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From ballet and biking to fashion shows and film festivals, New York City is the place to see and do everything. And many of the City's biggest events recur annually, offering a chance to experience them again and again, year after year. Whether you're planning a visit next week or next year, the calendar below will help you determine which of NYC's big, annual events will be occurring during your stay—along with more information on what each one is all about.

January
New York Boat Show
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
nyboatshow.com
Don’t miss the boat. Yachts, fishing boats, kayaks—you’ll find them all at the New York Boat Show, a New York City institution for more than a century. Each year, tens of thousands flock to the event to check out the latest in boats and fishing equipment. Visitors can also attend daily seminars with a full slate of top fishing and boating pros.

Jewish Film Festival
The Jewish Museum
thejewishmuseum.org
This film festival—a collaborative effort between the Jewish Museum and the Film Society of Lincoln Center—aims to record, investigate and celebrate the Jewish experience around the world with two weeks of cinematic offerings, including narrative feature-length films, shorts and documentaries. Previous NYJFFs have featured films that went on to great national acclaim, like Nowhere in Africa, Beaufort and Empty Nest.

Three Kings Day Parade and Celebration
El Museo del Barrio
elmuseo.org
El Museo del Barrio hosts the annual Three Kings Day Parade and Celebration—by far the largest and longest-running Three Kings Day celebration in the City. It’s also one of the only New York City parades populated almost entirely by children! Paraders will join camels, sheep, a donkey, colorful puppets, brightly-dressed community leaders posing as the Three Kings and thousands of spectators for a festive day replete with music and gift giveaways.

Winter Antiques Show
Park Avenue Armory
winterantiquesshow.com
Each winter, the most prestigious antiques show in America comes to the Park Avenue Armory. The show features the best selection of pieces from antiquities through art deco. The show also serves as a benefit for the East Side House Settlement.

The New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend
TheTimesCenter
artsandleisureweekend.com
There might be no greater gathering of brilliant artistic minds than at The New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend, when the writers and subjects of The Times' arts section convene for a series of public conversations. Check the festival's website for updates on who from the worlds of art, theater, dance, music, film and more will be participating in this year's program.

Lunar New Year Parade & Festival
Chinatown
betterchinatown.com
Want to see a dragon dance? Then don’t miss Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Parade & Festival, one of the City’s most beloved cultural celebrations. To ring in the Lunar New Year, dazzling dragon troupes wend their way through the streets of Chinatown. The family-friendly parade draws crowds of hundreds of thousands, who come to watch thousands of participants, elaborate floats, marching bands, martial artists, Asian musicians, magicians, acrobats and processions by local organizations.

Chinese New Year
Citywide
explorechinatown.com
Besides Beijing, there’s perhaps no better place to celebrate the Chinese New Year than New York City. The celebration encompasses several days of free events, including the Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival (firecrackers are detonated to ward off evil spirits), the Lunar New Year Flower Market and the Lunar New Year Parade & Festival.

February
Westminster Dog Show
Madison Square Garden
westminsterkennelclub.org
Each year, dog fans flock to Madison Square Garden to find out which pooch will be designated Best in Show. Founded in 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Crowd and judge favorites include hound dogs, terriers, retrievers, Saint Bernards, bulldogs, dachshunds and the ever-stylish poodle. Come watch these regal canines compete for top-dog honors.

New York International Children's Film Festival
gkids.com
Helping to redefine what a “kids' movie” has to be, the New York International Children’s Film Festival shines a light on some of the most unique, engaging and thought-provoking youth-oriented films made outside the Hollywood system. From obscure animated shorts to full-length, live-action dramas, the NYICFF covers nearly every style, age group and cultural background, making it an ideal event for the whole family.

March
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Fifth Ave. from 44th St. to 86th St.
nycstpatricksparade.org
You don’t have to be Irish to get a kiss at New York City’s famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade, which was first held on March 17, 1762, is the City’s oldest and largest. Officiated by the archbishop of New York, the parade celebrates Irish culture and the Catholic faith. (Cars, floats and other vehicles are not allowed.) The parade begins at 11am, led by members of the 165th “Fighting Irish” Infantry.

Armory Show
Pier 92/94
thearmoryshow.com
Since its inception in 1999, The Armory Show–The International Fair of New Art, has become the world’s leading art fair devoted exclusively to contemporary art. In 2009, The Armory Show–Modern, dedicated to historically significant modern and secondary market works, made its debut, joining the fair’s celebrated contemporary program, known for featuring works directly from artists’ studios.

Macy's Flower Show
Macy's Herald Square
Get a head start on spring with Macy's Annual Flower Show, one of the largest in the City. The show features blooms from around the world—the rare, the exotic and the simply beautiful. Also enjoy specially created garden environments and guided tours.

Sing Into Spring Festival
Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola
jalc.org
This annual festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center features the full spectrum of jazz singing with performances by some of the greatest living jazz musicians. Visit the Jazz at Lincoln Center website for a complete schedule.

Orchid Show
New York Botanical Garden
nybg.org
Each year the New York Botanical Garden chooses a region of the world to showcase in its annual Orchid Show. In the resulting exhibition, thousands of brilliantly colored orchids are displayed in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Marvel at the beauty of these flowers while surrounded by lush settings depicting the natural habitat from which they came. Past shows have featured orchids from Cuba and Brazil.

Big East Tournament
Madison Square Garden
bigeast.org
The Big East Men's Basketball Championship has called Madison Square Garden home for more than 25 years. Prior to 2009, only the top 12 teams in the conference participated. But starting that year, all 16 conference schools competed for the title and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament later in March.

April
Tribeca Film Festival
tribecafilm.com
In a relatively short amount of time, Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival has come to rival Cannes and Sundance. Founded in the wake of September 11 to help revitalize Lower Manhattan, the annual festival celebrates film, music and culture and transforms the downtown neighborhood into a hub for glamorous red carpet and gala affairs. The festival screens more than 100 films from around the world and even offers free outdoor “drive-in” screenings—no car necessary.

New York International Auto Show
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
autoshowny.com
See tomorrow’s hottest cars before they hit the streets at the New York International Auto Show. This high-octane event is North America’s oldest and best-attended auto show, featuring the latest space-age concept vehicles, new green technology and more. Nostalgic drivers can also check out a classic-car gallery.

Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival
Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
Each year on Easter the best of the bonnets are showcased along Fifth Avenue as New Yorkers celebrate the holiday by roaming the streets in their most festive spring gear. The parade marches north on Fifth Avenue, starting at 49th Street, but the best place to watch the procession is from the area around St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Earth Day/Week
Celebrate the greenest day of the year in New York City by attending one of the many events that go on all week. Encouraging locals and visitors to be earth-friendly all throughout the year, the City hosts many events, including art exhibitions, educational forums, entertainment and outdoor events in the parks.

Mets and Yankees Season Openers
mets.mlb.com
yankees.mlb.com
Take a trip to Queens or the Bronx (or both!) to watch these two teams open their seasons. Enjoy the outdoors and take in America's favorite pastime while sampling all the delicious cuisine varieties the Mets and Yankees offer in their new stadiums. Both stadiums are easily accessible by subway, making the trip all the more attractive.

May
Cherry Blossom Festival
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
bbg.org
Each spring, the 220 cherry trees at the breathtaking Brooklyn Botanic Garden are in full bloom. To celebrate, the BBG hosts the weekend-long Cherry Blossom Festival, known in Japanese as Sakura Matsuri. During the festival, visitors enjoy scores of events celebrating Japanese culture including J-pop concerts, traditional Japanese music and dance, taiko drumming, martial arts, bonsai-pruning workshops, tea ceremonies and manga art.

May
Five Boro Bike Tour
bikenewyork.org
The best way to explore all of New York City in a day is on your own two wheels! The Five Boro Bike Tour is an annual tradition that attracts more than 30,000 cyclists of all ages. The ride is 42 miles long, but the terrain is mostly flat, so you don’t have to be an expert cyclist to join. Take your time pedaling over five bridges—including the famous Queensboro and Verrazano-Narrows Bridges—and enjoy breathtaking views of the City from every angle.

Ninth Avenue Food Festival
hellskitchen.bz
Taste what Hell’s Kitchen is cooking at this annual food festival, where restaurants and outdoor vendors serve up food to suit every taste. The 20-block gastronomic extravaganza features cuisine from Greece, Brazil, Italy, Morocco, Senegal, Ukraine, Thailand and everywhere in between, with music and dancing to match.

River to River Festival (through August)
rivertorivernyc.com
Head downtown for River to River. The celebrated arts festival offers hundreds of cultural performances and events—all for free. Highlights from years past have included performances by the Bang on a Can All-Stars, the New York City Opera and Superchunk, and there's sure to be a full slate of music, visual arts, film and more throughout the summer.

Fleet Week
Thousands of servicemen and women from the US Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard will touch down on dry land during Fleet Week, a New York City tradition since 1984. The public can tour ships docked at New York Passenger Ship Terminal in Manhattan and Staten Island's Stapleton Pier, view military demonstrations and enjoy musical performances from the sailors and marines themselves.

June
Museum Mile Festival
museummilefestival.org
Nine of the country’s finest museums offer free admission amid a festive car-free block party with live music, street performers and activities for kids. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art at one end of the mile to El Museo del Barrio at the other, here’s your chance for a bargain crash course in New York City culture. Rain or shine.

SummerStage (through September)
In select parks, citywide
summerstage.org
Since 1986, Central Park SummerStage has been a sure bet for great live music in a picturesque al fresco setting—for free. The offerings of the annual outdoor concert series span all genres: past performers over the years have included Taj Mahal, Dinosaur Jr., Joni Mitchell and Q-Tip. There is also a SummerStage Kids series that runs from June to August and features artists from around the world performing music, dance, circus, spoken word and more for the little ones.The lawn fills quickly, so arrive early. Rain or shine.

Celebrate Brooklyn (through August)
bricartsmedia.org
Celebrate Brooklyn! has more than earned its exclamation point through three decades of free music, dance, theater, film and specially commissioned projects. One of the City’s longest-running outdoor art festivals, it has featured such acts as They Might Be Giants and Maceo Parker. If you can, catch the Live Music for Film program, where artists play along with screenings of silent, animated and short movies.

Pride Week
nycpride.org
New York City is home to one of the world's most vibrant, thriving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. The City embraces its incredible diversity as a source of strength, and that's never clearer than it is during Pride Week, when neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs celebrate the progress made in NYC and beyond since the Stonewall Riots of 1969. The week culminates with the famous march down Fifth Avenue.

Puerto Rican Day Parade
Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
nationalpuertoricandayparade.org
In celebration of their community, country and culture, more than 80,000 Puerto Ricans march from 44th to 86th Streets in Manhattan as part of the annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade. Lively doesn’t even begin to describe this event, which welcomes nearly three million spectators every year and includes energetic musical performances, floats and a host of Puerto Rican celebrities.

July
Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks
Celebrate America’s independence with the nation’s most dazzling pyrotechnics display. Fireworks light up the skyline, with musical accompaniment by the New York Pops orchestra and special guest stars, as millions watch in person and on television. You can take it all in from any number of prime waterfront viewing locations around the City.

Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest
Coney Island
nathansfamous.com
With a combination of steely grit, limber swallowing abilities and highly expandable stomachs, competitors in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest take on the NYC dogs to the delight of throngs of screaming fans every year. A select group of skilled eaters convenes at high noon, eating Nathan’s dogs for 10 minutes straight, stopping for nothing—not ketchup, not mustard or even a french fry. Don’t miss this year’s competition, which continues a tradition established in 1916.

MoMA PS1 Warm Up
MoMA PS1
momaps1.org
The MoMA PS1 Warm Up is an immersive multimedia experience: a rollicking outdoor concert housed in an installation created by the winner of PS1 and MoMA’s Young Architects Program. In addition to live music, DJs and dancing, guests are encouraged to explore everything PS1 has to offer—admission to the Warm Up includes access to all exhibitions.

Harlem Week
harlemweek.com
Don’t let the name fool you—Harlem Week lasts for nearly a month. It makes sense, as seven days is hardly enough time to capture all the history and culture of this vibrant neighborhood. The annual celebration features performances, vendors and tributes at assorted venues. Making it even more of a must-do: most of the festivities are free.

Lincoln Center Festival
lincolncenter.org
One of the most celebrated and highly anticipated festivals of the year, the extraordinary Lincoln Center Festival runs in numerous locales with artistic risk and radical ideas on display in the genres of dance, music, theater and puppetry. Events often occur at venues all around the City, including Governors Island.

August
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
hkdbf-ny.org
In celebration of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, more than 120 dragon boat teams converge on Meadow Lake to compete in one of America’s largest dragon boat festivals. Take in the spectacle on the water, and enjoy a wide array of international music, martial arts, crafts, dance and cuisine.

New York International Fringe Festival
fringenyc.org
A brief synopsis just can’t do the New York International Fringe Festival justice. Stretching out over two weeks, Fringe Fest includes more than 1,000 distinct stage performances—running the gamut from absurdist comedies to social commentaries to hip-hop musicals—with participating theater companies from down the street and around the globe. Choose a show or two that floats your boat, or buy a multi-day pass to get the full experience.

Summer Streets
For three Saturdays in August, the sounds of honking horns and idling engines will be replaced with contented sighs and the cling-cling of bicycle bells on select streets throughout the City. From 7am to 1pm, and from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, Park Avenue and connecting streets will be closed to traffic and open to the public for anything from biking to strolling to dancing. Summer Streets events are great for your health (and the earth's), so check them out. Plus, haven't you always wanted to walk right down the middle of Park Avenue, free from the shoulder-bumping sidewalks?

US Open Tennis
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
usopen.org
It’s the final Grand Slam tournament of the year—the one that makes or breaks seasons, and sometimes careers. The US Open is also an iconic event in American sports, rivaled only by the Masters, the World Series and the Super Bowl. No matter how the tournament nets out, it's always fun to watch it unfold.

Lincoln Center Out of Doors
lincolncenter.org
As the name suggests, the setting is outdoors. The scene, however, is much more than that: music, dance and spoken word—more than 100 live performances in all—fill Damrosch Park with energy and creativity that the whole family can enjoy. And it’s free.

September
New York Film Festival
filmlinc.com
This festival has been bringing some of the world’s most inventive cinema to New York City, an international movie capital, since 1963. This is the place to see cutting-edge films before they hit it big—in the past, the festival has showcased the likes of Jean-Luc Godard, Pedro Almodóvar and Martin Scorsese. Adventurous cineastes will especially want to check out the Views from the Avant-Garde series.

Feast of San Gennaro
sangennaro.org
Little Italy is bustling all year round—and the excitement hits its peak at this annual salute to the patron saint of Naples. Banners and lights adorn the streets, and the crowds pack every block. Join the revelers for 11 days of parades, entertainment, Italian food and even a cannoli-eating contest.

Richmond County Fair
Historic Richmond Town
historicrichmondtown.org
There’s fun for the whole family at the Richmond County Fair, a Staten Island tradition since 1979. Kids can enjoy circus performers, a petting zoo and even a visit from cartoon characters, while their parents groove to live music and other performances on two stages. Rides, food and reliable county fair standbys like a pie-eating contest round out the weekend. Plus, proceeds benefit Historic Richmond Town, itself a year-round attraction and one of the City’s unsung educational resources.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
mbfashionweek.com
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week promises yet another week of star-studded soirees showcasing the following spring's newest styles. The world’s top designers debut their spring collections on the runways, as style-conscious celebrities from Hollywood, sports and the modeling world look on. You can be right there with them (but you'll need to land on a guest list first).

Atlantic Antic
Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
atlanticave.org
One of the City’s biggest, best street fairs, the Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn features all the foods and crafts you’d expect and then some—country, jazz, rock, R&B and other music on multiple stages, storytelling and pony rides for the kids and cuisine from every corner of the globe. It’s no wonder that more than a million people come out for the festivities. Rain or shine.

BAM Next Wave Festival
BAM
bam.org
Brooklyn prides itself on being cutting edge, and this event showcases creative dance, theater, film and literature from around the world. Past offerings have included Robert Wilson’s production of Heiner Müller’s Quartett, the Philip Glass opera Kepler (of planetary motion fame) and DJ Spooky’s electronic soundscape composition Terra Nova: Sinfonia Antarctica. Check the BAM website for details on this year’s slate.

Commemorating September 11th
national911memorial.org
Each September, New York City continues its tradition of remembering and honoring the victims of the World Trade Center attacks at a variety of memorial events. Churches, temples and synagogues throughout the City host special events for those affected by the tragedy, and memorial concerts and fund-raisers continue throughout the month. In addition, the eight-acre National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center serves as a tribute to those who lost their lives after the attacks on both September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. It features a public plaza with two large waterfalls, along with a museum (scheduled to open in 2012) that will preserve the story of 9/11 and provide educational resources and artifacts.

DUMBO Arts Festival
dumboartsfestival.com
With its industrial spaces easily converted to studios, DUMBO underwent a radical transformation into an edgy but upscale enclave populated by art lovers and creators. The DUMBO Arts Festival honors that connection with three days of family-friendly performances and installations as well as open studios and galleries.

Fashion’s Night Out
nycgo.com/fashionsnightout
An annual tradition that kicked off in 2009, Fashion's Night Out is every shopaholic's dream. For one night only, hundreds of stores in New York City (and in other cities around the country and the world) open their doors to the public after hours for a "retail party" that includes special events and giveaways, all to promote shopping and help increase sales in the retail industry. The event takes place in the evening hours and in past years has included upward of 800 participating retailers. What's more, a portion of the proceeds from sales of the event's official clothing always go to charity. Can you think of a better excuse to shop?

The Metropolitan Opera Fall/Spring Season
The Metropolitan Opera
metoperafamily.org
Each fall, The Metropolitan Opera announces its upcoming season, always promising a sensational lineup of milestone performances, including company premieres, new productions and exciting revivals. Notable performances have included Georges Bizet's Carmen and Julie Taymor's production of The Magic Flute, as well as Met premieres of John Adams' Nixon in China, directed by Peter Sellars, and Gioachino Rossini's rarely staged French opera Le Comte Ory, under the direction of Bartlett Sher.

October
Village Halloween Parade
halloween-nyc.com
The Village Halloween Parade had humble beginnings back in 1973, as neighborhood children in the West Village walked from house to house with their friends. Over the years it’s become a massive party with wildly costumed characters, puppets, bands, dancers and about two million spectators. Don’t let the crowd scare you off—this is a lively NYC tradition you won’t want to miss.

Openhousenewyork Weekend
ohny.org
From towering skyscrapers to cozy brownstones, New York’s edifices provide much of the City’s character. A celebration of that architecture and design, Openhousenewyork Weekend includes free tours of buildings and sites—many of which are normally closed to the public.

CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival
cmj.com
The CMJ Festival has always cut out the middle man and brought the music industry (and more recently, the film industry) directly to its fans, from the newest media platforms to the most vibrant live performances at New York's top venues. Odds are, next year's need-to-know bands and films will be here, so don't miss the chance to take a peek in the crystal ball this October.

New Yorker Festival
newyorker.com
Occurring annually for more than a decade, the New Yorker Festival is a thinking-man's All-Star Game of sorts—a three-day event that brings together the premier talents and top minds from politics, the arts, journalism, television and everything in between. Past panels and special guests have included Salman Rushdie, Stephen Colbert, Clint Eastwood, Elmore Leonard, Matt Groening, Sherman Alexie and Oliver Stone. The fest's lineup and schedule is unveiled in September.

New York Comic-Con/Anime Festival
newyorkcomiccon.com
With geek culture having established an undeniable influence over mainstream entertainment, Comic-Con is gaining more and more ground. With the NY Anime Fest alliance still in effect, expect to see costumed cosplayers. They'll provide plenty to gawk at, even if you don't hit the fest's many booths, panels and screenings.

Columbus Day Parade
columbuscitizensfd.org
The annual Columbus Day Parade honors more than just its namesake explorer and the corresponding holiday itself. With fantastic floats and musical performances, this Fifth Avenue spectacle is a celebration of the bond between Italian-Americans and their city—a sentiment shared by New Yorkers of all backgrounds who've also flocked to the Columbus Day Parade for a bit of Monday revelry and camaraderie.

November
Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden
nybg.org
A family favorite, the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden features toy trains chugging alongside more than 140 replicas of City landmarks made from bark, seed and other plant materials. Highlights include a miniature Brooklyn Bridge and Yankee Stadium. More recent additions include the original Penn Station, an elm-bark Ellis Island and a replica of the George Washington Bridge that spans the exhibition’s entrance.

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
rockefellercenter.com
The Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center heralds the holiday season in New York City. Brave the crowds and the cold to see the giant tree adorned with more than 25,000 multicolored lights. The ceremony, televised live since 1966, also includes live entertainment for the entire family—past performers have included the Rockettes and American Idol’s Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. The tree remains lit until the week after New Year’s Day.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
macys.com
School marching bands, celebrity guests and performers bring excitement to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but they take a backseat to the real stars of the show—the balloons. Every year, more than 2.5 million cheering spectators watch as SpongeBob, Snoopy, Garfield and other giant helium-filled characters float along the 2.5-mile route. It’s no wonder this is one of NYC’s favorite holiday traditions. The area where the balloons are inflated the night before the event is open to the public.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Music Hall
radiocitychristmas.com
In 2007 New York City’s most famous holiday production celebrated 75 years with brand-new original scenes and Rockette numbers, along with showstopping special effects that include fireworks and a flying Santa. Expect traditional parts of the show to stay the same, such as “Living Nativity” and “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.”

ING NYC Marathon
nycmarathon.org
This is the big one—a sporting event that often proves to be as much a life-changing experience as a physical challenge. Like all marathons, the New York City race covers 26.2 miles from start to finish—but no other city offers competitors the sights, sounds and sheer excitement of the NYC Marathon’s five-borough course, which extends from Staten Island to Central Park. Thousands will run, millions will watch.

New York Chocolate Show
chocolateshow.com
Life in the City gets sweeter every November with the annual Chocolate Show, a full-on chocolate expo, chock-full of inventive live demonstrations, samples, book signings and more. And the chocolate’s not just for eating: previous shows have featured chocolate-clad models strutting down runways and children creating chocolate artwork.

New York Comedy Festival
nycomedyfestival.com
Pretty much every big name in comedy graces a New York stage during the NYCF. Past participants have included Adam Carolla, Rosie O'Donnell, Ricky Gervais, Dane Cook, Andy Samberg, Bill Maher and Tracy Morgan. Serious, professionally minded panels share the schedule with over-the-top improv nights at small venues and large-scale shows at venues like Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall.

December
Times Square New Year's Eve
timessquarenyc.org
It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without watching the crystal ball drop in Times Square. Despite the typically frigid temperature, a million people gather for the world’s most famous New Year’s Eve party. Designated viewing areas fill up on a first-come, first-served basis, and many spectators camp out in Times Square to get a prime spot while audiences around the world watch the celebration on TV.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
nycballet.com
For more than 50 years, the New York City Ballet has brought visions of the Sugarplum Fairy, marching toy soldiers and the Mouse King to life with its enduring production of The Nutcracker. Distinguished by old-fashioned costumes and magical sets including a one-ton Christmas tree for Clara’s Christmas party and an onstage snowstorm, the company dances dreamily to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music.

New York Road Runners Emerald Nuts Midnight Run
nyrr.org
This annual race through Central Park, sponsored by snack company Emerald Nuts, is a good alternative to the Times Square ritual: instead of revelers standing in place, there will be a costume contest and parade, a four-mile fun run and plenty of nuts. A limited number of same-day registration kits will be available at the race, but it’s free to watch.

Holiday Shops
Satisfy your shopping list and get into the holiday spirit by visiting one of the many holiday shops that pop up in winter all around the City. From Bryant Park to Union Square to Columbus Circle, hundreds of merchants set up shop offering everything from clothing to trinkets. In addition to helping out local merchants, you can finish off your list and perhaps find a little something special for yourself.

Lighting of the World's Largest Hanukkah Menorah
Celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of the world's largest menorah at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street (right in front of the Plaza Hotel). This 32-foot-high, gold-colored, 4,000-pound steel holiday icon is a sight to behold. Every evening during the holiday, a candle will be lit.