New York City rocks year-round. There are things happening 24/7. The theater, the restaurants, the art galleries, the clubs, both legitimate and underground, sightseeing, people watching, the list goes on and on. NYC is also big on festivals and events. Always has been, probably always will be. Here’s a breakdown of some of New York’s most popular events, month by month.
January
It may be cold outside, but it’s hot in midtown Manhattan at the world famous Radio City Hall as the Chinese New Year Global Gala kicks off. Antique hunters can also head to Antiques at the Piers, an event that showcases European and American furniture, silver, glassware and artwork.
February
Why not celebrate Valentine’s Day by ice skating at Rockefeller Center? Then you can snuggle up as you take a horse-drawn Hansom Cab through Central Park.
March
It’s still a bit chilly in March, but you can warm up on March 17 in a crowded Irish pub, as New Yorkers of all stripes enthusiastically celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
april
As a kid, I always loved going to the New York International Auto Show at Madison Square Garden where I got to see Detroit’s newest steel, fanciest foreign cars, concept cars, and custom vehicles. It’s still happening, but now it’s taking place at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
There’s also The Big Swim on Manhattan’s Asphalt Green this month. The race is in a 50-meter pool and more than 1,000 children, from six to sixteen years old, participate.
May
The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival is a cornucopia of culinary delights. You can try it all at this street fair on the west side of Manhattan.
June
Spring is beautiful in New York City. It is a good time to shake off the evils of winter and start enjoying the outdoors. Whether you’re a kid or an adult who wants to learn to skate, you can do so at Camp Rollerblade, where you’ll receive two days of in-line skating instruction.
July
New York celebrates the 4th of July with a traditional fireworks display at Macy’s as large ships sail down the Hudson River. It’s a stunning sight and reminiscent of what New York might have looked like centuries ago.
August
The biggest of New York’s events in August is the US Open Tennis Championships at Arthur Ashe Stadium, located in Flushing Meadows Park, and Louis Armstrong Stadium (on the site of the New York World’s Fair in 1964). If you can’t attend in person, this event is televised around the world.
This is also the month of the New York International Fringe Festival with performances in musicals, dance, theater and comedy.
September
September is the month of the Katherine Hepburn Garden Festival, with ethnic food, antiques and jewelry, as well as crafts for sale.
october
If you want to see established professionals as well as budding comedians from around the world, you need to visit the New York Underground Comedy Festival. It takes place for seven nights in October and is in various locations around the city.
November
The biggest event of one of the biggest holidays of the year is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is the longest running show on Broadway and is the place to see the world’s best floats and marching bands.
December
What would New Year’s Eve be without the world’s biggest street party in Times Square? If you like crowds and a good time, you can join the revelers at one of New York City’s most popular events as they count down to midnight and watch the famous ball drop to ring in the New Year.