Picking one to two events a month can hardly do New York justice given that there is rarely a week that does not see the city celebrating something. There are about 50 officially recognized parades as well as more than 400 street fairs each year. Nonetheless, since many of these events end up being less than spectacular, we will try to find some highlights that are actually worth getting all excited about.
January
New Year's Eve - Times Square hosts the best-known festivities in the world as people cram into the square with no regard for weather or temperature to see the ball drop and enjoy the frenetic atmosphere.
Three Kings Parade - This adorable parade features thousands of children, camels, donkeys and sheep (obviously the children are cuter and cleaner than the animals) wandering along Fifth Avenue on January 5th.
February
Chinese New Year - Celebrants gather in the vibrant Chinatown district for dragons, drums, colorful dancing, firecrackers, food, and fun. New Year occurs either in late January or early February as it falls on the first full moon after January 21st and before February 19th.
March
St. Patrick's Day Parade - The first organized St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York was organized in 1766 by the Irish soldiers then serving in His Majesty's service. Obviously it has some history behind it having started so long ago. Today, more than 150,000 march in the parade, and it is one of the few that still will not allow any vehicles (cars, floats, buses, trucks, etc.) The parade travels along Fifth Avenue from 44th to 86th streets.
April
Easter Parade - What is a parade without floats or marching bands? An amazing experience if you are talking about NYC's Fifth Avenue Easter Parade. Costumes as extravagant as anything you will ever see on a dark Halloween night strut down 5th Ave in the light of day. Anything from the opulent to the insane is acceptable. People even dress up their animals or wear elaborate costumes that incorporate live animals. A spectacle not to be missed.
May
St. George Ukrainian Festival - The Ukrainian Festival is one of many, but thousands of people show up each year on East 7th Street to enjoy a variety of Ukrainian cultural experiences. Vendors in their booths supply everything from embroidered, traditional Ukrainian clothing to local food and drinks to native crafts and jewelry. Also in prominence are various organizations involved in the Ukrainian community supporting various causes. One of the finest entertainments is to find the stage and watch the traditional Ukrainian dances performed by costumed dancers.
Tribeca Film Festival - The Tribeca Film Festival began in 2002, created by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro. The mission of the festival was to enable the international film community and general public to experience the power of film by redefining the film festival experience. Other goals include contributing to the long-term recovery of downtown Manhattan and celebrating New York City as a major filmmaking center.
June
The Museum Mile Festival - The Museum Mile is the famous stretch in Manhattan where some of the world's best museums reside including the Met. Each year, the city blocks off Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 104th Street so that musical performers and entertainers can invade to delight museum go-ers as they travel between the various museums.
Harmony Street Fair - This annual street fair takes place on Staten Island and highlights the heritage of the vast array of ethnic groups residing on the island. The primary entertainments are international dance, music and cuisine. Also available are native crafts for sale as well as a variety of other culturally specific booths.
July
Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza - As with NYC in general, they have to have the biggest fireworks display in the country. In 2004, some 36,000 shells (more than 1,000 shells per minute) were fired into the air with an accompanying score of original music produced just for the show.
Shakespeare in Central Park - From June to August, The Public Theater performs Shakespeare in Central Park. The Public Theater's mission is to achieve excellence while developing an American theater that is accessible and relevant to all people. Their annual Shakespeare performances are part of that goal as they employ an extremely talented set of people to bring the plays alive in the open and welcoming atmosphere of Central Park.
August
Lincoln Center Out of Doors - Tens of thousands of people come out for this huge event that runs for more than two weeks and celebrates cultures from around the world. The free activities include dance, music, literary events, and other interactive exhibits and activities. Each year the Lincoln Center hosts a number of performers in different genres who add their special performances to the mix. Each year also features a different theme to emphasize different aspects of the world culture.
September
The Feast of San Gennaro - Come join the inhabitants of Little Italy as they carry the statue of the patron saint of Naples through the streets in a series of three processions. The festival lasts 10 days, and food abounds including famous Italian sausage and a cannoli eating contest.
Metropolitan Opera - The Metropolitan begins its season in September. The Metropolitan first opened in 1883. It moved to the Lincoln Center in 1966. Since 1883, the Opera has put on an amazing range of performances expanding their repertoire over the years.
October
Greenwich Village Halloween Parade - The annual parade is the nation's largest public Halloween parade and runs through Greenwich Village along Sixth Avenue from Spring Street to 22nd Street. The parade features hundreds of puppets, bands, artists, and dancers, as well as thousands of New Yorkers in their costumes.
'New York Is Book Country' Book Festival - Branded as the Festival for Book Lovers, this two day event is sponsored by NYIBC, a non-profit organization, which seeks to promote the joy of reading and writing, and celebrates books by bringing together schools, authors, libraries, cultural organizations, publishers and bookstores in citywide events and programs. The book festival features a vast array of exhibitors from publishers to libraries to newspapers, various literacy organizations, and just about anyone else who prints, publishes, reads or writes.
November
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Possibly one of the most famous parades in the country, the Thanksgiving Day Parade remains a classic, with floats, bands, and huge cartoon balloon characters. Who could possibly resist?
December
Tree Lighting at the Rockefeller Center - A yearly tradition, the tree-lighting takes place at the beginning of December following a 2-hour presentation that displays all of NYC's usual glitz and glamour with big stars frequently turning out. Angels blowing long horns surround the plaza heading towards the tree, and the ice skating rink makes for the perfect place to view the scene in all its finery. The proceedings draw millions of New Yorkers and tourists out into the cold each year.
Sources:
( http://www.new-york-travel-services.com/ ) (Accessed June 28, 2004)
( http://www.lonelyplanet.com ) (Accessed June 25, 2004)
( http://www.nycvisit.com ) (Accessed June 28, 2004)