The 7 Best Places to Go in November 2025

Looking for something seasonal to do this November? From firework displays to cultural festivals, November is so much more than just ‘the month before Christmas’. Get out there and see what the world has to offer this November and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Where Are The Best Places to Go This November?

1. Cape Town – South Africa

While the northern hemisphere is hunkering down for winter, November marks the start of summer in South Africa.

Cape Town is a treat all year round, but summer is where the city really thrives. November offers the perfect temperature for hopping around vineyards, climbing Table Mountain, and playing beach volleyball without breaking too much of a sweat. And when the temperatures do soar, seek refuge in one of the city's many shady waterfront restaurants, like Sevruga, a seafood lover's dream. 

There's already a lot to do in Cape Town, but there are tonnes of festivals in November, too. Music lovers are set – there's the multi-genre Keinemusik on 22nd November and the Africa Tech Festival on 11th – 13th November. Head further inland to the idyllic Franschhoek Valley for the Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival, a celebration of South Africa's delightful sparkling wines.

Dates: All of November

2. Oaxaca – Mexico

Arguably Mexico’s most famous festival, the Day of the Dead takes place in November every year – and few places are better than Oaxaca in the south of the country.

Scheduled over the first weekend of November, the Day of the Dead, known in Spanish as ‘Día de Muertos’, sees huge parades through the city centre, including floats, dancers and live music. 

Rather than a sombre festival, the Day of the Dead celebrates the lives of those no longer around, making it suitable for the whole family. The parades are known to be lively and full of colour, making it a positive celebration of life.

While the Day of the Dead is celebrated nationwide, what sets Oaxaca apart is the city's relationship with pre-colonial Mexican history. Oaxaca is often regarded as the epicentre of indigenous Mexican culture, so these traditional celebrations are also included in the festivities, as well as activities like street parties, offering a fascinating insight into Mexican history before the arrival of the Spanish.

To experience authentic Mexican history, a visit to Oaxaca during the Day of the Dead celebrations is a must.

Dates: Saturday 1st – Sunday 2nd November

3. Chiang Mai – Thailand

Festival season is well and truly alive in Thailand in November, and Chiang Mai, in the north of the country, is the place to be. 

The nationwide Loy Krathong Festival, which celebrates a traditional Thai water goddess, takes place throughout the country, but Chiang Mai – known for its vast waterways – is easily one of the best places to witness this festival.

In addition, Chiang Mai is a great place to visit to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival, because at the same time, the famous Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival takes place.

This festival celebrates light, and as such, thousands of lanterns are released into the night sky to honour Buddha and to mark the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season.

The weather is another great reason to visit Chiang Mai in November, as mentioned above. November marks the start of Thailand’s dry season, so you’re guaranteed good weather while also being able to celebrate both festivals.

Dates: Wednesday 5th – Thursday 6th November

4. Serengeti – Tanzania 

If you have ever wanted to go on an African safari, then November is one of the best months to do so, especially in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Found in East Africa, the Serengeti is one of the most famous national parks in the world, and given that it is home to around 3,000 different animal species, it’s little wonder why it is so popular to visit.

November marks the start of the rainy season, and while flooding is not a risk – the rains are generally restricted to a few showers every afternoon – the transformation on the landscape is incredible.

The dry, dusty savannahs transform into lush green grasslands, attracting thousands of zebra and wildebeest in what is known as the Great Migration, as they move south from Kenya and into the Serengeti.

And following the huge numbers of grazers are some of Africa’s most fearsome predators, including lions, leopards and cheetahs. This means that November is the best time of year in the Serengeti to witness nature at its wildest and most raw, thanks to the huge influx of predators and prey which visit the region throughout the month.

And because November marks the beginning of the rainy season, it is also one of the quietest months tourist-wise, so you can often secure a cheaper deal for a safari getaway when visiting in November.

Dates: Whole of November.

5. Vienna – Austria

As well as being one of the most gorgeous cities in Europe, the Austrian capital is home to some of the earliest Christmas markets on the continent.

And if you’re a Christmas lover, then Vienna is the place to be in November. Typically, the city’s Christmas lights and decorations go up in early November, and the world-famous Christmas Markets open this year on the 14th of November.

As such, it makes Vienna an excellent place to get your early Christmas fix, and avoid the huge crowds which arrive in December, especially from mid-December onwards.

Vienna Christmas Markets are often ranked in the top 5 in Europe and sometimes even in the world, and with around 150 stalls planned for this year’s iteration, it’s easy to see why they rank so highly.

If you want all the advantages of a Christmas market in one of Europe’s most picturesque cities without the huge crowds of tourists, then visiting Vienna’s Christmas Markets this November is a must.

Dates: Friday 14th November – Friday 26th December

6. Buenos Aires – Argentina 

November in the Argentine capital sees the arrival of summer, and as such, the good weather means lots of outdoor activities.

For football fans, November sees the final full month of the Argentine Primera División – Argentina’s top football league – often leading to exciting matches with nail-biting finishes, with the league trophy still at stake.

In addition, the Buenos Aires Pride Festival takes place during the first week of November, offering a chance and a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to celebrate, while also featuring other events such as live music, face painting, and educational talks.

Another good reason to visit Buenos Aires in November is that on the first of the month, the annual ‘La Noche de los Museos’ is held: the Night of the Museums.

While there might not be any dinosaurs or former presidents coming to life like in the Ben Stiller movie Night at the Museum, the Night of the Museums in Buenos Aires offers guests a chance to visit many of the city’s museums after dark, free of charge. This is a great way to expand your cultural knowledge, especially if you’re travelling on a budget. 

Dates: Saturday 1st – Saturday 8th November (Pride), Night of the Museums (Saturday 1st November)

7. New York City, USA

Celebrating its 101st anniversary on 27th November 2025, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is one of New York City’s most iconic events. Huge floats make their way throughout the city, accompanied by live music and dancers, for the city’s annual Thanksgiving celebrations, attracting thousands of visitors to the Big Apple.

Even if that’s not your scene, November is still a fantastic month to visit NYC. The Christmas decorations typically go up in mid-November, so you can experience festive New York City without the extra expense of visiting in December, when accommodation and flights shoot up in cost.

Furthermore, the city’s iconic Rockefeller Centre Tree is scheduled to go up on Saturday, 8th November this year, marking the beginning of the festive season in New York City.

Warm up with a visit to Katz’s Deli for a hot pastrami sandwich after a walk through a frosty Central Park, or enjoy a fresh slice of New York pizza from one of the city’s iconic eateries while seeing what else this incredible city has to offer in November.

Dates: Thursday 27th November (Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade), mid-November onwards for Christmas decorations.