New York City Events

Welcome to our annual event guide for New York City! New York is a vibrant city year-round, with an endless variety of events and celebrations.

Events are constantly taking place, being rescheduled, and are even cancelled from time to time, so it is important that you call to verify the event with the event's organizers, or the New York City Convention & Visitor's Bureau.

JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC

January

New York National Boat Show
The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center hosts this annual boat show that features luxury motor yachts, personal water craft, performance boats, sportfishers, marine accessories, apparel and more. Call (212) 922-1212 for more information.

Winter Antiques Show taking place at the 26th Street Armory
Browse and find great buys at this snowy show that offers affordable collectibles during the first weekend of Winter. A courtesy shuttle runs back and forth between this show and the one at the 7th Regiment Armory. Call (212) 255-0020 for more information.

Winter Antiques Show Seventh Regiment Armory
New York's most prestigious antique show displays a diverse range of American, English, European, and Asian fine and decorative arts. Call (718) 292-73922 for more information.

February

Chinese New Year
Based on the lunar calendar, Chinatown celebrates its own New Year with ten days of festivities featuring parades with dragon and lion dancers and elaborate costumes. Call (212) 484-1222 for more information.

Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show
The world's premier dog show. Where approximately thirty thousand dog lovers from across the world gather at Madison Square Garden to watch 2,500 canines compete in this historic event for the Best in Show trophy. Call (800) 455-3647 for more information.

March

Ringling Brothers And Barnum Bailey Circus
"Ladies and gentleman, children of all ages . . . ." In late March and early April, the Greatest Show on Earth comes to town. Schedules are set approximately three months in advance. Call (212) 465-6741 for this year's dates.

Manhattan Antiques Triple Pier Expo
New York's largest antiques show extends over two consecutive weekends. More than 600 dealers each weekend display their wares and treasures, along the Hudson River between 48th and 51st streets at Piers 88, 90,and 92. Admission is $12.00 Call (212) 255-0020 for more information.

St. Patrick's Day Parade
Come celebrate on March 17, along Fifth Avenue, from 44th to 86th streets. This world famous parade starts at 11 a.m. Call (212) 484-1222 for more information.

April

The Easter Parade
This world-famous parade begins Easter Sunday (April 23rd) from 10:30am to 3pm. Call (212) 484-1222 for more information.

New York International Auto Show
This event takes place for a week in early or mid-April at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and is billed as the largest auto show in the U.S. In addition to vehicles you'll see on the street and may even purchase yourself, the show include "concept cars" that will never make it off the assembly line. Call (800) 282-3336 or (212) 216-2000.

May

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival
Sometime in mid-May there will be music in the streets while you enyoy the eats and the festival atmosphere at one of the New York's best street fairs. The festival takes place along Ninth Avenue from 37th to 57th streets. Call (212) 581-7217 for more information.

The Great Five Boro Bike Tour
This is the largest cycling event in the United States, attracting as many as 30,000 cyclists from all over the world. The race takes place on May 7th and stretches over 42 miles weaving through the five boroughs. The race begins at Battery Park in Manhattan and ends at Fort Wadsworth Naval Station on Staten Island. For more information or to register, call (212) 932-0778 to register.

Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
In its 70th year, this event which takes place May 27-29 and June 3-5, features the wonderful works of 250 artists on display in and around Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. Call (212) 982-6255 for more information.

June

JVC Jazz Festival
During late June and early July, you will find jazz greats playing sites like Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Beacon Theater, and Town Hall. Call (212) 501-1390 for more information.

The Belmont Stakes
To take the Triple Crown, The Belmont Stakes cannot be forgotten. This event, which takes place in early June, is held at the Belmont Park Race Track in Elmont, Long Island. Call (516) 667-5055 or (718) 641-4700 for more information.

Metropolitan Opera in the Parks
During much of June and July, the city parks offer free evening performances. Call (212) 362-6000.

Shakespeare in the Park
In June and July, the Delacorte Theater in Central Park presents free performances under the stars. Visiting performers have included Patrick Stewart (The Tempest) and Andre Braugher (Henry V). But for obvious reasons, the wait is long as people line up hours in advance for (2) tickets. Call (212) 539-8750 or (212) 539-8500 for more information.

Lesbian and Gay Pride March
This mid to late June weeklong event, which includes parties, fundraisers,and events designed to heighten awareness, is highlighted with a parade commemorating the Stonewall Riot of June 27, 1969, which marks the beginning of the gay liberation movement. There will be bands, floats and fireworks, on upper Fifth around 52nd Street where the march will begin and then continue into the Village. Call (212) 807-7433 for more information.

July

America's Independence Day - July Fourth
Much to see on America's birthday - the tall ships sailing up the Hudson River and Macy's fireworks extravaganza over the East River. Call (212) 484-1222 for more information.

Midsummer Nights Swing
Gather at Lincoln Center's Josie Robertson Plaza to participate in this outdoor dance party for beginners to experts. Move your feet to the sounds from big band swing, salsa, and tango performed by the world's leading dance bands. Call (212) 875-5766 for more information.

Mostly Mozart
This event showcases the greatest classical music virtuosi performing the works of Wolfgang Amadeus as well as Beethoven, Schubert, Baroque Masters and more. Call (212) 875-5103 for more information.

Lincoln Centers Festival
Every summer, this festival features a wide array of dance, theater, music, opera, and circus performances from around the world. Call (212) 546-2656 for more information.

August

US Open Tennis Championship
Final Grand Slam event of the tennis season is held at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, New York and features today's most popular tennis stars competing for the title. Call (800) GO-TENNIS for more information.

Harlem Week
celebrate the culture, music and people of this historic community with concerts, poets, children's activites, sporting events, fashion shows and more. Call (212) 862-7200 for more information.

Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors
A free international summer festival with four weeks of music, dance, and more. Events include specially designed programs for children and families, including interactive workshops. Call (212) 875-5108 for more information.

New York International Fringe Festival
Held in Lower East Side of Manhattan at 20 different venues, this festival features theater, musicals, dance, comedy performances. Call (888) FRINGE-NYC for more information.

September

Broadway on Broadway
An afternoon delight starring current casts from Broadway shows performing their popular songs from their theater production. Call (212) 768-1560 for more information.

Feast of San Gennaro
This Italian street festival honors the patron saint of Naples, proceeds north along Mulberry Street, between Canal and Hester Street with carnival rides, food, floats, and traditional music. Call (212) 768-9320 for more information.

West Indian-American Day Parade
Brooklyn's street celebration strolling down Eastern Parkway, features extravagant costumes, music of all sorts, food and dance. Call (212) 484-1222 for more information.

Wigstock
New York City's legendary dragstravaganza features tens of thousands of spectators, hundreds of wigs, a show, and drag everywhere. Held on Pier 54, 14th Street and West Side Highway. Call (212) 213-3958 for more information.

New York Film Festival
This 17-day festival showcases the newest cinematic works by directors from around the world - late September to early October. Call (212) 875-5050 for more information.

Bam New Wave Festival
Takes place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, BAM presents new dance, theater, concerts, performance art, theater for young people, and repertory and first run films. Call (800) 755-4000 for more information.

October

Tibetan Festival
Tibetan food, crafts and a puppet show for the children are featured, during the first or second week in October, at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art on Staten Island. Call (718) 987-3500 for more information.

New York Oyster Festival
In mid-October, the Bowery Ballroom on Delancey Street hosts the city's annual oyster shucking contest. Come to compete, or just eat some of the best oysters around, along with live music and street theater. Call (212) 533-2111 for more information.

Independent Feature Film Market
Every year, through the month of October, the Angelika Film Center at 18 West Houston Street screens several hundred new American independent films, and hosts many workshops and seminars on film making. Call (212) 995-2000 for more information.

November

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
See it live this year, instead of on television. Times Square probably has the best view, but come early. Call (212) 695-4400 for more information.

Chocolate Show
Every year in mid-October, learn about every aspect of chocolate making, sample the creations of some of the world's best chocolate chefs, and enjoy live musicians from the chocolate-producing countries, in the Metropolitan Pavilion at 125 West 18th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Call (212) 865-6100 for more information.

Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center
Enjoy the symbolic start of the city's Christmas season, towards the end of November, with the annual tree lighting and ice skating show, between 5th and 7th Avenues and 47th and 51st Streets. Call (212) 332-6868 for more information.

December

Polar Bear Christmas
All during December, the polar bears in the Central Park Zoo at 830 Fifth Avenue receive their presents each weekend. Watch them open their giftwrapped turkey, peanut butter and sardine surprises. Call (212) 861-6030 for more information.

Kwanza Festival
Held a few weeks before the holiday, around the first week in December, the Javitz Convention Center at 655 West 34th Street hosts the annual celebration of African food, culture and gift-giving. Call (212) 216-2000 for more information.

New Year's Eve at Times Square
See it live this year, instead of on television. You should be able to get a good view if you arrive by 8 PM, but dress for some of the coldest weather of the year, and be prepared to stay in the same area for a few hours. By the time the ball drops at midnight, you will not be able to move. Call (212) 768-1560, ext. 44 for more information.