Welcome, listeners, to Things to Do in New York City with your globe-trotting, fun-loving host, Oly Bennet! Today’s date is Thursday, November 13th, 2025, and let me tell you—the city feels extra electric right now. The autumn air’s just crisp enough for cozy scarves, and New Yorkers are buzzing with that pre-holiday excitement that only this town can pull off. Whether you’re here to sightsee, scarf a bagel, or find yourself in the middle of some gloriously wacky event, NYC this week is basically a pinball machine set to ‘tilt.’

What’s setting the tone today? Mother Nature’s dialed in that golden November light—perfect for those classic Central Park strolls and cityscape selfies. But if you’re allergic to FOMO, brace yourself, because NYC is unleashing a buffet of events catering to every flavor of fun.

Let’s kick things off with jaw-dropping live action: PacSun is kicking off a UFC-themed bash in Soho from 11 AM to 1 PM, hosting a live podcast and a meet and greet with UFC champ Alex Pereira. The first 30 folks in line score their own personal ‘Octagon’ experience and, rumor has it, exclusive claw machine prizes. If you hear someone giggling madly, it’s probably me in line, seeing if I can snag a free glove.

Not far away, the Shops at Columbus Circle transform into a winter wonderland with their Holiday Under the Stars installation, boasting 44 glowing stars and 300,000 lights, all choreographed to music from 5PM onwards. And at 5PM sharp, Broadway Under the Stars lights up the second-floor stage with free performances from cast members of hits like Moulin Rouge!, The Lion King, and The Book of Mormon. Singing in the stars—literally!

Laughs are mandatory in NYC, and tonight’s New York Comedy Festival event, The Basement Yard, lands at Madison Square Garden at 8PM. Expect epic stories, NYC in-jokes, and a crowd that knows how to roar. For the musically minded, English singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf stages an intimate 8PM show at Adler Hall—expect indie anthems, dreamy vibes, and a crowd of artistic souls in ironic sweaters.

Craving hands-on culture? There’s a free rock musical with Broadway cast and crew happening at 7PM—details courtesy of Club Free Time, who are always on the hunt for wallet-friendly adventure. Prefer box office bonanzas? Disney on Ice: Frozen & Encanto skates in with magical performances that’ll make both kids and adults gasp and giggle.

Now for some local flavor: The Waldorf Astoria is running a free guided tour of its Guerlain Shalimar Exhibition through November 20th—a sensorial, scent-inspired journey through New York’s century of glitz and glam. Looking ahead, the Poshmark Holiday Café in the West Village woos shoppers today until 5PM with exclusive sips and thrifty chic.

On the city scoop front, several subway lines have just upgraded their contactless payment readers—tap and go is now easier than ever, so those MetroCard woes might finally be coming to an end. Tonight, several blocks in Midtown light up for film shoots, so keep your eyes peeled for some accidental movie magic.

What to do today? Embrace the season with a Central Park leaf-crunching walk, then swing by a hidden gem like the City Reliquary in Williamsburg for quirky NYC artifacts fit for my kind of sports nut. Or grab a hot chocolate and just people-watch in Bryant Park, where the ice rink is already attracting Olympians in-training and first-date disasters.

Oly’s local tip: If you need a bathroom break, dash into a hotel lobby—they’re usually plush, well-kept, and far less stressful than public restrooms. You heard it here first.

And for tomorrow? Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular returns with the Rockettes kicking things into holiday gear, a Times Square dinner-and-dance show turns the clock back to the 1940s, and—if you’re feeling brave—there’s a marathon of PAC-MAN at an arcade pop-up! Stay tuned for the full scoop on...