New York, United States — Events
Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
Independence Day is celebrated throughout the States, but nowhere more than in New York City. Although many locals leave to spend the holiday on Long Island or in Upstate New York, thousands of others stay behind to watch Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. This is probably the biggest and best firework extravaganza in the country, culminating in a massive party. More than 10,000 fireworks explode from barges along the west side of Manhattan, synchronized and choreographed to music. It starts at sunset and the best place to watch is from the banks of the East River.
Chinese New Year
New York City’s Chinatown is the largest in the United States and the site of the largest concentration of Chinese in the western hemisphere; a visit here feels like being in the country itself. It is a must-see on the opening day of the Chinese New Year celebrations when performers dance in the street in colorful costumes followed by a parade of dragon floats. Traditionally, the New Year marks the beginning of the spring and the rebirth of the Earth.
New York Fashion Week
The fashion gurus, gorgeous models and Hollywood brass pop into the Big Apple to check out the latest on the catwalk for next year’s Spring Collection. All the top names will be displaying their stuff but it is almost impossible for the general public to gain access to the event.
Central Park SummerStage
Summer Stage is one of New York’s greatest institutions, and every summer Central Park is filled with music, theater, opera and dance. There is a different performance every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, and also usually on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, and most are free. Bring a picnic if you don’t want to pay for overpriced beer and French fries. For a list of events visit the Summer Stage website.
Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour
The biggest cycling event in the USA, the bike tour sees 30,000 cyclists pedalling through the five boroughs of New York City on 42 miles (68km) of traffic-free avenues, highways and bridges, including the world’s longest single-span suspension bridge, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The route travels through Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. The day ends with a festival at Fort Wadsworth featuring live music, food and exhibitions.
Ninth Avenue International Food Festival
More than a million hungry people descend on the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood for two days each May to sample the delights offered at one of New York’s finest street fairs. Ninth Avenue’s restaurants and food stores cover a vast range of ethnic cuisines, which have made it the city’s most famed food district.
Gay Pride Week and March
Rainbow flags flutter in Greenwich Village during New York’s Lesbian and Gay Pride Week, with numerous events arranged to commemorate the Stonewall Riot. Highlights of the week’s festivities are a massive rally, the dance on the pier and the culminating march.
US Open Tennis Tournament
The top names and seeds vie for victory in the final Grand Slam event of the season in New York each year. Singles, doubles, men’s and ladies, and mixed doubles make up the five separate tournaments within the championship. Held annually at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, the event dates back to 1881 when it was played in the State of Rhode Island as a men’s singles event only and it was not until 1968 that The US Open took the shape and structure that it has today.
Broadway on Broadway
A quintessential New York City event, Broadway on Broadway is the theater season’s annual kick-off event where live shows from almost every play and musical on Broadway, as well as sneak previews of shows for the new season, are performed on a giant outdoor stage to an audience of more than 50,000.
Village Halloween Parade
What started out as a walk from house to house in the neighborhood for friends and family by a mask maker and puppeteer in 1973, is today the largest celebration of its kind in the world, and one of New York’s most colorful annual parties. Listed as one of the ‘Top 100 Things to do Before you Die’, the lively event attracts millions of spectators and participants every year who take part in a parade featuring huge papier-mâché puppets, jugglers, stilt-walkers, bands and dancers, and plenty of outrageous costumes.
