January

With an average temperature of just three degrees, you might want to pack the thermals! Despite the cold, New York has much to offer on a city break to bring in the New Year, and it's a great time to visit the city. From mid-January, you can enjoy the best value airfares, accommodation and unmissable experiences in the year.

Events

Three Kings Day Parade: An event vastly celebrated by the Latin community, The Three Kings parade commemorates the day when children write to the Three Kings in pursuit of gifts. The procession, which has been run by El Museo del Barrio for the past forty years, features camels, puppets and colourful floats parading between 106th and 115th street. 

NYC Must See Week: New York is famed for its leadership in the curatorial and performing arts sector so enjoy a whole week of two-for-one admissions at attractions, museums, tours and performing arts venues across all five boroughs!

NYC Broadway Week: What is a trip to New York without a visit to Broadway to catch one of the classic shows, such as the The Lion King, School of Rock or Wicked? With two-for-one on a selection of productions - new and old, get those voices ready to sing along with the cast! 

NYC Restaurant Week: Are you a bit of a foodie? Well then, January is the perfect time to experience New York's incredible dining scene with three-course fixed price meals across four hundred restaurants accross the city. 

February

At an average temperature of four degrees, there is still a chill in the air but, like late January, there are some hot deals to be found on flights and hotels.

Events

Lunar New Year Parade: Chinatown, Flushing and Sunset Park are the places to be as New York celebrates with Dancing Dragons parading the streets to bring in the Lunar New Year.

New York Fashion Week: Whether you want to keep up-to-date with the latest styles, to admire artistry of the avant-garde or to bump into the Hadid sisters, New York Fashion Week is not to be missed! 

NYC Off Broadway Week: If you are looking for a show like no other, February offers two-for-one on tickets to off-Broadway productions, such as the Blue Man Group. With laughs a plenty, you will feel anything but blue after seeing these acclaimed masterpieces. 

March

As temperatures rise to a milder average of nine, there are plenty of events to put a spring in your step. Enjoy a brisk walk in Central Park or admire the burgeoning horticulture along the abandoned subway line of the High Line as the warmer weather begins to emerge.

Events

The Art Show: Are you an art connoisseur? The Art Dealers Association of America's hosts exhibitions of highly acclaimed artwork from the 19th century to the present. This meticulously curated show also conducts panels, where onlookers can question their most beloved artists.

New York International Children's Film Festival: New York is most definitely not just for grown ups. To entertain the whole family, the youth-orientated film festival holds showings of  a selection of films - from short animations to full length feature films. 

St. Patrick's Day Parade: A strong Irish influence is easily observed around the city all year round, but it is most visible during the celebrations of the Irish patron saint. The Archbishop of New York leads the Parade down Fifth Avenue on the 17th March. 

Macy's Flower Show: Macy's is an integral part of the New York City history. The flower show is one of three events held by Macy's throughout the year. Become a horticulturalist for the day with tours around specially crafted gardens! 

New York International Auto Show: Fancy yourself as the next Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond or James May? The Auto Show is a chance to the see the latest vehicles on the market up close and personal. 

Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival: See the best of the bonnets as spring chickens and bouncy bunnies parade down Fifth Avenue.

April 

The average temperature in New York almost doubles this month to a temperate sixteen, making it a great time to go an adventure round the city or take a boat trip to Staten Island to visit the Statue of Liberty. Outside of school holidays, you can avoid the crowds, whilst enjoying some warmer weather.

Events

Mets and Yankees Openers: Whether you're a baseball aficionado or you just want to experience America's national pastime, a visit to the Bronx or Queens to see the two world famous baseball teams in action is an absolute must. 

Tribeca Film Festival: Led by the man who made "are you talkin' to me?" the most imitated line in a film, the Tribeca Film Festival has reinvigorated the Lower Manhattan neighbourhood with celebrations of film, music and culture. Red carpet, gala and free drive-in (no car required) screening events are just some of the celebrations you can be a part of. 

Earth Week: For the environmentally conscious, or those looking to be, Earth Week is a great opportunity to learn about the ways that you can live greener with exhibitions, educational forums and more. 

Cherry Blossom Festival: If you haven't quite had the chance to visit Kyoto for the cherry blossom season in Japan, then Brooklyn's Botanical Garden's offers a great alternative to see the Sakuri Matsuri. With numerous celebrations of Japanese culture, such as traditional music, martial arts, tea ceremonies and manga art, there is plenty to keep you entertained over the weekend festival. 

May

New York temperatures continue to rise to a comfortable twenty-one degrees - a lovely time to have a stroll around Central Park and see all that it has to offer. Visit Central Park Zoo, look out over Bethesda Terrace or remember John Lennon at Strawberry Fields - the park is vast!

Events

TD Five Boro Bike Tour: Attracting thirty two thousand cyclists from around the world, the forty mile bike tour is largely flat so all abilities can pedal their way over the five bridges to get views of a skyline like no other. 

NYCxDesign: Exhibitions, installations, talks, trade shows and open studios celebrate the creative minds that form the abundance of talent in the design world. 

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival: Another one for the foodies, Hell's Kitchen hosts a fifteen block food market spectacular. Greek, Brazilian, Moroccan and more; the festival has it all! 

Shakespeare in the Park: Often starring well-known actors, the free outdoor productions are available to all. 

Summer on the Hudson: From life-size chess tournaments to yoga classes, the festival takes place in Riverside Park, offering something for everyone to enjoy. 

Bronx Week: A tradition from the seventies, the festival celebrates the distinctive borough of the Bronx.

June

New York really starts to heat up in June! As your last chance to catch the sun while also avoiding the school holidays, June is a great value time to visit NYC in the summer.

Events

Museum Mile Festival: A large Upper East Side block party which offers free admission to many museums, live music and street performers. This event is ideal for adults and families alike. 

National Puerto Rican Day Parade: A celebration of the city's multiculturalism, eighty thousand of New York's Puerto Rican community descend upon Fifth Avenue to entertain the two million onlookers. 

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party: Get bang for your buck, or ten bucks, and grab a plate of authentic American BBQ food and jug of beer at Madison Square Gardens. 

Celebrate Brooklyn!: Free music, dance, theatre and film are the main attractions of this outdoor arts festival. 

Pride Week: Similar to festivities across the UK, New York hosts a week of events embracing the LGBTQ+ communities that have thrived in the vibrant city. 

NY Philharmonic Concerts: A commemoration of the classical genre, the Philharmonic Concerts offers free viewing of classical musicians, including the outro to the festival, which is held on Staten Island.

July

With daytime averages topping twenty-nine celcius, why not enjoy the glorious New York sunshine from the beach at Coney Island? Yes, that's right: the beach! Enjoy the rollercoaster rides, ferris wheels and hot dogs of Luna Park by the seaside of Brooklyn.

Events

Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks: Even with a holiday dedicated to pyrotechnics, the UK cannot compete with the firework displays and musical soundtrack of Independence Day in the USA. 

Harlem Week: Despite the name, Harlem week is actually a month long festival of free activities that pays tribute to history of the neighbourhood. 

Broadway in Bryant Park: Go alfresco and enjoy the show put on by the cast of many popular Broadway musicals. Grab a chair on the lawn or bring a blanket and picnic hamper! 

Summer at Lincoln Center: Learning to dance under the night sky is just one of the many (free) activities offered during this summer celebration. 

August

Whilst the beautiful weather continues, remaining around twenty-eight degrees, the school holidays can mean it's a more costly time to visit the Big Apple. However, there's plenty to keep the kids (and the parents) entertained in New York. 

Events

Hong Kong Dragon Festival: In the foreground of the international music, martial arts, crafts, dance and cuisine, two hundred dragon boat teams take to Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It is the spectacle that it sounds! 

Summer Streets: Cycle, walk, run or dance down Fifth Avenue on a Saturday morning as Fifth Avenue is pedestrianised from 7am to 1pm.

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: The annual festival is held in memorandum of Charlie Parker. The event is held at Harlem Marcus Garvey Park. 

US Open Tennis: Take to the stands to witness the last Grand Slam of the year at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing. 

September

If you enjoy the warm, vibrant colours of autumn, take a trip to New York in September. The pleasant average of twenty-four degrees is the ideal temperature to take a stroll around Central Park and witness the spectacular fall foliage.

Events

New York Fashion Week: Another one for the fashionistas, this time the spring/summer collections of highly acclaimed designers are debuted across multiple runways. 

Feast of San Gennaro: With a strong Italian heritage, New York has become affiliated with the 'New York' style pizza. In tribute to the patron saint of Naples, Little Italy is adorned in lights, whilst revellers can enjoy Italian food, entertainment and parades. 

Commemorating 9/11: A more sombre occasion is the memorial for the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11. Vigils are held across the city, including the sites of the Twin Towers. 

Richmond County Fair: A Staten Island tradition, the Richmond County Fair is a family friendly occasion with circus performers, a petting zoo and cartoon characters.

New York Film Festival: If you like to be at the forefront of feature film, then catch the latest motion pictures before they hit big screens around the world. The likes of Martin Scorsese have debuted films here! 

Fall at Queens County Farm Museum: To honour the change of the seasons, the Queens County Museum hosts an eclectic collection of events, including a county fair, a pumpkin-pick, a pig race and a petting zoo.

October

As an American tradition, the best place to experience Halloween is Stateside. With numerous Halloween parties and activities across New York City, you are most definitely in for a treat. It starts to cool down to around eighteen degrees at this time of year so a light jacket is advised! 

Events

Archtober: An event for the architects, Archtober is an opportunity to learn more about the distinguished architecture that forms the most famous skyline in the world. 

New Yorker Festival: Panels of experts from the world of politics, the arts, journalism and television culminate in a full three-day line up.

New York Comic Con: With the Stan Lees of the world having made a name for graphic novels and supernatural entities, the Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center welcomes a wealth of fans to attend panels, booths and screenings. 

Open House New York: If you like to get behind the scenes, the Open House New York weekend offers free tours to a selection of rarely accessible buildings around the city. 

Butterfly Conservatory: The Museum of Natural History may not come alive at night but it does come alive as the Vivarium transforms a live butterfly sanctuary. The balmy temperatures within the tropical environment provides a break from the cold. 

Rangers and Islanders Openers: As the colder weather begins to set in, the ice hockey season kicks off in Madison Square Garden. 

Knicks and Nets Openers: Even if you don't know much about basketball, you are likely to have heard of the Manhattan based team - The Knicks. With an A-list following, this is not just a basketball game, it is an basketball occasion! 

Vintage Halloween Parade: It began in the West Village in the seventies and is now a time honoured tradition. With two million onlookers, you're likely to see a vast array of costumes, puppets, bands and dancers at the Vintage Halloween Parade. 

November

It gets a little frosty in New York in November with temperatures averaging around twelve degrees, but it is a great time to visit to bear witness to the charming eccentricities of New York as the festive period rapidly approaches.

Events

TCS New York City Marathon: You don't have to be running the marathon to feel involved in the excitement that surrounds the twenty-seven mile route from Staten Island to Central Park. 

New York Comedy Festival: The great names of comedy have all headlined at stage of the New York Comedy Festival, including Ricky Gervais and Judd Apatow! 

Radio City Christmas Spectacular: The holiday production that has been running for seventy-five years, includes Rockette numbers, flying Santas, pyrotechnics and nativity plays; it's everything you need to get into the festive spirit!

Holiday Train Show: The New York Botanical Gardens features one hundred and fifty miniature replicas of major landmarks with toy trains operating services around the 'city'. 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: The final event of the year held by the esteemed department store is the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Load up on turkey, sweet potato mash and pumpkin pie before taking to the streets to view the rather sizable helium balloons as they proceed along the two-and-a-half mile street.

December 

Christmas in New York is a once in a lifetime experience so pack up your layers and skate on the Rockefeller Rink or shop to your heart's contents at the city's festive markets as the city is dusted in a layer of snow. This is a wonderful time to visit New York.

Events

Holiday Shops: Whether you have a gift list for friends, family or yourself, the holiday markets in Union Square, Grand Central, Bryant Park and Columbus Circle are the perfect place for gifts and trinkets. 

Lighting of the World's Largest Hanukkah Menorah: The thirty-foot high gold coloured has a candle lit every evening of the Jewish holiday.

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting: The ceremony that sees the lights adorning the Rockefeller tree being switched on is worth enduring the crowds.  Highly acclaimed musical acts have been known to perform. 

George Balanchine The Nutcracker: The Nutcracker can be enjoyed by all that wish for some festive fun. With Tchaikovsky's music accompainment, this production has been enjoyed by thousands over the fifty years that it has appeared in the Lincoln Center.  

Times Square New Year's Eve: Watch the ball drop in Times Square as a million people gather for the liveliest New Year's party in the world! 

For inspiration on how to get the most out of the Big Apple at any time of the year - take a look at our New York Holidays page.