March 2019
Queens World Film Festival
This festival screens exciting and innovative films from diverse points of view made by maverick filmmakers from around the world. The event also features a Kodak Product Prize for Best Motion Picture Shot on Film.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Billed as the world’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s parade, New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade celebrates Irish culture and the Catholic faith on 5th Avenue from 44th to 79th.
Vodka and Pickles Festival
This fun-packed festival features unlimited tasting of vodka mixed drinks along with pickles and other hors d’oeuvres, live stage entertainment, a modern art exhibition and arts sale, a photo booth, raffles for prizes, and enough dancing to guarantee you a good night’s sleep.
Macy’s Flower Show
Roam the sweet-smelling foliage that appears at one of New York’s best department stores for two weeks each year. See spectacular arrangements of flowers from around the world, all decorated to fit a specific theme.
April 2019
CineKink
CineKink NYC showcases movies and videos that celebrate and explore a wide diversity of sexuality over four days. The event also offers panel discussions, audience choice awards, a kick-off party, and an after-party.
Brooklyn Folk Festival
Listen to folk, blues, jug-band, string-band, bluegrass, Balkan, and Irish music at this popular festival, which has vocal and instrumental workshops, film screenings, a family-friendly square dance, and a banjo tossing contest.
Apple Blossom Children’s Carnival
Families love this annual event which hosts a huge range of kid-friendly events and activities including carnival rides, midway games, hayrides, and other entertainment, all taking place within the pretty environs of the apple orchard at Queens County Farm Museum.
Tribeca Film Festival
This large-scale film festival offers a huge variety of groundbreaking movie screenings, including world premieres, along with celebrity talks, exclusive app-only content and a special Audience Award.
New York International Auto Show
Come and see some of the world’s most beautiful, sought-after and technologically advanced automobiles at one of the most prestigious events on the car calendar, attended by car enthusiasts, industry insiders and global media alike.
Earth Day
The annual outdoor Earth Day features dozens of exhibitors, including environmental non-profits, green businesses, kids’ activities, and live performances, with more than 70 organisations represented.
Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival
Sakura Matsuri features 200 blossoming cherry trees and 60 events and performances, all designed to celebrate Japanese culture. There’s also a Japanese tea room, an art gallery and a mini flea market.
CoffeeCon
Taste coffee, see exhibits, and attend classes at the New York edition of this consumer-focused festival, featuring gear, classes, tastings, coffee experiences and plenty more.
May 2019
Harlem International Film Festival
Harlem International Film Festival showcases documentaries, shorts, youth projects, and animated works from Harlem to Hong Kong, along with panel discussions, awards and plenty more.
Frieze New York
Shop for art from over a thousand contemporary artists, attend talks, and mingle with art-world celebrities at the New York edition of this world-renowned arts fair.
Taste of the Upper West Side
Delve into New York’s world class foodie scene at this action-packed event, where you’re invited to sample food from 40 restaurants, as well as taste wine, beer, and cocktails, all under one giant tent.
Fleet Week
Take a wander around real life ships, listen to concerts, watch demonstrations, and see military displays during this time-honoured celebration of the sea service. Entry is free.
Memorial Day
Created to honour the men and women who have died while serving in our US armed forces, Memorial Day features several parades across the city, with some of the largest taking place in Brooklyn, the Bronx and on Staten Island.
Governors Ball Music Festival
A three-day, multi-stage music festival, Governors Ball is a major landmark on New York’s summer cultural calendar. You can expect big-name rappers, beloved veteran acts, rising pop stars and more.
Japan Day
A vibrant celebration of Japanese culture, Japan Day includes a four mile run and kids’ race, dancing and singing, calligraphy and origami, not to mention food tents serving up mouth-watering Japanese cuisine.
June 2019
New York City Multicultural Festival
Organised by the community for the community, this fun-filled and free-to-enter festival celebrates all forms of cultural expression, including music, dance, poetry, food, fashion and art. There’s also a dedicated kids’ area to keep the little ones entertained.
Northside Festival
Northside Festival presents a diverse programme of music shows at several venues around Williamsburg and Greenpoint in Brooklyn, with both big names and rising local acts performing.
Taste of Times Square
Dedicated gastronomes descend on 46th Street for this annual foodie extravaganza. There’s international cuisine from 40 local restaurants, plus live music, stretching all the way from Broadway to 10th Avenue.
Jazz Age Lawn Party
An essential annual summer stop for revellers looking to dance in the open air, Jazz Age is themed around the Prohibition-era (including “speakeasy” summer drinks) – so be sure to dress the part with period-appropriate attire.
Coney Island Mermaid Parade
One of New York’s most unusual events, each year thousands of spectators flock to Surf Avenue on Coney Island to watch King Neptune and Queen Mermaid lead a procession of semi-nude marchers in costumes through the neighborhood.
BBQ Block Party
Enjoy award-winning barbecue food, cooking seminars, and live rock, blues, and soul at this hugely popular, free-to-enter party. Picnics and pets are welcome.
SummerStage
Enjoy top class music, comedy, theatre, dance, lectures, and films during this hugely popular festival that takes place in parks across the city. Most of the events are free, so arrive early to grab a decent spot.
July 2019
New York Asian Film Festival
Film lovers can come and watch the latest hit movies hailing from China, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries at this popular film festival.
Fourth of July in NYC
This raucous day of celebrations features live music, stage entertainment, a carnival, food trucks, a beer garden, and a stunning fireworks display after dark.
International African Arts Festival
Celebrate African art with a diverse programme of music, dance, storytelling, handcrafted goods, food vendors, and plenty more at this action-packed festival.
Fresh Fruit Festival
Featuring 20 performances of gay and lesbian plays, musicals, and solo shows, this is another event designed to promote acceptance of the LGBT community.
Afro-Latino Festival
A wide assortment of talks on Friday are followed by films and lashings of wine on Saturday, culminating with a dazzling music concert with arts & crafts vendors on Sunday.
Dance on Camera Festival
Documentary screenings, features, shorts, experimental works, and music videos that combine dance with cinematography in innovative ways are what to expect at this annual event.
Bastille Day
Celebrate Bastille Day by eating crêpes and éclairs, tasting wine and cheese, watching mimes and cancan dancers, and visiting a dedicated kids’ corner.
NYC Restaurant Week
More than 300 New York restaurants take part in this annual event, designed to promote the city’s food scene and encourage visitors to sample some of their faire. Look out for special lunch and dinner deals across the Big Apple.
Lincoln Center Out of Doors
Three weeks of world-class music, dance, and spoken word take over the spacious and scenic plazas of Lincoln Center at this popular free-to-enter annual event.
August 2019
Harlem Week
This month-long celebration of local culture and history includes performances, tributes, films, fashion, a children’s festival, sports events, and a 5K run/walk. Most events are free.
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Watch a huge number of colourful dragon-boat teams compete on Meadows Lake, and enjoy music, dance, martial arts, folk art, and Chinese food at this free-to-enter event.
Ecofest
Free-to-enter, Ecofest has a vast mix of exhibits showcasing alternative energy and the environment, green vehicles, food, and entertainment in the iconic setting of Times Square.
Play NYC
Gaming enthusiasts can come and enjoy a fun-packed weekend of playing games and attending talks by key industry figures as they discuss the complex but always fascinating world of game development.
One Love Music Fest
Debuting this year, One Love Music Fest promises three stages of renowned musicians and talented dancers in a fun-packed, family-friendly setting. Kids aged 12 and under go free.
Blues BBQ Festival
Pairing great American blues and roots musicians with mouth-watering local barbecue at Pier 97 in Hudson River Park, this free-to-enter event is a foodie and music lover’s paradise.
Afropunk Festival
This outdoor summer music festival celebrates multicultural arts, hosting a wide array of well-known musical artists (including some of the biggest hip-hop artists), as well as food trucks, live artworks and the SpinThrift Market.
The U.S. Open Tennis
For two weeks each year, Flushing Meadows morphs into the tennis capital of the world for the U.S. Open tennis. As well as the on-court action, there’s a celebrity-studded crowd, international food vendors and live musicians.
Unicycle Festival
Watch 300 unicycles roll around the city, or try it yourself, at this quirky, free-to-enter event that celebrates the famous one-wheeled mode of transport. There’s also unicycle sports, exhibitions, and races.
Electric Zoo Festival
This electronic dance-music festival brings together top acts and 150,000 fans on Labor Day weekend for 3 days of tub-thumping electro tunes.
September 2019
Brazilian Day
This lively and free-to-enter festival celebrates Brazil’s independence with music, dance, and food in 25 blocks of the Big Apple’s vibrant Little Brazil district.
Dream Up Festival
Come and watch almost 30 new and innovative works, including top quality comedy, dance, drama, music, and poetry performances at Theater for the New City
West Indian Day Parade
The annual West Indian Day Parade draws close to two million people each year, featuring steel-pan and calypso bands in elaborate costumes, and vendors selling homestyle island grub along the route.
New York Fashion Week
Top models, photographers, and designers attend invitation-only events during the summer edition of one of the wold’s most eagerly awaited fashion shows, complete with spring collection unveilings.
Washington Square Park Folk Festival
An old time string band, blues, early country music, a chorus, and a square dance are just some of what to expect at this hugely popular, free-to-enter annual folk festival.
Urbanworld Film Festival
There’ll be a huge collection of film screenings and panel discussions that support and develop movie making at one of New York’s most eagerly awaited annual film events.
Harvest in the Square
Local chefs prepare signature dishes accompanied by microbrews, wine, and music at Harvest in the Square in the North Plaza at Union Square Park.
Brooklyn Book Festival
This free festival features a whole week of events throughout the borough, including a lively book market, author readings, panel discussions, and dedicated children’s day.
The Big Chocolate Show
Meet chocolatiers, artisans, and chefs, watch demonstrations, classes and chocolate pairings, and tuck into an assortment of chocolate tastings at this annual show.
Queens County Fair
Pig racing, pie-eating and corn-husking contests are just some of the eccentric activities that take place at this popular fair. There’s also hayrides, carnival rides, live bands and a beer garden, plus craft and food vendors.
Burlesque Festival
This festival plays host to four nights of outrageous performances featuring an abundance of feathers and lace. Look out for the glittery razzle-dazzle spectacular on the Saturday.
New York Film Festival
Come and watch classics, documentaries, and full-length feature films by some of the world’s great filmmakers at this prestigious movie festival.
New York Vegandale
Purchase vegan food, beer, wine, and spirits from more than 70 vendors at another of New York’s burgeoning roll-call of vegan-themed event.
October 2019
New York Comic Con
Attracting comic book lovers from around the world, New York Comic Con features hundreds of events including autograph sessions, panel talks, pre-premiere movie screenings, a live-event stage, and a daily costume contest.
New York Pizza Festival
The 2nd Annual New York Pizza Festival will once again showcase the talents of the most renowned and talented US-based pizza makers over two full days. Bring your appetite!
The New York Coffee Festival
The Big Apple’s flagship coffee event celebrates the city’s burgeoning specialty coffee scene, with exceptional coffee, as well as food, cocktails, live music and art on offer.
Honey & Harvest Weekend
Dig into the traditions of the season with honey samples and honey-inspired recipe tastings, marvel at bees as they work in their hive, and help out with the vegetable harvest.
Columbus Day Parade
The Columbus Day parade attracts around a million spectators and 35,000 marchers each year, with flag waving, marching school bands, professional musicians, and traditional folk groups
NYC Autumn Wine & Food Festival
Now in its 7th year, this wine and food festival sees the Altman Building transformed into an indoor vineyard, where visitors can taste world-class wine and feast on artisanal food.
Open House
This annual weekend-long event sees some of New York’s most historic buildings and architectural masterpieces open their doors to the public for free walking tours and general nosing around.
BRIC JazzFest
Organised by one of Brooklyn’s most celebrated musical institutions, BRIC, this hugely popular jazz festival hosts both local and international musicians, as well as jazz-related movies over a full week.
New York Taste
New York magazine’s signature culinary event, Taste features more than 40 celebrated chefs, mixologists and rising stars on the city’ acclaimed restaurant scene.
Giant Pumpkin Weekend
Get up close and personal with some of the world’s largest pumpkins, meticulously cared for every year by elite growers, at this magical two-day festival.
November 2019
NYC Craft Beer Festival
Enjoy unlimited tastings of craft beer, spirits and ciders, try some mouth-watering food, and mingle with dozens of exhibiting brewers at this two-day celebration of craft brews.
TEFAF New York Fall
This popular biannual fair offers exceptional fine and decorative art from a wide range of international galleries at the historic Park Avenue Armory on New York’s Upper East Side.
Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo features a whole host of costume parades, magic shows, craft making, a corn maze, pumpkin carvers,a candy trail, and plenty more, at the Bronx Zoo.
The NYC Marathon
More than 40,000 marathoners hotfoot it through all five boroughs over a 26.2-mile course. Popular vantage points for spectators include Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn’s Park Slope and Central Park South near the finish line.
New York Comedy Festival
A slate of up-and-coming talents along with household comedy names perform throughout the city at this week-long mirth-fest that offers smorgasbord of big belly laughs.
White Light Festival
See world-class performances, films, and artist talks with a focus on music during this popular festival at one of New York’s most prestigious cultural venues.
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular
A yearly tradition since 1933, this magical show kicks off the holiday season in NYC with tap dancers, a flying Santa Claus and the world-famous synchronized precision dancing of the Rockettes.
Brooklyn Crush Wine & Artisanal Food Festival
This artisanal food extravaganza returns for its Fall Edition, offering attendees the chance to sample a selection of wines, ciders and other beverages, all complemented by culinary treats.
Wine and Acapella Music & Arts Festival
Come and enjoy over 100 visual artists from all around the world, 60 vendors and 30 performing artist, plus a wine bar, live art installations, short film premieres, and special guests.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Starting at 77th St and Central Park West and heading down to Macy’s Herald Square, this magical parade features musical guests and Broadway performers, sandwiched between giant inflatable cartoon characters.
December 2019
African Diaspora International Film Festival
See a rich programme of films focused on the lives of African people during African Diaspora International Film Festival, with most screenings at Cinema Village & Teachers College at Columbia University.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Throughout December, the Kings County neighbourhood becomes home to tens of thousands of dazzling Christmas lights in front of Santa-waving crowds, snowmen and houses blasting out Christmas carols from loudspeakers.
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker show is a popular holiday tradition with old-fashioned costumes, a tree that grows before your eyes, crystal-shaped snowflakes, and fine choreography by New York City Ballet.
New York Shoe Expo
This event is a chance for the entire footwear industry to come together and do business in the fashion capital of the world if front of the latest brands and designers.
WhiskyFest
WhiskyFest provides the chance for visitors to taste from a selection of single malt and blended Scotch, Irish, bourbon, rye, Tennessee, Japanese, Canadian, and craft-distilled whiskies, all assembled in one Grand Ballroom.
New York International Motorcycle Show
Find sport bikes, dirt bikes, scooters, ATVs, expert advice, live entertainment, and family activities at the New York International Motorcycle Show.
Latke Festival
A ticket to the annual Latke Festival includes delicious potato treats made by top chefs, plus a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Make Music Winter
Visitors can come and enjoy more than a dozen musical parades on the streets and sidewalks on the first day of winter. Be sure to wrap up warm and soak up the occasion in comfort.
Renegade Craft Fair
This popular holiday market is chock-full of unique hand-made and bespoke goods and delicious grub exhibited by top class artists and other creative types, plus live DJ entertainment, DIY opportunities, and more.
New Year’s Eve in Times Square
One of the world’s most iconic locations for seeing in the New Year, Times Square becomes awash with mesmerising lights, big-name musical act, balloons, confetti, fireworks, and a crystal ball that drops at midnight.