Winter in New York City
The arrival of cold weather is no excuse to let the best of the City pass you by! When winter comes, so do some of the most fun festivals, events, and attractions that New York has to offer. Whether you’re sticking around to take a J-Term class, or are looking forward to heading home for the holidays after finals, here are some of the best winter activities in the City:
Holiday Markets
The Winter Village at Bryant Park, the Holiday Market at Union Square, and the Grand Central Holiday Fair are three of the best holiday markets in the City! In Bryant Park, you can shop for handmade gifts and delicious food before taking a break to watch the skaters on the Rink. The Holiday Market at Union Square features food and gifts from local artisans and is a favorite of NYU students shopping for friends and family! Lastly, if you’re not a fan of the cold, the Grand Central market is a wonderful place to do your holiday shopping indoors.
Better hurry — the Union Square and Grand Central markets close for the season on Dec. 24, and the Bryant Park Winter Village closes on Jan. 2nd.
Winter Jazzfest
This January, NoHo will be taken over by the annual Winter Jazzfest! From Jan. 10 to 17, acclaimed jazz musicians like Tyshawn Sorey and The Comet is Coming will perform in legendary venues just south of the Square. This year, the Jazzfest continues with its theme of social justice in music, so be sure to grab tickets and swing by for some of the best live music in the City!
Winter Jam 2018
The annual Winter Jam in Central Park is back with even more winter activities for all! On Jan. 28, this festival will feature live ice sculpting, ice bowling, live music, an ice slide, and the Taste NY Winter Market, where you can get warm and pick up some amazing snacks! Be sure to bundle up for a day of outdoor fun.
New York Botanical Garden
Feeling up to braving the cold? Head up to the Bronx to visit the New York Botanic Garden, the largest in the U.S., and wander through their spacious grounds. Their hundreds of species of plants are beautiful even in the winter! Also, through Jan. 15, catch their celebrated Holiday Train Show, which features 150 city landmarks.
Under the Radar 2018
The annual Under the Radar festival celebrates burgeoning artists from around the world and gathers them at the Public Theater on Lafayette Street for over two dozen spectacular shows. This year, from Jan. 4 to 15, you can witness the best of up-and-coming contemporary theater just around the corner from campus! Grab tickets soon to secure a seat for one of the most popular events of the theater season — and stay warm inside the Public Theater!
