During the month of January, The National Boat Show attracts tons of guests to the Jacob Javits Center. This show features hundreds of exhibits by any and everyone who has anything to do with boats. January also boasts the Winter Antiues Show. This show takes place at the Seventh Regiment Armory.



The Jacob Javits Center once again plays host during the month of February as it opens its doors to the International Motorcyle Show. The celebration of the Chinese New Year makes Chinatown even more fascinating than normal during this month. Madison Square Garden also hosts the Westminster Dog Show, and February is Black History Month which means there are many events taking place all over the city.

Spring kicks off in March with the Ringling Bros. and the Barnum and Balley Circus that comes to Madison Square Garden. Fifth Avenue is busy during March also with the St. Patrick's Day Parade as well as the Greek Independence Day Parade.

Parades continue into the month of April with the Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue. The Jacob Javits Center again hosts the International Auto Show and the Cherry Blossom Festival takes place at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. For those sports fans, April is the month when baseball season kicks off for the New York Mets and the New York Yankees, at Shea and Yankee Stadium, respectively. For those looking for something a little more refined, April is also the month when the New York City Ballet's spring season starts. These shows can be seen at the State Theater, Lincoln Center.

The last month of spring is a busy one as May plays home to the TriBeca Film Festival. This festival features over 200 movies as well as concerts and many other events. Another May festival, the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival, showcases food from every nation around the world in stands stretching over 20 city blocks. For those interested in art there is the Washington Square Outdoor Art Show, and flower lovers will enjoy Orchid Show and the Rose Week at the New York Botanical Garden. Parades continue to stream down Fifth Avenue during May with the Memorial Day Parade, and all city beaches will officially open during May.

For those visiting during June, there are concerts by the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic to take in. The Belmont Stakes, a prestigious horse race, takes place during June in Belmont Park in Long Island. For anyone interested in a dance festival, the Midsummer Night Swing takes place at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts. And if you think you've missed the parades, think again.

Summer is in full swing by July and so are the events in New York City. Macy's Annual 4th of July fireworks, the world's biggest display of fireworks, takes place over the East River. This wonderful display can be seen from many parts of the city and are especially fascinating from a boat on the river. July is also the time for the American Crafts Festival and Shakespeare in the Park at both the Delacorte Theater and in Central Park.

Summer comes to a close in August with the US Open Tennis Championship. August is also home to the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Queens and Harlem Week in Upper Manhattan. If you are looking for a music and dance festival during August, the River to River Festival is taking place in Lower Manhattan.

September is the start of a new a season and with that the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, the Giants, and the Jets all open their seasons. If your looking for worldly festivals, you can take in the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy, or the West Indian Festival. Fifth Avenue is again a center for activity with the New York Is Book Country Fair. For those interested in the arts, there is another Washington Square Outdoor Art Show as well as the New York Film Festival to take in during September.

During October, travelers can find an enjoyable afternoon at Rockefeller Center as the ice skating season now begins. Another season kicking off is the New York Rangers season in Madison Square Garden. As always, parades fill in this city and October is no different. The Halloween Parade takes place in Greenwich Village and the Columbus Day Parade takes place on Fifth Avenue.

For those looking to take in a show, November offers the start of the New York City Ballet's fall season, and also the The Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. For those interested in testing their own personal limits, or maybe just watching others test theirs, the New York City Marathon takes place from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Central Park. The much-loved Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Broadway and a Veteran's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue round out the calendar of events for November.

As the year draws to a close, there is still much to do in New York. Visitors can observe the Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center or be part of the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. Central Park also hosts the Central Park Fireworks and Midnight Run during December.

No matter what time of the year you choose to visit the never-sleeping city of New York City, there will always be plenty to see and do.