By Sina McLin
February
The Chinese New Year Parade (February 25, 2024)
Chinatown’s annual Lunar (Chinese) New Year Parade is back with dragon dancing, stunning outfits, martial arts performers, and more. Head to Chinatown for the parade, which celebrates the Year of the Dragon, and visit festival booths on Bayard Street between Mott and Mulberry Streets.
“The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism,” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (February 25 – July 28)
The exhibit will present 160 works exploring how Black artists portrayed everyday modern life in the new Black cities that took shape in the 1920s-40s in New York City’s Harlem, Chicago’s South Side, and nationwide amid the Great Migration. The show will be the first survey of the subject in New York City since 1987. It will also establish the Harlem Renaissance as the first African American–led international modern art movement.
“Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature” at The Morgan (February 23 – June 9)
The resplendent Morgan Library & Museum will celebrate the works of beloved English author Beatrix Potter. A new exhibit will bring together artwork, books, manuscripts, and artifacts that trace how Potter’s blend of scientific observation and imaginative storytelling shaped some of the world’s most popular children’s books.
March
Women’s History Month in NYC
Every year, the city holds events to celebrate women and their achievements. NYC Parks has several sculptures that feature or were made by women, including the nearby Harriet Tubman Memorial on 123rd Street and St. Nicholas Avenue.
St. Patrick’s Day (March 16)
The parade begins on 5th Avenue at 44th Street and ends on 5th Avenue at 79th Street, and runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This parade is the world’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade starting in 1762.
The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion (February 17–April 21)
The Orchid Show is held at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in the New York Botanical Garden starting February 17. Catch New York’s rising fashion stars’ new designs until April 21.
April
Cherry Blossoms at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Seeing the cherry blossom trees in bloom is an iconic springtime event in NYC. There are dozens of locations where trees bloom throughout the month. Many people love visiting Riverside Park, Central Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, whose “Cherrywatch” you monitor at the link above.
Baseball Season Starts
Whether you’re a Mets or Yankees fan – or neither – a day at the ballpark is an iconic NYC experience.
Pier 57 is located in Chelsea, Manhattan, and features a rooftop park with panoramic views of Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor. As the weather warms up, this is a great place to catch up with friends and enjoy the sunshine! The park is open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
May
Columbia University Commencement & Teachers College Convocation (May 14 & 15)
On Wednesday, May 15, Columbia University will host the All-University Commencement ceremony for all 19 schools at CU, including Teachers College. TC will hold four ceremonies split between May 14 & 15. All TC ceremonies will take place at the United Palace Theater on Broadway & 175th Street.
Ninth Avenue International Food Festival (May 18 & 19)
Visit Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, lined with an array of cuisines and beverages, for one of NYC’s oldest, largest food festivals. Blue Seafood Bar, Poseidon Bakery, El Mil Sabores, and Marseille are among the street’s restaurants that participate as vendors; guests can also enjoy arts and crafts, plus live performances from local entertainers.
Take a NYC Ferry Ride
The NYC Ferry is a great thing to do when the weather is nice! Take a ride out to Rockaway Beach with friends, or take a break from the subway and visit a new borough! There are six main routes, so you are bound to find somewhere to go. This is a great way to see the city and enjoy the sunshine.