sessions. The 3-day festival is held at the beautiful historic St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn Heights and features includes 30+ bands, vocal and instrumental workshops, a family-friendly square dance, jam sessions, film screenings, the famous Banjo Toss contest and more!
5. Best of BAMkids Film Festival
Saturday, November 9 | 11am | $14 adults, $10 kids (13 and under) | For ages 3-5 | Fort Greene
Join BAM at Rose Cinemas for their selection of the most popular films for kids ages three to five from last year’s BAMkids Film Festival, featuring food that comes to life, a friendly cactus, a friendship between a robot and an alien, and more! Kids will love these imaginative, playful tales from all over the world.
6. 18th Annual Brooklyn Children’s Book Fair at Brooklyn Museum
Sunday, November 10 | 11am-3:30pm | FREE, registration required | Prospect Heights
Calling all young book lovers! Meet more than 40 of your favorite Brooklyn authors and illustrators as they share their latest publications. This free event features storybooks, picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels—fiction and nonfiction—for preschoolers to middle schoolers. Highlights include books in Hindi and Mandarin, along with works on topics as diverse as Ocean Parkway, Mars, Edward Gorey, trains, the ABCs, Prince, and poetry. Throughout the day, children can chat with authors and illustrators, listen to readings and watch artists sketch, get books signed, meet a famous dog, and participate in book-related art projects. See the full schedule here.
7. Ice Skating Rinks open in Brooklyn
- Roebling Rink in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Opening November 25 | $10 tickets on sale November 2 | DUMBO
Roebling Rink, an ice skating rink located in Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, will open November 25. Tickets will go on sale here November 2. The ice rink showcases spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and is positioned alongside the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. There will also be free skating sessions on weekdays and weekends. - Ice Skating Lakeside at the LeFrak Center
Returning November 2024 (Dates TBA) | Ticket information coming soon | Prospect Park
Starting in November, Prospect Park’s LeFrak Center is open for ice skating and ice bumper cars. The facility also offers figure skating, broomball, and ice hockey. Check back here for opening dates! - Brooklyn Children’s Museum ArtRink
Returning November 2024 (Dates TBA) | $15 museum admission, plus $10 add-on ticket | Crown Heights
ArtRink is Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s interactive art exhibition taking place on the Museum’s rooftop from November 2024 through March 2025. The centerpiece of this installation is a 3,000 square-foot synthetic-ice skating rink that is surrounded by artwork, including vinyl posters and a series of interactive playhouses, all themed around artistic interpretations of the theme of We Celebrate!. Check back here for opening dates and more information! - New Ice Skating Rink in Domino Square
Opening November 2024 (Dates TBA) | Ticket information coming soon | Williamsburg
Williamsburg will get its first-ever waterfront ice skating rink this winter, located in Domino Park’s newest plaza, Domino Square. More information to come!
8. Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
November 22, 2024–January 5, 2025 | Tickets start at $36/adult and $18/child during off-peak hours, free for children 2 and under | Prospect Heights
Lightscape is a winter light show that takes advantage of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s landscapes, trees, water features, architectural details, and paths to create a magical, otherworldly experience in the winter Garden. Along the trail, kids can enjoy hot chocolate and treats, and there will be mulled wine and hot cider for adults. Take advantages of Value Nights with discounted tickets: $24/adult, $12/child, and free for children 2 and under. There will also be Sensory-Friendly early entry on select nights for those with sensory sensitivity to enjoy reduced capacity. Learn more and see full calendar here.
9. Volunteer as a family this Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, there are so many ways for Brooklyn families to give back locally, whether delivering meals, decorating meal delivery bags, stocking a food pantry, or serving a Thanksgiving dinner for refugee families. Stay tuned for our full overview of November volunteer opportunities, and mark your calendar for some of these highlights:
- Host and Serve a Thanksgiving Dinner for New Neighbors at St. Ann’s Church
Wednesday, November 20 | 6:00-8:15pm | Best for 10+ | Sign up here | Brooklyn Heights
Join The Service Collective for their monthly community dinner for newly arrive refugees at St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn Heights! Tasks will include light cooking, cleaning, serving, helping to make everyone feel at home, and more. - Create Art for Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Bags | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, November 23 | 3-5pm | All ages | Sign up here
Volunteers will decorate 250+ meal bags that will be delivered to local homebound seniors. Each volunteer will design 3-5 bags and bag tags.
10. Kick off the holiday season with tree lightings and holiday markets
The holiday season officially begins after Thanksgiving with the first tree lightings and holiday markets. See our full overview of this year’s best family-friendly holiday experiences here!
- Danish Christmas Fair
Saturday, November 23 & Sunday, November 24 | 10-4pm | Danish Seamen’s Church | Brooklyn Heights
The annual Danish Christmas Fair features unique Scandinavian design, knitwear, gift items, holiday ornaments, Danish candy, and traditional food products for Christmas Dinner. Say hi to Santa, sip on hot glög, or bite into delicious “æbleskiver” (puffed pancakes), all in the covered cozy backyard at the Danish Seamen’s Church. - Downtown Brooklyn Gets Lit!
Tuesday, November 26 | 5-6pm | Albee Square | Downtown Brooklyn
Get ready to kick off the holiday season in true Downtown Brooklyn style and flair! Countdown with us to turn the holidays lights ON! You won’t want to miss this unforgettable event where music, dance, and festive spirit come together in perfect harmony! - Park Slope Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 30 | 4:30-5:30pm | 5th Avenue at 4th Street | Park Slope
Park Slope’s annual tree lighting will feature photos with Santa, live music, sweet treats and hot cocoa, and bubbles!
Updated: October 31, 2024. Main Image: Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
