Photos by Alexandre Ayer / @diversitypics for the Garment District Alliance

The Garment District Alliance has unveiled a new public art exhibit in the Broadway plaza between 39th and 40th Streets. Called Prismatica, it’s made up of 25, six-foot-tall pivoting prisms that reflect the colors of the rainbow and turn the street a “glimmering winter kaleidoscope.” The piece was created by RAW Design in collaboration with ATOMIC3 and is on view through January 30th.

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Photo credit: Storm Garner

After canceling its 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Queens Night Market is set to return this spring. John Wang, founder of the popular open-air market, said he plans to kick off the event on April 17 at the New York Hall of Science at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, while keeping an eye on the city’s COVID-19 metrics. The food market, open on Saturday nights, will tentatively run through October 30.

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Photo courtesy of Empire State Realty Trust

A memorial honoring the lives lost to the coronavirus pandemic will be held at the Lincoln Memorial next week and cities and towns are invited to join the tribute with ceremonies of their own. President-elect Joe Biden’s Presidential Inaugural Committee announced plans to feature a lighting around the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. on January 19, the evening before the inauguration. The Empire State Building will participate by playing its red heartbeat light show, which first debuted last year as a tribute to the city’s frontline workers.

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All photos courtesy of Airbnb

“To honor the strength and resilience” of New Yorkers this year, Airbnb has teamed up with Nasdaq and Mariah Carey to offer two lucky locals (from the same household!) the chance to ring in the new year under the Times Square Ball. The 10th-floor terrace of the Nasdaq MarketSite will hold a heated igloo-like geodesic dome to get cozy in, as well as provide panoramic views of all the live, broadcasted events and performances that will be going on that night. The guests will also get a personal, virtual greeting from Mariah Carey, a $5,000 shopping credit, and dinner by a private chef.

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Photo credit: Countdown Entertainment, LLC, courtesy of Times Square Alliance

In September, the Times Square Alliance announced that its annual New Year’s Eve celebration will take place virtually this year, including the famous ball drop. This will be the first time in 114 years that the December 31 event will not have a crowd. But thanks to a new app developed by Jamestown, Times Square will come to the living rooms of revelers around the world. Turning the New Year’s Eve experience into a video game, the app lets users create a personalized avatar, explore a virtual Times Square, play games, and live stream the countdown to midnight.  Real-life musical performances, interviews, and countdowns are still happening this year but will be live-streamed instead.

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Photo by Charley Lhasa on Flickr

Dozens of New York City parks will glow with holiday displays this year, bringing some much-needed cheer to all five boroughs. The city’s Parks Department last week released an interactive map that marks all of the menorah and Christmas tree lightings at parks and administrative buildings in the city by borough. The agency is encouraging New Yorkers to stay local and enjoy the illuminated green spaces in their neighborhoods.

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Manhattan’s Menorah being lit by Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, in 2016. Credit: Credit: Chaim Perl / Chabad.org/ Chabad Lubavitch/Flickr.

In the mid-1970s, former Chabad Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson encouraged his emissaries to build public menorahs in major cities and organize nightly lightings to increase public awareness about Hanukkah and inspire fellow Jews to light menorahs in their homes. Decades later, Chabad rabbis continue the effort in cities worldwide, but in New York, the practice hasn’t always been friendly. The tradition ended up creating a fun competition between rival menorahs in Brooklyn and Manhattan, both claiming to be “The World’s Largest.” To mark the first night of Hanukkah on Thursday, both of New York City’s 32-foot-tall menorahs will be lighted.

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All photos credit: Airbnb

It’s like Night at the Museum meets Big–one lucky New York City family of four will get the chance to spend the night inside FAO Schwarz, arguably the world’s most famous toy store. The experience comes courtesy of Airbnb, who arranged the stay especially for the holidays. For just $25, you’ll be able to freely roam the store, as well as receive a special tour from a real FAO Schwarz toy soldier. Other perks include a shopping spree, a fantastic feast, and a music lesson on the store’s iconic Giant Dance On Piano.

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Photo courtesy of Edge

Edge, the city’s highest outdoor observation deck at 1,131 feet (as well as the highest in the entire western hemisphere), is all ready for its first holiday season. The Hudson Yards attraction is adorned with 50,000 twinkling lights illuminating the Skyline Steps and interior spaces and is offering a limited-edition holiday “Cocoa in the Clouds” to keep you nice and toasty while you take in those insane views.

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