13 ways to enjoy New York City for cheap this November

November is upon us, which means the high season of holiday travel and holiday shopping has arrived. Your wallet might be taking a hit in the next couple of months. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get your kicks for free?

You’re not going to see this coming, but … there are plenty of free events happening this month in New York City that won’t cost you anything (or, at least, not much). Here are some of the best.

Cheer on runners at the New York City Marathon

The first Sunday in November is a magical day in New York: The air is cool and crisp and 26.2 miles of city streets shut down for the New York City Marathon. Wake up early on Nov. 3, grab a bagel or a Bloody Mary (or both!) and watch people run faster than you can ever hope to. Head to Bedford Avenue and Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn for lively crowds cheering on the athletes. You can also post up in one of the official watch zones in Manhattan along the race route. It’s a New York tradition, so if you haven’t watched the marathon yet, this is your year.

See the enormous Pigeon

It’s called “The Dinosaur” and it’s a statue of a pigeon from Colombian artist Iván Argote. He said he sees pigeons as marginalized figures in New York City and wanted to pay tribute to them with this enormous creation, cast in aluminum. It’s on view now at the High Line. And while you're there, you can see some of the other artworks, including a mosaic bench from German artist Kerstin Brätsch on view at 23rd Street and new works from Sasha Gordon, at Dyer Avenue between 30th and 31st at the Moynihan Connector Billboard.

Enjoy classical music in the Bronx

The “Three B’s” are on full display in one of New York’s “Two B’s.” For those who have no idea what that means: There’s a free classical concert featuring the work of Beethoven, Brahms, and Bloch in the Bronx. The concert happens on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 1 p.m. at the Lehman College Art Gallery in the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood of the Bronx. It’s a great excuse to take a long lunch and relax to the sounds of some of history’s greatest composers.

Show off your "Friends" knowledge at a trivia and comedy night

If you love comedy, trivia, dressing up and NBC’s hit comedy "Friends," this is the perfect event for you. On Wednesday, Nov. 20, head to Capish?! Club in Little Italy for a night of comedy and trivia. Anyone who comes dressed as one of the main characters from "Friends" wins a prize — and in addition to trivia about one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, you’ll get standup sets from some great comedians. It’s not free, but tickets are available on a sliding scale and start at $5.

Go on a free gallery walk in Dumbo

Art is in the air this November — specifically, the air near the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges on the Brooklyn side of the East River. On the first Thursday of every month, Art in Dumbo hosts an open gallery walk so you can see what some of the neighborhood’s most prominent artists are up to. It’s happening Nov. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be followed by a gathering at Superfine, which will have drink specials for galleryhoppers.

Check out the gems at New York Jewelry Week

You’ve heard of Restaurant Week, you’ve heard of Fashion Week … but there’s also Jewelry Week! Running from Nov. 18 through 24, it features a variety of free exhibitions, talks, receptions and, obviously, shopping opportunities. Whether you’re an aspiring jeweler or just a fan of shiny rocks, you’re sure to find an event that appeals to you among the dozens happening all over the city throughout Jewelry Week. At the very least, you might find unique holiday gifts for your loved ones.

Learn about the Lenape people

November is Native American Heritage Month, so what better time to learn more about the Lenape, who were living in the New York City area when Europeans arrived? Head to Conference House Park on Staten Island on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m., and Urban Park Rangers will guide you through an exploration of Lenape daily life, including their food and family traditions. If you can’t make it that day, the local parks department has several free Native American Heritage Month events throughout the city.

Ice skate the days away

Now is your chance to skate on one of the city’s free ice rinks before the massive holiday crowds totally overrun them. Bryant Park’s Winter Village is already here and the rink is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weeknights — and until midnight on most weekends. Skates do cost money to rent, but ice time is free. You could also opt for less-than-free skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park or The Rink at Rockefeller Center. Or you could check out any of the several rinks around the city that aren’t popular with tourists and offer admission for less than $15. November is long enough to try them all.

Move your body with a post-Thanksgiving hike

A nice, quiet hike could be just what your body needs after getting stuffed with turkey and gravy and pie and god knows what else. No matter what borough you live in, NYC Parks has you covered with a variety of hikes that will get your blood pumping again. Join fellow nature lovers and the Urban Park Rangers to take in the beauty of city parks on a day that will also likely have less traffic and less noise than usual. You’ll practically be in the country!

Finally check out the Field of Light

Is it a bit touristy? Perhaps. Is it also cool to look at? Absolutely. The Field of Light in Freedom Plaza is next to the United Nations headquarters on the East River. It’s in its final two months, so now is the time to go. Artist Bruce Munro has set up nearly 19,000 spherical lights that create a dynamic, immersive landscape that’s enthralled visitors since it opened last December. It’s open Thursday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. starting Nov. 7. You can reserve advance tickets, but walk-ins are also welcome.

Explore traditional art forms at the American Folk Art Museum

One of the city’s best free museums has a stellar exhibition lineup for fall, so now is the time to pay the folks at American Folk Art Museum a visit. Feel free to smile at the crowds wading through Lincoln Center, blissfully ignorant of the treasure right under their noses. In November, you can check out exhibitions on Shaker aesthetics, game boards and a wide-ranging collection on the theme of “home.”

Sing sea chanteys at the Seaport

The great thing about sea chanteys is that they’re timeless. On the first Sunday of every month, you can go to the South Street Seaport Museum to congregate with fellow chantey-heads to sing maritime music. Starting in November and lasting through the winter months, the sing-alongs will be hybrid events, taking place in-person and over Zoom. And, get this: You can bring your own chantey and lead a sing-along. Try doing that after drinking three Bloody Marys and shouting at marathoners for a few hours in the morning, since the November edition will take place on Sunday, Nov. 3 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Watch giant balloons at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Is it November in New York City if you don’t see at least a minute of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? The question has nagged philosophers for years. So don’t complicate things: Either go see the parade live or, at the very least, watch a few minutes on TV. It’s giant balloons! It’s Thanksgiving! You (hopefully) have the day off! The 98th edition of the parade will take place on the morning of Nov. 28, and no less an icon than Minnie Mouse herself is making her parade debut. You don’t want to miss history, do you?