Time flies and November is around the corner – pencil in these event highlights

Check out our round up of top family events to look forward to in November from Día de los Muertos, Diwali, and Holiday Kickoff celebrations to beloved annual family events.

1. Celebrate Día de los Muertos

Celebrated throughout Latin America from October 31st to November 2nd, this holiday is a time for family and friends to commemorate departed loved ones through prayer, altars, music, and dance.

Día de Muertos at This is Latin America
October 31-November 3, 11am-7pm | FREE entry | Williamsburg
The weekend full of surprises, pinta caritas face painting, music, artisanal mezcal, rituals, traditional Mexican food (tales, café de olla, hot chocolate, aguas frescas, pan de muerto), workshops & more!
Day of the Dead Family Celebration at Green-Wood Cemetery
Friday, November 1 | 4-7pm | FREE, suggested donation $10 | South Slope - Greenwood Heights
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.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Brooklyn Children's Museum
Saturday, November 2 | 10am-5pm | $14-15 admission, free for under 1 | Crown Heights
Enjoy a day full of art-making with Brooklyn-based artist Mincho Vega, dance, music, and food, explore our artist marketplace, and contribute to our community ofrenda by sharing memories and stories of your loved ones.
Día de Muertos at Industry City in Sunset Park
Saturday, November 2 | 11am-7pm | $25 adult, free for kids under 12 | Sunset Park
Live the unique experience of the Day of the Dead celebration! Enjoy traditional dances, impressive altars, the elegant Catrina, authentic Mexican art, delicious food, unique crafts, live music, and DJ sets.

2. Cheer on NYC Marathon runners

Sunday, November 3 | 9am-1:30pm | FREE | From Bay Ridge to N. Brooklyn
Cheer on fearless 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, #FABMile8 at Fowler Square in Fort Greene, Lafayette Avenue in Clinton Hill, Bedford Avenue in Bed-Stuy, Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint.

3. Celebrate Diwali at Brooklyn Children's Museum

Thursday, November 7 | 2:30-4:30pm | FREE | Crown Heights

BCM and The Culture Tree invite families to celebrate Diwali during Amazon Free Hours! Join them to hear the story of Diwali brought to life through a puppet show, presented by The Culture Tree. This famous story teaches children the meaning of devotion, love, kindness, and valor—all while learning why we celebrate Diwali! Other activities include a mithai (Indian sweets) making workshop, and diya paper lantern making in our ColorLab art studio. Through these activities children will learn about Diwali, one of India’s biggest and most important festivals of the year.

4. Brooklyn Folk Festival at St. Ann's Church

Friday, November 8-Sunday, November 10 | Adults: $35, Kids (6-16): $17.50, Festival Passes available | 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 local, national, and international music and take part in workshops, film screenings, contests and jam sessions. The 3-day festival 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

Join BAM at their Rose Cinemas for a handpicked selection of 2024 BAMkids Film Festival favorites, perfect for kids ages 3 to 5. Kids will love these imaginative, playful tales from all over the world, including Sound Collector, Dormouse, Cake Ballad, Blueberry, Stan and Sven, and more!

6. 18th Annual Brooklyn Children’s Book Fair at Brooklyn Museum

Sunday, November 10 | 11am-3:30pm | FREE | 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.

7. Catch a Family Concert

Free kids Thanksgiving concert with Suzi Shelton at Time Out Market New York
Friday, November 22 | 10am doors, 10:15-11am show | FREE w/ RSVP
Calling all of our smallest Brooklyn friends! Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW has teamed up with Time Out Market New York to schedule more free holiday concerts for toddlers and babies featuring the one and only Suzi Shelton! Stop by the Macaroni KID table for temp tattoos and giveaway contest. Pre-order breakfast or stick around after the show for Time Out Market's good eats. RSVP and invite your friends!
Family Music FUNdraiser for Food Bank at Jalopy Theatre
Saturday, November 23 | 10:45am doors, 11am show | $10 adults, $5 kids | Red Hook
Join Suzi Shelton, Esther Crow, and other children's musicians for this FUNdraiser supporting the Food Bank for New York City to help feed hungry families in time for Thanksgiving! The all-star kindie lineup includes Camille Harris (Silly Jazz Band), Michael Napolitano (Michael and the Rockness Monsters), Greg Lato, Strawbitty Yops, Evan Jams, Joanie Leeds, Divinity Roxx, and Vered Ronen (Baby In Tune). Come rock out for a good cause!

8. Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Opens Friday, November 22 | Value nights $12 kids, $24 adults on 11/22-11/24 | Otherwise $18-23 for kids 3-12, $36-45 for adults | Prospect Heights

Experience the magic of Lightscape! The after-dark, illuminated trail returns to Brooklyn with brand new works of art and promises an even more immersive and magical experience for visitors of all ages. Explore the beauty of the Garden under moonlight while enjoying seasonal treats and festive music. There is no better way to celebrate winter and the holiday season with friends and family!

9. Danish Christmas Fair

Saturday, November 23-Sunday November 24 | 10am-4pm | FREE entry | Brooklyn Heights

We promise you “hygge overload” at the Danish Christmas Fair (Julemarked), a Brooklyn tradition! Shop unique Scandinavian design, knitwear for babies and kids, gift items, holiday ornaments, Danish candy, and traditional food products for the Christmas Dinner at the annual Danish Christmas Fair. Sip on hot glögg – the Danish take on mulled wine or bite into delicious “æbleskiver” (puffed pancakes) – traditional Christmas treats that all Danes consume at any social gathering through the holidays. It’s served in our covered cozy backyard at the Danish Seamen’s Church. We accept credit cards.

10. Holiday Tree Lightings

DTBK Gets Lit at Albee Square
Tuesday, November 26 | 5-6pm | FREE | Downtown Brooklyn
Get ready to kick off the holiday season in true Downtown Brooklyn style and flair! Countdown with us to turn the holiday lights ON! You won’t want to miss this unforgettable event where music, dance, and festive spirit come together in perfect harmony!
Annual Atlantic Avenue Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tuesday, November 26 | 6-6:30pm | FREE | Boerum Hill
The free public event is open to all ages and will take place at the St. Cyril of Turov Belarusian Church, 401 Atlantic Avenue. Join the Atlantic Avenue LDC to count down to the official lighting of the holiday tree and receive a free, reusable Atlantic Avenue tote bag!
Park Slope 5th Ave Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 30 | 4:30-5:30pm | FREE | Park Slope
Join 5th Avenue Park Slope BID in lighting their Christmas Tree and celebrating the shopping season on Small Business Saturday. Activities on 4th Street Plaza Open Street including Hot Chocolate from Chela, Churros from Simple Loaf Bakehouse, Christmas tunes from Music by Patrick, Bubbledad, Santa, and more!
And later on December 7th, 4-6pm: Fort Greene Park Tree Lighting