Rossilynne Skena Culgan

The best holiday markets are right here in NYC—full of both the holiday spirit and the most unique gifts out there. While fancy Christmas window displays may entice you, NYC's holiday markets often include ice skating, twinkling lights, great food vendors, and fun holiday activities. Shopping for the perfect gift doesn’t have to be stressful, make it fun at these holiday markets, from the Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market to the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park and more. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Since New York City transforms into a magical wonderland with millions of holiday lights right after Thanksgiving, it's good to know where to find the best Christmas lights in NYC. We'll see over-the-top inflatable Santas and reindeer found at the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in Brooklyn to more iconic New York displays, such as in Central Park, Rockefeller Center and at Saks Fifth Avenue. Take it all in and get ready to “ooh” and “ahh” at these landmarks, holiday markets and neighborhoods that create the most picturesque holiday light displays during the holiday season. You can find even more on our Google map! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Only with Queen Mariah’s blessing do we begin celebrating the holidays. In preparation, we’ve gathered the best things to do for Christmas and the holidays in NYC. From uptown to downtown, the city boasts holiday offerings like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, light festivals, and the best holiday markets NYC has to offer. Whether you channel your inner grinch or cheery elf during NYC's most wonderful season, we've got you covered with memorable activities. Check back for updates as we'll continue adding to the list as the holidays approach.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best Christmas hotels in NYC Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.  Check out our Winter Village video: 

There's a jingle in the air, meaning it's that holly jolly time of year full of magic and wonder. Christmas in NYC is a festive time like no other, bringing joy to all, especially the little ones. Once you’ve picked out the perfect Christmas tree and set up holiday decorations, you can check out holiday markets and holiday lights, go ice skating, or — on a good snow day — go sledding. But be sure to leave room in your schedule for these must-do Christmas events for kids in NYC. From spectacular holiday light shows to outdoor adventures, these festive family events are sure to make everyone merry and bright. Celebrate the spirit of the season with these Christmas events for kids, then snuggle up at home with some hot chocolate and a beloved Christmas movie.

’Twas the night before Christmas and all through Gotham, New Yorkers were actually stirring. That’s right, there are still plenty of things to do on Christmas Eve in NYC. Don’t just laze around your apartment watching Christmas movies (as fun as that sounds). Instead, admire seasonal light displays, see a show, or do some last-minute shopping at holiday markets in NYC that remain open on Christmas Eve. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York

You might be sticking around NYC for Thanksgiving this year (it's on Thursday, November 23, 2023 this year)—and that comes with plenty of perks! You can catch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, visit New York's beloved ice-skating venues like The Rink at Rockefeller Center, take in its incredible holiday lights displays and explore some major attractions. If you're not cooking at home, enjoy the delicious Thanksgiving meals from NYC’s best restaurants.  Plus, start getting into the Christmas spirit while Black Friday shopping or wandering around NYC’s wonderlands like the Bryant Park Winter Village. Follow our agenda below to optimize your time off with the best activities to do before and after your turkey-filled feast. RECOMMENDED: A full guide to Thanksgiving in NYC

As an epicenter for capitalism, Black Friday in NYC can be intense. All those stores! So many deals! And believe it or not, but people still go out to shop in person. Instead of spending all your cash in a city where rent takes so much money anyway, we’ve come up with a list of foolproof things to do in NYC that are guaranteed to spark more joy than a cozy sweater. Yes, even if it’s 50 percent off! Trust us—no discounts or deals can compare to the memories you’ll make at these New York attractions and top NYC art museums. If you’re really itching to go shopping in NYC, we encourage you to resist the urge until Small Business Saturday so you can support the city’s independent shops.

If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week, or even for today, there are tons of fun options, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, post-Thanksgiving hikes, holiday markets, the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Light Show, Frost Fest at Coney Island, and awesome free events in NYC! For more ideas, scroll down to see this week's best things to do in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend: The Arab American Comedy Festival, a bubble exhibit at NYSCI, the last weekend for Rooftop Cinema Club, the kickoff to Frost Fest at Coney Island and free events around town. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend! RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best New York attractions Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Only one night of holiday celebration? Please. Hanukkah (or Chanukah or even Hanukah) means you have more than a week to drink and celebrate at some of the best bars in NYC, boogie at one of the best events in December and party your face off. Speaking of your mug, you should also stuff your face with fried foods (or hit up some kosher restaurants). Hanukkah 2023 starts at nightfall on December 7, 2023 and ends with nightfall on December 15, 2023. L’chaim! RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to Hanukkah in NYC

Ice skating in NYC is one of the city’s most beloved seasonal traditions. While some skating rinks are open year-round, ice skating in the winter — especially around the holidays — is a special treat that will warm your cockles with the spirit of the season. The iconic rink at Rockefeller Center and the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park are bursting with holiday cheer (and fab food and drinks), while low-key rinks at NYC parks offer a more chill experience. Make a day of it and combine ice skating with a visit to NYC’s best holiday markets and holiday light displays. Whether you’re a newbie, an enthusiast or a full-on triple salchow kind of skater, there’s a rink for you. If you’re not into gliding around on an icy surface but feel the need for speed, you can always opt for roller skating instead. Be sure to check opening dates and times for seasonal skating options!

Just being in NYC in the fall is an experience in itself—for a few brief months, we all channel Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail and breathe in the crisp air filled with the smell of leaves and pretend we're in the middle of a love story for the ages (maybe we are). It's true that NYC is one of the most sought out places to experience the best that fall offers, from delightfully spooky Halloween events and festivals to gorgeous leaf-peeping opportunities and some of the best festivals. Autumn in NYC is tough to match! Keep scrolling to find out how to make this the best one yet.

The 640 colorful lanterns created by the LAB at Rockwell Group are back at Brookfield Place for the season, ready to dance in a symphony of colors. Open daily now through January 6, 2024, between 10am and 8pm, visitors will be able to send a motion-activated wish into the glowing lanterns up above. There’s something simply magical about sending holiday wishes into a light-filled display of beauty.  The destination will also host light shows every hour set to holiday songs including "Winter Wonderland" by Michael Bublé, "Silver Bells" by Tony Bennett, "Carol of the Bells" by The Bird and The Bee and "Let It Snow" by Pentatonix. Here's the schedule of performances. Expect to be amazed by a beautiful show of light and music when you visit this Lower Manhattan mall during the holiday season. It's free to attend. 

Train aficionados of all ages are certain to be transfixed by the scenic components of this show, featuring trains and toys from the Jerni Collection dating all the way back to 1850. With its unique, handcrafted and hand-painted pieces, the collection epitomizes the golden age of toy manufacture and transportation. This year's exhibit includes toys that have never before been on display, including a magical castle, a sleek monorail and a charming miniature toy shop. The display also includes a toy plane version of a luxurious Pan Am Stratocruiser, a toy shop with miniature toys made in Germany in the early 1900s and a toy monorail made for the Leland Detroit Manufacturing Co. in 1932. Lighting and accompanying music immerse visitors in the exhibit on the first floor of the New-York Historical Society & Museum on the Upper West Side. The exhibit's on view from November 24, 2023-February 4, 2024.

Industry City will be a holiday destination this year, because alongside all of its local shops and eateries, it'll once again have an open-air ice skating rink. Starting on Saturday, November 18, the outdoor rink in Courtyard 5/6 called IC Skating Rink will offer programming for new and experienced skaters alike. Activities this year include dedicated kids' skating with winter characters like Silly Snowman; post-skate bites at nearby restaurants such as Frying Pan Brooklyn; and outdoor firepits. IC Ice Skating Rink will also offer an Apres Ski VIP Lounge featuring concierge service, hot drinks by Frying Pan Brooklyn, and more for ticket holders sponsored by Porsche Brooklyn.

Take a break from Christmas shopping and check out the state-of-the-art holiday light display at The Shops at Columbus Circle. The spectacle features a dozen 14-foot LED stars that do a colorful “dance,” flashing more than 16.7 million color mixes. You’ll be so moved, you won’t even care that you maxed out your MasterCard getting Aunt Judy that back massager she’s been wanting. Daily light and music shows run every half hour from 5-11pm, with extended showings at 11:30pm and 12am on Saturdays, through January 1.

For more than 25 years, the Central Park Conservancy has been draping the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in holiday lights and ringing in the season alongside a hot cocoa-bearing Santa. The festivities wrap up with the lighting of a flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer. Extra tip: Print out this songsheet so you're prepared for the carols. The event is scheduled for 5:30pm on Thursday, November 30, but the lights are illuminated all through the holiday season.

This gallery, founded by artist-curators Elle Burchill and Andrea Monti, specializes in film, video, sound, digital and performance art (one particular standout in the last category was a 2011 event in which artist Marni Kotak  gave birth to a child in the gallery). Microscope Gallery is also notable for showing the work of such pioneering figures of the 1960s and ’70s avant-garde as Jonas Mekas, George Maciunas and Michael Snow.  After starting out in Bushwick, the gallery has now moved to Chelsea.

Natalie Wall’s perfectly curated sex-story show offers cringe-inducing, heartbreaking and gut-busting tales every month. Brave storytellers relive intimate tales about their sex lives and breaking barriers about sex and dating. The show pairs sexual inclusion with humor and sheds light on the awkward universal experience we all know and love.  This time, on November 15 at Club Cumming, the show features Karolena Theresa, Perri Gross and more. As Wall puts it: "Come on down, grab a drink, and watch New York City’s finest comedic storytellers relive their most embarrassing sexual experiences on stage just for your pleasure."

Two million twinkling white lights adorn Hudson Yards for the shopping center’s annual Shine Bright event. The display includes 115 miles of string lights, 725 evergreen trees dressed to create a gleaming forest, 16-foot tall illuminated hot air balloon decorations and a massive 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece suspended in The Great Room of The Shops & Restaurants. In addition to the awe-inspiring light display, there are plenty of photo opportunities, chances to visit Santa and stores to shop for everyone on your list.  Shine Bright runs from November 13, 2023, through January 7, 2024.

If Santa's sleigh gets stuck on a rooftop, don't worry: FDNY will be there to help.  The fire department will show off their skills on Sunday, December 3 when they bring a ladder truck to bravely rescue Santa from the roof of the New York City Fire Museum. The rescue happens at 12pm sharp, so be sure you're on time. Once safely inside the museum, Santa will pose for photos and hear gift requests from kids of all ages.  The rescue is free to watch; it's $20/person to enter the museum and visit with Santa (get tickets here). Proceeds from the event support the museum's fire safety education to help children. If you've never been to The New York City Fire Museum, it's worth checking out. The venue, the official museum of the FDNY, is located in a 1904 firehouse at 278 Spring Street. 

Turns out, the North Pole knows how to throw quite a party. Join in on the fun at Santa's Secret, a seductive speakeasy and immersive wonderland hosted on the fifth floor of The Shops at Hudson Yards.  Here's what's on tap: Eight different immersive installations, each one featuring spicy holiday-themed characters, like gingerbread girls and rugged lumberjacks. Plus, experience life-sized snow globes, incredible burlesque acts and holiday cocktails. Just don't let Santa party too hard—or how will he deliver all the presents with a hangover?! The show runs until December 31. Tickets range in price from $55 to $75.

Oppenheimer took over movie screens this summer, and now you can learn about the physicist's New York City connections on these new walking tours.  This nearly three-hour stroll through the Upper West Side explores how New York City raised the "father of the atomic bomb" and the "destroyer of worlds." Learn about J. Robert Oppenheimer’s early years on the west side of Manhattan and how his education shaped his adulthood. The tour also showcases the sites of the Manhattan Project and explores the legacy left by the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer tours run on multiple weekends throughout the rest of the year; here's the full schedule. The tour's hosted by K. Krombie's Purefinder tours, which also run tours called "Death in New York," "The Psychiatric History of New York" and "Hell Gate." Each one explore the city's darker side through meticulously researched and theatrically presented historical narratives.

This rendition of William Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet" puts a Caribbean twist on the classic story. Titled "Don't Pass the Peppa Sauce," the show is driven by creating and fostering inclusion and opportunity for Caribbean creatives. The show puts a Trinidadian and Dominician spin on the classic work. Creator, actress, writer, and producer Jordana Persad and her team will stage the show at The Tank NYC (312 W 36th) on Saturday, November 11. Get there early to soak up the music and the good vibes before showtime.

The lights from New York City's glittering skyscrapers dazzle all year long, but there's nothing quite like the illuminated spectacle that is the Christmas season in our city. Very soon, the switches will flip, transforming NYC into a winter wonderland aglow in spectacular decorations. Dates have been set for nearly all of the most light-up celebrations across the city, and we’ve compiled them below. They’re listed in chronological order so you can find an event (or two or three) that fit into your schedule. We’ll continue updating the last as more festivities are announced, and if we missed one that you know of, email us (thisweek.ny@timeout.com). RECOMMENDED: Best Christmas things to do in NYC for a magical time this holiday season When do NYC’s holiday lights get turned on? Shine Bright Only at Hudson Yards Now open Two million twinkling white lights adorn Hudson Yards for the shopping center's annual Shine Bright event. The display includes 115 miles of string lights, 725 evergreen trees dressed to create a gleaming forest, 16-foot tall illuminated hot air balloon decorations and a massive 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece. See it through January 7.  Harlem Holiday Lights Now open Harlem kicks off the holiday season with NYC’s only parade of lights. Festivities include a special ceremony and a confetti-filled countdown to start the parade of lighted floats. Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden Now open The gorgeous, after-dark illuminated spectacular will run throu

Over the past five years, dozens of significant European painting galleries at The Met have been shuttered as staff restored the museum's skylights and carefully conserved the centuries-old artworks. Now, after years of effort, 45 galleries are finally reopening, showcasing famed works in vivid detail and radiant natural light. "Look Again: European Paintings 1300–1800" features more than 700 works of art, including pieces by Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and Poussin; the largest collection of 17th-century Dutch art in North America; and the most extensive holdings of El Greco and Goya outside Spain. The galleries will officially re-open on Monday, November 20.  RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now  The renovations mark "a milestone of the Met's history," Max Hollein, the museum's director said. The project was also the largest infrastructure upgrade in the museum's history, requiring a $150 million budget.  Photograph: By Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out Construction teams replaced 30,000 square feet of skylights, which were first constructed in 1939 and last upgraded in 1952. The upgrades provide a better quality of light in the galleries, energy efficiency and ideal conditions for the paintings on display, Hollein explained.  The galleries' closure offered a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to completely rethink the presentation of this much-beloved collection," he said. Staff rehung every piece, organizing the display more chronologically, rather than i

Inside a nondescript red brick warehouse just outside of New York City, the staff of American Christmas bring holiday magic to life. They're known for creating the renowned displays at Macy's, the Cartier mansion, Radio City Music Hall, the Rockefeller Center Channel Gardens and more. Now, they're opening their doors to the public for a holiday extravaganza featuring 100,000 lights, 100 captivating animatronics and figurines in nine uniquely themed areas. Given their holiday decor expertise, this larger-than-life display is going to dazzle. Tickets are on sale here. RECOMMENDED: Where to see stunning holiday lights in NYC This is the third year that American Christmas has hosted its public Holiday Lane event, and this year promises to be bigger and brighter than ever. Twice the size of last year's display, this iteration of Holiday Lane at American Christmas begins with a chance to write a note to Santa. Then, meet some reindeer, visit a land of sugar plum fairies, peek into the elves' quarters and explore the icy beauty of the Arctic. Photograph: Courtesy of American Christmas Finally, end the trip at an area called Santa's Take Off where Santa's sleigh gets ready for its journey around the world. Santa himself will even be there on select days. "Visitors will be transported to a world of wonder and holiday enchantment in this immersive walk-through experience," event organizers say.  Photo opportunities abound throughout the all-ages experience. If the experience leaves

Inside a venue dating back 100 years into the past, a new art show explores a question of the future: How can human creativity and artificial intelligence coexist? ARTECHOUSE, located inside an old boiler room at Chelsea Market, is set to debut its latest digital art exhibition, “World of AI·magination,” on December 1; tickets are on sale here starting at $21/person. To create the exhibition, ARTECHOUSE Studio developed original visual elements with generative AI systems. Designers hope to inspire visitors to consider AI as a "creative associate rather than a mere tool for innovation."  RECOMMENDED: Incredible immersive experiences to do in NYC right now World of AI·magination centers around a 20-minute cinematic experience with six scenes. One scene, called the Library of Magical Portals, features colossal books brimming with dreams and algorithms. Another scene called Symphony of Illusions constantly morphs, while the Infinite Maze immerses visitors into multiple parallels. Photograph: Courtesy of ARTECHOUSE The exhibit intends to show that humans contain "an enduring sense of wonder and a thirst for uncharted possibilities," a press release for the exhibition states. "This exhibition masterfully combines generative algorithms with human creativity to create a unique visual experience, blurring the lines between human creation and machine computation." The concept strikes a chord during a time when Hollywood's fighting back against AI and when current chatbots proves cree

Painter Marc Chagall's lusciously vibrant works of art come to life in a new immersive experience at Hall des Lumières. Titled "Chagall, Paris-New York," the exhibition explores the prolific painter who defied labels.  His works are projected in a larger-than-life scale, taking over walls, ceilings and even the floor of the ornate bank-turned-exhibition hall located at 49 Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan. “Chagall, Paris-New York” is now on view through 2024 with adult tickets starting at $30. In addition to the Chagall works, Hall des Lumières is also displaying works by Wassily Kandinsky.  RECOMMENDED: Incredible immersive experiences to do in NYC right now For Marc Chagall (1887-1985), Paris and New York represented two crucial stages in his extensive career. The digital experience at Hall des Lumières showcases his entire oeuvre, exploring the artistic and cultural moments of the late 20th century. The Russian-born painter picked Paris as his chosen city, with its avant-garde movements of the 1910s inspiring his experimental works. Later during the 1940s, New York became an escape imbuing the artist with a creative burst until he returned to Paris in 1948.  Photograph: Courtesy of Hall des Lumières In addition to his painting, Chagall also embraced theater, costumes, sculpture, ceramics, stained glass, mosaics and collage as part of his multidisciplinary palette. The immersive exhibition highlights all of these art forms, with the stained glass work as an especially d

An institution housing a colossal blue whale, massive dinosaur skeletons and thousands of glittering gemstones couldn't display just any ordinary holiday decor, of course. Instead, the American Museum of Natural History proudly presents a spectacular origami holiday tree each year.  About 2,000 colorful origami animals decorate the 13-foot-tall tree, a tradition dating back more than 50 years. Volunteers from around the world carefully fold the intricate ornaments, focusing on a theme that relates to the museum. This year's theme, "Proboscideans on Parade," was inspired by the new exhibit "The Secret World of Elephants." The artists behind the dazzling display gave us a behind-the-scenes peek at this year's tree before it opens on November 20. RECOMMENDED: Here's the full list of NYC Christmas light switch-on dates for 2023's holiday season Local origami experts Rosalind Joyce and Talo Kawasaki work together as co-designers to plan the aesthetic for each year's tree. They start long before the holidays, scouring the museum's galleries for inspiration and drafting lists of animals to create. Then, they call in reinforcements—fellow origami fans from across the globe, from professional artists to kids—to fold intricately complex creatures. This year, origamists created a wide variety of elephants in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures. They even created a garland of 400 elephants that wraps around the tree, trunk-to-tail, trunk-to-tail, from the bottom to the top. Speaking o

The Rockefeller Center Tree has officially arrived in New York City, ready to be primped and bedecked for its moment in the spotlight this holiday season. This beautiful—and really, really big—tree doesn't need much of a glow-up, as it's already a stunning spectacle. In honor of the tree's arrival, we compiled 10 fascinating facts that’ll not only blow your mind but get you into the spirit of the season. So read on, then make plans to visit the tree this year for a special holiday memory. RECOMMENDED: Best Christmas things to do in NYC for a magical time this holiday season 1. It's giant This year’s Norway Spruce stands 80 feet tall and 43 feet in diameter. Believe it or not, that’s not even the tallest tree in Rockefeller Center history. In 1999, a tree from Connecticut measured in at 100 feet tall! This year’s tree weighs about 12 tons—that’s equivalent to 12 grand pianos or approximately two woolly mammoths. 2. It's an octogenarian The tree is around 80 to 85 years old, meaning it dates back to the late 1930s or early 1940s.  Photograph: Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer | The McGinley family with their tree. 3. It's local This year's tree comes from Vestal, New York in the Binghamton region. It was donated by the McGinley family. Jackie McGinley told Here In NY that the family never expected their tree would end up at Rockefeller Center. But when presented with the chance, they couldn't pass it up.  "Having the opportunity to bring joy to millions of people w

If scrolling through social media to see pictures of cute dogs and hilarious cats is a favorite pastime of yours, then this new exhibit at Fotografiska is a must-see. Titled "Best in Show," the exhibition explores the role of furry and feathered friends in our culture through more than 100 incredible photographs.  Photos show dogs in a variety of situations, like getting baths, posing, partying, shaking their heads and even dressing up in fancy “cones of shame.” Cats, rats, bunnies, birds, reptiles, turtles and fish get their moment in the spotlight, too, at this exhibition on view in the Flatiron District through January 2024.  RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now The show showcases works by 25 renowned photographers. That includes William Wegman's famed Weimaraner portraits, pictures by Sophie Gamand of dogs taking baths and images by the world's first professional cat photographer Walter Chandoha. From candid photos of pets at home to posh portraits of pups at the Westminster Dog Show, each image explores the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets. In addition to photography, several videos capture pets in motion. One takes viewers up close and personal as dogs and cats shake their heads sending their glorious tufts of fur from side to side. Another presents footage of pastel-colored birds gracefully landing on a tree branch.  Photograph: Gerrard Gethings | Henry and Hope by Gerrard Gethings Gerrard Gethings' section of photographs depicts pe

Beautiful, buoyant, beguiling bubbles are coming back to the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) in Queens as of Friday, November 17. The beloved bubbles exhibit, which has been closed for five years, will return bigger, better and bubblier than ever. The Big Bubble Experiment encourages kids of all ages to experiment and discover through the joy of playing with bubbles. That includes blowing, stretching, popping and looking closely to see what happens at each move.  RECOMMENDED: The Met is opening a free science and art play space for kids The exhibit features 10 stations, each one with different tools and methods for exploring bubble solution—and the museum's got plenty of it. The museum goes through more than eight gallons of bubble solution each day to keep all of the bubbly fun going, Dana Schloss, NYSCI's associate vice president of exhibits told Time Out New York during an exhibit demo.  Photograph: Courtesy of New York Hall of Science At some stations, visitors can wave bubble wands and use air vents to explore why bubbles are round and how surface tension works. For a big challenge, I tried to make a massive bubble with giant bubble wands. It’s a lot harder than it looks, trust me. Another station invites visitors to admire the colors of bubbles. Stretching large sheets of bubble film showcases the medium’s rainbow iridescence—and offers an excellent selfie opportunity, which I took. At another exhibit, I was asked to consider what’s inside a bubble and I tried to see

One hundred years ago, The Morgan Library & Museum was established with its expansive collection of historic books in a jaw-droppingly beautiful building. Over the last century, the museum developed into a beloved cultural institution showcasing rare books, drawings, photographs and important research.  In honor of this landmark anniversary, the museum announced a slate of programming including a free public celebration day, an exhibition on writer Beatrix Potter and a show featuring novelist Franz Kafka. Here's what to expect from the centennial celebrations. Free activities  A public party: The museum will host a free day of celebration on Sunday, May 5, 2024. They'll open the garden for the season and offer to-be-announced programming. Free student Sundays: To encourage student visitation, the Morgan will offer free admission to college students on the first Sunday of every month beginning on January 7, 2024. Exhibitions Seen Together: Acquisitions in Photography, January 26-May 26, 2024: This show will feature more than 40 never-before-shown works acquired by the Morgan’s Department of Photography. See photos of prominent figures from many creative disciplines, including visual art (Yayoi Kusama, Marcel Duchamp, Saul Steinberg), literature (Marianne Moore, Jack Kerouac), performance (Yoko Ono, Harlem Renaissance dancer Edna Guy), and music (Louis Hardin, aka Moondog). Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature, February 23 through June 9, 2024: This exhibit brings together artwor

With its underground music, bohemian cafes, galleries and rare pockets of quiet, New York City has served as a demanding and mercurial muse to some of the most renowned artists in America. It continues this role today and likely will for decades to come.  A new show at Opera Gallery called "Muses: The City & The Artist" underscores that point with a star-studded gallery show featuring work by Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Yayoi Kusama, Niki de Saint Phalle, Shepard Fairey, Keith Haring, Robert Indiana, Roy Lichtenstein, Michalene Thomas, Andy Warhol, Kehinde Wiley and many more. The show's on view now through December 7 at Opera Gallery (Madison Avenue and 67th Street) on the Upper East Side. RECOMMENDED: This empowering new art show in NYC features nearly 100 women artists The exhibition begins with a quote by designer Le Corbusier: "A hundred times have I thought New York is a catastrophe, and fifty times: It is a beautiful catastrophe." Photograph: On White Wall/Opera Gallery | Andy Warhol, Multicolored Retrospective (Reversal Series), 1979 Across from the quote, an oversized map of Manhattan showcases key destinations in the arts, from schools and studios to bars and attractions. The Central Park Zoo is highlighted, for example, as a spot where Alexander Calder loved to sketch in the 1920s. The East Harlem location of Keith Haring's "Crack is Wack" mural is noted; he painted the artwork in 1986 at a handball court and was arrested soon thereafter. Another notatio

Rockefeller Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Bronx Zoo, the Apollo Theater and more iconic New York City landmarks have been shrunken down and sugar-fied into gingerbread re-creations. Twenty-three gingerbread houses comprise this year's "Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off" at the Museum of the City of New York. The display will be on view from November 10 through January 15 at the museum on the Upper East Side. The exhibition is included with general admission, which costs $20/person. Local judges awarded honors to the top-placing entries, but everyone can vote on their favorite for the People's Choice award. RECOMMENDED: The world’s largest gingerbread village is returning with NYC-inspired designs Taking home the prize for the best overall is Patty Pops, which created an homage to this year's 50 years of hip-hop celebration. In their display, Santa wears Nike Dunks, while DJ Kool Herc provides a soundtrack for all the gingerbread characters gathered together. The gingerbread house bears the number 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, known as the birthplace of hip-hop. Photograph: By Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out | Hip Hop by Petroula Lambou-Kalognomas of Patty Pops The team from Patty Pops whipped up the display in just two days, as the bakery was busy juggling orders for Halloween. They finished the display at 3am the night before the deadline and then carefully transported it to the museum. This award-winning entry marked their first time creating a ging