New York City All Year Long: Must-See Activities for Every Season
January Activities in New York
January may be cold in New York, but there are still plenty of fun activities to do in the city all month long. Here are some of the best things to do
Enjoy winter activities
Lace up your skates and glide around one of New York’s iconic outdoor ice rinks like the Rink at Rockefeller Center or Wollman Rink in Central Park. Or head upstate to ski, snowboard, or snowtube.
See Broadway shows
January is one of the best months for Broadway deals on show tickets after the holiday rush. See a long-running classic or new hit musical or play.
Restaurant Week deals
From mid-January through early February, restaurants across NYC offer prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at a discount for Restaurant Week. It’s a great way to experience top dining spots and cuisines at lower prices.
February Activities in New York
As the cold continues in February, stay busy with these fun events and activities around the city
Lunar New Year celebrations
Enjoy parades, fireworks, festivals and more to ring in the Lunar New Year, especially in Chinatown. Don’t miss the colorful costumes and dancing lions!
Valentine’s Day activities
Indulge in a romantic carriage ride through Central Park, enjoy a couple’s massage at a spa, or reserve a cozy table with a view at a restaurant on Valentine’s Day.
Fashion week events
From designer runway shows to celebrity spotting, Fashion Week brings a buzz of glamorous style to the city in February.
March Activities in New York
March signals the start of spring in New York City
St Patrick’s Day Parade
Don your greenest attire and celebrate Irish culture at this iconic annual parade marching up 5th Avenue on St. Patrick’s Day.
Maple sugaring festivals
Head to one of New York’s maple farms or nature preserves to learn about the process of tapping maple trees and enjoy fresh maple syrup based treats.
Early spring activities
Stroll through the Central Park Conservatory Garden to see the blooming flowers. Visit orchards and farms for apple picking. Fly kites in the park!
April Activities in New York
April showers bring spring fun to the city
Cherry blossom season
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s cherry blossom festival features thousands of pink and white cherry trees in bloom against the NYC skyline. Breathtaking!
New York International Auto Show
Check out the latest new car models and concept cars from the world’s top automakers at this annual auto show. Test drive some, too!
Earth Day events
Celebrate our planet at sustainability fairs and clean-up events across all five boroughs in honor of Earth Day.
May Activities in New York
Spring is in full swing come May
Fleet Week
Celebrate the U.S. Navy with parades, ship tours and flyovers by the Blue Angels during this annual event.
Five Boro Bike Tour
Pedal through all of NYC’s boroughs with 32,000 other cyclists at this iconic 40-mile tour. Register early as spots fill fast!
Summer season openings
Public pools, beaches, parks, outdoor performing arts venues and more start opening for the summer in May.
June Activities in New York
June kicks off summer fun in the city
SummerStage free concerts
Pack a picnic and enjoy live music under the stars at these free outdoor concert series in Central Park and citywide.
Pride events
NYC Pride marks the LGBTQ+ community and rights with parades, parties, and celebrations throughout June. Rainbow flags galore!
Rooftop bars
Beat the summer heat by sipping cocktails with a view at the myriad of rooftop bars spread across NYC’s skyline.
July Activities in New York
July sizzles in New York City
4th of July fireworks
Find a spot near the East River to watch the incredible Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show above the Brooklyn Bridge.
Free museums
Many of NYC’s top museums like the Met, Natural History Museum, and Guggenheim offer free or pay-what-you-wish admission on certain dates in July.
Outdoor movies
Grab blankets and picnic snacks to watch movies under the stars. Bryant Park screens films on its lawn weekly for free.
August Activities in New York
Don’t miss these summer highlights in August
Shakespeare in the Park
See world-class productions of the Bard’s plays for free at the outdoor Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Get in line early for tickets!
Jazz Age Lawn Party
Soak up the 1920s vibes in period-perfect costumes, enjoy vintage music and dances, at this Long Island event.
US Open Tennis
Watch the world’s best tennis pros compete at this annual Grand Slam event held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
September Activities in New York
As fall approaches, September offers plenty of fun
Labor Day Carnival
Ride the Cyclone, play carnival games and enjoy food at the West Indian American Day Carnival over Labor Day weekend.
West Indian Day Parade
Vibrant costumes, Caribbean music and waving flags fill Brooklyn’s streets for NYC’s West Indian Day Parade.
Broadway week deals
Get 2-for-1 tickets to Broadway shows during Broadway Week which runs throughout September. A popular way to score deals on top shows!
October Activities in New York
Throughout the vibrant month of October in New York City, there’s no shortage of exciting Things to do in New York in October. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking spectacle of autumn’s colorful foliage, and revel in the spooky excitement of Halloween, as the city’s calendar comes alive with a kaleidoscope of fall foliage and spine-tingling Halloween festivities, offering an unforgettable blend of natural beauty and eerie enchantment.
Halloween events
Dress up and enjoy pumpkin patches, haunted houses, ghost tours, costume balls and kid-friendly parties for Halloween.
Fall foliage tours
Take in the gorgeous fall colors on leaf peeping day trips to destinations like the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Adirondacks. So beautiful!
Pumpkin picking
Pick the perfect pumpkin from local patches and farms in and around the city. Many have hayrides, corn mazes and apple cider doughnuts too. Yum!
November Activities in New York
November delivers iconic events to the city
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Bundle up to see incredible floats, balloons, bands and performers at this televised NYC tradition on Thanksgiving morning.
Holiday window displays
Stroll by department stores like Saks and Macy’s after Thanksgiving to see their extravagant seasonal window displays.
Skating rinks open
Lace up your skates at temporary outdoor rinks at Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center and other spots that get set up in November.
December Activities in New York
The holiday season makes December magical in NYC
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting
See the giant Rockefeller Center tree lit up for the first time to kick off the holidays each December.
Holiday markets
Sip mulled wine and shop for handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and treats at holiday markets throughout the city.
New Year’s Eve in Times Square
Join the massive crowd in Times Square to watch the iconic ball drop on New Year’s Eve and ring in the new year with confetti and celebrations.
Conclusion
From winter wonderlands to summer beaches, iconic parades to outdoor concerts, New York City offers endless things to do year-round. The variety of activities never stops across the five boroughs. Whether you live in NYC or are visiting, you can always find unique seasonal events, performances, attractions and more to fill your calendar. Don’t just come for a week – there are so many things to experience in New York over the span of the full year!
