New York edition

Outdoors and Beaches

Races, beach days and outdoor plans.

Photo by Connor Scott McManus on Pexels

Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches

1880s Haunted Halloween

Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 2026

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last entry at 2:15 p.m.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804Nassau County

Old Bethpage Village Restoration holds its 1880s Haunted Halloween on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, with trick-or-treating and a children's costume parade.

Organizer page, Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Outdoors and Beaches, Family and Kids

NovemberFest

Nov. 19 to 22, 2026

Opening hours are 5:30 to 9:45 p.m.

Kensico Dam Plaza1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla, NY 10595Westchester County

Westchester's Winter Wonderland lists NovemberFest at Kensico Dam Plaza for Nov. 19 through Nov. 22, ahead of the drive-through lights.

Organizer page, Westchester's Winter Wonderland

Arts and Music, Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches, Food and Drink

Winter Lantern Festival: Queens

Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026

On Thursdays through Sundays the festival runs from 5 to 10 p.m., with last entry at 9 p.m.

Queens County Farm Museum73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens, NY 11004Queens County

The Winter Lantern Festival lists an outdoor lantern walk at Queens County Farm beginning Nov. 19, 2026.

Organizer page, Winter Lantern Festival

Arts and Music, Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches, Food and Drink

Winter Lantern Festival: Staten Island

Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026

On Thursdays through Sundays the festival runs from 5 to 10 p.m., with last entry at 9 p.m.

Snug Harbor1000 Richmond Ter, Staten Island, NY 10301Richmond County

The Winter Lantern Festival places an outdoor lantern walk at Snug Harbor beginning Nov. 19, 2026.

Organizer page, Winter Lantern Festival

Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches

Holiday Lights

Nov. 21 to 22, Nov. 27 to 29, Dec. 3 to 6, Dec. 10 to 13, Dec. 17 to 23, Dec. 26 to 31 and Jan. 2 to 3

Holiday Lights operates from 1 to 9 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m.

Bronx Zoo2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460Bronx County

The Bronx Zoo runs Holiday Lights on selected evenings from Nov. 21, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. Dec. 3 is listed as a sensory-friendly night.

Organizer page, Bronx Zoo

Outdoors and Beaches, Family and Kids

Drive Thru Extravaganza

Nov. 27 to Dec. 31, 2026

Opening hours are 5:30 to 9:45 p.m.

Kensico Dam Plaza1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla, NY 10595Westchester County

Westchester's Winter Wonderland runs a 1.2-mile holiday light drive-through at Kensico Dam Plaza. The page says a visit takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

Organizer page, Westchester's Winter Wonderland

Outdoors and Beaches

NYRR Midnight Run

Dec. 31, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027

The countdown starts at 11:59 p.m., and the race begins at midnight.

Central ParkNew York, NYNew York County

New York Road Runners holds the Midnight Run in Central Park as 2026 ends. Fireworks at midnight start the 4-mile race.

Organizer page, New York City Tourism + Conventions