Festivals and events in New York: Cheap NYC activities

You could take home a piece of 2024—that is, a piece of the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball—on Thursday morning if you make the right moves. Starting at 11am at the Times Square Broadway Plaza between 46th and 47th Streets on Thursday, December 19, One Times Square will invite the public to change out the ball’s current Waterford Crystal triangles, which will be on a one-of-a-kind display, for the newly designed triangles for 2025—the ones that will descend on December 31. RECOMMENDED: The best NYE parties in NYC to celebrate the New Year According to the Times Square Alliance, the 2025 One Times Square Crystal design features long linear cuts with a circle near the top representing the 139-foot pole and the iconic building famous for the Ball Drop Celebration. The “Ever Crystal” design is made of of three pairs of interlocking rings surrounded by diamond-shaped facets and donned with the letter E to symbolize unity and EVER, a new destination for vow ceremonies opening in 2025 at One Times Square. Also new for next year, there will be a “Crystal VIP Experience,” where ticketed guests will have a behind-the-scenes, up close look at the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball and place a new crystal directly on the ball, and take home a personalized crystal. Thursday’s event is just a preview of this. Of course, participation will be on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last. Can you imagine having a keepsake from one of the most iconic events in NYC and the...

If these 4:30pm sunsets in NYC are getting you down, this new immersive experience at Genesis House might be just the antidote. Called STARSCAPE, this light installation explores the beauty of darkness and the wonders of the cosmos.   The walk-through exhibit was designed by Ethan Tobman, who is known for his visual storytelling as creative director of The Eras Tour. But unlike Taylor Swift's concerts, this experience is completely free to see with no tickets required. Tobman drew inspiration from Dongji, the Korean Winter Solstice, to craft an awe-inspiring journey through the longest night of the year. RECOMMENDED: Feel ASMR tingles at this immersive holiday art experience coming to NYC When you step inside this Meatpacking District venue, you'll head downstairs into a luxe lounge before walking into the darkened exhibition area. First, take note of the panels hanging from the ceiling, each becoming the backdrop for colorful designs. Then, notice the geometric light fixtures along the ceiling that coordinate with colorful bursts. These 590 glowing lights re-create the constellations that illuminate Seoul and New York, showing a nightly connection between the distant cities. Photograph: By Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out New York Finally, step into the main event, a captivating light show zooming through the journey of an evening star. Unlike other immersive experiences, the displays aren't just beamed from a projector. Instead, these LED projections take over...

Free and cheap tickets to NYC's best museums? It's possible! One of the benefits of living in or visiting New York City is all the incredible cultural institutions and museums are at your beck-and-call like The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, MoMA or the Guggenheim. They are among the finest in the world—there’s just one hitch: They’re often pricey to get into. Unlike cities such as London or Washington, D.C., New York isn’t big on publicly funded museums, which is too bad, especially if you actually live here and have to pay most of your wages on food and rent. Granted, there are senior and student discounts, and memberships that let you get in gratis if you’re willing to pay for the annual fee. There is one alternative, however: most museums offer free hours or days and pay-what-you-wish admission. You just have to know where and when they are. We’ve got the info you need in our guide to all the free museum days and cheap admission in NYC you should know about, whether you live here or are planning a visit. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best museums in NYC

In this charming New York City village, Santa drives a taxi, a nutcracker runs a hot dog cart and snowmen hang out at the Snoball Fight Club. The local cafe sells North Pole Holiday Blend hot chocolate, polar bears run the neighborhood bagel shop and the I Want a Hippopotamus Gift Store does a bustling business. This is GingerBread Lane, a confectionary creation by Jon Lovitch who holds the record for the world’s largest gingerbread village. You can step into Lovitch’s whimsical world inside The Shops at Columbus Circle. Find this four-tiered gingerbread village on the second floor of the mall. It’s free to visit and will be on view through January 5, 2025. If you want to learn to make your own gingerbread house, Lovitch is hosting classes for $35 per person; you can grab a ticket here. RECOMMENDED: Christmas in New York: Best things to do for a magical time this holiday season Each year, Lovitch combines his experience as a chef and baker to create GingerBread Village. It's a year-long process during which he turns the basement of his Queens home into a workshop packed with gingerbread creations on every imaginable surface. He shops for expired candies each holiday season to transform inedible treats into a visual spectacle. By the fall of each year, he's working 100-hour weeks to finish every intricate detail.  This year, his display has found a home in Columbus Circle where you can walk through shelf after shelf of his artistry, admiring the details at eye level. Just...

Although many will be celebrating the New Year on December 31, New Yorkers know that's really just the beginning of a month of parties. A few weeks later, starting on January 29, the city will be out again for the Lunar New Year, a holiday that originated in China and is celebrated in many countries with large Chinese diasporic populations, including Vietnam and Malaysia. The holiday lasts roughly two weeks and, in New York, it will end with a giant parade featuring lion dancers, drummers and other performers in Chinatown on February 16.  RECOMMENDED: Why are the New Year's Eve fireworks canceled in NYC? This upcoming Lunar New Year is the year of the snake, which applies to those born in 1941, 1953, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013. In the Chinese zodiac, the snake represents wisdom and transformation, since the animals tend to shed their skins. That is all to say: this year might be a good time to let go of the past and fully lean into your future self.  The Lunar New Year parade in 2025 will start at 1pm on Mott and Canal Streets on Chatham Square and will continue through East Broadway before ending next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park. One of the best parts of the parade is seeing the lion dancers perform in front of different small businesses across Chinatown, a tradition that seeks to bring them good luck and abundance in the coming year. According to ABC News, over 25,000 people are expected to join in on the celebration.  It's never too early to plan, so make sure to keep an...

The Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market, the alfresco, European-style winter market with more than 175 local and national vendors has returned. Expect lots of great shops, plus excellent food vendors to fuel your shopping spree. New this year, stop by Rubyzaar, a fair trade business with scarves and hot chocolate; Pixie Doodle Farm, which brings herbalism into everyday life; and Pigeon be Pigeon, a Bushwick-based art studio celebrating New York City pigeons with cartoons, drawings, bags, jewelry and more. As for food, look for Birria LES serving up Tijuana-style tacos; Curds the Word with artisanal beer-battered cheese curds; a Thai-Vietnamese kitchen called Mama's Cupboard; and Chocolate on Tap.   This is the oldest holiday market in the city, so make sure to add it to your holiday traditio list.  It's open Monday through Friday 11pm-8pm and Saturday through Sunday 10am-8pm. The market will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. 

There's no denying that New York City during the holiday season is downright magical. But there's also no denying that it's downright expensive. That's why we relish any free seasonal splendor we can find, and there's a very special example of that opening this week.  NYC's only free holiday train show is reopening in Grand Central Terminal on November 14. As hulking locomotives chug into and out of the transit hub, miniature versions of the trains will click-clack along a stunning model train display—and you can see it all for free!  RECOMMENDED: Christmas in New York: Best things to do for a magical time this holiday season This beloved holiday exhibit features Lionel model trains traveling along a 34-foot long, two-level, "O" gauge model train layout. The New York Transit Museum has set up this spectacular showcase each year for the past two decades, and considering their dedication to transit history, you can expect to be impressed. Photograph: By Ben Hider / Courtesy of New York Transit Museum Departing from a miniature replica of Grand Central Terminal, the Transit Museum's collection of model trains, including Metro-North, Polar Express and vintage subway train sets, zip past New York landmarks and onto the North Pole.  "The Holiday Train Show is a family tradition, providing a sparkling and joyful place for our customers and visitors to be delighted by the magic of miniature trains and vibrant artwork," New York Transit Museum Director Concetta Bencivenga said...

Groups! Can’t live with ‘em, can’t try almost everything on the menu in one sitting without 'em! Ok, maybe some can, but many will, at one point, still need to find restaurants perfect for large parties celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, big promotions, belated or pre-lated holidays and general getting the band back together events.  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island each have options for your next fête, and these are our favorites for those expanded occasions. Most allow you to book space for up to six via conventional platforms, save for noted exceptions that go up to about ten, and all have room for more when you connect via email or phone. RECOMMENDED: See all of the best restaurants in NYC

Framed perfectly inside the park's famous arch, Washington Square Park's beautiful tree is a sight to behold. It officially lights up on Wednesday, December 11 (5-7pm), and all are invited to the festivities. The tree lighting ceremony includes carols by the Rob Susman Brass Quartet and vocalist Linseigh Green. Santa Claus himself has promised to appear, candy canes in hand, to lead the illumination countdown.  If you miss the tree lighting, you can see the beautifully lit 45-foot tree throughout the holiday season, lit from 4pm-1am daily. Also mark your calendar for Christmas Eve caroling on Friday, December 24 at 5pm. 

Under the sticky heat of the afternoon sun yesterday, dozens of fully nude models and artists (some of them nude, as well), gathered in Union Square for the final NYC Bodypainting Day. Each painter brought their artistic vision to life on the exquisite canvas of the human body, with some designs featuring intricate patterns and others with bold sweeping decorations.  Artist Andy Golub founded the annual event a decade ago and said this year would be the last for NYC Bodypainting Day in this form. It's likely that the news of the last hurrah attracted some of the throngs of onlookers who gathered around to watch the painters at work. Other attendees stumbled upon the event as they passed through the park, some suppressing surprised gasps or nervous giggles.  RECOMMENDED: This NYC vegan dinner party requires you to have dinner naked The event celebrates the human body in all of its beautiful shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities and ages (ranging from the 20s to the 80s at the event). Artists carefully wield paintbrushes to cover their subjects from head to toe in theatrical makeup.  "I wanted people to take a moment and really celebrate humanity," Golub told Time Out New York. "I think the event is really about spreading joy and feeling joy." When thinking back on the first bodypainting day, Golub describes it as "magical" with "this incredible feeling of positivity."  Ten years later, that energy imbued this year's event as well. While this is farewell to NYC Bodypainting...

New York is a hotbed of artistic expression. The city’s art museums—including The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum—display some of the best artists spanning centuries. And with more than 1,000 galleries, you can check out the latest and greatest artists at any time, in all mediums from painting to sculpture. You’ll find the best galleries in NYC concentrated in Chelsea, but also Brooklyn and Queens to the Upper and Lower East Sides of Manhattan. Visit NYC’s legendary art galleries and you’ll see some of the best artists from around the world.

Take a break from Christmas shopping and check out the state-of-the-art holiday light display at The Shops at Columbus Circle. This year, the seasonal spectacle has been pumped up with 300,000 shimmering lights, 44 new LED stars, and over 3,000 feet of sparkling garland illuminating the entire complex.  You’ll be so moved, you won’t even care that you maxed out your MasterCard getting Aunt Judy that back massager she’s been wanting. Along with daily light and music shows (which run every half hour from 5pm to 11pm), the Shops will also host festive activities and events throughout the season, including free live Broadway performances and children’s programming, a gingerbread village and more.  Mark your calendar for Broadway Under The Stars, live performances by Broadway stars amidst the holiday decor. Here's the full lineup: — December 4: Moulin Rouge! The Musical | Bohemian Winter Rendezvous— December 5: The Lion King, Aladdin, Wicked— December 12: SIX, The Book of Mormon— December 19: Chicago, Death Becomes Her, The Outsiders

Within Grand Central Terminal, find the New York Transit Museum's 20th annual Holiday Train Show, an ode to all kinds of locomotives. You'll feel positively giant while wandering around the 34-foot-long display, festooned with miniature versions of city landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. Watch as Lionel model trains depart from a miniature replica of Grand Central. Then they travel over the river (the East River, to be exact) and through the wood to reach their final destination, the North Pole. The Holiday Train Show will be on view at Grand Central Terminal through February 2025. The free show is open Monday-Friday, 10am-7:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm; and closed major holidays. Find it in the shuttle passage on 42nd Street and Park Avenue, adjacent to the Station Master’s Office.

Don’t scoff, jaded New Yorker—there are a lot of free things to do in NYC today. We understand: When you live in the most expensive city in the world, it’s hard to imagine how anything in this town could be gratis. But guess what? Every event on this list is free and actually awesome! That’s right, we found the free art exhibitions, comedy shows, cultural celebrations and NYC park activities, so you can have the time of your life without paying a dime. Whether you’re looking for fun date ideas or something to do with visiting relatives, we got you. Do you want more great stories about things to do, where to eat, what to watch, and where to party? Obviously you do, follow Time Out New York on Facebook for the good stuff.RECOMMENDED: See all free things to do in NYC

This annual holiday bazaar just outside of Central Park features handmade items from local artisans and snacks from vendors. This year, peep goods from Once a Book, which turns books into novel home decor; Kalsang Pottery with vases, coffee mugs, and matcha bowls made by a Tibetan potter; and Breezy Hill Orchard bringing apple cider, cider donuts and more from the Hudson Valley.  Urbanspace Columbus Circle Holiday Market is open December 3-31. Hours are Monday-Friday 11am-8pm; Saturday-Sun 10am-8pm. The market is closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

With the sun logging off before 5pm each day, it's time for the city's glittering lights to bring us some much-needed holiday cheer. Thankfully, beautiful light displays are popping up all across the city. Some installations are already switched on and others will illuminate very soon, transforming NYC into a winter wonderland aglow in spectacular colors. Dates have been set for nearly all of the most light-up celebrations across the city, and we’ve compiled them below. They’re listed in chronological order so you can find an event (or two or three) that fit into your schedule. We’ll continue updating the last as more festivities are announced, and if we missed one that you know of, email us (thisweek.ny@timeout.com).  What dates do Christmas lights go up in New York? Shine Bright Only at Hudson Yards Now open through January 5 Two million twinkling white lights adorn Hudson Yards for the shopping center's annual Shine Bright event. The display includes 115 miles of string lights, 725 evergreen trees dressed to create a gleaming forest, 16-foot tall illuminated hot air balloon decorations and a massive 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece. Harlem Holiday Lights Now open Harlem already kicked off the holiday season with NYC’s only parade of lights, but now you can see the beautiful lights sparkling throughout the neighborhood. Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden Now open through January 5 Stroll through this illuminated trail of art with more than a million lights, plus...

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2024. Expect to see your favorite makers plus brand new creatives to help you live smarter, gift better and support local businesses.  FAD—which stands for Fashion, Art and Design—takes over different venues with a horde of independent vendors and creators. Admission is free and dogs are welcome! Peruse handmade jewelry, apparel, skincare products, tableware, artisanal packaged food, and more. Whether you're shopping for you or a friend (or even getting an early on that holiday shopping), there are plenty of local gems to pick up.  Here's the upcoming FAD Market schedule for 2024 August-October (third weekend of the month): Governors Island MarketOctober 5-6: Fall Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo (next to Time Out Market!)  October 26-27: Fall Market at The Invisible Dog Art Center in Boerum Hill November 2-3: Fall Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo (next toTime Out Market!)  December 7-8, 14-15, 21-22: Holiday Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo (next toTime Out Market!)  December 7-8, 14-15, 21-22: Holiday Market at St. Paul’s in Cobble Hill December 7-8, 14-15, 21-22: Holiday Market at The Invisible Dog Art Center in Boerum Hill

Let’s face it: NYC is expensive, both for visitors and locals. For those of us living here in the city, we’re constantly choosing between going out and, say, paying rent. While it’s certainly nice to splurge on one of the best restaurants in NYC, the reality is that we mostly have to focus on cheap eats and happy hour deals. We’re here to help: when it comes to going out in the city, you can still have fun without facing a hefty price tag. There are plenty of cheap things to do in NYC to fill your days without emptying your wallet. Some are even worthy cheap date ideas, if you’re looking. Simply walking the streets of New York can make for an entertaining day out, but if you look closely you can find fabulous things to without paying a fortune. Did you know that some of NYC’s top attractions are also affordable? Or how about comedy — a good laugh doesn’t have to cost much. Manhattan and Brooklyn have beautiful parks to stroll, and for a small fee you can get around on a bike or a boat. You can catch free shows from up-and-coming bands, or catch a movie for under $10. Entertainment in NYC can be cheap, or even free, so get out there and have some fun! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC 

New York’s scent isn’t necessarily a bragging point, but this season, Fifth Avenue may actually be worth sniffing. That is, a luxe fragrance company has added a seasonal scent to Midtown East this winter.  Nest New York is partnering with the Fifth Avenue Association to scent an iconic stretch of Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, from 46th Street up to 61st Street for the holiday shopping season. And no, it's not with scented trash bags to line the sidewalks of New York's stinkiest borough. The project is a bit more elevated for the luxury shopping district.  RECOMMENDED: Fifth Avenue will be closed to all car traffic next month Nest’s signature holiday scent is being dispersed through 50 tree displays lining Fifth Avenue, meaning that the approximately 10 million guests walking up and down the famous 15 blocks past St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Central Park can inhale and relax. State-of-the-art, cold mist aroma diffusers up and down Fifth Ave, will fill the air with the luxe scent.    Photograph: By Eugene Gologursky “Innovative brand collaborations are central to The Fifth Avenue Association’s mission to make every visit to our corridor elegant and exceptional,” said Marie Boster, the president of the Fifth Avenue Association. “Fifth Avenue is the premier home of holiday magic in New York City and attracts visitors far and wide to take in the sights and sounds and, this year, the wonderful scent of Nest Holiday.” This is the first...

Gone are the days when New York's infrastructure was the laughing stock of the world: Grand Central Madison just received UNESCO’s 2024 Prix Versailles Interior Award, specifically given to the “World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Station” interior by a panel of international judges. The award was granted to the station based on its "innovativeness, creativity, reflection of local heritage and ecological efficiency," per Prix Versailles—adjectives that we're not used to hearing to describe New York train stations, but we'll definitely take it. RECOMMENDED: The best dishes served in NYC in 2024 according to Time Out New York editors Grand Central Madison opened in 2023 after years of delays and, at a staggering 700,000 square feet, it's the largest passenger rail terminal to be built in the U.S. in more than 60 years, per Gothamist. If you have no idea where it is, that's because you have to dig deep to find it—literally. The station is located under Grand Central Station and services the Long Island Railroad.  “New Yorkers have known since the day it opened that Grand Central Madison is a world-class terminal—winning the Prix Versailles Interior Award is just la cerise sur le gateau—the cherry on top,” Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber said in an official statement. “The project team seamlessly blended innovative engineering and architectural grandeur to create a worthy addition to Grand Central—New York’s temple of mass transit. Congratulations to all.”...

Homelessness is a serious issue around the country, especially in NYC. As temperatures drop, the situation becomes even more dire. Fortunately there are organizations working tirelessly to help the homeless, and you can get involved. Whether you want to give back through a holiday volunteer opportunity or, even better, commit to volunteering regularly, here are some amazing non-profit organizations that help the homeless in NYC. These organizations offer shelter and counseling, advocate for fair housing, provide job training, serve meals and more, all to benefit the homeless. Contact each organization directly to find out what kind of volunteer work they need most. Some may need people with a particular skill set, others just need donations, and others need hands-on help. Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding thing to do, and helping the homeless is an urgent and constant need. If you wish to include homeless animals in your volunteer search, check out these pet adoption organizations in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Where to volunteer in NYC

No matter where you are or where you work in New York, you’re probably stressed out. As great as our fair city is — with so many amazing things to do, fabulous restaurants and top-notch bars — it’s hard to find time to chill out. Taking a weekend getaway or relaxing on a nearby beach are good ways to relax, but often we need serenity NOW (and let’s face it: sometimes planning that beach trip or weekend getaway can lead to even more stress!). A relaxing spa treatment can be just the thing for a quick fix. Problem is, most of us can’t afford the luxurious spas that promise instant bliss. Fortunately there are a number of spots for affordable spa treatments in NYC. Whether it’s a facial, a massage, a mani-pedi or a body scrub, one to two hours at a spa will give you the re-set you need. You’ll feel refreshed and glowing in no time. When was the last time you treated yourself? We think now is the time to get that affordable spa treatment. If you’re looking for more affordable ways to unwind, take a calming stroll through one of New York’s parks, or get a scoop of sweet, refreshing ice cream and tune out for a while before getting back to the hustle and bustle. RECOMMENDED: Find more spas in NYC

New Yorkers might know their city like the back of their hand, but there are some hidden pockets of NYC still to be discovered. There’s always something new taking the place of something old in NYC, but luckily for us, there’s still a plethora of old places to explore, you just have to know where to look. From historic residential groves and tiny roads that have been left behind by the requirements for vehicle traffic to alleyways that were only used for horses and carriages back in the day, below are 10 amazing hidden streets in NYC you can visit right now. RECOMMENDED: Secret NYC: 26 speakeasies, underground gigs and more 1. Washington Mews (Greenwich Village) Photograph: Shaye Weaver/Time Out A private, gated (but often open) street just north of Washington Square Park, between Fifth Avenue and University Place, is a trip back in time to the day of row houses and stables. These mews (a row of stables) serviced horses from homes in the neighborhood during the 18th and 19th centuries and some were also were homes. Around 1950, NYU rented most of these buildings and converted them into faculty housing and offices.  2. Doyers Street (Chinatown) Photograph: Shutterstock Once known as the Bloody Angle, Doyers Street is a 200-foot-long curved street between Pell Street to Bowery that was once one of the deadliest streets. Sure, it’s full of restaurants like Nom Wah Tea Parlor, barbershops and other stores now, but during the early 20th century, it was the site of numerous...

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, delicious bagels from Ess-a-bagel and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

This sizable outdoor rink is open to the public Friday through Sunday and has a roof to prevent winter snows and spring showers alike from raining on your Ice Capades. And since Riverbank State Park overlooks the Hudson, you’ll have nice views of the river and the George Washington Bridge as a backdrop. You could even stop by Sofrito, which is on the premises, after a brisk day of skating. It’s just $6 for adults and $5 for children; skate rental is $6.