New York City Festivals and Events

Don't Forget -- New York City - Winter Fun is our special roundup of events, festivals, and winter celebrations

Around the City

Chinese New Year

With special events, workshops, and the famous parade - this is a New York City experience you won't want to miss. Read more about it at New York City - Chinese New Year

January 25th through February 7th - It's New York Restaurant Week

Time to explore new restaurants and cuisines. Enjoy $24.07 lunch and $35 dinner at over 260 restaurants. Make your reservations now at NYCGo.com - Restaurant Week

Now through January 28th - Jewish Film Festival

The Jewish Museum and Lincoln Center celebrate the diversity of the worldwide Jewish experience. Screenings, unless otherwise noted, are at: The Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, 165 West 65 Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, upper level. Due to construction at Lincoln Center, please walk west on 65th Street for Walter Reade Theater access. For more information, please call 212.875.5601.

Now through January 31st, 2010 - Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future at the Museum of the City of New York

The man that created the iconic TWA terminal at JFK airport is the subject of this new exhibit. is the first retrospective of this architect’s career, which was one of the most prolific, unorthodox, and controversial in the history of 20th-century architecture. From the TWA Terminal at JFK Airport and the St. Louis Gateway Arch to the Pedestal Chair for Knoll Associates, Saarinen (1910-1961) created some of the most potent expressions of American identity after World War II. For more information visit MCNY.org

November 6, 2009 to January 24, 2010 -- Ice skate at Bryant Park

The Pond is the centerpiece of Bryant Park's winter season, which also includes the annual Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. The 170' x 100' rink features free admission ice skating, in addition to high quality rental skates, skating shows, special events, and activities.

January 23 and 24, and January 30 - Atlantic Avenue Tunnel Tours

For something truly offbeat, try a tour of the world’s oldest subway tunnel - in New York City. Tours of the Atlantic Avenue tunnel are offered by OpenHouse New York, and Brooklyn Historic Railway Association. special guided tours of the world’s oldest subway tunnel, built in 1844 and constructed in seven months using only hand tools and primitive equipment. Bob Diamond, who rediscovered the tunnel in 1980, will lead tours through the half-mile long underground space. For more information visit Atlantic Avenue Tunnel Tours

February 21st - Washington's Birthday Ball

Kinda sorts - The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden Presents Washington's Birthday Ball Sunday, February 21st at 1:00 PM for families to celebrate George Washington's birthday as New Yorkers would have in the 19th century. In honor of the nation's first president, who was born in 1732, a period dance ensemble will teach and perform traditional country dances. Guests are also invited to tour the Museum and snack on refreshments. This event is appropriate for children ages 4 and up.

Events Across Time

Every Second Friday - Over 20 galleries in the Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick neighborhoods open exhibitions

Galleries open late, 6-9 pm - for more information visit WGABrooklyn.org

East Village Walking Tours

Explore the East Village with professional guided tours. All tours donation suggested and reservations not required.
Tours are cancelled in the case of heavy rain, snow, or extreme heat advisories. The best way to find out if a tour is cancelled on a particular day is to call 917.215.2575 on the day of the tour.

For more information visit Avenuea.org and East-Village.com

Union Square: Crossroads of New York -- Free Walking Tours

The Union Square Partnership has teamed with Big Onion Walking Tours to create a free 90-minute walking tour called Union Square: Crossroads of New York. The tour explores the social and political history of the Union Square neighborhood through discussions of the people, history, architecture, and forces that have shaped this community. You’ll hear how Union Square got its name, see where the legendary Tiffany & Co. once stood, and learn how to read the clock (yes, it’s a clock!) on “The Metronome” sculpture and so much more! Walking tour is given every Saturday at 2:00 PM. It begins at the Abraham Lincoln statue by the 16th Street transverse in Union Square Park. Look for the guide holding a Union Square: Crossroads of New York sign. For more information please call (212) 517-1826

Highlight Tours Cathedral of St. John the Divine

Explore the Cathedral's newly cleaned and magnificently restored East End, Crossing, Great Choir, and seven Chapels of Tongues. Learn about the art, architecture and history of this great sacred space from 1892 to the present. No prior reservation necessary. Tues. – Sat. 11 am – 12 Noon & 1pm – 2pm**; Sun. 1 pm– 2 pm St. John the Divine is located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street. For more information call 212-932-7347

The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership is sponsoring free walking tours of the historic Flatiron district every Sunday

Join professional guides on a 90-minute journey through this vibrant neighborhood, viewing some of the City’s most notable landmarks, including the New York Life Insurance building, the MetLife tower, the Appellate Courthouse and the famous Flatiron Building. Time -- Every Sunday at 11:00 AM. Meeting Place -- The southwest corner of Madison Square Park, at 23rd Street and Broadway. For more information visit FlatironBID.org

Saturdays at 11 AM East Village Historical Walking Tour

Meet at the ASTOR PLACE "CUBE" -- weather permitting -- at least 15 minutes prior to start time to meet the guide. Tour starts promptly on time. The ASTOR PLACE "CUBE" is an unmistakable landmark, located on a traffic island in the middle of E. 8th Street between Lafayette and 4th Avenue. Learn about Native American trade routes, Dutch settlers, immigration, speakeasies, gangs, Yiddish Theater, social clubs, labor movements, protests, riots, the beat generation, yippies, punk rock, gentrification, Charas/El Bohio, St. Brigid's Church, and much more. Visit east-village.com for more information or call 646-283-7053.

Every Thursday and Saturday, 12pm - Free Wall Street Walking Tour

This free 90-minute guided walking tour weaves together the history, events, architecture and people of Downtown. Stops include the U.S. Custom House, Trinity Church, Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange and other architectural and cultural sites. No reservations necessary. No groups please. Meet at the steps of One Bowling Green. For more information call (212) 606-4064