November in Philadelphia means the cold has arrived for real. Daytime highs average 13°C (56°F), lows settle around 4°C (40°F), and by mid-month the sun sets before 5 PM. Fairmount Park and the Wissahickon Valley still hold a few copper and rust leaves in the first week, but the canopy is mostly bare by Thanksgiving. Temperatures can swing 8-9°C between a crisp afternoon and a raw night, and you feel every degree of it on the wind coming off the Delaware River.
Two events anchor the month. The Philadelphia Marathon, typically held on the 3rd Sunday, draws around 30,000 runners along a course through Center City and past the Art Museum. The 6ABC Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade fills the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on the 4th Thursday. It has run since 1920, which makes it 4 years older than the Macy's parade in New York. Between those weekends, the city runs at a noticeably quieter pace than October or December.
November is an indoor-leaning month. Reading Terminal Market smells like roast pork and warm pretzels, and the Amish vendors from Lancaster County sell apple butter by the jar. The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation both make for full-day visits when the wind picks up outside. South Philadelphia's Italian Market along 9th Street stays open year-round, and the espresso bars and cheese shops there feel warmer on a gray 8°C afternoon than they have any right to. If you time it right, you might catch the first holiday light installations going up along Boathouse Row in the final days of the month, each of the 15 boathouses outlined in white against the Schuylkill.
Why visit in November
- November is Philadelphia's driest month at 64mm of rainfall, well below the annual average of 97mm per month. You'll likely get more clear days than in any other season.
- Hotel rates across Center City and Old City run 20-30% below October's peak-foliage prices, and popular sites like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center have noticeably shorter lines.
- The Philadelphia Marathon on the 3rd Sunday and the Thanksgiving Day Parade on the 4th Thursday give the month two genuine large-scale events that draw energy into the city.
- Cool, dry air makes walking the compact historic core between Old City and Rittenhouse Square comfortable without the summer humidity that sits above 75%.
Worth knowing
- Sunset arrives before 5 PM by mid-November and by 4:35 PM at month's end. Outdoor sightseeing hours are limited to roughly 7 hours of good light.
- Temperatures at night regularly drop to 2-4°C (36-39°F), and wind chill along the Delaware River waterfront can push the feel below freezing.
- Most outdoor dining patios, beer gardens, and seasonal waterfront attractions are closed for the season by early November.
- The trees are bare by the 3rd week, and the city looks gray and skeletal compared to the warm golds of October.
Best for
Think twice if
November starts as cool autumn and ends as early winter. The first week might still see highs near 15°C (59°F) with a few leaves clinging to the oaks in Fairmount Park, but by Thanksgiving the air has a winter bite. Mornings hover around 4°C (40°F), and a damp wind off the Delaware River makes it feel colder. Rainfall averages 64mm across roughly 8 days, typically arriving as steady gray drizzle rather than dramatic downpours. Humidity sits around 66%, which feels comfortable compared to Philadelphia's oppressive summer readings above 75%. The occasional early-season nor'easter remains possible, though that threat is more common from December through March.
Seasonal caution
- Wind chill along the Delaware River waterfront and on exposed stretches of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway can push the perceived temperature 5-7°C below the actual reading. A 4°C morning can feel like minus 2°C with a steady northwest wind.
- Early-season nor'easters are uncommon but possible in November. These coastal storms can bring 50-75mm of rain in a single day along with sustained winds above 60 km/h (37 mph). Check forecasts a few days ahead if traveling late in the month.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5 | -3 | 86 |
| Feb | 7 | -2 | 80 |
| Mar | 13 | 2 | 122 |
| Apr | 18 | 7 | 116 |
| May | 23 | 12 | 111 |
| Jun | 29 | 18 | 79 |
| Jul | 31 | 21 | 114 |
| Aug | 30 | 20 | 106 |
| Sep | 26 | 17 | 102 |
| Oct | 20 | 11 | 80 |
| Nov | 13 | 4 | 64 |
| Dec | 8 | 0 | 99 |
Headline events
Philadelphia Marathon
3rd Sunday of November
One of the largest 26.2-mile races on the East Coast, drawing around 30,000 runners along a course that passes Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, loops through Fairmount Park, and finishes on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The associated half-marathon and 8K draw thousands more. Road closures reshape Center City traffic for the full weekend.
Best things to do in November
Walk the Philadelphia Marathon course as a spectator
outdoorThe 26.2-mile course winds from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through Center City, past Independence Hall, along the Schuylkill River, and through Fairmount Park. Spectators line the Art Museum steps and the Manayunk stretch, where the cheering gets loud enough to echo off the row houses. The energy on race morning at 7 AM, even in 5°C air, is genuine.
The Philadelphia Marathon takes place on the 3rd Sunday of November, drawing around 30,000 runners and turning Center City into an open-air event for the full weekend.Booking tipNo booking needed for spectating. SEPTA regional rail and the Broad Street Line are the easiest way in, since road closures make driving into Center City difficult on race day.
Spend a morning at Reading Terminal Market
foodThe market at 12th and Filbert Streets has operated since 1893 in the same train shed. In November the Amish vendors from Lancaster County stock shelves with apple butter, chow-chow relish, and whoopie pies. The smell of DiNic's roast pork mixes with Beiler's doughnuts and Bassetts ice cream, which has been there since 1861. You'll hear the low hum of a hundred conversations bouncing off the iron columns.
Thanksgiving prep fills the market with seasonal produce, fresh turkeys from local farms, and baked goods. The week before Thanksgiving is the busiest of the year, and the atmosphere is thick with purpose.Booking tipArrive before 9 AM on weekdays to avoid the densest crowds. Saturday mornings tend to be packed shoulder-to-shoulder by 10 AM.
Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art
cultureThe main building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway holds over 240,000 works across 200 galleries. The Impressionist rooms, the reconstructed medieval cloister, and the Japanese teahouse are the kind of spaces where you lose an hour without noticing. The building itself, opened in 1928 in Greek Revival style, looks especially dramatic against a gray November sky.
Cold, short days make indoor attractions more appealing, and November's low tourist volume means you can stand in front of a Cézanne without anyone's elbow in your ribs. The museum runs extended hours on Friday evenings.Booking tipCheck the museum's website for current admission details. Friday evenings after 5 PM often feature live music and a pay-what-you-wish admission window.
Explore the Barnes Foundation
cultureAlbert Barnes's collection of Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings sits in a purpose-built gallery on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, and 59 Matisses are hung in ensembles that Barnes arranged himself. The unconventional groupings, mixing paintings with ironwork and furniture, still feel strange and deliberate nearly a century later.
November's thin crowds mean you can study the wall ensembles at your own pace. In peak months the timed-entry slots fill days in advance. In November, same-day availability is common.Booking tipTimed-entry tickets are still required. Book online a day or two ahead to lock in your preferred time slot.
Walk the Wissahickon Valley
outdoorThe Wissahickon Gorge cuts through northwest Philadelphia for roughly 11 km, with Forbidden Drive running along the creek bed. In early November the last of the beech and oak leaves might still be clinging on, and the trail is carpeted in copper and brown. The sound of the creek over rocks is steady, and the air smells like cold water and decaying leaves. You might spot a great blue heron standing motionless in the shallows.
The canopy thins enough by mid-November that light reaches the forest floor in ways it can't in summer. Trail traffic drops off compared to October's peak-foliage weekends, and the 8-10°C temperatures are comfortable for a long walk.Booking tipNo booking required. Park at the Valley Green Inn lot off Forbidden Drive. The inn itself serves food and is a good mid-hike stop.
Tour Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center
historyIndependence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, sits on Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th. The Liberty Bell Center is a block north. In November, the ranger-led tours of Independence Hall run with smaller groups, and you can hear the floorboards creak under your feet without competing with 200 other visitors.
Summer draws over 3 million visitors annually to Independence National Historical Park. November's low season means shorter waits for timed-entry tickets and a quieter experience inside the hall.Booking tipTimed-entry tickets for Independence Hall are free but required. In November they are usually available same-day at the visitor center on 6th Street, though reserving online a day ahead is still a good idea.
Catch the 6ABC Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade
culturePhiladelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade has run since 1920 along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Floats, marching bands, and giant balloons fill the route from 20th Street to the Art Museum. The parade starts at 8:30 AM, and the crowd along the Parkway builds from 7 AM onward, bundled in coats and clutching coffee. The cold air makes the brass instruments ring sharper.
Thanksgiving falls on the 4th Thursday of November. The parade is the city's signature holiday event and one of the oldest in the country.Booking tipThe parade is free. Arrive early for a spot near Logan Square, where the floats make a turn and you get a clear view. Dress for 3-5°C morning temperatures.
What to eat in November
On menus now
Roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe
Philadelphia's signature sandwich hits differently in cold weather. The warm, slow-roasted pork piled on a seeded roll with melted sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe is the kind of meal that makes you stop minding the 8°C drizzle. Reading Terminal Market and South Philadelphia delis do some of the best versions.
Scrapple
This cornmeal-and-pork breakfast staple from the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition gets heartier cold-weather treatment at diners across South Philadelphia and Fishtown. Pan-fried until the outside is dark and crisp, served alongside eggs and toast, the texture is somewhere between polenta and sausage. It tends to divide opinion. Worth trying at least once at a neighborhood diner that has been open since before you were born.
Butternut squash soup
November is squash season across the Delaware Valley, and restaurants from Rittenhouse Square to Northern Liberties put their own versions on the menu. The soup shows up at Reading Terminal Market stalls, too, often with a swirl of cream and toasted pumpkin seeds on top. A warm bowl on a 7°C afternoon is hard to argue with.
What to drink
Fresh-pressed apple cider from Lancaster County
Pennsylvania's apple harvest wraps up in late October, and November is peak availability for fresh-pressed cider from Lancaster County orchards roughly 100 km west of the city. Vendors at Reading Terminal Market and the Clark Park Farmers Market in University City sell it by the jug. Served warm with cinnamon, it is the smell of November in Philadelphia.
Regular events in November
6ABC Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day ParadeFree
The oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the United States, running since 1920. Floats, marching bands, and performances fill the Benjamin Franklin Parkway starting at 8:30 AM on Thanksgiving morning.
4th Thursday of NovemberPhiladelphia Museum of Art Friday Night Programs
Extended evening hours at the Art Museum on Friday nights, often featuring live music, gallery talks, and a social atmosphere in the Great Stair Hall. A popular option for locals on cold November evenings.
Every Friday eveningClark Park Farmers MarketFree
This year-round Saturday market in the University City neighborhood at 43rd and Baltimore carries late-season produce, local cheeses, and fresh-baked bread. November brings the last of the local apples and the first winter squashes.
Every Saturday morningBoathouse Row holiday lights installationFree
The 15 boathouses along the Schuylkill River near the Art Museum begin their annual LED light outlines in late November. The row, visible from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, becomes one of the city's signature nighttime views through the winter.
Late November through MarchBest places this November
Reading Terminal Market
foodOperating since 1893 in a former train shed at 12th and Filbert Streets. Over 80 vendors sell everything from Amish baked goods to fresh seafood. The November pre-Thanksgiving energy fills the aisles with a warmth and urgency that's hard to find anywhere else in the city.
Center CityPhiladelphia Museum of Art
cultureThe Greek Revival building at the top of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway holds over 240,000 objects. The 80 steps out front became famous from the Rocky films, but inside the collection spans 2,000 years. November's low attendance means you can linger.
FairmountIndependence National Historical Park
historyThe park stretches across several blocks of Old City, anchored by Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center. In November the brick paths and bare sycamores give the whole area a quieter, more historic feel than the crowded summer months.
Old CityThe Barnes Foundation
cultureAlbert Barnes's private collection of 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, and 59 Matisses, arranged in personal ensembles on the gallery walls. The building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway opened in 2012, but the hanging arrangements date to Barnes's original gallery in Merion from the 1920s.
Logan SquareWissahickon Valley Park
natureAn 11 km gorge running through northwest Philadelphia, with Forbidden Drive as the main trail along the creek. Early November still shows some color in the canopy. By month's end the bare trees open up views of the rock outcrops and the creek below.
Chestnut Hill / RoxboroughSouth Philadelphia's Italian Market
foodThe open-air market along 9th Street between Christian and Wharton has operated since the 1880s. Cheese shops, butchers, and produce stands line both sides. The espresso at several of the small cafes is worth a stop when the temperature drops into single digits Celsius.
South PhiladelphiaEastern State Penitentiary
historyThis former prison at 22nd and Fairmount Avenue operated from 1829 to 1970. The crumbling cellblocks and overgrown courtyards feel especially atmospheric on a cold November afternoon, when the concrete walls hold the chill. The audio tour, narrated by Steve Buscemi, covers the history of Al Capone's cell and the prison reform movement.
FairmountRittenhouse Square
neighborhoodThe 18th-century park at the center of the Rittenhouse neighborhood, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and brownstones. November strips the trees bare but the benches still fill on sunny afternoons above 10°C. The surrounding blocks have some of the city's best dining.
Rittenhouse
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Insider tips
SEPTA's Day Independence Pass covers unlimited rides on buses, subways, and trolleys for a full day. If you're hitting sites across Center City, Old City, and South Philadelphia, it pays for itself in 3-4 rides and saves you from dealing with exact change or single tokens.
The Italian Market along 9th Street is busiest on Saturday mornings. If you want to browse the cheese shops and produce stands without the crowd, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are noticeably calmer, and most vendors are still fully stocked.
The Wissahickon Valley's Forbidden Drive is packed on weekends in October for fall foliage, but by mid-November the trail empties out. A weekday morning walk in the second or third week of the month gives you the gorge nearly to yourself.
Reading Terminal Market the week before Thanksgiving is an experience, but it's also the most crowded week of the year. If you want to eat and browse at a normal pace, go earlier in November. The Amish vendors close on Sundays and some Wednesdays.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art's Friday evening sessions tend to draw a younger, local crowd. The atmosphere feels different from a daytime tourist visit, with live music echoing in the Great Stair Hall and a more relaxed pace through the galleries.
Boathouse Row's LED lights usually go up in the last week of November. If you're in town for Thanksgiving, walk or drive along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive after dark. The 15 boathouses reflected in the Schuylkill are one of the quieter beautiful views in the city.
Avoid these mistakes
- Underdressing for the wind chill. The listed temperature might read 7°C, but the wind along the Delaware River waterfront or the Benjamin Franklin Parkway can make it feel like 0°C. Layers and a wind-blocking jacket matter more than a heavy coat.
- Planning a full outdoor itinerary. November daylight runs from about 6:45 AM to 4:45 PM by month's end, and overcast days feel shorter. Build your schedule around 2-3 outdoor stops and fill the rest with museums, markets, and restaurants.
- Expecting fall foliage. Peak color in the Philadelphia area is mid-to-late October. By the second week of November, most trees are bare. The Wissahickon Valley's oaks might hold a few brown leaves, but the vibrant reds and oranges are gone.
- Driving into Center City on marathon weekend. Road closures for the Philadelphia Marathon on the 3rd Sunday reshape traffic across Center City and along the Schuylkill. If your hotel is in the closure zone, plan to arrive Friday evening or use SEPTA.
- Skipping reservations for Thanksgiving dinner. Popular restaurants across Rittenhouse Square and Center City book their Thanksgiving seatings weeks in advance. If you're spending the holiday in the city, reserve by early November.
Practical tips for November
November in Philadelphia calls for a layering strategy and some schedule flexibility. Temperatures can range from 3°C at 7 AM to 14°C at 2 PM on the same day, so you'll be unzipping and rezipping all afternoon. Carry a compact umbrella daily since the 8 or so rainy days tend to arrive without much warning, usually as low gray drizzle that lasts a few hours. SEPTA buses and the Broad Street subway line connect most visitor areas, and the system runs frequently enough that you rarely wait more than 10-15 minutes outside of late evenings. Museum hours generally run 10 AM to 5 PM with Friday extensions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The week of Thanksgiving tightens schedules across the city: some restaurants close Thursday, and the parade reshapes traffic on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from early morning. Book any Thanksgiving-week hotel stays and dinner reservations at least 3 weeks ahead. For the rest of November, you can typically walk into most restaurants and attractions without advance planning.
FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Philadelphia?
November is a fair month for visiting. The cold is real but manageable at 4-13°C, hotel rates run 20-30% below October and December, and the major museums and historic sites operate with noticeably shorter lines. The trade-off is limited daylight, bare trees, and closed outdoor dining. If you're comfortable with cold-weather walking and indoor-focused days, the lower prices and thinner crowds make it a reasonable time to visit.
What is the weather like in Philadelphia in November?
Expect highs around 13°C (56°F) and lows near 4°C (40°F), with about 64mm of rainfall spread across 8 days. The first week can still feel like autumn, with occasional highs near 15°C, but by Thanksgiving the air has a winter edge. Wind chill along the Delaware River and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway can make it feel 5-7°C colder than the actual temperature. Humidity sits around 66%, which feels comfortable compared to the oppressive summer readings above 75%.
What should I wear in Philadelphia in November?
Warm layers are the key. A moisture-wicking base, a fleece or wool mid-layer, and a wind-resistant outer jacket cover most conditions. Bring a warm hat and gloves for mornings below 5°C, waterproof walking shoes for wet brick sidewalks in Old City, and a compact umbrella for drizzly days. You'll add and remove layers constantly as you move between heated indoor spaces and the cold outside.
Is the Philadelphia Marathon worth attending as a spectator?
The marathon on the 3rd Sunday of November draws around 30,000 runners along a route through Center City, past Independence Hall, up to the Art Museum, and through Fairmount Park. The energy along the course is genuine, with the Manayunk stretch and the Art Museum steps drawing the loudest crowds. Spectating is free, and the event gives the city a weekend-long buzz that lifts even the gray November atmosphere.
What is there to do in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving?
The 6ABC Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade fills the Benjamin Franklin Parkway starting at 8:30 AM, with floats, marching bands, and performances. It has run since 1920 and draws tens of thousands of spectators. After the parade, many restaurants in Rittenhouse Square and Center City serve Thanksgiving prix fixe meals, though reservations typically need to be made weeks in advance. The Philadelphia Museum of Art and other major museums have modified holiday hours, so check ahead.
Things to Do in Philadelphia in November
Free cancellation Philadelphia Old City Historic Walking Tour with 10+ Top Sites
City tour — 1.5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia
City tour — 1.2 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Philly By Night Double Decker Bus Tour
City tour — 1.5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Philadelphia Historical Independence Walking Tour
City tour — 1.5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Private Half Day Philadelphia Driving Tour with Local Guide
City tour — free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Yo! A Private Rocky Balboa Driving Tour of Philadelphia
City tour — 4 hours, free cancellation.
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