THE 10 BEST New York City Events
Events in New York City
Category types
Events
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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41 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Cultural Events
Hell's Kitchen
Music Festivals
Randalls and Wards Islands
Cultural Events
Randalls and Wards Islands
Music Festivals
Randalls and Wards Islands
Exhibitions
Food & Drink Festivals
Gramercy-Flatiron
Exhibitions • Children's Museums
Sporting Events
Harlem
Speciality & Gift Shops • Architectural Buildings
Art Galleries • Exhibitions
Art Galleries • Cultural Events
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What travellers are saying
- Sharon DCairns, Queensland, Australia261 contributions- The show was amazing! They are such talented dancers.
- They have other performers as well as the Rockettes
- Costumes are fantasticWritten 11 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Shelly CAuburn, NY522 contributionsIf you go anytime for Christmas, get ready for the people! There are tons of them. The tree is beautiful and it is worth braving the crowds if you’re a Christmas lover. If not, stay far far away.Written 3 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Suzy BBedford, NH163 contributionsYes, we waited on our feet for hours in the cold, pouring rain, but there is no substitute for experiencing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as an on-street spectator. Arriving on the corner of 6th Avenue and 42nd street at 6 am put us one family back from the front. Next time we’d aim for 5:30 am arrival higher up in the 50’s where spectators are allowed on both sides of the street (one side is used for police staging in the 40’s). We passed the wait time chatting with our “neighbors” and the NYC police officers assigned to parade duty on our corner. Once the parade arrives, it’s good times all around with everything you know about the parade passing right in front of your eyes. Dress in layers, bring what you need for six hours standing in one spot and just do it. For an added bonus, attend the balloon inflation event on Central Park West the day before. You won’t be disappointed.Written 30 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JUDY N3 contributionsIf you are a Harry Potter fan this store is for you! Just like the store in Universal but a bit smaller. So, therefore very crowded!! And New York crowded is a thing!!. But overall it was fun!Written 12 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Greg GCarrollton, GA3,261 contributionsI own a Comic Shop and started attending this event last year. Beginning this year, they created a specific day for the industry to get together and discuss issues. We also get to hear from others about how they are making their stores better. I hope this continues next year!Written 16 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Angela RStamford, CT333 contributionsLast night was an absolute blast! When I say there’s no place like New York City, I mean it—especially when it comes to celebrating Halloween. Sure, New Orleans has its charm, but NYC is a close second in my book.
What makes New Yorkers special is how their creativity and personality come alive during this season. The people we met and the experiences we shared at the parade were truly one-of-a-kind.
This year, we decided to go all out and dress up as Vikings. Our costumes turned out fantastic, and we had such a fun time showing them off! The weather was pleasantly warm, and the excitement in the crowd was infectious.
If you ever get the chance, I can't recommend visiting NYC during Halloween enough. Don’t forget to check out the parade—it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!Written 1 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Roger MRedhill, UK167 contributionsDespite the gloomy weather a lot of people turned out to this annual event. Good humoured and slightly bonkers!Written 12 June 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PrivatemfNew Orleans, LA97 contributionsCame upon this by accident, and it was a great festival. You get a world tour through food. The close the street down and it was between our hotel and the subway.Written 24 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- The Five Road Trippers 🚙🎡🎢🧳Long Island, NY16,122 contributionsThe 2022 New International Auto Show was a complete disappointment. My friend and I have not attended since 2017, which was an epic show. Many, many car manufacturers did not attend.
The show in the past took up every square foot of the Javits Center. The show was an abbreviated version. One entire level was dedicated to selling aftermarket products?
I really was looking forward to seeing the entire BMW line, Mercedes Benz, Buick, Cadillac, Audi, Range Rover, Jaguar, Aston Martin, etc...
I did enjoy seeing Elvis Presley's Lincoln and all of the classic collector cars. Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, and Chevrolet had fun displays with outgoing staff.
Will I return next year? ProbablyWritten 25 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JanLinksGroningenGroningen, The Netherlands1,304 contributionsWhen You are in New York And You can see this, Go. But don’t travel more than 30minutes for It. But it is ok! A quiet nice experienceWritten 30 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- tinylassSheffield, UK6,209 contributionsFree to visit but you need to book tickets. We walked from Times Square which took about 30 minutes and then got a taxi back. We visited at 10pm on a Saturday night. It was quiet when we arrived which meant we got to see it better. It was a large area lit by thousands of colour changing lights, and against the back drop of the river and high rise buildings along with a clear sky, it was a very peaceful and lovely wander!Written 28 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stacy G7 contributionsBucket list experience which is doable despite the hype about the cold. Expect to wait long hours.... the further back you are from the main square... the less of a party vibe and view of the ball itself... so try to get there early. The process to get in is also haphazard.
If you experienced a caribbean carnival... the ball drop will be underwhelming lolWritten 1 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Samora NNewark, NJ16 contributionsI had a great time and would repeat. Although next time, I would either go with a larger group of around 4 or go solo. I went with my wife, which was fun, but the festival is not really an ideal couple's experience. It lends itself more to a group party or a solo vibe.
My wife and I only went on Sunday and got the VIP package. I chose Sunday because I got to see Tiesto and Major Lazer and because the weather was ideal. Notwithstanding the music, the people watching was the most fun part. On the ferry, we got to see all of the youngsters preening in their costumes. Some of them introduced themselves to us and told us about their favorite DJs.
The vibe was excellent, the crowd was mostly cool, and I never had a problem reaching the bathrooms. I actually liked the system of adding $ to the bracelet and then paying with the bracelet. It beats the ticket system of Caribana and other similar festivals because it cuts down on lines.
My personal experience was very positive, but I have to address two huge issues: the Friday closing and the Sunday rejections.
Friday closing
The organizers did not have the venue ready on Friday, which was a huge mistake. If I paid thousands of dollars for a three-day pass, I would have been angry. The refunds are a nice idea but they will be incomplete. I don't how they will calculate the value of the Friday VIP or Select attendance plus round trip ferry, but I know the customer will not get all of the money back. I don't know that they will reimburse for the ferry but I know they cannot reimburse for the opportunity cost of coming to NY on a Friday morning. People came from as far as Brazil and from all over the country for this festival, will the refund incorporate that fee? Their excuse, global supply chain issues, was vague enough to mean nothing and seemed like a way to pass the buck.
Sunday rejections
On Sunday, the staff turned away masses of ticket holders because they would have overcrowded the venue. This led some of the angry ticket holders to rush the entrance. Luckily, no one was hurt. Can't blame that on the supply chain: the organizers got greedy and sold too many tickets. The Sunday fiasco makes the supply chain story less believable.
Pros
The vibe, my experience, the music, the people, the staff, the easy access to bathrooms.
Issues
Expensive, badly planned.Written 7 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - adventixBoston, MA1,967 contributionsThis year the festival was moved to Whitney Pond Park, LI. Parking and shuttle bus were easy and comfortable. The festival itself was OK. What I was mostly missing was some dynamic lights. Almost all the attractions were static illuminated sculptures. I think it is much more suitable for adults, which will enjoy the art. the kids just fast walk through all of it. Price-wise it is a bit expensive for the experience.Written 21 November 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MĂłnica MGuatemala City, Guatemala16 contributionsWell, really cool festival, well organized, but the weather wasn't the best, I really was into the line up.
The food was cool, good prices but the booze was kind of expensive.Written 4 July 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
