New York City Weekend Wrapup: From Patti Smith to Oz-Themed Broadway Blitz

Welcome to Things to Do in New York City—Ollie Bennet here, your globe-trotting sports nut with a nose for adventures and a laugh loud enough to wake up the subway at rush hour! Today is Friday, November 21, 2025, and the Big Apple is buzzing with fall energy. The skies are crisp, jackets are out, and everyone’s got a “let’s make today epic” look in their eye. New York’s weather is classic November—think brisk, breezy, maybe a sprinkle, but nothing that can’t be beaten by hot cocoa or a wild spin on a dance floor. The city’s vibe? A little bit festive, a little bit rebellious, and definitely awake. Notable happenings? The streets are a runway of holiday pop-ups, quirky markets, legendary concerts, and, of course, a sprinkle of unexpected events you’ll only find here. If you’re hunting for events today, you are in for a treat: Patti Smith will ignite the Beacon Theatre, throwing down a 50th anniversary bash for Horses that’s pure rock ‘n’ roll history—so get ready for poetic punk and plenty of heart. If pop drama is your jam, Sam Smith is bringing the “To Be Free” show to Warsaw in Brooklyn, transforming brooding ballads into razzle-dazzle reality. Prefer your insanity served dance style? The KATSEYE Beautiful Chaos Tour storms into Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom, which promises that full-on spectacle modern pop fans live for. And for the Broadway-loving bunch, Penn Plaza is going totally Oz with the Wicked: For Good Soundtrack Boutique opening today. It’s a bonanza of themed installations, merch, and a chance to win props—plus a selfie opportunity that’ll make your Instagram sparkle with emerald magic. Feeling festive? TONYMOLY is hosting a three-day holiday takeover at Smiley Coffee on Ludlow Street with free treats and exclusive swag. Go early—the first fifty guests score a full-size beauty gift, and you might just snap a selfie mid-sip under some custom mistletoe. Family adventurers, don’t miss the color-fueled, hands-on art exhibits at Lincoln Center, or the dynamic new photography collections popping up at MoMA. For culture with a twist, Jack Ferver’s “My Town” unites dance and theater at NYU Skirball Center—expect boundary-smashing performance, wild storytelling, and audience participation that could involve interpretive jazz hands. Big local news! Xi’an Famous Foods is opening a new Lenox Hill location today, so noodles lovers get your chopsticks ready. Subway riders, the F line has extra crews smoothing out morning delays between Houston and Lafayette—meaning one less reason to curse under your breath and one more reason to smile at strangers. And if you’re looking for something new to swipe, spritz, or sniff, the Old Navy Beauty Co pop-up gives city folk a sneak peek at the brand's leap into face, body, and fragrance glory. Seasonal must-dos: skate your heart out at Bryant Park’s Winter Village, hit up hidden speakeasies like Attaboy for a custom cocktail, and stroll through Central Park’s southern paths—golden leaves, skyl This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.