Events & Things To Do

On this day in 1912, the nation’s first public Christmas tree went up in Madison Square Park

Bain News Service, Publisher. Xmas tree in Madison Sq. Park, N.Y.C. , ca. 1910. [Between and Ca. 1915] Photograph. Library of Congress Digital Collections.

December 21, 2022

On this day in 1912, the nation’s first public Christmas tree went up in Madison Square Park

By Michelle Cohen

On December 21, 1912, a 60-foot-tall tree arrived by horse-drawn truck from the Adirondacks to provide Manhattan's Madison Square Park with the glow of 2,300 colored electric bulbs. The twinklers were donated by the Edison Company, and the tree was the first of its kind: Having a Christmas tree in one's living room was a familiar custom, but a tree outside in a public park was something new.
Get the whole history right this way

‘2023’ numerals arrive in Times Square

All images courtesy of Times Square Alliance

December 21, 2022

‘2023’ numerals arrive in Times Square

By Aaron Ginsburg

It's almost the New Year in New York. The signature seven-foot-tall shining numerals that sit underneath the New Year's Eve crystal ball arrived in Times Square this week. The numbers are available for viewing at Times Square Plaza between 46th and 47th Street until noon on December 23 when they take their place on top of One Times Square.
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Events & Things To Do

Will New York City see a White Christmas this year?

Snow in Central Park; Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy

December 21, 2022

Will New York City see a White Christmas this year?

By Aaron Ginsburg

New Yorkers who fantasize about opening their blinds on Christmas morning to a sprawling landscape of snow will likely be disappointed this year. According to the "White Christmas Calculator," a tool created by the Omni Calculator Project that gives the likelihood of snowfall in major cities, the probability that New York City sees at least one inch of snow on December 25 is approximately 13.2 percent. However, there are a few other cities located nearby with a near or over 50 percent chance of seeing flurries.
Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Events & Things To Do

How to decorate your small NYC apartment for the holidays

Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash

December 20, 2022

How to decorate your small NYC apartment for the holidays

Decorating your home is one of the joys of the holidays. But in New York City, most people don’t have room for a 10-foot Christmas tree or an elaborate display of lights. But that shouldn’t stop even studio dwellers from getting into the spirit! We spoke to interior designers to get some expert tips on how to decorate small spaces for the holidays.
Tips this way

Designer gift guide: 11 NYC creatives share what they’re giving (and what they want) this holiday

December 19, 2022

Designer gift guide: 11 NYC creatives share what they’re giving (and what they want) this holiday

By Michelle Cohen

6sqft has once again asked a handful of New York City designers, architects, and artists to share a few things they plan on gifting–or, perhaps, hope to receive–this season. Read on for dozens of unique and unexpected items curated by some of the city’s most talented creatives. We promise a bounty of ideas and inspiration to choose from if you happen to find yourself scrambling for a gift.
This year's coolest gifts, this way

Tony Awards will be held at historic United Palace theater in Washington Heights

All photos taken by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

December 15, 2022

Tony Awards will be held at historic United Palace theater in Washington Heights

By Aaron Ginsburg

Next year's Tony Awards will be held outside of Manhattan's theater district for the first time in 75 years. The presenters of the Tony Awards on Tuesday announced that this year's ceremony will move uptown to Washington Heights. The event will be hosted at the historic United Palace theater on Sunday, June 11, 2023.
Details here

Events & Things To Do

43 perfect gifts for every type of New Yorker

December 15, 2022

43 perfect gifts for every type of New Yorker

By Michelle Cohen

New Yorkers are a picky bunch. Our 2022 gift guide is up to the challenge, with unique–or just amazingly useful–goods, gadgets, and experiences that will make your gift list shorter–and your stockings fuller.
This way for the 2022 gift guide

Museum of Jewish Heritage to host its first-ever New York Jewish Book Festival

© John Halpern Courtesy of the Museum of Jewish Heritage

December 9, 2022

Museum of Jewish Heritage to host its first-ever New York Jewish Book Festival

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust is hosting its first-ever New York Jewish Book Festival this weekend. Kicking off on Sunday, December 11 at 10 a.m., the full-day event will feature talks, panels, author signings, and other programs that explore themes of Jewish heritage, culture, history, and more. The festival is free to attend and will be held at the museum's location at 36 Battery Place in Battery Park City.
See more here

Events & Things To Do

How to avoid NYC SantaCon 2022

Photo courtesy of Anthony Quintano on Flickr

December 8, 2022

How to avoid NYC SantaCon 2022

By Aaron Ginsburg

Manhattan residents may be pleasantly surprised or significantly perturbed when a horde of red-and-white-clad SantaCon 2022 participants flood the streets of Midtown, Murray Hill, and the East Village this Saturday. The annual cosplay event draws thousands of festively-dressed participants into the borough for a day of drunken shenanigans all in the name of charity. The pub crawl is a blast for all of those involved, and not so fun for residents of the neighborhoods and people who need to travel through these areas. Ahead are a few suggestions for those looking to avoid the action during this year's SantaCon.
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Events & Things To Do

16 Hanukkah celebrations and ceremonies taking place in NYC this year

Image courtesy of Chabad West Village

December 7, 2022

16 Hanukkah celebrations and ceremonies taking place in NYC this year

By Aaron Ginsburg

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins at sunset on Sunday, December 18, and lasts until sunset on Monday, December 26. There are a variety of events across New York City that celebrate the eight-night holiday, including menorah lighting ceremonies, arts festivals, live music, and much more. Ahead, find a way to celebrate the holiday, from the famous menorah lighting in Central Park and Prospect Park to arts and crafts at the Jewish Museum.
See the list

Events & Things To Do

Popular Articles

MTA unveils stunning mosaics by Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith inside the new Grand Central Madison

Yayoi Kusama, “A Message of Love, Directly from My Heart unto the Universe, 2022.” Photo by Kerry McFate ©YAYOI KUSAMA Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, David Zwirner

December 7, 2022

MTA unveils stunning mosaics by Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith inside the new Grand Central Madison

By Devin Gannon

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week unveiled new permanent floor-to-ceiling mosaics at the soon-to-open Grand Central Madison terminal, adding to the impressive and expansive public art portfolio found across New York City's transit system. The glass mosaics designed by renowned contemporary artists Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith animate the new terminal, which when it opens later this month, will bring Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Terminal.
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New sculpture of Biggie Smalls unveiled at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo

All photos courtesy of Noemie Trusty

December 7, 2022

New sculpture of Biggie Smalls unveiled at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new sculpture of the "King of New York" now greets visitors entering Brooklyn. The Dumbo Improvement District and the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership on Tuesday unveiled a 9-foot-tall bronze structure depicting hip-hop legend Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo. Created by artist Sherwin Banfield, the structure, titled "Sky's the Limit in the County of Kings," is dedicated to the "art, life, and legacy" of Wallace, who died 25 years ago.
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Events & Things To Do

Explore NYC from Edward Hopper’s perspective with this new digital map

Washington Square; All images courtesy of the Whitney Museum of Art

December 5, 2022

Explore NYC from Edward Hopper’s perspective with this new digital map

By Aaron Ginsburg

On Monday, the Whitney Museum launched an interactive digital map marking 20 locations across New York City that legendary artist Edward Hopper painted during his career. The map provides a side-by-side comparison of Hopper's portrayal and a photo of the location as it looks today taken from the same perspective, including places like the Manhattan Bridge, Washington Square Park, and Roosevelt Island. All of the paintings featured on the map are currently on display at the museum as part of the new exhibition, Edward Hopper's New York, which explores the life and work of the artist through his relationship with the city.
See the map

Events & Things To Do

These inventive, handcrafted holiday wreaths were designed by New Yorkers

All photos courtesy of NYC Parks / Malcolm Pinckney

December 2, 2022

These inventive, handcrafted holiday wreaths were designed by New Yorkers

By Aaron Ginsburg

NYC Park's annual Wreath Interpretations exhibition has returned to the Arsenal Gallery for its 40th year. Now through December 30, the public can visit the gallery, located in Central Park, and view nearly 40 unique, handcrafted wreaths that celebrate the holiday season.
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Events & Things To Do

Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, and more: The history of New York City’s holiday windows

Shoppers check out a holiday window, via The Library of Congress

December 1, 2022

Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, and more: The history of New York City’s holiday windows

By Lucie Levine

Santa rode in on his sleigh at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas Tree is now lit at Rockefeller Center, so you know what that means: It’s officially the holiday season in New York. It’s fitting that Macy’s heralds the beginning of our collective good cheer since R. H. Macy himself revolutionized the holiday season when he debuted the nation’s very first Christmas Windows at his store on 14th Street in 1874. Since then, all of New York’s major department stores have been turning merchandise into magic with show-stopping holiday window displays. Historically, New York’s holiday windows have deployed a combination of spectacle, science, and art, with cutting-edge technology and the talents of such luminaries as Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, and Robert Rauschenberg. From hydraulic lifts to steam-powered windows, take a look back at the history of New York’s holiday windows, the last word in high-tech, high-design holiday cheer.
Look at more holiday history here

Santa Claus is coming to the Empire State Building’s observation deck

All images courtesy of the Empire State Realty Trust

November 30, 2022

Santa Claus is coming to the Empire State Building’s observation deck

By Aaron Ginsburg

Santa Claus will be visiting the Empire State Building Observatory for the first time ever this holiday season. On two days in December, visitors can meet Santa and share their Christmas wishes on the iconic building's 80th floor. The landmark skyscraper will be decked out with festive decor and offer musical performances.
How to meet Santa

Events & Things To Do

Go behind the scenes at the Brooklyn Museum with this free virtual guide

Photo courtesy of Alison Day for New York Hotels Magazine on Flickr

November 30, 2022

Go behind the scenes at the Brooklyn Museum with this free virtual guide

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Brooklyn Museum this week launched a new digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app that allows art lovers to learn more about the museum's expansive collection that spans 5,500 years of human creativity. Aimed at enhancing in-person and virtual visits, the museum's guide includes audio tours led by curators and creators that focus on artwork found across its five floors.
Find out more

You can have a Christmas-themed photoshoot in Mariah Carey’s NYC penthouse

Image courtesy of Samir Hussein for Getty Images

November 29, 2022

You can have a Christmas-themed photoshoot in Mariah Carey’s NYC penthouse

By Aaron Ginsburg

Here's a chance to visit Christmas Queen Mariah Carey's New York City penthouse during the holidays. Hosted by Booking.com, "Mariah's Ultimate Holiday Experience" consists of a three-night stay at The Plaza hotel, a cocktail hour and Christmas card photo shoot at the superstar's penthouse apartment, tickets to Carey's "Merry Christmas To All" concert at Madison Square Garden, and much more. Available to just two lucky fans, the exclusive experience opens for booking on a first-come-first-service basis on December 14 at 5 p.m.
All I want for Christmas is Mariah Carey's apartment

Macy’s Santaland: A 161-year-old tradition that brings holiday magic to NYC’s Herald Square

All photos by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s Inc

November 29, 2022

Macy’s Santaland: A 161-year-old tradition that brings holiday magic to NYC’s Herald Square

"He’s so kind and nice and jolly. He’s not like anyone else. He must be Santa." That’s what little Natalie Wood says about the Herald Square Macy’s Santa Claus in the 1947 classic "Miracle on 34th Street." And to this day, the jolly man in red remains at the helm of the iconic department store’s annual Santaland. Since 1861, Macy’s has been inviting children and adults to experience the wonder of Santa Claus (though the Herald Square building was not erected until 1901), but what people may not know is that, much like the spirit of Christmas, Santaland exists all year long behind locked doors. On the day after Thanksgiving, the doors are opened, letting holiday magic spill out once again.
Get the Santaland low-down

Events & Things To Do

10 things you didn’t know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Photo of the 2021 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree courtesy of Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer

November 28, 2022

10 things you didn’t know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been a favorite holiday tradition for New Yorkers and visitors alike since its inception in the early 1930s. This year marks the 93rd anniversary of the festive tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of people daily to the area around Fifth Avenue. From the tree's humble beginnings as a place to gather during the Great Depression to its 50,000 sparkling lights and 900-pound Swarovski crystal-covered star topper, here are 10 things you might not know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Get the fun facts here

Ride vintage subway trains in NYC every Sunday this holiday season

Photo by Marc Hermann, Courtesy of the New York Transit Museum

November 28, 2022

Ride vintage subway trains in NYC every Sunday this holiday season

By Aaron Ginsburg

Holiday Nostalgia Rides, the New York Transit Museum's beloved tradition, has returned to the city for the first time in two years. Every Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, New Yorkers will be able to ride vintage subway trains that will depart from Chambers Street and 137th Street-City College stations and make express stops on the local 1 line track. The Holiday Nostalgia Train will feature the Train of Many Colors, a selection of different vintage subway cars from the 1960s representing different eras of the subway system's history.
Travel back in time this holiday

What you should know about the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Photo by Anthony Quintano on Flickr

November 23, 2022

What you should know about the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

By Devin Gannon

Kicking off the holiday season, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade returns this Thursday. The 96th annual event will feature 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 40 inflatables, 700 clowns, 12 marching bands, 10 performance groups, and of course, one Santa Claus. Ahead, find out what you need to know about this year's parade, from the lineup and the best in-person viewing spots to street closures and how to watch the festive procession at home.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC unveils plan for car-free streets in Midtown to reduce holiday crowds

Photo by Alex Haney on Unsplash

November 23, 2022

NYC unveils plan for car-free streets in Midtown to reduce holiday crowds

By Devin Gannon

Some streets in Midtown Manhattan will be closed to cars during the holiday season to provide New Yorkers and visitors a safe way to enjoy the festivities, Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday. Under the plan, the city will open 11 blocks to pedestrians, including a strip of Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street, the first time in 50 years the iconic thoroughfare will close to traffic. Starting next week, certain streets around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall will only be open to pedestrians during the busiest hours.
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10 offbeat holiday events and exhibits to check out in NYC

FAO Schwarz at Rockefeller Center; Photo: Charles Sykes/AP Images for FAO Schwarz

November 22, 2022

10 offbeat holiday events and exhibits to check out in NYC

The thing about tradition is, it never gets old. And in New York City during the holidays, there are some annual traditions that just make the city magical — the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, lights on 5th Avenue, the Bryant Park holiday market, and Santa at Macy’s to name a few. And while these tried and true mainstays will never go out of style, it is nice to switch it up once in a while. We’ve rounded up some lesser-known holiday events and activities to mix things up this holiday season in NYC.
Check them out

NYC landmarks were lit blue, pink, and white in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance

Image courtesy of Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of the Governor on Flickr

November 21, 2022

NYC landmarks were lit blue, pink, and white in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance

By Aaron Ginsburg

Landmarks across New York were lit blue, pink, and white on Sunday in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. The day honors transgender individuals who have lost their life due to anti-transgender violence. The tribute came just one day after a mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado left five people dead.
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