The winter weather is about to start, and rather than sit around the house, it is really time to get out and about and do some socializing. Winter festivals around New York City offer the perfect chance to see some new faces and celebrate all that New Yorkers love. Some of the favorite festivals and events for this winter are below. Go to at least one, or go to them all! You will never regret it.
The celebration of Christmas lasts virtually the whole month of December. Of course, when you are in New York City, it’s time to take the Christmas walking tour to see the famous holiday decorations adorning the department store windows. Even the skyscrapers change color. You will see a number of Christmas movie locations as well as browse markets offering wonderful holiday wares.
Naturally, if you are in New York City for New Year’s Eve you can’t miss New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Although people watch this event in their living room from all over the country, there you will be, right in the middle of the action. There is nothing like it as the Waterford Crystal Ball drops and the seconds count off to welcome the New Year in.
For January, the choices of winter festivals are many. After the New Year, or before, you must make your way to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree which will remain until the 7th of January. Witness this gigantic tree with more than 30,000 bulbs that if stretched out on their wire, would stretch a total of five miles.
Then in January there is the Winter Jazz Fest 2014. It is most definitely coming, although details are not available yet and you’ll need to check the website for the set dates. Last year it was one big party for two days with an incredible line-up of musicians – more than 70 different jazz groups. We can’t expect it will be any different this year! Besides a wide variety of music, there will likely be a wide variety of venues across the city like last year. If you love jazz, you’ll love this jazz fest.
Be sure to get yourself to Central Park on January 25th for the Winter Jam, taking place in the bandshell area. This free event will take place no matter what sort of weather has come to the city. There will be cross-country skiing, with snow provided where it is missing. Snowboarding right in the center of Manhattan! Who would believe it? If you don’t have your own winter equipment, it will be provided at no cost.
February brings more fun with the 2014 NYC Winter Wine Festival on February 21. You’ll get to enjoy wine tasting of more than 200 varieties. There is an admission charge but it includes antipasto, cheeses, breads and hors d’oeuvres! And the music! Listen to jazz performed live while sampling rich wines and keeping your tasting glass, a Riedel Wine glass that is worth a small sum by itself!
Winter is not quite over in March, so stay tuned for even more fun. For instance, the Flamenco Festival 2014 is happening on March 6th through the 9th. This is at the New York City Center and offers some Spanish music and dance that everyone will enjoy. Authentic flamenco is always a treat, particularly when you are watching four of the most celebrated dancers in the field. This is an evening not to forget.
Then there is the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Another must-see, you have to put this on your New York list of winter events. This event has been held in the city since the 1760s. This year it will be on March 15 and should be about a five-hour event. Enjoy the bands, the marchers of all shapes and sizes as well as the military processions.
Yes, a winter full of lively festivals and events will make the cold weather season go by much faster! See you in the Spring!
Contributed by Guest Author Joe Laing.
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
