NYC Festivals and Events
1. New York Film Festival (NYFF)
Location: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and other venues across Manhattan.
Date: Annually in September and October.
History: The NYFF began in 1963 and has since become a prestigious event showcasing some of the world's finest films and filmmakers.
What to Wear: Dress varies from smart casual to elegant attire, especially for premieres and red carpet events.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers engage with the festival through film screenings, filmmaker talks, and star sightings around Lincoln Center and the Upper West Side.
2. NYC Pride March and Festival
Location: Primarily in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, with events throughout the city.
Dates: Month-long activities in June, culminating in the Pride March.
History: The event started in 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall Riots and celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
What to Wear: Colorful and expressive outfits, often featuring rainbow colors or supportive messages.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals and visitors alike participate in the Pride March, attend concerts, parties, and community events that promote diversity and inclusion.
3. West Indian Day Parade and Carnival
Location: Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, showcasing Caribbean culture.
Date: Labor Day weekend in September.
History: The parade and carnival have roots dating back to the 1920s, celebrating Caribbean heritage and traditions.
What to Wear: Vibrant costumes adorned with feathers, sequins, and cultural motifs.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers join in the festivities by attending the colorful parade, enjoying Caribbean music, cuisine, and participating in lively street parties and cultural showcases.
4. NYC Winter Jazzfest
Location: Various venues across Manhattan, including iconic jazz clubs.
Date: January annually.
History: Established in 2005, Winter Jazzfest highlights diverse jazz styles and emerging artists in New York City.
What to Wear: Casual attire suitable for indoor performances during the winter season.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals immerse themselves in the jazz scene, attending concerts, jam sessions, and late-night performances in intimate settings throughout Greenwich Village and beyond.
5. Governors Ball Music Festival
Location: Randall's Island Park, accessible via Manhattan.
Dates: Annually in late spring or early summer.
History: Since 2011, Governors Ball has brought together top musical acts across various genres for a vibrant outdoor festival experience.
What to Wear: Festival attire, comfortable for outdoor activities and unpredictable weather.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers gather to enjoy live music performances, art installations, food vendors, and the lively atmosphere of this popular music festival.
6. New York Fashion Week (NYFW)
Location: Various venues in Manhattan, including Spring Studios and iconic locations across the city.
Date: Twice a year in February and September.
History: NYFW dates back to 1943 and is a major event in the global fashion industry, showcasing the latest collections from renowned designers.
What to Wear: Fashion-forward attire, reflecting personal style and trends.
How the Locals Celebrate: Fashion enthusiasts attend runway shows, presentations, parties, and industry events, contributing to the city's reputation as a fashion capital.
7. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Location: Route along Manhattan's Upper West Side, ending at Macy's Herald Square.
Date: Thanksgiving Day in November.
History: Started in 1924, the parade is a beloved tradition featuring giant balloons, floats, marching bands, and performances.
What to Wear: Warm clothing suitable for outdoor viewing during late fall weather.
How the Locals Celebrate: Families and visitors line the streets to watch the parade, kicking off the holiday season with spectacle and cheer.
8. New York City Marathon
Location: Route spans all five boroughs, starting in Staten Island and finishing in Central Park, Manhattan.
Date: First Sunday in November.
History: Since 1970, the NYC Marathon has grown into one of the world's largest and most famous marathons, drawing elite runners and participants from around the globe.
What to Wear: Running gear or comfortable clothing for cheering along the route.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers cheer on runners, host viewing parties, and participate in related events and activities, celebrating athleticism and community spirit.
9. Tribeca Film Festival
Location: Various venues in Tribeca, Lower Manhattan.
Date: Annually in spring.
History: Founded in 2002 to revitalize downtown Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks, Tribeca Film Festival celebrates film, music, and culture.
What to Wear: Casual to smart attire depending on event type.
How the Locals Celebrate: Residents engage with film screenings, panel discussions, virtual reality experiences, and celebrity sightings, supporting independent filmmaking and storytelling.
10. Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration
Location: Times Square, Midtown Manhattan.
Date: December 31st annually.
History: Since 1907, New Year's Eve in Times Square has been an iconic global celebration, culminating in the famous ball drop at midnight.
What to Wear: Warm clothing suitable for standing outside in winter weather.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers and visitors gather to witness the ball drop, enjoy live performances, and join in the countdown to welcome the new year amidst confetti and fireworks.
11. New York City Halloween Parade
Location: Greenwich Village, Manhattan, along 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 16th Street.
Date: October 31st annually, starting around 7 PM.
History: The New York City Halloween Parade, officially known as the Village Halloween Parade, began in 1973 as a grassroots event to celebrate creativity and community spirit on Halloween night.
What to Wear: Spectators and participants alike don elaborate and imaginative costumes, ranging from spooky and macabre to whimsical and humorous.
How the Locals Celebrate: The parade features thousands of costumed marchers, including artists, performers, and community groups, who showcase their creativity through music, dance, and larger-than-life puppets. Spectators line the streets of Greenwich Village to watch the parade, which has grown into one of the largest Halloween events in the world. After the parade, participants and onlookers often continue celebrating at nearby bars, clubs, and Halloween-themed parties throughout the city.
Location: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and other venues across Manhattan.
Date: Annually in September and October.
History: The NYFF began in 1963 and has since become a prestigious event showcasing some of the world's finest films and filmmakers.
What to Wear: Dress varies from smart casual to elegant attire, especially for premieres and red carpet events.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers engage with the festival through film screenings, filmmaker talks, and star sightings around Lincoln Center and the Upper West Side.
2. NYC Pride March and Festival
Location: Primarily in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, with events throughout the city.
Dates: Month-long activities in June, culminating in the Pride March.
History: The event started in 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall Riots and celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
What to Wear: Colorful and expressive outfits, often featuring rainbow colors or supportive messages.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals and visitors alike participate in the Pride March, attend concerts, parties, and community events that promote diversity and inclusion.
3. West Indian Day Parade and Carnival
Location: Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, showcasing Caribbean culture.
Date: Labor Day weekend in September.
History: The parade and carnival have roots dating back to the 1920s, celebrating Caribbean heritage and traditions.
What to Wear: Vibrant costumes adorned with feathers, sequins, and cultural motifs.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers join in the festivities by attending the colorful parade, enjoying Caribbean music, cuisine, and participating in lively street parties and cultural showcases.
4. NYC Winter Jazzfest
Location: Various venues across Manhattan, including iconic jazz clubs.
Date: January annually.
History: Established in 2005, Winter Jazzfest highlights diverse jazz styles and emerging artists in New York City.
What to Wear: Casual attire suitable for indoor performances during the winter season.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals immerse themselves in the jazz scene, attending concerts, jam sessions, and late-night performances in intimate settings throughout Greenwich Village and beyond.
5. Governors Ball Music Festival
Location: Randall's Island Park, accessible via Manhattan.
Dates: Annually in late spring or early summer.
History: Since 2011, Governors Ball has brought together top musical acts across various genres for a vibrant outdoor festival experience.
What to Wear: Festival attire, comfortable for outdoor activities and unpredictable weather.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers gather to enjoy live music performances, art installations, food vendors, and the lively atmosphere of this popular music festival.
6. New York Fashion Week (NYFW)
Location: Various venues in Manhattan, including Spring Studios and iconic locations across the city.
Date: Twice a year in February and September.
History: NYFW dates back to 1943 and is a major event in the global fashion industry, showcasing the latest collections from renowned designers.
What to Wear: Fashion-forward attire, reflecting personal style and trends.
How the Locals Celebrate: Fashion enthusiasts attend runway shows, presentations, parties, and industry events, contributing to the city's reputation as a fashion capital.
7. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Location: Route along Manhattan's Upper West Side, ending at Macy's Herald Square.
Date: Thanksgiving Day in November.
History: Started in 1924, the parade is a beloved tradition featuring giant balloons, floats, marching bands, and performances.
What to Wear: Warm clothing suitable for outdoor viewing during late fall weather.
How the Locals Celebrate: Families and visitors line the streets to watch the parade, kicking off the holiday season with spectacle and cheer.
8. New York City Marathon
Location: Route spans all five boroughs, starting in Staten Island and finishing in Central Park, Manhattan.
Date: First Sunday in November.
History: Since 1970, the NYC Marathon has grown into one of the world's largest and most famous marathons, drawing elite runners and participants from around the globe.
What to Wear: Running gear or comfortable clothing for cheering along the route.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers cheer on runners, host viewing parties, and participate in related events and activities, celebrating athleticism and community spirit.
9. Tribeca Film Festival
Location: Various venues in Tribeca, Lower Manhattan.
Date: Annually in spring.
History: Founded in 2002 to revitalize downtown Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks, Tribeca Film Festival celebrates film, music, and culture.
What to Wear: Casual to smart attire depending on event type.
How the Locals Celebrate: Residents engage with film screenings, panel discussions, virtual reality experiences, and celebrity sightings, supporting independent filmmaking and storytelling.
10. Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration
Location: Times Square, Midtown Manhattan.
Date: December 31st annually.
History: Since 1907, New Year's Eve in Times Square has been an iconic global celebration, culminating in the famous ball drop at midnight.
What to Wear: Warm clothing suitable for standing outside in winter weather.
How the Locals Celebrate: New Yorkers and visitors gather to witness the ball drop, enjoy live performances, and join in the countdown to welcome the new year amidst confetti and fireworks.
11. New York City Halloween Parade
Location: Greenwich Village, Manhattan, along 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 16th Street.
Date: October 31st annually, starting around 7 PM.
History: The New York City Halloween Parade, officially known as the Village Halloween Parade, began in 1973 as a grassroots event to celebrate creativity and community spirit on Halloween night.
What to Wear: Spectators and participants alike don elaborate and imaginative costumes, ranging from spooky and macabre to whimsical and humorous.
How the Locals Celebrate: The parade features thousands of costumed marchers, including artists, performers, and community groups, who showcase their creativity through music, dance, and larger-than-life puppets. Spectators line the streets of Greenwich Village to watch the parade, which has grown into one of the largest Halloween events in the world. After the parade, participants and onlookers often continue celebrating at nearby bars, clubs, and Halloween-themed parties throughout the city.