5 reasons to visit New York after Christmas

After Christmas is done and dusted, these are the events that are tempting us to visit the Big Apple in the new year.

1. Valentines Day

14 February

A horse and carriage ride around Central Park, the city in the (potential) glow of a fresh snowfall and gazing over the best views of the Manhattan skyline from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at the Rockefeller Center- New York with someone you love is a romantic city to be in on Valentine’s Day. We can also arrange experiences including a helicopter flight over the city as the icing on the cake.

2. Lunar New Year Parade & Festival

February, Chinatown

Starting in Little Italy and working its way through the main streets of lower Chinatown and Manhattan, this street party welcomes in the Lunar New Year. Watch dazzling dragons arch and dance above the crowds to music; martial artists show off their skills; and acrobats wow onlookers before you stop at sizzling food stalls to treat your taste buds. If you’re in the city three days before the parade, you can also catch the Firecracker Ceremony.

3. St Patrick’s Day Parade

17 March

A celebration of Irish traditions, the St Patrick’s Day Parade has been marching up Fifth Avenue for 255 years. True to its roots, you won’t find any floats here, but you will find a whopping 150,000 to 250,000 marchers, consisting of bagpipers, marching bands and politicians. The parade usually starts at 11am from 44th street and ends with a pint of ‘green beer’.

4. Cherry Blossom Festival

Late April, Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Central Park is blooming in the Spring but it’s Sakura Matsuri, the annual cherry blossom festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, that grabs our attention in all its pink glory. Wander down Cherry Esplanade bordered by dazzling Prunus Kanzan at the end of April to see them at their peak – and visit during the festival itself, which sees 60 events and performances to celebrate Japanese culture.

5. Frieze New York

May, Randall’s Island, Manhattan

The contemporary art event of the year, this is the place to be to see what the most dynamic and forward-thinking galleries in the world have to offer. See and buy art from over 1000 of the world’s best artists and enjoy critically-acclaimed projects and talks by artists and curators. Tickets are released in February.