Amy Ellison

Time to toss 2025 to the curb and ring in the new year right with the best New Year's Eve events in NYC. No matter how you’re hoping to ring in 2026—sloppy, sober, laid-back or buckwild—we’ve got the NYE celebration for you. So don your festive getups and get ready for a night of amazing dinners and more first-of-the-year festivities with this roundup of the best attractions and events for ringing in the New Year. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to New Year’s Eve in NYC

Looking for the best New Year’s Eve parties? NYC has tons of options, and the night of December 31 doesn’t just revolve around Times Square's ball drop or spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks. There are plenty of amazing themed extravaganzas, all-night ragers and dance parties playing the best party songs as everyone dances, drinks and kisses on the last night of 2024. Plus, here are even more NYE events to get you into the spirit. RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to New Year's Eve in NYC

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. We'll continue updating this guide throughout the holiday season, so stay tuned for new additions. 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. 

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: Parade of Rockaway, a Hanukkah concert, wreath-making workshop, Santa's Secret, and a bevy of holiday markets to explore—plus free events around town. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend! Start planning a great month now with our round-up of the best things to do in December.  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. 

One of the best holiday attractions in NYC is its Christmas and holiday window displays at its department stores. Tourists aren’t the only ones who can enjoy these festive showcases in Herald Square and Fifth Avenue—even for locals, they hold a dreamy nostalgia that only comes once a year. These ornate holiday windows decked out with hundreds of Christmas lights and more winter wonderland decor are so impressive, they can be reason enough to stroll through midtown. Time Out tip: Just wait until after the majority of tourists have gone to bed to you can see up-close for yourself. For all the information you need to know about this year’s Christmas windows, read on below. And if you want to remain in the holiday spirit, we have recommendations on where to go ice skating in NYC, and then Christmas-themed bars (like Rolf’s) where you can go to warm up afterward.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York

With New York City named as the second-most expensive city in the world, you know we’re on the hunt for deals. While it basically costs $20 just to walk outside here, sometimes it’s worth the splurge if you’re visiting some of the best restaurants in NYC or seeing that hyped-up Broadway show. But more often than not, we have to choose between going out and paying rent, which just freaking sucks. That’s why Time Out New York is dedicated to helping you find cheap eats and happy hour deals as well as plenty of cheap things to do in NYC to fill your days without emptying your wallet. The good news is that you don’t have to skip NYC’s top attractions or events at its beautiful parks. You can catch free shows from up-and-coming bands, or catch a movie for under $10. Some are even worthy cheap date ideas, if you’re looking. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC 

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 2025 starts at starts at nightfall on December 14, 2025 and ends with nightfall on December 22, 2025. L’chaim! RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to Hanukkah in NYC

As much as New Yorkers love their city, they want to be transported to another space and time — at least that's the trend museums, companies and artists are capitalizing on. Immersive exhibits, events and experiences are popping up all over NYC these days. From theatrical experiences to trippy digital art taking over massive spaces, there's no shortage of ways to be immersed in a different reality. With so many ways to be immersed, we decided it was high time to round up all the cool, immersive events, exhibits and experiences happening in NYC now and coming up soon so you won't miss the chance to experience something new and potentially mind-blowing. RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now

Need plans for Christmas Day? Whether you are staying in the city, determined to get out of the house or don’t celebrate the holiday, there’s much to take advantage of the city on December 25. Perhaps the quietest and least crowded day of the year in the city that never takes a break, pop into a late-night club, an ice-skating rink or get high up at one of the city's observation decks for some perspective. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York

New York City has tons of things going for it, from incredible buildings to breathtaking parks. But surely, the top of the list includes NYC’s vast array of museums and galleries, covering every field of culture and knowledge: There are quirky museums and interactive museums, free museums and world renowned art institutions like the Met. Between them, they offer so many exhibitions of every variety and taste that it's hard to keep track of them. But if you’re starting to suffer a sudden attack of FOMA (that's fear of missing art ;)), don't worry! We've got you covered with our select list of the best museum exhibitions in NYC. Don't waste any time—head to NYC's best museum exhibits now! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to museums in NYC

We're throwing the spookiness into high gear with events for Halloween in NYC. October is filled with costume parties, haunted houses, corn mazes, parades and even dog parades — and we're so ready! Don't bother breaking out your sewing kit, New York's greatest Halloween stores have plenty of options to make you look really spooky. Make sure to check out our NYC events in October too for even more activities to finish off the month in killer spirits.  Bookmark this link because we'll be updating this guide all autumn long. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Halloween in NYCThe 40 best Halloween songs of all timeThe best Halloween movies of all timeThe best Halloween events in the U.S.The best Halloween costume ideas in the U.S. for 2025The best Halloween theater in 2025

Not too long ago, the prospect of starting a career in the kitchen seemed like a dismal one. Just five years ago, COVID shut down the world, exposing the cracks in the restaurant industry and shuttering thousands of businesses, many of which stayed closed for good. However, those with culinary aspirations still found a way not just to survive, but to redefine what dining could be—one that fosters collaboration, community and puts purpose on the plate.I am proud to report that the next generation of chefs is continuing that ethos forward. Today, we announce Time Out’s Best Young Chefs. Our new class of culinarians is not just cooking good food; they are cooking food with impact. Our New York class of chefs is pushing the industry forward in their own ways, from exploring the boundaries of Indian cuisine to spearheading vegan food to feeding their community one bread loaf at a time. Join us in tipping our hats to the future of food—which looks highly promising in the hands of these incredible young chefs.

Not looking to drink this New Year's Eve? No problem. Run as if 2025 were chasing you (and truly, can you imagine a scarier horror concept?) at New York Road Runners’ annual four-mile Midnight Run, which provides credit to finishers toward the New York City Marathon. At midnight, start your trek with hundreds of other festive joggers at Central Park and take in the gorgeous fireworks display at the end. (Trust us: It’s a hell of a lot healthier than binge drinking and hooking up with a rando. Plus, you'll get a nice New Balance long-sleeve shirt out of it.)  You can run for $55 if you're a member of New York Road Runners, otherwise its $70 per person. You can register here. And don't forget to wear your New Year's Eve party gear!

Shop sustainably this holiday season with the help of the Sustainable Holiday Night Market on December 12 at Brooklyn Roots Collective. Hosted by Zero Waste NYC, the market promises a cozy, festive atmosphere where you can support local art. Along with local vendors, you can shop from vintage and secondhand sellers, sustainable brands and community partners while enjoying music, drinks and snacks.  As a special pre-market celebration, KCBC Brewery will be hosting Sip & Spark on the eve of the market opening. Join the community for an evening of fast-paced, 5-minute lightning talks from NYC changemakers who are reimagining what a sustainable future looks like. To attend, they're asking for a $10 donation to help support free and low-cost sustainability programming in NYC.  You can reserve your spot to shop at the market here for free. 

Get into the holiday spirit with NYC's charming Svetlana and her band for an afternoon of joy, nostalgia and musical cheer at their annual Blue Note Holiday Celebration on Saturday, December 6.  With plenty of seasonal sparkle, swing, sass and soul, this unforgettable performance will lift your spirits and leave you smiling all season long. Hosted at Blue Night Jazz Club, the afternoon celebration also includes a brunch and bar option for guests to enjoy during the show.  You can purchase your tickets here. The performance begins at 1pm and doors open at 12pm at the Blue Note Jazz Club (131 W 3rd St). All seating is first come, first served.

Kawaii Holiday Market III returns for another four-day celebration in the East Village, bringing together Japanese pop culture, independent creators and contemporary kawaii arts. You can join in on the curated market, fun fashion programming, workshops and live performances from December 11 to 14 at Ideal Glass Studio (9 W 8th St). As interest in Japanese fashion and pop culture continues to rise in New York, this year's edition expands on its focus on J-fashion, creative expression and cross-cultural exchange. Featured guest artists include PAiDA, Cybr.gl, J-fashion icon and creator Kurebayashi Haruka, along with artist and founder of the global Harajuku KAWAII movement, Sebastian Masuda.  You can buy tickets for evening shows and special programming here. 

This New Year’s Eve, Refuge NYC wants you off your phone and in the moment as electronic music pioneer Sasha delivers an extended set inside their 500-capacity, no-phones club. Set inside a standalone 19th-century industrial complex between East Williamsburg and Bushwick, Refuge was built to center sound, space and spirit above all else. The club features 35-foot ceilings, original brickwork and zero residential restrictions, enabling true late nights and marathon after-hour parties—perfect for a New Year's Eve celebration.  Phones are discouraged, there's no VIP and no bottle service, keeping the experience raw and unfiltered. Tickets are on sale now for $115, which includes a three-hour open bar. 

Head to the heart of the Bronx this month for the Uptown Magic Market happening one day only on Saturday, December 20. The market is taking over a 9,000 square foot loft for a day of community bonding, holiday magic and local vendors. Shop from over 50 artists booths and enjoy a special pop-up cafe from The Curly Vegan, live Vinyl by Uptown Vinyl Supreme, an aura photo booth, and tarot readers in a joyful atmosphere.  The market will be open from 12 to 6pm on December 20 in Mott Haven (728 East 136th Street, Ground Floor).

Mexico is coming to Manhattan's Pier 57 for one day only this weekend. On Sunday, December 7, the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce Northeast Chapter is returning to the Chelsea waterfront to celebrate Mexican heritage through art, fashion and music as designers and artisan representatives showcase Mexico's rich folklore and craftmanship. Visitors can shop for holiday gifts and support local vendors selling home décor, candles, handbags and jewelry.  Featured artisans and designers include: Solano, MexCulture, Copali, Miztli, La Sirena, VANDÉ, Misfitted, DOIZPE, La NewYorkina (sister business of Market 57 vendor Mijo), Devorah Michael, and Oaxaca Natural.  The market will be held in the Living Room at Pier 57 from 12pm-4:30pm. To register and learn more, visit their site here.

For the first time ever, Red Hook is joining in on the holiday fun with the Red Hook Design Holiday Market on Saturday, December 13. Head to Strong Rope Brewery for a truly local holiday shopping experience from the Red Hook Design community.  The one-day-only market will bring together a vibrant collection of artisans, craftspeople and fabricators from the neighborhood. Shop an array of thoughtfully crafted and unique gifts such as neon art, handcrafted darts, stunning sconces and much more. Enjoy your shopping alongside locally brewed beers and a lively atmosphere.  You can also support the Red Hook community by donating to the Red Hook Fire Relief Fund, or buy three market gifts to get a free spin on the “Saw of Fortune” to win a mystery gift, beer, or even a lump of coal.  The holiday market will be open only on December 13 from 12pm-7pm at Strong Rope Brewery in Red Hook (185 Van Dyke Street). 

This year, celebrate Macy's iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade from 18 floors up at Monarch Rooftop's annual viewing party with festive cocktails, a lavish brunch, indoor and outdoor views of the floats and balloons, as well as screens that will be broadcasting the parade and performances live. All tickets include a dedicated table for your group, a breakfast, brunch and lunch buffet, along with juices, sodas, coffee and hot chocolate. Guests 21 and over can enjoy the included open bar featuring premium spirits, a full bellini and mimosa bar, plus festive Thanksgiving cocktails like the Harvest Mule and a Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini.  All proceeds from the event's raffle will be donated to the Be An Elf Organization, a non-profit that recruits volunteers for the USPS Operation Santa program—aiming to bring underprivileged children a magical Christmas. The event starts at 8am at the Monarch Rooftop Bar in Midtown (71 West 35th Street) and ends around 12:30pm. A general admission ticket is priced at $728 and a children's ticket is $379. 

Kids are welcome at this staging of the Mozart classic. It’s the perfect starter opera: Performed in English, this abridged version by Julie Taymor, the Tony Award–winning director of Broadway’s The Lion King, clocks in at less than two hours and features delightful costumes and sets, but it’s still a Met Opera production with some of the world’s finest performers. If you want an extra special peek behind the curtain, mark your calendar for December 14 when families with tickets to the matinee performance are invited to experience the Met’s immersive Holiday Open House, with festive behind-the-scenes demonstrations by members of the Met’s backstage and artistic staff.

Jazzukkah is back this Hanukkah season for its third annual concert in New York City on Sunday, December 14 at Greenwich Village's Groove.  The Jazzukkah Projects is an ensemble of musicians putting a "jazz, er, spin" on the beloved canon of holiday music. From "Maoz Tzur" to "Sevivon," their fresh arrangements blend swing, soul and celebration—made for audiences of all ages to enjoy. This year, the band features vocals from Elana Rozenfeld, Gilad Abro on the bass, Alon Benjamini on the drums and Itamar Dahan playing the keys, all led by producer Gil Shefler.  Jazzukah will have 11am and 1pm showtimes on December 14 at Groove (125 MacDougal Street). Tickets are on sale now for $25.95 per person. 

The Meat Cats (Irina Chelidze and Britt Migs) are serving up some laughs at Brooklyn's Union Hall at 10pm on Saturday, December 13 as part of their comedy show, Saturday Sauce. The duo are co-hosting the event and performing some new sketches of their own before welcoming a talented line-up of comedians, including: Wally Baram, Nico Carney, Katrina Davis, Bassam Shawl, Nick Viagas, Jessie Ballard, Britt Migs and Irina Chelidze. It promises to be the sloppiest, sauciest show you'll see all week.

From nutcrackers to snowmen and donut shops to department stores, the Guinness World Record–holding gingerbread village, GingerBread Lane is back once more for the holiday season in New York City. With 700 gingerbread structures, the newest installment of GingerBread Lane is now on display in Chelsea for all to admire, and it's free to visit.  This year's village pays tribute to New York City's roots with gingerbread subways, a yellow taxi cab and a nod to the 34th Street Macy's store. As a celebration of the city's diversity, GingerBread Lane creator Jon Lovitch has included a gingerbread house for everyone—featuring spots like a matzo ball shop, a halal restaurant and gingerbread dreidels.  RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas markets in NYC Photo: By Amy Ellison for Time Out Lovitch first started GingerBread Lane 32 years ago, shortly after graduating from high school in the '90s. Back then, it was a much smaller display and served as a "side hustle" for Lovitch while he worked full-time as an executive chef. As the years went on, GingerBread Lane got bigger and bigger—both physically and in popularity. "About 11 years ago, I was like, 'I can't keep doing both [being a chef and making GingerBread Lane]. I have to pick one or the other,'" Lovitch tells Time Out. "So I picked the fun one." Now, Lovitch dedicates his time completely to the project. For him, Christmas never really ends; he spends nearly every day planning, baking and building, starting work on the next year’s b

Cirque du Soleil, famous for defying reality (and gravity), is returning to New York City this holiday season. Due to overwhelming success, their special first and only holiday show, "Twas the Night Before..." will return to The Theater at Madison Square Garden for just a few weeks in December.  Inspired by the classic poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore, Cirque's story follows a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays. Directed by James Hadley, a 25-year veteran of circus productions and live theater, "Twas the Night Before..." combines classic Christmas spirit with jaw-dropping acrobatic stunts.  RECOMMENDED: Celebrate 100 years of the Rockettes with the 2025 Christmas Spectacular Performed by a cast of 26 artists from all over the world, the family-friendly show features lovable characters, Christmas cheer and a Cirque du Soleil soundtrack of re-invented Christmas favorites. Plus, expect Cirque's iconic acrobatics, from a mesmerizing aerial straps duo and daring hoop diving, to gravity-defying hair suspension and high-energy dancing. You'll see tricks so surprising—from a dance performance featuring a high-flying bellhop cart to a fast-paced roller-skating performance—that you might mistake them for visions of sugar plums dancing in your head.  Photograph: Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil "There's nothing like NYC during the holiday season and bringing Cirque du Soleil's 'Twas the Night Before...' back to The Theater at MSG truly fee

A little over a year ago, Sammy Nussdorf posted his first TikTok video under the moniker Brokeback Contessa: a conference room covered in architectural drawings and floor plans, while he and his team brainstormed design ideas. He captioned it, "Come along to start a gourmet grocery store." Now, 14 months later, the store, which has already become an internet favorite, is officially opening as Meadow Lane on Friday, November 14 in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood. The aesthetically pleasing Meadow Lane will serve as NYC's latest modern gourmet grocer, with seasonal fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy options for purchase, as well as in-house prepared foods, high-end snacks and home-made milks and juices. The menu features simple yet elevated takes on classics like chicken nuggets and Uncrustable-style PB&J pockets alongside specialties like cacio e pepe mac & cheese, ginger buffalo cauliflower and "Grandma's Secret" meatballs.  RECOMMENDED: The 40 best restaurants in NYC right now Photo by Matthew Kappas / Artwork provided by Creative Art Partners Every product was carefully chosen by Nussdorf and his team of culinary experts, using the highest quality ingredients from local and abroad suppliers. The store also offers a coffee, pastry and smoothie bar (the smoothie bar will open at a later date) featuring coffee from La Cabra, matcha from Montauk General Store, specially brewed tea, freshly made juices and smoothies, breakfast burritos and fresh baked goods from Native Bread a

If you're equal parts sugar fiend and architecture junkie, we may have just found your dream holiday destination. The Gingerbread City is bringing its winter magic and sweetness back to the Seaport for a free display from December 5–28 at 19 Fulton Street for a series of hands-on workshops. You can learn how to make your own gingerbread creations at workshops hosted by the pros. Alongside the workshops, there's a mini gingerbread village made by New York-based architects, engineers and designers, so you know these creations are going to be immaculate. Expect to see city parks, brownstones and skyscrapers created out of cookies, icing and candy.  RECOMMENDED: Best Christmas things to do in NYC The gingerbread display incorporates not only city structures, but also uses elements like water, snow and ice to create winter wonderland scenes. You can see miniature penguins crossing over bridges onto chunks of ice and frozen waterfalls running through villages. Snowmen, gummy bears and reindeer hanging out in front of lit-up storefronts. A mini Santa even hangs off a gingerbread skyscraper.  Created by London's Museum of Architecture (MoA), The Gingerbread City brings an imaginative architectural twist to the classic gingerbread house—sparking conversations about how we live, design and build our cities. Now in its ninth year in London and second year in New York, the pop-up experience is designed to encourage all ages to see architecture and design in a new (and delicious) way. 

This holiday season, head 45 minutes north of Grand Central and be transported to a winter wonderland at Mount Vernon's Christmas in America at American Christmas HQ, a 12,000 square feet store full of holiday décor, family-friendly magic and delight. With experience as a massive Christmas store, the folks here know how to put on an epic holiday display. This year's walk-through experience promises giant nutcrackers, Santas, reindeer, lush garlands, thousands of twinkling lights, towering trees, sparkling wreaths and walls of ornaments—it's not only fun to look it, it also makes for beautiful photos. In years past, the experience was called Holiday Lane, and it charged an admission fee, but this year's newly named event is totally free to attend.  RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas markets in NYC Santa, of course, will be making an appearance on weekends throughout the season and taking photos in exchange for donations of any amount.  After you've walked through and snapped your photos, you might just be inspired to do a little holiday shopping. American Christmas HQ is known as the largest Christmas shop in Westchester with over 3,000 holiday items available. Expect to see classic Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands in all different sizes; shatterproof and glass ornaments including Polish glass and custom designs; outdoor decorations, tabletop displays, lights, stars and toppers; and exclusive collectible brands including Ditz Design, Mark Roberts, Old World Christmas, Kurt

Whether you're having NYC Marathon FOMO, trying to get back into running or have never run a day in your life, the Brooklyn Bridge Parkrun invites you to join NYC's newest addition to running culture—and it's completely free.  Parkrun is a weekly community event where people of all ages and abilities are invited to walk, jog, run or volunteer in a 5K every Saturday morning in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The event is designed to be a positive, community-focused event that is welcoming for all. To join, you register online to receive a unique barcode used to track, time and record your participation and results, even though it's not a formal race. The group also meets for a post-event coffee and snack catch-up at the Breads Bakery near Brooklyn's Pier 1.  RECOMMENDED: The NYC Marathon 2025 guide Since its official launch in NYC last month, Parkrun has hosted weekly 5K events every Saturday at Brooklyn Bridge Park, welcoming over 2,000 participants. But this event isn't exclusive to only NYC residents. Parkrun is actually a worldwide, global event, with its first U.S. event launching in Michigan back in 2012. It was first created in the UK and its popularity has stretched all the way to Japan, South Africa and Australia, with 3,000 local events happening every weekend across the world.  Photo: Courtesy of Parkrun Not only is this an easy way to meet and connect with your neighbors, but it's a great way to hold yourself accountable if you've been trying to start a new running habit.

If you find yourself quoting phrases like "I feel God in this Chili's tonight" or "I'm not superstitious but I am a little stitious," you'll want to check out The Paley Center's newest museum exhibit: "Celebrating the Ultimate Workplace Comedy: From The Office to The Paper," dedicated to one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 21st century.  To celebrate 20 years of the groundbreaking, Emmy Award-winning show, all are invited to immerse themselves in the universe of The Office where you can see rare costumes and original props from the iconic series. Yes, there's even an opportunity to sit at Michael Scott's desk and take your own "world's greatest boss" photo. The exhibit is on view through November 16. RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now Photo: Courtesy of The Paley Center The museum exhibition is spread out season by season, with photos, videos and memorable quotes on display sure to make you laugh out loud again. Expect to see real artifacts like Michael Scott's office suit, Meredith Palmer's "Casual Friday" dress, Dwight Schrute’s wedding suit and employee of the month awards, Pam Beesley's copy of the "Threat Level: Midnight" screenplay and even genuine Dunder Mifflin paper. Plus, you can get a special behind-the-scenes look at Peacock's new show The Paper, which premiered in September and was just renewed for a season two. Set inside the same universe as The Office, the new mockumentary sitcom follows a group of reporters working for a strugglin

In 2001, artist Kip Fulbeck began traveling the country photographing multiracial people of all ages and walks of life. They were photographed from the chest up, with no clothes, jewelry, hats or makeup on. And they were asked to write their answer to one big question: "What are you?" After photographing more than 1,200 people, the project culminated in the landmark book and exhibition Kip Fulbeck: Part Asian, 100% Hapa which toured throughout the U.S. Now, over two decades later, the new exhibition "Hapa.me — 25 years of the Hapa Project" on view at New York City's Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) revisits some of the original subjects, capturing how they look now and sharing their current answers to Fulbeck's original question. The new project also marks six decades since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Loving v. Virginia—a civil rights decision which invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage. RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now The Lower Manhattan museum exhibition features 30 portraits and responses of local subjects, installed amidst a hand-painted mural that captures the beauty of being mixed. Inside the exhibition is a central reading table with the "Hapa.me" artist's books where visitors can explore a fuller archive of the project. The MOCA was one of the first museums to show the Hapa Project and it has remained on display as part of their permanent exhibition, which explores 200 years of the experience of Chinese in America.   I

If the popularity of certain podcasts and documentaries is any indication, Americans are fascinated by learning about cults. A new exhibit at the Museum of Sex New York seizes on that topic with its exploration of nonconforming, experimental lifestyles and the marks they've left on our society.  From now until April 12, 2026, experience history and culture through the lens of American cults and communes at "Utopia: Three Centuries of Sexuality in American Cults and Communes." The two-story show features more than 300 artworks, photographs, films, records, garments and rare artifacts from 20 historical intentional communities.  RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now Curated by Jodi Willie—known for critically acclaimed films, documentaries and award-winning books—this groundbreaking exhibition traces how alternative spiritual communities across the United States have influenced and reimagined intimacy, gender and sexuality over the past several hundred years.  Both scholarly and immersive, the collection shows how mainstream norms were challenged by the art, sexuality and rituals formed in these communities. In doing so, they offered Americans alternative models of intimacy and belonging to identify with.  "Utopia" reframes the history of American spiritual subcultures through the lens of desire, intimacy and creative reinvention among the following communities, including: Shakers, Oneida Community, The Source Family, Church of All Worlds, Cockettes, Kerist

For those who have long romanticized the floating city of Venice, the Brooklyn Museum's new exhibit will only stoke those desires. Featuring a rare reunion of Claude Monet's iconic Venetian paintings, visitors are encouraged to "travel" to this dreamy destination and immerse themselves in art inspired by the city's timeless beauty.  "Monet and Venice" engages audiences through multi-sensory elements, including an original symphonic score inspired by Monet's Venice paintings by the Brooklyn Museum's composer in residence, Niles Luther. The collection marks New York's largest museum show dedicated to Monet in over 25 years, featuring 100 artworks, books and memorabilia, including 19 of Monet's paintings of Venice. It's the first dedicated exploration of these pieces since their debut in 1912. RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now When Claude Monet first visited the Italian city of Venice in 1908, he remarked the city was "too beautiful to be painted." Still, he set on his journey of capturing the city's interplay of land and sea.  Photo: Courtesy of The Brooklyn Museum As you enter the exhibit, you're immersed into Venice almost immediately with film and clips from the city, along with the sound of water lapping against boats. The multi-sensory elements feel transportative, letting you experience Venice's atmosphere first hand. This part of the show is produced by Brooklyn-based design and tech studio Potion, featuring film by Venice-based Joan Porcel St

In the year 2025, how we dress is still the highest form of free self expression—and the role that gender plays in fashion has broken norms, especially in the last decade. In a new exhibit from The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology, the road to this gender fluid fashion is examined, beginning in the 1900s.  Explore body image, dreams, desires, sexuality and the unconscious in almost 100 items of dress as part of the new, free exhibition "Dress, Dreams and Desire: Fashion and Psychoanalysis" on view through January 4, 2026. This work explores the history of designers such as Azzedine Alaia, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, Willy Chavarria, Bella Freud, John Galliano for Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood, Gianna and Donatella Versace, Alexander McQueen and more.  RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now Organized both chronologically and thematically, the museum begins by tracing the historical relationship between fashion and the lifelong process of developing a self-image. The exhibition digs into Jacques Lacan's theory of the mirror stage and Didier Anzieu's concept of the skin ego, or a sense of self formed through sensations on the skin. Another major theme is our collective movement toward nonbinary and gender-fluid ideas and the ability to be open in society.  Photo by Casper Kofi, courtesy Viktor & Rolf For example, as you go through the exhibit, you can see there are no clear lines between what is "masculine" or "feminine" in these dresses. Large sp

Dancing penguins, trippy flamingos and colorful blocks make up just some of the surrealist scenes in ARTECHOUSE's new exhibit. Titled "SUBMERGE: Beyond the Render," this immersive art experience in Chelsea showcases surreal landscapes, digital worlds and trippy dream-like sequences accompanied by house music from Zedd.  The Fall 2025 show is part of ARTECHOUSE's on-going SUBMERGE series, where the former Chelsea Market boiler room space offers artists a chance to experiment with new aesthetics and technology in immersive storytelling, while letting audiences "submerge" themselves in the art. The exhibition features work from today's leading 3D artists in collaboration with Render Network Foundation. RECOMMENDED: Incredible immersive experiences to do in NYC right now When you visit, start off upstairs and view the exhibition from above while sipping on special SUBMERGE-themed cocktails from the XR bar. Try the Soundwave Drop (brandy champagne with a tuft of cotton candy on top) or a Data Stream (a matcha cocktail with strawberry foam).  Once you get downstairs into the main room, you'll walk into what feels almost like a video game—trek through a forest of fluorescent purples and pinks while a beaming blue light rages in the distance. Float amongst hundreds of colorful block pieces and get introduced to characters reminiscent of Wii's old "Mii" games. Most of the exhibition doesn't correlate—each segment brings its own flair—but it flows seamlessly, like when dancing pengui