EVENTS, FESTIVALS, AND ACTIVITIES IN NEW YORK

 

Being the city that doesn't sleep, New York City is chock-full of events and festivals.  Enjoy our exciting city atmosphere and beautiful four-seasons weather, while you participate in one of the great activities below:

 

January

  • Three Kings Day Parade: Enjoy a Latin-American style parade where men are dressed as kings and camels, sheeps, and donkeys parade throughout Spanish Harlem. (early January)
  • Outsider Art Fair: Held at The Mart on West 34th Street, this is an annual art gallery showing. (early January)(www.sanfordsmith.com/outsider_info.html)
  • New York Guitar Festival: An annual festival held throughout the city that features performances from world-famous guitarists. (mid-January - early February) (www.newyorkguitarfestival.org)
  • Chinese New Year Celebrations: Held on Mott Street of Chinatown and Flushing, enjoy parades, firecrackers, and festivals while New York's Chinese population celebrate a new year. (late January - mid-February)

 

February

  • Empire State Building Run Up Foot Race: Sponsored by the New York Road Runners Club, contenders race up the landmark where our school is located. (mid-February)

 

March

  • Elephant Walk: At midnight, the elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Circus parade through New York City to Madison Square Garden. (mid-March)
  • St. Patrick's Day Parade: Starting at 5th Ave and 44th Stm enjoy shamrocks, Irish beer, and lots of green while people celebrate this traditional Irish holiday. (mid-March)  (www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/nyc/newyorkcity.htm)
  • Easter Bonnet Festival and Easter Parade: Held along Fifth Ave. from 49th to 57th Streets, enjoy looking at costumed pets and people in Easter bonnets on the streets of New York. (late March)

 

April

  • Earth Day: Held in Central Park and affiliated with The Green Apple Music & Arts Festival, this is a day of music, tree planting, and nature-friendly demonstrations.  Enjoy learning about earth in a laidback, fun environment. (late April) (www.earthdayny.org)
  • Tribeca Film Festival: Organized by the Tribeca Film Institute in lower Manhattan, this major film industry event features famous actors and fantastic films. (late April - early May) (www.tribecafilm.com/festival)

 

May

  • River to River Festival: Held in Battery Park, City Hall, and downtown New York, this is the biggest arts festival with everything from music shows to art galleries. (May - September) (www.rivertorivernyc.com)
  • Ukranian Festival: On E 7th St between 2nd and 3rd Aves, this festival features marvelous Ukranian costumes, folk music and dance, and authentic food. (mid-May) 
  • Fleet Week: Located at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, welcome our sailors in this annual festival. (Last week of May) (www.mustseenewyork.com/fleetweek.html)

 

June

  • Museum Mile Festival: On 5th Ave, from 82nd St to 105th St, 9 of our most famous museums are free from 6-9pm.  Also features live music and activities for kids. (early June) (www.museummilefestival.org)
  • SummerStage: Enjoy free performances by international musicians and big name benefit shows in Central Park. (June - August) (www.summerstage.org)

 

July

  • Independence Day: Celebrate America's birthday with the entire city and watch fireworks from various locations such as Macy's, South Street Seaport, and over the East River. (July 4th)
  • All-Star Fanfest: Watch New York's most popular sport, baseball, in Yankee Stadium.  These are great spectator events that feature baseball's star players. (early July)
  • Summer Restaurant Week: Dine at the trendiest and most popular restaurants in NYC for $35 and under. (late July - early August)

 

August

  • New York International Fringe Festival: A large multi-art festival held in over 20 venues throughout New York.  This is a great way to see old favourites, as well as, up-and-coming performers. (August) (www.fringenyc.org)
  • Harlem Month: A month-long celebration of African, Carribean, and Latin culture. Festivities include a fashion parade, a festival, a Black Film Festival, and the Taste of Harlem. (August)

 

September

  • Feast of San Gennaro: An exciting street festival held along Mulberry St. in honor of the patron saint of Naples.  The saint's statue is carried along the street with dollar bill donations pinned to its cloak. (mid-September) (www.sangennaro.org)
  • New York Film Festival: Held in the Lincoln Center, this festival features films from both acclaimed filmmakers and newcomers. (late September) (www.filmlinc.com/nyff/nyff.html)

 

October

  • Columbus Day Parade: Starting on Fifth Ave at 44th St and ending at ending at 79th St, join Americans as they celebrate the day Columbus discovered America. (2nd week of October) (www.columbusdayparade.org)
  • New York's Village's Hallowe'en Parade: Starting late at night, celebrate ghoulish festivities and great music with costumed people in New York's Greenwich Village. (October 31st) (www.halloween-nyc.com/index.php)

 

November

  • New York's City Marathon: Come view or participate in the world's largest marathon with other international competitors. (first Sunday)(www.nycmarathon.org/home/index.php)
  • Chocolate Show: Enjoy delicious chocolate and great fashion at this world-wide event.  Held at Pier 94. (early November) (www.chocolateshow.com)
  • Comedy Festival: Held in venues thoughout New York, enjoy laughs and jokes with both veteran and amateur comediens. (early November) (www.nycomedyfestival.com)
  • Thanksgiving Day Parade: Hosted by Macy's, this popular parade travels down to Central Park West and ends in Herald Sqaure. (late November) (www.macysparade.com)
  • Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting:  Enjoy the beauty and magic of Christmas with the beautiful tree lighting event. (late November)

 

December

  • Holiday Window Displays: Enjoy gorgeous holiday window displays from big-name department stores such as Bloomingdales, Macy's, Saks Fifth Ave, and more. (December)
  • Chanukah Celebrations: During the 8 nights of this holiday, a menorah lighting ceremony takes place at Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. (late December) 
  • New Year's Eve in Times Square: Join the masses at Times Square for the world-famous New Year's Eve party. (December 31st) (www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye.html)