Events & Things To Do

January 17, 2025

15 best attractions to check out during NYC Must-See Week

During the height of New York City's blistering winter, the city's tourism agency has found a clever way to entice New Yorkers out of the comfort of their homes. From January 21 through February 9, "NYC Must-See Week" offers two-for-one tickets to some of the city's most sought-after attractions, museums, live performances, and tours across the five boroughs. Ahead, discover some of the best attractions to visit during Must-See Week, from architecture walking tours to observation decks and everything in between.
here's what you must see
January 13, 2025

How New Yorkers can help those affected by the LA wildfires

New Yorkers are stepping up to support those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Three fires continue to burn, with firefighters working tirelessly to contain the blazes amid high winds and water shortages. As of Monday, the Palisades fire, the largest active blaze, has spread across more than 23,000 acres, leaving communities deeply impacted. Whether you have roots in California or simply want to help, several New York City businesses are rallying to raise funds and provide resources for LA residents in need. Ahead, discover how you can join the efforts to support those impacted by the wildfires.
how to help
January 10, 2025

15 best ice skating rinks in NYC

When the cool weather of fall fades into the freezing frostiness of winter, it takes a lot of effort to leave our warm, cozy homes. However, one festive activity that gets New Yorkers out of their apartments is ice skating, a New York City tradition since the 1850s. Ahead, find some of the best places in the city to ice skate, from iconic spots like Rockefeller Center and Central Park to new rinks under the Brooklyn Bridge and on the Williamsburg waterfront.
Hit the ice
January 9, 2025

NYC Restaurant Week is back with discounted meals at more than 500 local spots

Cure your winter blues with a cheap meal. Reservations are now open at more than 500 local eateries participating in NYC Restaurant Week, the semi-annual program that offers a chance to dine at some of New York's best restaurants at a special price. This year, book prix-fixe two-course lunches and three-course dinners for $30, $45, and $60 at restaurants across the five boroughs from January 21 through February 9.
book a table
January 8, 2025

This year’s NYBG Orchid Show brings the vibrancy of Mexican modernism to the Bronx

The New York Botanical Garden’s beloved Orchid Show returns next month for its 22nd year, bringing the bold colors of Mexican modernism to the Bronx. Inspired by the work of Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán, "The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism" turns the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a vibrant landscape of thousands of orchids and plants. Tickets are now on sale for the show, which runs from Saturday, February 15 through April 27.
learn more
January 7, 2025

The Dead Rabbit to debut new sports bar pop-up at Rooftop at Pier 17 this week

The Dead Rabbit, one of New York City's most iconic Irish pubs, is kicking off the new year with an all-new concept in the South Street Seaport. Starting January 10, the celebrated bar will transform the Rooftop at Pier 17 into "Joxer's," a winter sports bar concept that combines the Dead Rabbit's Irish charm with a unique menu, striking decor, private dining cottages, bungalows, a full-service bar, and access to the rooftop's ice skating rink. The pop-up will run seven days a week through early March before transitioning into the pub's "Paddy's Not Patty's" St. Patrick's Day concept.
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January 2, 2025

Mulchfest is here: How to recycle your Christmas tree in NYC

The holidays are officially over, and it's time to face the facts: that giant Christmas tree in your living room has got to go. Thankfully, the city's Parks and Sanitation Departments make it easy with Mulchfest, a sustainable way to recycle your tree. Through January 12, New Yorkers can drop off their trees at 75 sites across the five boroughs to be composted. Bring your tree to one of 35 chipping sites on the weekend of January 11 and take home a "tree-mento"—a bag of mulch for your backyard or a street tree’s winter bed.
Find out more
December 31, 2024

What to know about the 2025 Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop

The world's most iconic New Year’s Eve celebration returns to New York City on Tuesday. Those eager to ring in 2025 will compete for a spot at the crossroads of the world to watch the 11,875-pound crystal ball descend from One Times Square. Ahead, here's everything you need to know about the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, from the star-studded cast of hosts and live performers to the best spots to see the confetti rain down.
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December 27, 2024

6sqft’s top stories of 2024!

As we close the chapter on 2024, 6sqft is taking a moment to reflect on the stories that resonated most with readers this year. From record-breaking real estate deals near Central Park and the Upper West Side's new tallest tower to a visual portal linking Dublin and NYC and the city’s first Passive House public schools, readers stayed up to date on New York City's latest happenings. Readers also enjoyed an exclusive look at some of the city's most remarkable real estate listings, including the priciest townhouse in Park Slope and a restored Marcel Breuer-designed home on the Hudson.
what readers loved this year, ahead
December 24, 2024

New York City’s longest-running Kwanzaa celebration returns for its 17th year

Celebrate the spirit of Kwanzaa at the Brooklyn Children's Museum's 17th annual celebration in Crown Heights, the largest and longest-running Kwanzaa event in New York City. Hosted in partnership with the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, the five-day festival will take place from Thursday, December 26, through Monday, December 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It features daily candle-lighting ceremonies, cultural performances, and hands-on workshops that explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba, emphasizing unity, self-determination, collective work, and creativity.
Find out more
December 24, 2024

24 ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2024 in NYC

As 2024 draws to a close, it's time to celebrate the great moments we've had and kiss goodbye to the ones we'd rather forget. Whether you're looking for a high-energy dance party or a delicious five-course meal by a Michelin-starred chef, New York City offers something for everyone to ring in the new year. Ahead, here are some of the best ways to celebrate New Year's Eve in NYC, from dazzling fireworks and ball drop views atop towering sky decks to extravagant celebrations at luxurious hotels and rooftops.
say hello to 2025!
December 23, 2024

Festive public art installations now illuminate the Meatpacking District

The Meatpacking District's charming cobblestone streets have been transformed into an enchanting holiday forest. Back for another festive season, "Lights on the Cobbles" illuminates Ninth Avenue with large-scale installations, including dazzling holiday lights, a reflective illuminated pathway through Gansevoort Plaza, larger-than-life snow people, and more. The captivating holiday decor is on display through January 15.
Learn more
December 19, 2024

How to spend a perfect holiday afternoon in Central Park

Is there anywhere more magical than Central Park during the holidays? With Christmas and Hanukkah beginning on December 25, take some time and appreciate the peaceful feeling of a day in the park before the rush of parties and gift-giving commences. Read on for our idea of a perfect holiday afternoon in Central Park.
our itinerary, this way
December 18, 2024

Here are the library books New Yorkers borrowed the most in 2024

New York City's three public library systems revealed the annual most borrowed books of 2024. Across all three of the systems—the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library—the most checked-out title was "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin, followed by "Happy Place" by Emily Henry and "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yaros.
Find out more
December 17, 2024

17 ways to celebrate Hanukkah in NYC

With Hanukkah coinciding with Christmas this year, New York City is transforming into a festive hub of holiday celebrations. This year, the Festival of Lights begins at sunset on Wednesday, December 25, and lasts until sunset on Thursday, January 2. Across the five boroughs, there are many ways to enjoy the eight-night holiday, from menorah lighting celebrations to live music performances. Ahead, discover ways to celebrate Hanukkah in the Big Apple, from competing giant menorah lightings to live klezmer band performances at Brookfield Place.
Find ways to celebrate ahead
December 13, 2024

New Brooklyn Public Library exhibit features rare photographs of James Baldwin flourishing in Turkey

The Brooklyn Public Library is celebrating the centennial of civil rights activist and writer James Baldwin’s birth with a special exhibition of never-before-seen photographs. Called "Turkey Saved My Life - Baldwin in Istanbul, 1961-1971," the installation features photographs by Turkish photographer Sedat Pakay that shed light on a fertile period in Baldwin’s life when he traveled to the country to distance himself from the racism and homophobia present in America. The exhibition is on view in the lobby of the Central Library through February 28, 2025.
Learn more
December 6, 2024

Largest and most expensive Stegosaurus fossil now on view at AMNH

One of the largest and most complete Stegosaurus fossils ever discovered—and the most expensive—is now on display at the American Museum of Natural History. Known as Apex, the 150-million-year-old fossil, measuring 11.5 feet tall and 27 feet long, was unveiled on Thursday just inside the entrance to the museum's Richard Gilder Center in the Kenneth C. Griffin Exploration Atrium. Nearly 80 percent complete, the fossil was loaned to AMNH by Griffin, who purchased it for a record-breaking $44.6 million at a Sotheby’s auction in July, according to Gothamist.
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December 5, 2024

8 best spots for holiday lights in NYC

With Christmas trees illuminated, festive bars and restaurants decked out in tinsel, and seasonal markets in full swing, the holiday season has officially landed in New York City. In addition to gift-giving and Santa selfies, an easy way to get into the holiday spirit is by experiencing one of the city's many holiday light installations, whether it be in gardens, zoos, or on the Hudson River.
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December 4, 2024

Williamsburg’s first waterfront ice skating rink opens in Domino Square

The first ice skating rink on the Williamsburg waterfront is now open. Located within the newly-completed public plaza Domino Square, the 7,000-square-foot rink offers skaters stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and East River. The rink offers public skating, themed events, and private rentals, with holiday-themed skate nights and live DJ sessions throughout the season.
LET'S SKATE
December 3, 2024

The best Christmas trees in New York City

With holiday festivities ramping up in New York City, neighborhoods across the five boroughs are coming alive with dazzling displays of festive cheer. The city's Christmas and holiday trees, whose allure brings visitors from all corners of the world during the holiday season, all come with their own festive flare. Discover some of the city's most stunning holiday trees, from Rockefeller Center's world-famous tree to lesser-known—but just as elegant—trees at the South Street Seaport and Luna Park.
Find the holiday magic
December 3, 2024

New York Public Library announces the best books of 2024

The New York Public Library has released its annual list of the best books of the year. The list, selected by committees and librarians who read hundreds of books across several genres, chose the best books of 2024 for kids, teens, and adults. This year, the library staff also released books about, or set in, New York City. The lists build on NYPL's century-old tradition of recommending the most-loved titles to New Yorkers of all ages, choosing books that reflect the city's diverse readership.
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December 2, 2024

MTA rolls out first-ever festive ‘holiday train’ on Metro-North

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is spreading holiday cheer across the tri-state region, offering commuters a festive way to ride the rails. The transit agency on Friday introduced the first-ever Holiday Lights Train on the Metro-North, operating on random rotation on the Hudson Line, Harlem Line, and New Haven Line at all times through the New Year. The festive trains are decked out with colorful exterior lights and play special holiday-themed safety messages at select stations.
Find out more
November 27, 2024

The 23 best NYC holiday markets this year

The holiday season has officially arrived in New York City, bringing with it the quest for the perfect gift. Whether you're searching for one-of-a-kind jewelry or artwork, or are craving a festive treat, the city's holiday markets will have something special for everyone. Ahead, find some of the best spots to find unique and meaningful gifts for loved ones this holiday season, from long-standing markets at Bryant Park, Union Square, and Columbus Circle to exciting newcomers like Macy's Holiday Square.
your gift hunt starts here
November 26, 2024

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade by the numbers: Fun facts and figures

One of New York City's most cherished traditions returns on Thursday. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will hit the streets of Manhattan for the 98th time on Thursday, November 28. As one of the city's biggest events (30 million people watch from home and 3.5 million in person), the parade kicks off the holiday season with giant character balloons, intricately designed floats, marching bands, and musical performances. Ahead of the big event, learn some fun facts and figures about the parade, from the number of volunteers (5,000) and the hours of work by the Macy's team (8,000+) to the number of new balloons (6).
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November 26, 2024

Macy’s Herald Square reveals 2024 holiday windows

Macy's Herald Square unveiled its iconic holiday window displays last week, continuing a cherished tradition that has enchanted New Yorkers for generations. Macy's was the first department store to feature Christmas window displays in 1874, and this year's delightful creations will capture onlookers and invite them indoors to explore the store's cheerful celebrations.
Find out more