What's on in New York

By Kirsten McCroskrie

There is so much to see and do in New York; keep up to date with our What's On page and make sure you have a holiday to remember. From one-off events to parades, New York is packed with things to do and places to go from local haunts to famous venues. Check out the New York Pass blog for more local information, suggested itineraries, events calendar, and more.

January

Three Kings’ Day Parade
Celebrate Three Kings’ Day with a march that begins at 106th Street and Lexington Avenue and travels to Third Avenue to end at 115th Street and Park Avenue. Expect floats, camels and puppets in this quirky event.

Broadway Week/Must-See Week
Keep an eye out for bargains this week as there are loads of Broadway shows and museums are offering half-price tickets.

February

Chinese New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Pig in Chinatown where you will see the annual Chinese New Year Parade. Expect floats, dancing, and yummy food.

New York Fashion Week
Get your hands on some fashion show tickets or scan the streets for the fashionistas flocking to Manhattan. Cameras at the ready!

Valentine’s Day
New York City is the perfect place to spend Valentine’s Day with a loved one. Go on a date to the top of the Empire State Building, or take a romantic sunset boat cruise around Manhattan Island.

George Washington’s Birthday/Presidents’ Day
There are plenty of events happening in NYC for Presidents’ Day, and as schools have the day off, there are loads of events specifically for kids!

March

St Patrick’s Day
Celebrate at the St Patrick’s Day Parade before heading to one of New York City’s many Irish pubs for a pint of Guinness.

Macy’s Flower Show
If you need an excuse to go shopping, you have to visit Macy’s for their flower show. See, and smell, the stunning, themed flower arrangements fill up the iconic department store.

April

Easter Parade
If you’re lucky enough to be in New York City over Easter, you can’t miss the Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival. See the wonderfully weird bonnets at Fifth Avenue, from 49th St to 57th St.

May

Five Boro Bike Tour
Join 30,000 riders on a 40-mile tour around New York City’s five boroughs, as the cyclists take over the roads.

Mother’s Day
Take your mother to NYC for mother’s day, and go see some art at MoMA, or take a tour around Radio City.

Memorial Day
A day of remembrance for those who have died in service to the United States is commemorated by parades in Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx and observance in Manhattan.

June

National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Join the crowds along Fifth Avenue to celebrate National Puerto Rican Day with a parade honoring Puerto Rican culture.

Father’s Day
Treat your dad to a trip to New York for father’s day and take him to see the iconic Madison Square Garden and go on a bike ride around Central Park.

New York Pride Parade
Don your rainbow attire and join the crowds celebrating Pride in the heart of Manhattan.

July

Independence Day
The fourth of July is one of the most important dates in the US calendar - celebrate in style with many events happening all over NYC.

August

US Open
Tennis fans have to head to Queens to attend the US Open, one of the most important tennis events of the year.

September

SummerStage
Throughout September Central Park will be taken over by New York City’s largest free, open-air arts and culture festival.

Labor Day
Celebrate the annual workers’ holiday with parties and barbecues all over New York - or escape the city and head to the beach.

Feast of San Gennaro
There’s only one place to be on 19 September and that’s Little Italy. Head to the district to celebrate the Italian-American holiday with live music and delicious food.

October

New York Film Festival
Get tickets to the screening at the New York Film Festival to see preview screenings and interviews with the stars.

New York Comic-Con
Join thousands of fans at the annual New York Comic Con and see the amazing costumes and meet your favorite stars.

Columbus Day
The Columbus Day Parade takes place on Fifth Avenue and celebrates Christopher Columbus landing in the Caribbean in 1492.

Village Halloween Parade
The village is the only place to be on Halloween, as thousands of New Yorkers march in amazing costumes.

November

New York Marathon
Take to the streets to cheer the runners as they make their way through NYC’s five boroughs in the annual marathon.

Veterans Day Parade
Join New Yorkers at the parade as they celebrate with the biggest Veterans Day event across the US.

Thanksgiving Day Parade
If you’re in New York for the holidays then the Thanksgiving Day Parade is a must. See huge floats, balloons and performers make their way down through Manhattan.

Looking for even more things to do this Thanksgiving?

December

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
A Christmas must in New York is seeing the Rockettes at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Looking for even more things to do this Christmas?

The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
You know the season is upon us when The Rockefeller Center Tree gets lit up.

Christmas has arrived in New York City!

New Year’s Eve
There’s only one place to be on New Year’s Eve and that’s at the iconic Times Square.

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Blog

The Best Attractions in Brooklyn

Aerial view of Brooklyn. Photo by Curbed NY [spacer height="20px"] Manhattan is no longer the only borough on the radar of New York City visitors. Tourists as well as Manhattanites have been migrating to the hip borough for a few years for a good reason. Brooklyn offers many great attractions, some of New York City's best restaurants, tranquil greenery and the kind of views you can only see when you actually leave Manhattan. When in New York City, do not limit yourself to the tried-and-true island of Manhattan and venture out to its cooler cousin. [spacer height="20px"] Brooklyn Botanic Garden Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo by Vince Young [spacer height="20px"] The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a true NYC gem. It offers tranquil green paths, beautiful flowers, lakes, a fragrance garden, a place for children to learn about plants and flowers and about the most stunning cherry trees that blossom in the spring. Brooklyn Botanic Garden is located at 990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Mondays (but open Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Columbus Day, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) Closed Labor Day [spacer height="20px"] Brooklyn Bridge Park Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by Robert Harding/Getty Images [spacer height="20px"] After you make the mandatory walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, stop by the Brooklyn piers and the adjacent Brooklyn Bridge Park. This park offers the most amazing views of Downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. When you stop strolling or lounging in the plush grass, there are many activities to do at the piers, including beach volleyball, soccer, multiple playgrounds, food trucks, ice cream and many more. Finish your day at Brooklyn Bridge Park by visiting Fornino at Pier 6 for a wood-fire pizza, beers and a rooftop patio with stunning views. [spacer height="20px"] Brooklyn Museum Brooklyn Museum. Photo by Mark Lennihan/AP [spacer height="20px"] The third largest museum in New York City, the Brooklyn museum boasts with a great collection of classical and modern art. The museum is located right between Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on the edge of Prospect Park. Fun fact: The sculptures on the outside of the majestic structure were designed by Daniel Chester French, the creator of the famous Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Brooklyn Museum is located at 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052 Opening hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday - Sunday: 11am–6pm Coney Island Luna Park at Coney Island [spacer height="20px"] Coney Island is actually a peninsula, located at the South-East end of Brooklyn. The beach and boardwalk at Coney Island serve as a frequent setting in movies and offer some much needed r&r opportunities just a subway ride away. The beach tends to be crowded in the summer, but it's worth a visit, if you're looking for that old New York vibe. Located at Coney Island is also the famous Luna Park. The Luna Park offers awesome thrill rides and roller coasters, kiddie rides and tons of other fun attractions. While you're down there, don't forget to sample a hot dog from Nathan's. [spacer height="20px"] Bushwick Collective Bushwick Collective [spacer height="20px"] It's worth it to venture out off the beaten path into Bushwick. The industrial-looking neighborhood exudes a classic Brooklyn attitude and is full of some of the best street art in New York City. The Bushwick Collective is a non-profit outdoor gallery of graffiti and street art, preserving the cultural integrity of the neighborhood and its vibrant history of self-expression. You can wonder around Bushwick by yourself and then visit the trendy Williamsburg for a bite, or you can take a guided Alternative Street Art tour with Inside Out Tours (included in New York Pass). To see the street art in Bushwick walk around Troutman Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue. [spacer height="20px"] Prospect Park Prospect Park Lake [spacer height="20px"] Central Park's smaller sister is located in the heart of Brooklyn, surrounded by the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and lots of lovely residential neighborhoods. The 585 acre park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and includes spacious lawns, bushy walkways and refreshing lakes for the perfect afternoon getaway. When inside Prospect Park, you can get lost and feel like you're in the woods, fully escaping the busy nature of the city that surrounds it. In the Summer, Prospect Park hosts the famed food market, Smorgasburg every Sunday. In the Winter, the LeFrak Center in Prospect park serves as an outdoor ice-skating rink.
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Blog

What to do in New York in January

The holidays are long gone, and the only thing that keeps you going is your daily mocha latte and the thought that one day, rumor has it, a season called spring will appear. But fear not! January brings its own delights (and we do mean delights, not just “things to get you through an annoying month.”) From popups to pastries, stick with us for ways to make the month fun, not just merely tolerable. Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. Jan 20 Civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. was known for his non-violent approach to advancing civil rights; he was assassinated in 1968. Now in its 34th year, the largest event of its kind brings together artists, activists, and community leaders at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House to celebrate the life of the famed civil rights leader. A combination of talks, music, an art exhibit, and more, the event is free and open to the public. Winter Lantern Festival Until Jan 12 For starters, there’s the Winter Lantern Festival at Snug Harbor in Staten Island. If you still need easing away from the holiday lights and festivals, this is a good one to check out. More than 1,000 lanterns morph into incredible luminescent art and a variety of amazing shapes and figures, from plants to animals and mythical creatures. The exhibit includes eight acres of lights (!) plus interactive exhibits and live shows. The Progressive New York Boat Show January 22-26 Next up, the New York Boat Show at the Javits Center is an annual tradition, with a surprising amount to offer both boat lovers and those who are just along for the ride - figuratively speaking. The show's main draw, of course, is dozens of boats for sale, from kayaks to yachts, but visitors will also find miniature boat building for kids, food and drink, including a Nathan's hot dog cart and a Boar’s Head sandwich station, and even a career day, about jobs in the marine industry. It’s one of the many annual things to do in New York in January that marine and sailing enthusiasts should look out for. Winter Jazzfest Until January 17 Over the course of nine nights, visitors to Winter Jazzfest are treated to jazz performances at a series of venues across the city, including, this year, ones in Brooklyn. One wristband gives visitors entry to any venue—as long as it isn’t full. Visitors will have the opportunity to see more than 100 performers, including drummer/bandleader/artist-in-residence Mark Guiliana, and Brazilian musician Seu Jorge. Lunar New Year Celebration January 25 Celebrate the start of the Year of the Rat, the first in the Chinese zodiac cycle, at the Queens Botanical Garden. The Lunar New Year celebration includes crafts, activities designed for the whole family, and a lucky plant sale. FYI, the plants are lucky, not the sale. Performances are also on the docket, and past events have had such offerings as a taekwondo demonstration and a dance performance. The 39-acre site may not be as well-known as the gardens in the Bronx or Brooklyn, but this is a good opportunity to explore it, even during the winter. Tomatoland Now on Have you ever wondered what New York seems like to a tomato? No, neither have we. And yet, we now have Tomatoland, a 4,000 square foot pop-up designed to educate visitors about the environment and excess consumption. Visitors are treated to such exhibits as Refrigerator World, which highlights our use of exceas packaging; Noodle Swing, where attendees can sit in a swing suspended from a giant fork and try on costumes; and a Ketchup Pool, which offers travel in a bottle-cap car to meet some green-tomato cousins. The exhibit also includes places perfect for photo ops as well as some interactivity. [caption id="attachment_3745" align="alignnone" width="1125"] Image courtesy of Tomato Land[/caption] Frost Fest January 24 If it’s January, it must be time for...bumper cars on ice! Yes, that’s a thing, and a good one. You can spin, twirl, and bump your way across the ice at the Bryant Park ice rink, and, starting January 24, you can also take a spin if you go there for the 10-day Frost Fest, a series of programs including live entertainment, an Igloo experience, and a silent disco. NYC Broadway Week January 21-February 9 If you love theater but not the prices, check out the winter version of Broadway Week; it actually lasts more than a week. This is the time to get two-for-one tickets to some of the most popular Broadway shows around, or ones you might not necessarily attend. You may even be able to snag tickets for shows like Book of Mormon and Chicago. Tickets go fast--so you shouold be, too. Ophelia Ever had the urge to visit a NYC rooftop bar in January? No? Well, now you will. A number of sky-high bars in New York are outfitted for winter weather, including Ophelia, which sits at the top of an art deco tower and will make you feel like you’re inside a snow globe. Grab some cocktail fare, like a truffle potato wedge or a French onion slider, and an actual cocktail. Then gaze at the amazing 360 city views and enjoy the feeling that you’re inside a jewelery box. Looking for other sky-high venues? Check one out here. Looking for more ways to take advantage of the city this month? Check out The New York Pass.
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Mesmerizing Photos of New York City at Night

New York City is beautiful from every angle, in any season and during all times of the day. There is something special, however, about the Big Apple at night. The sparkling lights and glowing streets organized in a perfect grid make the city look like a stunning neon peg board. A group of photographers set out to take the most stunning pictures of New York City at night from the cockpit of a Liberty Helicopter. The photographs originally appeared in Storehouse. [caption id="attachment_713" align="aligncenter" width="1316"] Aerial View of Downtown Manhattan[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_714" align="aligncenter" width="1316"] Times Square Glowing in the Dark[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_715" align="aligncenter" width="1316"] Times Square and Madison Square Garden[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_716" align="aligncenter" width="585"] One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_717" align="aligncenter" width="1316"] Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge from Above[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_718" align="aligncenter" width="1316"] Midtown and Times Square[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_719" align="aligncenter" width="1316"] Close-up of Times Square Glowing at Night[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_720" align="aligncenter" width="1316"] Downtown View[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_721" align="aligncenter" width="1316"] Aerial New York City at Night[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] If you want to experience New York City from above and take in the most magnificent views of its iconic buildings and landmarks, you can take a tour with Liberty Helicopter and receive 15% off with your New York Pass. If you have taken a helicopter tour in New York City, please share your impressions in comments and post your photos on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with hashtag #newyorkpass or #nypassmoments.
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