Events and Festivals in New York City
New York Boat Show
The New York Boat Show, held annually during the month of January, is a great event exhibiting the latest in yachts, fishing boats, kayaks and much more including new fishing equipment. Join the tens of thousands of others passionate about boating or the sea and get the chance to mingle and talk with top fishing and boating experts.
St Patrick's Day Parade
Held in New York City since March 17 1762, St Patrick's Day Parade is known to be the city's largest and oldest festival. It is the ultimate celebration of Irish culture as well as the Catholic Faith and consists in a fabulous parade which runs along Fifth Avenue, Manhattan. Expect a day of green costumes, green leprechauns and green clovers.
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
If you're in New York City in mid-August, this is one event you will want to attend. Celebrating the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival offers an array of entertainment from music to arts, crafts, dance, cuisine and its main highlight, dragon boats. Watch up to 120 dragon boat teams cross the waters of Meadow Lake. Another brilliant family event.
New York International Auto Show
For car lovers, the New York International Auto Show held at Javits Convention Centre at the beginning of April is one of the most prestigious of its kind in the North American continent. Witness the cars of tomorrow before anyone else as well as checking-out the most innovative automotive technology to date including green technology and much more.
Museum Mile Festival
For culture vultures, the Museum Mile Festival in mid-June offers visitors of the city the unique chance to get into nine of the country's most famous museums absolutely free. Starting at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and extending for a mile which ends at El Museo del Barrio, this festival also offers street entertainment in a huge block party where live music, dance performers and activities for children can be enjoyed. Who doesn't love a good bargain?
Pride Week
New York City is greatly known for its ethnical diversity however, it is also distinguished as having one of the world's most vibrant gay, lesbian and transgender communities. Pride Week, held in mid-June, is the city's chance to celebrate the progress made in the acceptance of its gay communities since the Stonewall Riots of 1969 plus it is a chance to stand against gay abuse and violence. This carnival-like event features a series of celebrations along the week and culminates in a famous march down the one and only Fifth Avenue.
Macy's 4th July Fireworks Spectacular
Much like every other city across the nation, New York City commemorates America's independence in the form of the 4th July Fireworks festival. NYC's celebrations, however, are known for going that extra-mile so expect a pure spectacle like no other. With an eye-opening pyrotechnic display, fireworks beam across the city's skyline whilst accompanied by music performed by the New York Pops Orchestra as well as other special guests. Get a front seat and enjoy the show from a number of different locations across the city.
ING New York Marathon
Known worldwide, the ING New York City Marathon is one of the largest sporting events of the country and is held annually at the beginning of November. Starting at Staten Island and finishing at Central Park, the ING NYC Marathon is 26.2 miles and crosses the city's five boroughs. A marathon filled with unique sights, sounds and unmatched excitement, you too can join in on all the fun either in the crowds cheering on the competitors or be a competitor yourself.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Most definitely a one of a kind event for families, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is New York City's most anticipated holiday tradition held during late November. Almost 3 million people come together to watch and enjoy a parade running along a route of 2.5 miles consisting in marching bands, dance performers, celebrity guests and dozens of giant helium-filled balloons imitating cartoon characters such as SpongeBob, Snoopy and Garfield. These giant balloons are of course the centrepiece of the entire event.
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony
Probably the most recognised Christmas tree on the face of the earth is the one that stands at Rockefeller Center in New York City which has featured in many popular Christmas time movies. It may get crowded and chilly but if you happen to be in the city at the time make sure not to miss the brilliant Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony that will have you feeling like a child all over again. Join in with the thousands counting down to the last second in which the Rockefeller Christmas tree and its 25,000 multi-coloured lights are fully lit then stand in awe at its beauty. Keeping you entertained before and after the lighting ceremony is plenty of entertainment for the entire family with live music performances by celebrity artists. If you are not in the city for the Ceremony which is held at the end of November, you can visit the famous tree until the week after New Year's Day.
