Events & Things To Do

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.
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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

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

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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.
More this way

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.
Get the details

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.
More here

Fifth Avenue will partially close to all traffic on select days in December

The decorated holiday window at Saks Fifth Avenue in 2016; Photo by Phil Roeder on Flickr

November 21, 2022

Fifth Avenue will partially close to all traffic on select days in December

By Aaron Ginsburg

Fifth Avenue will be closed to cars in celebration of the holiday season next month. As first reported by Time Out, the "Fifth Avenue for All" initiative will take place on three Sundays next month, December 4, 11, and 18, from noon to 6 p.m., allowing pedestrians to safely stroll along Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street.
See more here

Here are NYC’s best holiday markets and pop-up shops of 2022

Image courtesy of

November 16, 2022

Here are NYC’s best holiday markets and pop-up shops of 2022

By Aaron Ginsburg

FAD Holiday Market The holiday season has arrived in New York City, and with it comes the dozens of festive winter shops that offer unique gifts and locally-made goods for New Yorkers and their loved ones. Ahead, discover the city's best holiday markets and pop-up shops, from the long-revered markets at Union Square and Bryant Park to newcomers like the Brooklyn Borough Hall Holiday Market.
Find something for everyone on your list

The first survey of Puerto Rican art in a major U.S. museum in 50 years will open in NYC

Gamaliel Rodríguez, Collapsed Soul, 2020–21. Ink and acrylic on canvas, 84 × 112 in. (213.3 × 284.5 cm). © 2021 Gamaliel Rodríguez. Courtesy of the artist and Nathalie Karg Gallery NYC. Photograph by Gamaliel Rodríguez

November 15, 2022

The first survey of Puerto Rican art in a major U.S. museum in 50 years will open in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

An exhibition opening at the Whitney Museum of American Art this month is the first survey of contemporary Puerto Rican art presented in a major United States museum in almost 50 years. Titled "no existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria," the exhibit is made up of work from 20 intergenerational artists who explore the years since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017 and respond to the political, social, and environmental factors connected to the disaster.
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Events & Things To Do

Your guide to Carnegie Hill, the essence of history and culture on the Upper East Side

Photo credit: CityRealty

November 14, 2022

Your guide to Carnegie Hill, the essence of history and culture on the Upper East Side

By Michelle Cohen

Bounded by 86th and 96th streets, Third Avenue, and Central Park's east side, the enclave of Carnegie Hill, well within the refined embrace of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is a neighborhood that transcends trends. A significant portion comprises the Carnegie Hill Historic District with its 19th-century townhouses of brick and brownstone and ornate mansions, converted hotels, and large apartment buildings from the early 20th century. Culturally rich on par with any neighborhood in the world, with a convenience that's hard to beat anywhere in the city, this elegant residential New York City neighborhood appears untouched by time. But within its borders are some of the Upper East Side's most exciting recent residential conversions and new developments.
What to do and see, and where to live in Carnegie Hill

Events & Things To Do

The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in NYC

All photos courtesy of Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer

November 14, 2022

The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in Midtown, marking the start of the holiday season in New York City. Donated by a family in Glens Falls, New York, the 82-foot-tall Norway Spruce tree is 50 feet wide and weighs around 14 tons. After its arrival at Rockefeller Center this weekend, the hefty tree was hoisted into position by a crane and set in place, where it will stand throughout the holiday season. The annual tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 30.
See more here

Museum of Broadway opens in Times Square this week

All photos courtesy of Monique Carboni

November 14, 2022

Museum of Broadway opens in Times Square this week

By Aaron Ginsburg

The first-ever permanent museum dedicated to the rich history of Broadway theater is opening in Times Square on Tuesday. Located at 145 West 45th Street, the Museum of Broadway will guide guests through an immersive visual history of Broadway, delving into moments throughout The Great White Way's history and displaying a variety of costumes, props, rare photos, videos, and more.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

Citymeals’ festive holiday cards help deliver meals to elderly New Yorkers

‘Tis the Season by Katie Woodward, Image courtesy of Citymeals on Wheels

November 11, 2022

Citymeals’ festive holiday cards help deliver meals to elderly New Yorkers

By Aaron Ginsburg

Citymeals on Wheels' annual holiday card program is returning for the 30th year this holiday season to raise funds for the preparation and delivery of meals to elderly, homebound New Yorkers. The cards feature designs from previous seasons and new original designs of iconic New York City holiday scenes, from a snow day on the Bow Bridge in Central Park to a newly chopped-down Christmas tree atop a taxi.
How you can help

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