New York City is a hop, skip and a jump away from the Iona campus. In fact, there are many events taking place in NYC this upcoming month. Whether it’s an event singular to November, or one that occurs throughout the year, the city has a plethora of things to do, many of which are student-friendly.

Head over to the Metropolitan Pavilion on Nov. 18 and 19 for the Renegade Craft Fair. The market comprises of all small vendors selling unique food, décor and clothing. With live entertainment and over 150 vendors, students are sure to find something suited to their taste!

Already feeling the winter blues? Check out the New York Comedy Festival. It takes place from Nov. 7 to 12 at several locations showcasing countless comedians. Go to the show of someone familiar, like Nick Offerman or Conan O’Brien, or pay less to go hear some new sure-to-be favorites!

For the fashion-forward, consider the Louis Vuitton Exhibition, “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton.” The free exhibit is being housed at the American Stock Exchange, where it opened on Oct. 27. Digitally interactive, the exhibit promises to take visitors through the history of the company via its founders and current leaders.

Gaze starry-eyed at Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” Every Friday from 4-8 p.m., the Museum of Modern Art hosts “UNIQLO Free Fridays Nights,” where visitors can visit any exhibit free of admission. To avoid the crowds, the MoMA suggests arriving after 6 p.m. The event acts as a great, budget-friendly way to check off one more thing in NYC that students maybe never got around to visit.

On a similar note, most NYC museums offer a donation-based entry. For a dollar or two, go visit The Cloisters, where the Met houses many of its medieval pieces. The same price can also give students entry to the American Museum of Natural History, where they can see the Titanosaur, one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered. The massive creature grazes 19-foot ceilings, and even with a curled tail, pokes his head out of the room. The skeleton was new to the museum as of January last year, and is definitely worth a visit. Also free on Friday nights from 4 to 8 is the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. The museum houses an impressive amount of attractions, with current exhibits including “Behind the Screen,” “The Jim Henson Experience” and the “GIF Elevator.” Its temporary exhibit, “Video Arcade,” is set to close in January.

In the eyes of many, as soon as the clock strikes 12 a.m. on Nov. 1, the holiday season begins. In the words of the McElroy’s, “we’re on that Christmas Creep.” New York City is no stranger to the holiday season, with tourists flocking in to see the city lights in the snow.

While Christmas in Manhattan is famous for the Rockefeller Center Tree, The Radio City Musical Hall Christmas Spectacular and window displays, NYC has plenty more to offer.

The annual winter village at Bryant Park opened on Oct. 28, housing an ice skating rink, café and holiday market. The rink, sponsored annually by Bank of America, is free for skaters with their own skates, and $20 to rent skates. It opens at a bright and early 8 a.m. and doesn’t close until 10 p.m., so it’s sure to fit somewhere in the day. The market, while pricy, is nice to walk through, as many vendors sell unique, beautiful or strange fare.

Need to warm up after a marathon skate or walk through the market? Head up to the observation deck on the second floor of the rink. Look out over the festivities while playing one of the board games they have available, or sip on the hot cocoa available outside. If Bryant Park is too crowded, some prefer the holiday market down in Union Square. It gets less tourists than Bryant Park, but has just as much to offer.

So, whether you’re a holiday purist and don’t feel the cheer until after Thanksgiving, or someone that’s been ready for the season since July, there’s sure to be something for everyone just a Metro-North ride away.