What's on in New York (NYC), United States through the year

Quiet — the editor's quiet month, Christmas season

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Christmas season (28 Nov – 1 Jan), Nor'easter season (1 Dec – 15 Mar (usually))

Quiet — the editor's quiet month

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Nor'easter season (1 Dec – 15 Mar (usually))

Busy — between the peaks, Cherry blossom

• Nature

  Cherry blossom

  25 Mar – 30 Apr · usuallyCrowded

  Usually peaking mid-April, best in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Japanese collection and along the reservoir in Central Park. The botanic garden charges and is worth it. Source ↗

Still on: Nor'easter season (1 Dec – 15 Mar (usually))

Busy — between the peaks, Cherry blossom

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Cherry blossom (25 Mar – 30 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month

Nothing new starts in May.

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Pride March

• Season

  Free outdoor season

  1 Jun – 31 AugSummer season opens

  Free concerts, outdoor cinema and Shakespeare in the parks all summer, most of it needing nothing more than turning up early with something to sit on.

• Festival

  Pride March

  28 JunCrowdedClosures

  The last Sunday of June, ending in the Village where it started. Fifth Avenue and half of Midtown close, and the hotels know the date better than you do. Source ↗

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Summer break in United States

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Free outdoor season (1 Jun – 31 Aug)

Quiet — the editor's quiet month, US Open

• Season

  The August lull

  1–31 AugSchool holidays

  Humid, slow and half-empty as the city leaves for the beaches. The restaurants that take three months to book are suddenly available on the day.

• Festival

  US Open

  23 Aug – 13 SepMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  Three weeks out at Flushing Meadows, ending the second weekend of September. Grounds passes in the first week are the best value sport in the city. Source ↗

Still on: Free outdoor season (1 Jun – 31 Aug)

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, US Open

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: US Open (23 Aug – 13 Sep)

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month

• Nature

  Fall colour

  20 Oct – 15 Nov · usuallyAutumn colour

  The parks turn two to four weeks later than upstate because the buildings hold the heat, so late October into early November is the window here. Source ↗

Busy — between the peaks, New York City Marathon

• Festival

  New York City Marathon

  1 NovMajor festivalCrowdedClosures

  The first Sunday of November, across all five boroughs. Crossing the course by car is impossible and the bridges it uses close from early morning. Source ↗

• Holiday

  Thanksgiving

  24–30 Nov · usuallyNational holidayClosuresCrowded

  The fourth Thursday of November. The parade fills Central Park West from dawn, most of the city closes for the day, and the airports have their worst two days of the year around it. Source ↗

• Holiday

  Christmas season

  28 Nov – 1 JanChristmas & New YearCrowded

  The tree, the markets and Fifth Avenue at its most crowded, followed by a city that empties out completely for the last week of the year. Source ↗

Still on: Fall colour (20 Oct – 15 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Christmas season

• Hazard

  Nor'easter season

  1 Dec – 15 Mar · usuallyWind seasonClosures

  One or two coastal storms a winter dump enough snow to stop the airports and briefly silence the parks. The city keeps running; the flights in and out are what break. Source ↗

Still on: Christmas season (28 Nov – 1 Jan)