10 Cultural Events in New York City That You Shouldn't Miss

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is about as American as apple pie and has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition for millions since 1924. The parade runs up Central Park West and 6th Ave in New York City and features an impressive display of floats, marching bands, musical acts, and iconic oversized balloons of famed pop culture characters like Snoopy, Kermit, and Bugs Bunny. Other notable moments include performances from original Broadway casts and an impressive lineup of high school marching bands from around the country. All of the sights, sounds, and glamour of New York City in one holiday extravaganza.

The Village Halloween Parade is a New York institution, and was started back in 1974 by master puppeteer Ralph Lee as a festive Halloween celebration for friends and family in his New York City neighbourhood. Over forty years later, the parade has become one of the largest annual Halloween parties in the city, attracting over 100,000 costumed participants and millions of spectators. The parade is packed full of musicians, dancers, artists and incredible large-scale puppets, for everyone’s viewing pleasure. A fun alternative, or add-on, to trick or treating – this parade truly has something for everybody on Halloween night.

You never forget the memories you make at the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. From the moment you walk into Radio City Music Hall to the very last dazzling dance number, experience the magic that only Rockettes can create. Bring your family for a one-of-a-kind tradition, where wooden soldiers dance, ice skaters glide, snowflakes swirl—and the unmistakable spirit of Christmas in New York City comes alive.

Two great reasons to visit beautiful Binghamton, New York come together every early August at the Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally. One is the chance to indulge in the area’s ultimate nosh: a spiedie sandwich, consisting of grilled cubes of marinated meat served in a submarine style roll. The other is to take in the gorgeous Broome County countryside dotted with a dreamy skyline of hot air balloons in flight for the annual rally.

Go Green for St. Patty's Day! Celebrated in early spring, the St. Patrick's Day Parade takes over New York's 5th Ave., between 44th and 79th street. Floats, bagpipers, dancers, and more take to the streets in the thousands to celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland-- with plenty of Irish music to set pace! The city itself erupts into celebration, with bars and pubs filled to the nines with people wearing green and orange. Whether you take to the outdoors to watch the parade as it passes by iconic New York locations, from Central Park to St. Patrick's Cathedral, or watch it from the television of a nearby bar or restaurant, you're sure to get swept up in the high-energy of the event.

The Tribeca Film Festival celebrated its decade-long anniversary in 2012. The brainchild of Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff, it brings an array of international and indie films to New York's silver screens, often by young and emerging filmmakers. Now a New York staple, the festival receives over 10,000 submissions and screens over 1,500 films, which compete for awards in categories ranging from 'best narrative feature' to 'best actor/actress in a narrative feature'. The lineup includes, alongside the usual dramas and coming-of-age tales, documentaries, shorts, and family films. Running across the better half of the month, the Festival also brings together insiders for panels, discussions, and showcases. Over three million people attend the festival's screenings.

Millions of revelers come to New York City from around the world and brave the cold for this legendary celebration to ring in the New Year. As crowds gather in Times Square on December 31st, people tune in from all over the world to watch the famous ball drop. At the exact stroke of midnight, the city lights up with a dazzling display of fireworks overhead. Somehow, New York’s most famous neighborhood shines even brighter on this special night.

LuminoCity Festival, which runs on Randall's Island from November 23rd to January 5th, features over 16 acres of spectacular, larger than life light and art instillations for teens, parents, and families to enjoy. Beyond the lights, there will be holiday shopping, food and drink, activities, and performances/shows.