Events & Things To Do

Experience the Victorian-era magic of Cape May this holiday season

Photo courtesy of Cape May MAC on Flickr

December 4, 2025

Experience the Victorian-era magic of Cape May this holiday season

If you live in New York City, you’re already in one of the most magical places to spend the holidays. But, if the itch to get out of town sets in this season, a short jaunt south offers Victorian seaside charm set to twinkling lights. Cape May, New Jersey, a longtime summer destination, is even more alluring in December with quaint holiday memories around every corner. From Santa visits with the kids to cocktails for the grown-ups, here’s your guide to a holiday weekend in Cape May.
a victorian-style holiday, this way

The history of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a NYC holiday tradition

The 1931 tree, courtesy of Tishman Speyer

December 3, 2025

The history of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a NYC holiday tradition

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, considered the "worldwide symbol of Christmas," will be lit on Wednesday, marking the 93rd tree lighting ceremony. Ahead, learn about the history of the iconic spruce, from its start as a modest Depression-era pick-me-up for Rockefeller Center construction workers to World War regulations to its current 900-pound Swarovski star.
More on the history here

Say ‘farewell’ to the MetroCard at New York Transit Museum exhibit

Credit: Lucas Klappas on Flickr

December 2, 2025

Say ‘farewell’ to the MetroCard at New York Transit Museum exhibit

By Aaron Ginsburg

Before the MetroCard is retired this month, the New York Transit Museum is saying goodbye to the iconic transit payment method with a special exhibit. Opening on December 17, "FAREwell, MetroCard" explores the MetroCard’s history, from its creation and adoption to the technology behind it, and highlights how it has become a cultural artifact for millions of New Yorkers. The exhibition also offers insight into what was, at the time, a cutting-edge technology that eliminated the need for tokens, ahead of December 31, when the MTA will stop selling MetroCards as the system continues its transition to OMNY.
Find out more

NYC’s top holiday concerts and live shows

November 26, 2025

NYC’s top holiday concerts and live shows

By Aaron Ginsburg

While New York City’s holiday season is best known for its twinkling lights and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the city also offers a wealth of world-class live performances to dazzle audiences with festive cheer. Here are some of the best ways to celebrate the holidays in NYC with music, dance, and theater, from the Radio City Christmas Spectacular to festive ballet, jazz, and performances at Lincoln Center.
Festive cheer, ahead

Events & Things To Do

Ice rink opens at Central Park’s new Davis Center

November 24, 2025

Ice rink opens at Central Park’s new Davis Center

By Aaron Ginsburg

Ice skating is back on the north end of Central Park. The new Gottesman Rink at the Davis Center at the Harlem Meer debuted this weekend, replacing the outdated Lasker Rink as part of the larger new facility that opened earlier this year. The rink offers affordable public skating sessions, community-led programs, and ice time for local schools and organizations.
let's skate

Events & Things To Do

New York Public Library reveals best books of 2025, with unlimited e-book access for some titles

Images courtesy of NYPL/Tara Fedoriw-Morris

November 21, 2025

New York Public Library reveals best books of 2025, with unlimited e-book access for some titles

By Aaron Ginsburg

The New York Public Library has unveiled its Best Books of 2025, its annual roundup of the year’s top reads. Expertly curated by librarians, this year’s list features 225 titles across multiple genres for adults, teens, and children—and for the first time, the library is offering unlimited e-book access to 26 selected titles. NYPL cardholders can borrow these titles electronically through the Libby app until December 31.
see the list

Events & Things To Do

Holiday nostalgia rides on vintage NYC subway cars are back this December

Holiday Nostalgia Train at 2nd Avenue station. Photo courtesy of New York Transit Museum.

November 21, 2025

Holiday nostalgia rides on vintage NYC subway cars are back this December

By Aaron Ginsburg

Step back in time and embark on a festive journey aboard an old-school New York City subway car this holiday season. The New York Transit Museum's beloved Holiday Nostalgia Rides, which include eight cars from the 1930s that ran along lettered lines through the late 1970s, will run every Sunday in December from 2nd Avenue on the uptown F platform and 96th Street on the downtown Q platform.
Find out more

Studio Museum in Harlem unveils new home

Exterior view of the Studio Museum in Harlem’s new building, 2025. Courtesy Studio Museum in Harlem. Photo © Albert Vecerka/ Esto

November 17, 2025

Studio Museum in Harlem unveils new home

In the United States, 1968 was a year of political unrest and cultural change. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the Vietnam War was protested, the Fair Housing Act was passed, and President Richard Nixon was elected. In its list of major, shifting events that year, a much quieter moment: the founding of the Studio Museum in Harlem. The museum was founded by a group of artists, community activists, and philanthropists to foster the work of artists of African descent.
inside the studio museum

The 20 best heated and indoor rooftops to enjoy in NYC this winter

November 14, 2025

The 20 best heated and indoor rooftops to enjoy in NYC this winter

By Aaron Ginsburg

Peak rooftop season might be on pause until next summer, but panoramic skyline views can still be enjoyed from indoor and heated rooftop spots across New York City. Cozy restaurants and bars across the five boroughs offer the perfect way to scratch that skyline itch without braving the chill of the fall and winter weather. From heated terraces to glass-enclosed lounges, here are some of the best rooftops to sip a cocktail and take in the view.
where to go

A two-story Christmas carousel will open next to Macy’s in Midtown

Credit: 34th Street Partnership

November 13, 2025

A two-story Christmas carousel will open next to Macy’s in Midtown

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new double-decker Christmas carousel is coming to Greeley Square later this month, adding to Midtown’s festive holiday atmosphere. Hosted by the 34th Street Partnership, the Christmas Carousel will open at 33rd Street and Broadway and run from November 21 through January 6, 2026. The ride is steps from Macy’s Herald Square, which recently opened its holiday markets for the season.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

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Harlem’s parade of lights kicks off the holiday season in NYC

Photo credit: 125th Street BID

November 12, 2025

Harlem’s parade of lights kicks off the holiday season in NYC

By Devin Gannon

While Macy's may get all the credit, the holiday season really kicks off in Harlem. On November 18, the 125th Street Business Improvement District will host its annual Harlem Holiday Lights celebration, the only holiday lights parade in New York City. A procession of dazzling illuminated floats will travel throughout the neighborhood, with designated watch parties along the route offering hot drinks, music, toys for children, games, and more holiday cheer.
READ MORE

Events & Things To Do

Holiday open streets will return to Fifth Avenue for just one Sunday

Credit: Fifth Avenue Association

November 10, 2025

Holiday open streets will return to Fifth Avenue for just one Sunday

By Aaron Ginsburg

A large stretch of Fifth Avenue will once again be closed to vehicles for the holidays—but just for one day. The Fifth Avenue Association announced that Holiday Open Streets will return on Sunday, December 14, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., turning the iconic corridor between 47th and 57th Streets into a pedestrian-centric, holiday-themed promenade. The event, held across three Sundays in 2022 and 2023, was reduced to a single day in 2024, and will remain so in 2025 due to “logistical challenges” tied to increased security at Trump Tower, according to Gothamist.
Find out more

You can now check out artwork from the Brooklyn Public Library

Department of Transformation: Letters for the Future. All photos by Gregg Richards

November 6, 2025

You can now check out artwork from the Brooklyn Public Library

By Aaron Ginsburg

New Yorkers can now borrow artwork from the Brooklyn Public Library as part of a new program and exhibition. Curated together with the Department of Transformation, "Letters for the Future" celebrates the library as one of the few remaining “intellectual, creative, and civic commons still freely available" with work from over 40 artists. As part of the exhibition, on view through January 25, library cardholders can check out artwork, including paintings, sculptures, zines, and more, for a three-week period.
more here

Events & Things To Do

Ice skating under the Brooklyn Bridge is back this month

Images by Alexa Hoyer

November 4, 2025

Ice skating under the Brooklyn Bridge is back this month

By Aaron Ginsburg

One of New York City's most scenic ice skating rinks returns this month. Located under the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Roebling Rink opens November 24 through February 1, 2026. Tickets are now open for the new season, with admission starting at $16.
book a scenic skate

Events & Things To Do

New $21M home for Lower East Side’s ABC No Rio art space tops out

Rendering courtesy of Paul A. Castrucci Architect

November 4, 2025

New $21M home for Lower East Side’s ABC No Rio art space tops out

By Michelle Cohen

After breaking ground in summer 2024, construction began for a new home for ABC No Rio, the iconic DIY punk rock venue and arts/cultural space that had been a fixture on the Lower East Side’s street scene since 1980. On Friday, leaders and volunteers from ABC No Rio joined city officials to celebrate the “topping out” of their new home at 156 Rivington Street. The $21 million facility, funded by the city, will replace the tenement building previously occupied by the venue. The new building, designed by Paul A. Castrucci Architects and scheduled to open in late 2026, will meet LEED Silver and Passive House energy efficiency standards.
find out more

What to know about the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Credit: TomH2323 on Flickr, all other images courtesy of Macy’s, Inc.

November 3, 2025

What to know about the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is back for its 99th year, kicking off the holiday season in New York City this month with its colorful floats and giant character balloons. The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, featuring more than 5,000 volunteers, 32 balloons, three balloonicles, 27 floats, four specialty units, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands, and a star-studded lineup of musical performances. Ahead, learn everything you need to know about this year’s parade, from the best viewing spots to fun facts about its famed floats.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree hails from upstate NY

Photo courtesy of Tishman Speyer

October 27, 2025

This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree hails from upstate NY

By Aaron Ginsburg

The towering spruce that will serve as this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, standing at the heart of New York City's holiday celebrations, has been revealed. Found upstate in East Greenbush, the 75-foot-tall tree will be cut down on Thursday, November 6, and make its journey to Manhattan, arriving on Saturday, November 8. After it’s adorned with tens of thousands of twinkling lights and crowned with its iconic Swarovski star, the annual tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 3.
details here

Events & Things To Do

How the 1919 World Series was rigged at the Upper West Side’s Ansonia

The Ansonia in 1904, via Wiki Commons

October 24, 2025

How the 1919 World Series was rigged at the Upper West Side’s Ansonia

With the World Series about to kick off, it's amazing to think that one of the most iconic landmarks of the Upper West Side played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the World Series in 1919. Back then, the Ansonia was a brand-new, luxury residential hotel in Manhattan; it opened in 1904 with a grand total of 1,400 rooms and 320 suites. The lavish locale quickly became popular amongst athletes; even Babe Ruth would stay there and come to treat the entire hotel like an extension of his apartment. But in 1919, baseball players and the mafia found a match in the hotel. A small group of players, and one very powerful, moneyed mafioso, came up with a deal that would throw the results of the game pitting the Chicago White Sox against the Cincinnati Reds.
Keep reading about the illicit deal

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is now open for the season

Photos by Colin Miller

October 24, 2025

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is now open for the season

By Aaron Ginsburg

One of New York City’s most cherished holiday attractions has officially opened in Midtown, kicking off the season’s festivities. On Friday, the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park returned for its 24th season, bringing the city's only free-admission ice skating, a rinkside food hall and bar, and an open-air holiday market with more than 180 vendors to the beloved public space. The Winter Village is open through March 1, 2026.
'tis the season

Events & Things To Do

NYC’s best Halloween events

Village Halloween Parade. Photo by Steven Pisano on Flickr

October 21, 2025

NYC’s best Halloween events

By Aaron Ginsburg

From the famous Village Halloween Parade to festive celebrations at the iconic cultural institutions and museums to neighborhood trick-or-treating and over-the-top costume parties, New York City is one of the best places to celebrate spooky season. Ahead, discover some of the best Halloween happenings across the five boroughs this year.
festive frights, ahead

Events & Things To Do

Corpse flower to bloom at New York Botanical Garden in time for Halloween

Credit: New York Botanical Garden

October 17, 2025

Corpse flower to bloom at New York Botanical Garden in time for Halloween

By Aaron Ginsburg

A rare corpse flower is set to bloom at the New York Botanical Garden, just in time for Halloween. The notorious flower, "Amorphophallus gigas," gets its name from the rotting-flesh odor it emits. It blooms every three to five years for just three days, with its distinctive scent reaching its peak during that brief window. The bloom is expected in about two weeks in the garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
Learn more

Events & Things To Do

‘Humans of New York’ photo exhibit takes over Grand Central

All photos courtesy of Ahmed Gaber for Dear New York

October 8, 2025

‘Humans of New York’ photo exhibit takes over Grand Central

By Aaron Ginsburg

One of the most famous photography projects in the world has taken over Grand Central Terminal. This week, Brandon Stanton of "Humans of New York," the long-running online portrait series featuring the stories of everyday New Yorkers, opened the installation "Dear New York," a sweeping "love letter" to the city. The exhibit includes 50-foot-tall photographs from the Humans of New York portfolio displayed across the terminal, including the main concourse, the subway station, Vanderbilt Hall, and 150 digital screens. The two-week installation is on view through October 19.
see it here

The best design tours to book during Archtober 2025

October 7, 2025

The best design tours to book during Archtober 2025

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's annual Archtober festival, which celebrates the city’s defining architecture, has returned for its 15th year. This year’s theme, "Shared Spaces," invites participants to rethink how New Yorkers “move, connect, and live together.” As part of the festival, Archtober’s Building of the Day series lets visitors embark on architect-led tours of featured projects across all five boroughs. Ahead, discover a selection of tours not to be missed, from the transformation of Chelsea’s historic Terminal Warehouse to the nation’s largest office-to-residential conversion in the Financial District.
book a tour

MTA memorabilia pop-up shop returns this month

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashinhoto on Flickr

October 6, 2025

MTA memorabilia pop-up shop returns this month

By Devin Gannon

Calling all transit buffs! The MTA is once again hosting a sale of used subway system items at its Memorabilia and Collectibles Pop-Up Shop. For two days only, on October 16 and 17, purchase (or just admire) "perfectly imperfect" items, like subway signs, vintage tokens, benches, doors, and other fixtures.
READ MORE

Events & Things To Do

NYC public libraries stand against censorship during Banned Books Week

Credit: Terry Ballard on Flickr

October 2, 2025

NYC public libraries stand against censorship during Banned Books Week

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's public libraries are recognizing Banned Books Week this year with a stacked lineup of programs and events. Running from October 5 through 11, the week-long observance arrives amid a continued rise in book censorship. According to the American Library Association (ALA), 2,452 unique titles were challenged in 2024—almost nine times the annual average of 273 titles from 2001 to 2020.
Learn more

Events & Things To Do

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