There are lots of things to celebrate in NYC in November besides the Veterans Day Weekend and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
As always, most of the NYC on the Cheap things to do list is FREE, and nothing is over $25, although we do make occasional exceptions for charity fund-raisers that benefit NYC parks or support NYC poor and needy, and special theater ticketing.
Where to Vote on Nov. 6th
If you mis-placed your notice from the NYC Board of Elections where to vote, or can’t remember what you AD or ED is, you can find it here – nyc.pollsitelocator.com.
Every election is important, and this may be more important than most. Here in New York State and New York City, we are voting for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney-General and State Assembly, along with who represents us in the House of Representatives in Congress.
If you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain about who wins, or what they do while they are in office.
Here’s what else to see and do in NYC in November.
Best NYC Spots for Fall Foliage
Through Nov. 15 – Canstruction NYC
More than 100,000 unopened cans of food are stacked into larger-than-life sculptures, before disassembly and donation to City Harvest for distribution to some 500 soup kitchens and food pantries across New York City. FREE, in Brookfield Place.
Tues., Nov. 6 – Geneology Essentials
With immigration such a hot button in the current election cycle, this FREE NYPL series on Geneology Essentials is timely.
This session focuses on African-American Genealogy Part 1: An Introduction
From 1565 to 1790, Africans surpassed Europeans among the roughly one million newcomers to what would become the United States. A majority of these nearly 360,000 men and women crossed in bondage. Centuries of local and federal laws related to the livelihood of black Americans have created a complex paper trail of genealogical resources. This class aims to provide introductory historical context and recommend basic research methods in the pursuit of African-American family history.
- Noon, Nov 6, at main NYPL on Fifth Ave., South Court Classroom B.
- Part II, Next Steps, is Wed, Nov. 14 at 2pm.
Thurs., Nov. 8 – Commemorate the Anniversary of Kristallnacht
1938Projekt: 80 Years since Kristallnacht – On the night of November 9, 1938, state-sponsored Nazi gangs destroyed Jewish homes, synagogues, and businesses, killing nearly 100 and arresting 30,000 Jewish men. Kristallnacht – Night of Broken Glass – is worth remembering every year, perhaps more this year as Anti-Semitism seems to be rising its ugly head once again. This special program at the Leo Baeck Institute will feature remarks by historian Marion Kaplan (NYU), the premiere of a short documentary featuring individuals sharing their memories of 1938, reflections by radio personality and author Martin Goldsmith, and a musical performance by the Phoenix Chamber Ensemble. The program is part of the online “1938Projekt,” which documents the German-Jewish experience.
- FREE admission, but registration is recommended to manage space. The Leo Baeck Institute is at 15 W. 16th St.
- Kristallnacht photo courtesy LBI
Thurs., Nov. 8 – Voices of the People
This Lincoln Center commission commemorates Howard Zinn’s seminal book, A People’s History of the United States, with a FREE music and spoken-word performances that bring to life the extraordinary history of ordinary people in the book: those who built the movements for social justice, ending slavery and Jim Crow, protesting war and the genocide of Native Americans, creating unions and the eight-hour workday, advancing women’s rights and gay liberation, and struggling to right the wrongs of the day.
A galvanizing and engaging lineup of performers include actors Brian Jones, Imogen Poots, Eisa Davis, Wallace Shawn, Leta Renée-Alan, and Jessica Pimentel, poet Staceyann Chin, musician Zeshan B, and activist Akemi Kochiyama—delve into original source materials from the rebels, dissenters, and visionaries of our past—and present. Anthony Arnove, coeditor with Howard Zinn of the Voices of a People’s History of the United States anthology and author of the introduction to the new 35th-anniversary edition of A People’s History of the United States, narrates.
- FREE at 7:30pm, at David Rubenstein Atrium. No tickets, no reservations, seating is first come first serve.
Thurs., Nov. 15 – Geneology Essentials
Researching Immigration and Naturalization Records
If one or more of your ancestors was an immigrant, learn how to find them in this FREE geneology workshop, also at the NYPL on Fifth Ave. Explore the history of how our ancestors became citizens of the United States of America, the kinds of records they generated when they did so, what information those records contain, and where you can find them.
- 2pm, Thursday, Nov. 15 at main NYPL on Fifth Ave., South Court Classroom B.
Events for NYC Foodies in November
Veterans Day Freebies and Deals
Smorgasburg goes downtown, indoors and late-night.
Smorgasburg, the largest weekly open-air food market in the US, will be at the World Trade Center site on November 8, 9 and 10. Foodies will find nearly 20 vendors serving delicious bites at Oculus Plaza from 12-7p each day. A beer garden will be open on November 8. Vendors include Ramen Burger, Red Hook Lobster Pound and Jianbing, with it’s menu of popular Shanghai savory crepes. Fine a list of all food purveyors here.
Smorgasburg Winter Market moves to the former OfficeMax space inside the Atlantic Center in Fort Greene, at 625 Atlantic Ave. In addition to food vendors, it includes a couple of dozen vendors from Booklyn Flea. Saturdays 11am to 8pm and Sundays until 5pm. Indoors through the end of March 2019.
Smorgasburg Night Market is new, and for November and December only, unless it catches on and is expanded. It’s Fridays, at the Villian, a party apce at 307 Kent Ave. in Williamsburg. There’s also DJs. The Smorgasburg Night Market is open Fridays from 6pm until whenever. Admission is FREE, but a $25 ticket gets you priority admission along with two cocktails and a 20% discount on anything else you buy, whether that’s food, drink or merchandise.
Nov. 5-18 – Eataly Flatiron Restaurant Fest
Eataly has done some remodeling since separating itself from disgraced co-founder chef Mario Batali, including removing his name, books and products. The “new” Eataly is celebrating with two-course lunch and dinner specials at all its sit-down restaurants, for either $18 or $28, depending on the restaurant, and $25 bottles of wine.
SEE ALSO
Where to eat in Flatiron without busting your budget
Fri.-Sun, Nov. 9-11 – The Other Art Fair
Just in time for holiday gift buying, including for yourself, attend this leading artist fair presented exclusively by Saatchi Art in New York, Los Angeles, London, Bristol, Sydney, and Melbourne. Following two successful editions in 2017, The Other Art Fair returns to Greenpoint’s Brooklyn Expo Center for a third installment showcasing more than 130 talented emerging artists, alongside a unique and immersive features program. Who knows, you might see the next Picasso
- Friday-Sunday, Nov. 9-11. Get COMP tickets here.
Sun., Nov. 11 – Bridges and Arches of Central Park
- Meet at Grand Army Plaza, Fifth Ave. at 60th St., in time to join the walk, 11am-12:30.
Thurs., Nov. 16 – Notre Dame Band concert
Join the Notre Dame Band, Cheerleaders, and Leprechaun for a free concert at Bryant Park. The full 400-person marching band performs from 4pm to 4:45pm on a carpeted portion of the ice rink. Audience members can enjoy the music from the Deck – or while skating on the Rink.
SEE ALSO Our Holiday Events calendar
Sat., Nov. 17 – International Games Day at NYPL
- 11am to 5pm at the Main NYPL on Fifth Ave. All ages welcome. FREE but registration is recommended to manage attendance.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.