New York Annual Events
January
Pre-Lunar New Year Gala & Flower Market
Every year January brings a week-long gala to Roosevelt Park! This event sprinkles Lower Manhattan with a cultural opportunity to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. Open to the public, free admission and activities for all ages.
Lunar New Year Flower Market
This event is geared toward families, the Chinatown Lunar New Year Flower Market features flowers, art, and performances too! This event is an expression of Chinese Culture! The market is located on Mulberry Street, between Bayard and Worth streets.
Chinese New Year Global Gala
Every year at Radio City Music Hall, this venue comes alive with an international event celebrating the Chinese New Year. The event is an authentic showcase of Chinese culture and arts.
Antiques @ The Piers
If you love a good walk perusing Antiques of all genres, this is for you! Every year in January is the highlight of the midwinter antiques season. The event “Antiques @ The Piers” includes everyday items and decor of both American and European origins, with precious works of art, silver, glass and more.
Antiques @ The Armory
Another antique event! This event is produced alongside the Winter Antiques Show and Americana auctions. Highlights include European and American quilts, jewelry, textiles, silver, porcelain, paintings, prints, sculpture and other items from the 17th through 20th century.
New York Antiques & Fine Art Fair
Antiques to the third power! This is an eclectic exhibition that takes place at the Armory Park Avenue and 67th Street, and on display are pieces from ancient times through 20th century items. This event has American, Asian, and English works that include furniture, paintings, ceramics, sculpture, maps and posters along with antique estate jewelry and accessories.
New York National Boat Show
Luxury motor yachts, performance boats and other craft, along with accessories and marine equipment fill the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center at 35th Street & 11th Avenue, New York City.
Winter Antiques Show
Come out and see the many exhibitors showing their best in American, Asian, English and European fine and decorative arts collections. This event is usually held at the Seventh Regiment Armory.
February
Chinese New Year
Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown! Every year on Manhattan’s lower east side, people from all over celebrate the Chinese New Year with 10 days of festivities. The event features parades with dragons dancers and elaborate costumes.
Westminster Kennel Club Show
This show is one the nation’s oldest continuous sporting events! The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is typically held at Madison Square Garden and features over 2000 dogs and hundreds of championship breeds; all of them competing for “Best in Show.”
Annual NY Toy Expo and Cultural Festival
This is an event for children of all ages! Every year the Ethical Cultural Society puts on a show of toys and cultural displays. Just a few steps across from Central Park (near the Lincoln Center), the expo showcases some limited edition dolls and also has teddy bears for sale. Also on display are toy ideas from New York City public school students who enter the show’s “Toy Invention” Contest.
Love n’ Courage Benefit
This is an event that benefits the Theater for the New City’s Emerging Playwrights Program and the Regional Theater of New Orleans. This is an evening of champagne, supper, performance, and dancing. You’ll also find yourself doing some people-watching, as celebrity appearances are the norm here.
Freestyle Friday Competition
This is an Arts and Dance competition. Every year Ithaca College promotes its annual “Freestyle Friday” competition for dance and other expressive arts on campus for students and locals too.
International Art Expo
This expo of the arts features art in many mediums! You’ll find paintings, print media, sculpture, photography, and more. The event is held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and the focus is to bring together art dealers, retail galleries, interior designers, publishers, private collectors and other professionals to drive commerce in art.
March
South Street Seaport Irish Stroll
If you’re hair is red and you adorn yourself in green, then you could be Irish, and you might like this event! South Street Seaport, Pier 7, is the scene for this annual New York tradition, with food, drink, and festivities celebrating St. Patty’s Day.
Fantasy Express
This event is a benefit event to drive donations for the Lenox Hill Hospital Neonatal Critical Care Unit and Department of Pediatrics. The Fantasy Express is a day of entertaining children, parents and grandparents, Toy give-aways, face painting, magicians and other street fair attractions. Each year there are themes to participate, and the fun keeps coming year after year.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Celebrate St. Patty with your friends and family! This world-famous parade starts at 11am, and goes on for a great time. The parade route typically goes along 5th Avenue, from 44th to 86th streets. Wear your green and come out and celebrate!
April
Easter Parade
The Easter Bunny is coming! Every year the annual Easter Parade in New York happens on Fifth Avenue, and provides a showcase of Easter spirit! Costumes and outfits range from elegant to outlandish.
International Auto Show in New York
If you like to see the latest in cars and trucks (and everything in between), you’ll really like the Auto Show! Held annually At the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, this week-long show includes automobile “concept cars” that may not ever be produced, as well as consumer models. Some even have only 3 wheels!
The Big Swim
More than 1,000 children from 6 to 16 compete in the decade old Big Swim day of free races in a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool at Manhattan’s Asphalt Green. Kids are met at the finish line by Olympians and all participants take home a medal, photo, other goodies, plus all-important memories.
National Tartan Day
On National Tartan Day, pipers and drummers march down Sixth Avenue in the Tunes of Glory Parade to support the fight against cancer.
May
Great Five Boro Bike Tour
As the nation’s largest cycling event, the Great Five Boro Bike Tour attracts some 30,000 competitors to weave through the five boroughs on a 42-mile course.
Ninth Avenue International Food Festival
May transforms portions of Ninth Avenue from 37th to 5th street into one of New York’s best street fairs. Food from all over the world are available to sample for nominal prices. This is a “Tastes”event where you can try unique and delicious foods from just about any corner of the globe.
Artists for the African Rainforest
Celebrating a night for artists as well as Africa, this $500 per person fundraiser benefits men, women, and children of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Awards to activists are also announced. Aside from the cultural aspects of this event, the charity component makes this a worthwhile event to attend.
Spring Dachshund Festival
Every May, Washington Square Park hosts a party for Dachshunds and their owners, sponsored by the Dachshund Friendship Club. This is a great event for this special group of dog owners, whom all share a bond with these lovable little dogs. Learn more at http://www.dachshundfriendshipclub.com
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
For more than 70 years, the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit has featured some 250 artists in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village.
June
The Belmont Stakes
As a Triple Crown jewel to accompany the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Belmont Stakes action takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, Long Island.
JVC Jazz Festival
This festival runs from June into early July, and it’s a celebration of Jazz. Musicians and jazz greats come to NY to play the blue note at venues including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Beacon Theater and Town Hall.
Puerto Rican Day Parade
Viva Puerto Rico! With Latinos making up a large portion of New York City’s population, Puerto Rican’s are the city’s largest group of Latinos. The Puerto Rican Day Parade, held usually on the 2nd Sunday in June, attracts about three million spectators. This celebration is full of food and drink and dancing everywhere. The parade route heads down Fifth Avenue between 44th and 85th streets, with entertainers, politicians and celebrities!
State Fair Meadowlands
As New Jersey’s largest event, State Fair Meadowlands at Giants Stadium Fairgrounds in East Rutherford runs for three weeks with non-stop family entertainment including what’s billed as the World’s Largest Carnival Midway, with more than 75 rides.
JuneFest
JuneFest features hot concerts and art exhibits on Staten Island to kick off the summer season. Varied venues include the Greenbelt Nature Center, Richmond town Library and the Conference House.
Camp Rollerblade
Welcome to the sport of inline skating (rollerblading)! Camp Rollerblade is a two-day camp to teach adults and families to inline skate. No experience necessary. Central Park.
Lesbian and Gay Pride March
The LGBT community celebrates with pride every year with this parade and related festivities. There are parties, fireworks and other events that are designed to raise awareness for lesbian and gay social issues as part of week-long festivities.
Long Island Motorcycle Fair
If you like two and three-wheelers and the sounds of a motorcycle engine revving, this event is for you. Every year at the famed Riverhead Raceway (in June and September), the Long Island Motorcycle Fair is complete with bike shows, food, entertainment, and motorcycle accessory vendors. This is a great motorcycle weekend event! getaway. There are contests for bike wheelies, and more. The contests end with trophies and cash prizes for participants and enthusiasts. Click Here to Learn More.
Metropolitan Opera in the Parks
Open to the public – This annual event is a great entry-level introduction to opera as a form of the arts! Performances start after sunset (typically at 8pm), to get good seats close to the stage you’ll want to get seated at least an hour prior to show start time. Read more at http://www.metoperafamily.org
Shakespeare in the Park
The Delacorte Theater in Central Park presents free performances under the stars with avid Shakespeare fans lining up hours in advance for tickets.
Throgs Neck Sweden Day
In Throgs Neck, this festival of the summer solstice features the raising of the maypole, food, music, folk dancing, kids games and prizes.
Sweden Day
At Manhem Beach Club in the Bronx, Sweden Day (going strong since 1941) hails the summer solstice with raising of the maypole (“majstang”), dancing, food and camaraderie.
July
New York City Tap Festival
For nine days, tap classes offered for kids, teens and adults, followed by evening performances by tap dance legends, ensembles and up-and-coming hoofers.
July Fourth
On July 4, New York City activities include tall ships sailing up the Hudson River and a Macy’s fireworks extravaganza over the East River. There are celebrations everywhere, and you can feel the festive vibe at every corner of the city.
Lincoln Center Festival
The Lincoln Center presents an array of dance, theater, music, opera and circus performances from around the world.
Mostly Mozart
Mostly Mozart showcases classical music as well as works by Beethoven, Schubert and others.
Asian American International Film Festival
Known to many as the “First Home to Asian American Cinema,” AAIFF’s awards emerging filmmakers for short films and documentaries focused on relevant Asian topics. Film Buffs and moviegoers alike can really enjoy these new media creations.
International Dance Festival
Benefitting the Summer Performance Lab Scholarship Program & See Dance Program, the festival features performances by the Assembly Dance Theater of Taiwan, Johann Bjorvission Dance Co. of Iceland, Nina Buisson Contemporary Move, Synthesis Dance Project, and more.
Midsummer Night’s Swing
The Lincoln Center hosts an annual outdoor dance party! People move and shake to all kinds of sounds! This multicultural event features the sounds of swing, salsa and tango.
August
Harlem Week
Concerts, poetry readings, kid activities, sporting events, fashion shows and more celebrate historic Harlem culture.
Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors
This month-long free international summer festival includes interactive workshops for kids and families.
Leather & Lace Poker Run
In East Syracuse, the Leather & Lace MC Charity Poker Run at Trappers Pizza & Pub includes food, drinks, prizes, a scenic ride, and more, rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the Charity for Children, supporting medical treatment for youngsters in central New York.
Wilkil Art Summer Series
The Curb Art Space on West 34th Street provides an evening of art, music, wine and painting with some of the coolest people around, affording opportunity for signature socks and a socko good time.
New York International Fringe Festival
This annual event caters to the “Fringe” element in society, and everyone else who enjoys an unconventional good time. If you care to take a walk on the wild side, this might be for you. Typically locate in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, local venues participate and take part in the fun. The festival features food, musicals, dance, theatre, and comedy.
U.S. Open Tennis
The U.S. Open is the final Grand Slam event of the season, drawing top competitors for singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
September
Big Apple Performing Arts Festival
For nearly a quarter century, the New York City gay men’s chorus and others have created a carnival performing arts setting along Seventh Avenue.
Feast of San Gennaro
This Italian street festival honors the patron saint of Naples, with carnival rides, food, floats and music.
Katherine Hepburn Garden Festival
More than 500 ethnic foods, art, craft, antique and jewelry exhibitors create a midway along Second Avenue.
African American Day Parade
Participants and onlookers gather in Manhattan on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard from 111th to 142nd Street.
Imagine Peace Festival
At the World Peace Sanctuary off Route 22 near Amenia, the World Peace Festival celebrates with a concert, flag display, entertainment, keynote speakers and an international food court.
A Taste of New York
A Taste of New York is a food festival and event featuring savory and sweet bites from a variety of local and national restaurants. Cooking demonstrations are held on site, as well as the opportunity to speak with award-winning chefs and restauranteurs. Tasting coupons are sold for entry, which allow visitors to sample dishes at all the participating restaurant booths.
West Indian-American Day Parade (WIADCA)
WIADCA is the largest Parade and Carnival in the New York City. The focus is to promote Caribbean arts and culture in the New York Metropolitan Area. Carnival is a euphoric experience that is enjoyed by all; filled with music, island food, and festive costumes. Learn More at http://www.wiadca.com
Long Island Motorcycle Fair
At the famed Riverhead Raceway, in June and again in September, the Long Island Motorcycle Fair brims with entertainment, bike shows, and vendors to create the ultimate motorcycle weekend getaway. East End Stunt Challenge contests include the longest and slowest wheelies, stoppies, quads, and more, with a trophy and cash prizes.
Escape New York
Escape New York, starting and ending in Manhattan by Grant’s Tomb, is open to all, with three supported routes through Rockland and Bergen counties. Snacks and drinks are provided, with giveaways and raffle prizes. Profits go to Recycle-a-Bicycle, a 501c3 charity teaching inner-city youth about cycling and recycling.
New York Film Festival
This 17-day festival showcases new cinematic works from around the world.
Wigstock
New York City’s legendary dragstravaganza on Pier 54 features a show, wigs and drag, drag, drag.
Pagan Pride Day
This Buffalo / Niagara Falls Metro Pagan Pride Day in Blasdell Fireman’s Park celebrates religious freedom and diversity with ceremonies, kids’ activities, raffles, entertainment and more. Admission is a non-perishable food or clothing donation, cat / dog food, pet care item or money for the Niagara County SPCA, the Food Bank of WNY and VIVE Inc.
October
Columbus Day Festival
Lower Broadway celebrates Columbus Day with cultural and corporate displays to go with food and live entertainment.
Independent Feature Film Market
The Angelika Film Center screens new American independent films, while hosting workshops and seminars.
NYC Underground Comedy Festival
As a showcase for emerging and established comedians of the world, NYC’s Underground Comedy Festival features more than 350 laugh artists over seven nights at assorted venues including The Bitter End, with free shows at the New York Public Library and most branches.
NYC Oktoberfest
More than 500 ethnic food, art, craft, and other exhibitors create an Oktoberfest midway along Lexington Avenue.
Pagan Pride Day Harvest Celebration
Held at Battery Park, various charities benefit from this celebration dedicated to eliminating prejudice and religious discrimination through education, activism, charity and community.
International Vintage Poster Fair
Sponsored by Wine Spectator, the International Vintage Poster Fair at the Metropolitan Pavilion features 25 exhibitors from the U.S. and Europe with thousands of posters for sale date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Master artists include Toulouse-Lautrec and Otto Baumberger.
Greater New York Wine & Food Expo
At the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, the Greater New York Wine & Food Expo celebrates the finer things in life in affluent, historic Westchester County. Featured are a Grand Tasting Tent showcasing more than 250 wineries, tasting seminars with experts such as Mark Oldman, and celebrity chef demonstrations.
Dachshund Oktoberfest
Every October, Washington Square Park hosts a party for Dachshunds and their owners, sponsored by the Dachshund Friendship Club.
Tibetan Festival
Food, crafts and a puppet show star at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art on Staten Island.
Union Square Autumn Fair
More than 200 American and international merchants, restaurants and others celebrate along Park Avenue.
Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island provides a rural setting within New York City for the decade-old annual Bluegrass Festival, featuring top musical entertainment.
Dewey’s Halloween Costume Party
Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory at Dewey’s Flatiron Bar & Lounge (on Fifth Avenue between 25th and 26th streets) where there’s a discount with mention of EventGuide to go with 2-for-1 drinks and plenty of ghoulish fun.
November
Lighting at Rockefeller Center
The city’s holiday season kicks off with Rockefeller Center’s annual tree lighting and ice skating show.
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
At the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, N.J., Sugarloaf Crafts Festival features some 300 craft designers and artists displaying and selling a mix of quality contemporary crafts as well as sculptures, paintings, prints, and other fine art. Festival-goers also find home accessories, garden accents, custom clothing and jewelry.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Times Square provides an excellent view of this spectacular parade, known for elaborate floats and marching bands.
Madison Avenue Holiday Expo
Madison Avenue comes alive as exhibitors create a balloon archway leading to arts, collectibles and fashion musts.
New York Comedy Festival
This five-day event festival of laughs features more than 50 stand-up comedians at venues throughout the city.
Holiday Boutique / Craft Show
St. Anthony of Padua School stages a huge holiday boutique attracting thousands of spectators looking to get into the holiday spirit.
Chocolate Show
Chocolatiers show their tasteful artistry amid live music from chocolate-producing countries at the Metropolitan Pavilion.
December
Kwanza Festival
African food, culture and traditions in gift-giving unfold at the Jacob J. Javitz Convention Center.
Jingle Jam
For well more than a decade, Deweys Flatiron Bar & Lounge has been the scene for Jingle Jam, garnering ink in both the New York Post and New York Daily News as an event to get into the holiday swing with 2-for-1 drinks, hip hop, rock and ’80s favorites.
Times Square New Year’s Eve
Crowds gather early in the day for the thrill of watching the Times Square ball drop at the stroke of midnight.
Polar Bear Christmas
On weekends, Central Park Zoo polar bears are on the take, opening gift-wrapped turkeys and other yule treats.
Matzo Ball
From a humble start in a Boston bar, Matzo Ball bashes in more than a dozen cities including San Francisco and Washington D.C. have arrived at the Manhattan Mission as a holiday party for Jewish singles on the night before Christmas.
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*GoNYCTours makes the effort to update this page on a regular basis to attempt to publish accurate information to our readers. We also endeavor to list contact information and links to the organization(s) that are involved, so that more information can be found. Because these are individual groups and organizations outside of our control, we recognize that the events and details will change often throughout the year; therefore GoNYCTours cannot guarantee the content is 100% accurate. Please contact us with any changes or corrections, and to add events to this list too! We appreciate your support and understanding.
