Arguably the best part of living in New York is the fact that New Yorkers are constantly exposed to other cultures by simply walking on the streets. There are also plenty of major international events in New York that focus on specific countries; one of the privileges of living in New York is that we can take advantage of these year after year. Every day, at least one of the city’s numerous cultural and international organizations is hosting concerts, exhibitions and other events that connect New Yorkers with cultures from around the globe. A few of these have become a quintessential part of life in New York and are events to look forward to every year.
Spring
Saint Patrick’s Day ParadeMarch 17, 2015Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17 is the biggest worldwide celebration of Irish culture and one of the top NYC events of the year. The largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world takes place right here in New York City and marches from 44th Street up 5th Avenue, past St. Patrick’s cathedral, to 79th Street in Manhattan. The parade is always held on the 17th of March except when the 17th is a Sunday, in which case it is held on the 16th. As with many of the parades up 5th Avenue, we recommend the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as one of the best viewing spots for the parade – but arrive early! The parade is officially managed by the city, but the Irish Arts Center, the Consulate General of Ireland in NY and the New York Irish Center also offer St. Patrick’s Day events every year.The day is also one of the biggest examples of Irish drinking traditions all over the United States. There are a number of pub-crawls announced before St. Patrick’s Day that will have you drinking green beer and Irish Coffees with the other patrons at the many pubs in NYC. Many times the pub-crawls are moved to Saturdays to ensure more people can join in – the more, the merrier! No matter how you would like to celebrate, get ready to bust out your green and adorn yourself with shamrocks and “kiss me – I’m Irish” apparel.Holi (Phagwah) FestivalMay 2, 2015
If you’re looking for a taste of India, look no further than the Holi or Phagwah Festival in Manhattan. Thousands of Indians and Americans gather to take part in this joyous and colorful annual event. Holi is a welcoming of spring and offers a temporary loosening of the barriers that age, gender, and social status create, bringing different classes closer together for the day. The festival is celebrated with music, dance, food, and the spreading of color through powder or liquid dyes. A word of warning: you are fair game to the color dyes if you come to the event. Your hair, clothing, and belongings will be rainbow colored by the end – get ready for curious looks when you’re walking back to the subway. This is a sight you don’t want to miss out on!Cherry Blossom Festival at Brooklyn Botanic GardenApril, 2015
Although any time of year is a good time to visit the stunning Brooklyn Botanic Garden, during cherry blossom season it is especially beautiful. As home to more than 220 cherry trees, the BBG is the perfect place to see these beautiful pink flowers in full bloom. Cherry blossom season is one of the most beautiful times in Japan and we recommend not missing the opportunity to celebrate it in New York. While the season itself runs for several weeks, the Sakura Matsuri or Cherry Blossom Festival is a weekend celebration of Japanese culture and you will find many Japanese families picnicking under the trees and taking pictures. Visitors can enjoy a number of events including J-pop concerts and traditional Japanese music and dance. Stop by to enjoy tea ceremonies, taiko drumming, and traditional cherry blossom viewing.Japan DayMay 10, 2015One newer cultural NYC events that has quickly grown in popularity is Japan Day. Introduced in 2007, the purpose of Japan Day in Central Park is to build bridges of cultural understanding between the people of Japan and the United States while also facilitating a stronger grassroots connection for the Japanese community in NYC. A number of live performances – from music to dance – are performed throughout the park as free Japanese cuisine is served. If you are Japanese, interested in learning more about Japanese culture, or are an otaku looking for a fix, this is the place for you! This event takes place every year in May. A number of notable organizations support Japan Day, including the Japanese consulate, the Japan Society of New York, and the Nippon Club. Like other cultural events from the Japan Society it is stunning to see the efforts and care that each exhibitor puts into their exhibit.
Summer
Puerto Rican Day ParadeJune 14th, 2015
In a celebration of the American-Puerto Rican community and Caribbean culture more than 80,000 people march up Fifth Avenue annually as part of this colorful. Puerto Ricans are the second largest Hispanic culture in the U.S. and the event is one of the most exciting of the year, with loud and energetic music, more than three million spectators, floats, and a number of Puerto Rican celebrities. It’s hard to miss this day, as Puerto Ricans will continue their celebrations in each neighborhood after the parade and into the night. Get ready for loud beats from Reggaeton to serenade you to sleep! Bastille DayJuly, 2015
Celebrated on July 14th every year, Bastille Day, or French National Day, is a French celebration commemorating the conclusion of the French Revolution. Bastille Day NYC is the largest public celebration of U.S.-French friendship in the country. It brings French-themed shops and stalls from various regions of France right into the city – as well as participants from Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec, and the rest of the francophone world. Festivities officially take place on 60th Street from Fifth to Lexington Avenues, but the event spreads to a couple of streets downtown that will be closed off to traffic. The event is officially sponsored by FI:AF but others get involved as well – a number of French restaurants and pubs will offer special menus or parties, and the entire city will seem a little more French for the celebration of French culture in New York City – expect the Empire State building to be blue, white, and red!FringeNYC FestivalAugust 14th – 30th, 2015
The biggest and broadest celebration of international arts in the city comes in the form of the annual New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC). FringeNYC is the largest multi-arts festival in North America, with more than 200 companies from all over the world performing for more than two weeks in venues all over Manhattan. Originally begun in Edinburgh in 1947, The Fringe Festival has spread across the world and came to NYC in 1997. FringeNYC takes place every August and attendance usually approaches 100,000 and increases annually. Expect the unexpected at any of these events – the international artists are always bringing a new perspective to even them most mundane things. Tickets can be purchased to individual performances, and we highly recommend browsing the extensive list and choosing a few to attend. If you love art and international cultures, you’ll love FringeNYC
Autumn
The Feast of San GennaroSeptember 10th – 20th, 2015We couldn’t mention the top NYC events without including San Gennaro. A celebration of all things Italian, the Feast of San Gennaro is an annual feast bringing more than 1 million people to the streets of Little Italy nestled in Lower Manhattan’s SoHo. This festival is thrown by the Figli di San Gennaro (“Children of San Gennaro”) and is a religious celebration, though it is known internationally for its festive atmosphere, colorful parades, live music, Italian delicacies and – in a very Italian fashion – a cannoli eating competition. Don’t miss trying the deep fried Oreos, they are an experience not to be missed. The people working at the food stalls will come into the crowd to get you to try their goods, offer samples, and encourage you to buy a beverage in an all-you-can-drink novelty glass. This is a great festival if you’re looking for a street party for all ages.The Steuben Parade and Oktoberfest in Central ParkSeptember 19, 2015
While Oktoberfest can be found around the world, New York City’s Steuben Parade and Oktoberfest in Central Park attract organizations from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for the celebration of German culture in the United States and German-American Friendship month. The point of the parade is simple – to act as a reminder of Germans’ past impact on NYC, and to recognize the continued importance of German immigrants and their descendants in the region. Oktoberfest in the park conveniently happens directly after the parade and for many Germans it is the best substitute for “the real Oktoberfest” happening in Munich every year. Expect to see Dirndl and Lederhosen, and lots of local music and dancing. And yes, beer will be served! You need to book a ticket in advance as space is limited and the event tends to sell out quickly.
Winter
Chinatown Lunar New Year ParadeFebruary 22, 2015The Lunar New Year is the most celebrated Asian festival worldwide; New York City does not disappoint. The city’s three Chinatowns are all turned up a notch for the holiday, with a few notable events. The Chinese Lunar New Year parade is one of the top events in Manhattan’s Chinatown that should not be missed by anyone interested in Asian culture; Starting in Little Italy and winding through the main streets of Lower Chinatown/Manhattan, acrobats, musical performances and colorful floats take the streets of Chinatown for onlookers to enjoy while they munch on traditional Chinese cuisine. The annual Firecracker Ceremony in Manhattan’s Sara Roosevelt Park is also an exciting spectacle, as well as the many events put on by cultural institutions such as Asia Society and China Institute. Be ready for loud noises, bright colors and quite a bit of fun.To best take advantage of the year-round international events in New York City, be sure to sign up for our bi-weekly update to make sure you keep up to date on the happenings all over the city. Article updated: April 27, 2015