Are people who FaceTime while walking down the street literally insane?

Folks flock to this annual floral-filled exhibition at Macy’s Herald Square, where jaw-dropping arrangements are on display for two weeks. The theme for this year's installment is "Homegrown," part of the nationwide celebration of America's 250th birthday, "expressed through flowers, fiber and timeless handicrafts," per Macy's. From Thursday, April 23 through Sunday, May 10, explore greenhouse-inspired installations, breathtaking bloom-filled planters, decorative stained-glass garden panels, sculptural fabric birds, yarn-wrapped trees and more in the immersive spring spectacle. 

MoMA PS1 just opened "Greater New York 2026," its sprawling, building-wide exhibition that doubles as a snapshot of what artists across the city are actually making right now. Running now through August 17, the show features 53 artists and collectives working across pretty much every medium you can think of.

This isn’t the type of show you can power through in 45 minutes, though. It takes over the entire museum with more than 150 works, including large-scale installations, new commissions, performances and pieces that, in many cases, have never been shown publicly before. There’s painting next to animation next to scenography next to something you’re not entirely sure how to categorize and that’s entirely the point.

There’s also a full slate of live programming. A performance series runs through May and June, featuring eight artists debuting new works, plus artist talks throughout the run. The best part? Admission is free, which makes this one of the most ambitious—and accessible—art shows in the city right now.

New York is hitting pause on traffic, at least for a few hours. On April 25, from 10am to 4pm, the New York City Department of Transportation will once again transform more than 50 streets across the five boroughs into pedestrian-only zones for its annual Car-Free Earth Day.

This year’s edition promises car-free corridors, public art, live performances and environmental education, all designed to spotlight the role city streets play in combating climate change. The day also features interactive programming. The DOT’s Art program will roll out new installations, including Frahydel Falczuk's The Plastic Sea, a large-scale piece exploring ocean plastic waste, and Duy Hoàng's An Indicating Cycle, a sculptural book highlighting climate-sensitive species. And NYC Art Stop Letters will also return with an original design by illustrator Molly Magnell.

There’s also a practical perk: Thanks to Lyft, Citi Bike will offer unlimited 30-minute rides on classic bikes for 24 hours, making it easier than ever to cruise between neighborhoods without a car.

After a long winter of wistfully eyeing empty courts, pickleball is officially making its return to Central Park. Starting April 21, the iconic Wollman Rink will once again swap skates for paddles as CityPickle rolls back in for its fourth season, turning the space into a sprawling, 14-court pickleball hub right in the heart of the park.

The setup runs daily from 8 am to 9 pm through early fall, with programming that includes open play, clinics and private lessons for every level.

The courts can host hundreds of players each day and reservations open on a rolling basis one week in advance, meaning you’ll need to plan ahead if you’re hoping to snag a prime-time slot. One of the biggest draws remains the $5 community play sessions, which run for several hours each day and include complimentary paddle rentals, making it one of the more affordable ways to spend an afternoon in Central Park.

The inaugural Downtown NYC JazzFest brings five nights of live music to Lower Manhattan from April 22–26, taking over The Django, Roxy Bar and Club Room at Soho Grand. Expect a mix of rising talent and marquee acts, including Shayna Steele, Mark G. Meadows and Brian Newman, all celebrating downtown’s long-standing jazz legacy, where tradition meets experimentation in some of the city’s most atmospheric spaces. Tickets vary in price based on venue, from free Saturday and Sunday afternoon sets at Roxy Bar to $40 performances at The Django.

For six nights in April, a Barcelona cocktail institution known for turning drinks into full-on performances is taking over at a prime spot on Madison Avenue. From April 23 to 28, MAD Bar & Lounge will hand over the reins to Paradiso.

If you’ve ever tried to get a seat at Paradiso’s original location in Barcelona, you’ll know this is no small thing. The bar has built a global following for cocktails that arrive smoking, glowing or hidden inside unexpected vessels. It’s mixology with a sense of humor and theatrics, but with serious technique behind it. For this takeover, that same team will be working behind the bar in New York, bringing a bit of their world directly to Midtown.

The takeover runs from 7pm to 11pm each night, with a tight 90-minute seating policy to keep things moving. MAD Bar will lean into Paradiso’s design-forward style, with live music layered in to match the rhythm of the drinks.

The cocktail menu has been created specifically for this residency in partnership with Tequila 1800. Tequila takes the lead here, but not in the predictable ways. Paradiso’s approach tends to take ingredients into new territory, so you might see familiar spirits paired with unexpected textures, aromas or presentations, all highlighting the craftsmanship found at Paradiso.

If you’ve walked through Times Square lately and spotted a suspiciously long line for donuts, you already know: I’m donut? is having a moment. This week, it’s also having a very good deal. To celebrate its first anniversary in New York City, I’m donut? in Times Square is offering its signature “nama” donuts for just $1 each on Tuesday, April 22, from 10am to 3pm. 

While the donuts are actually $1, naturally, there’s a small catch: only 500 of the shop’s original nama donuts will be available at that price, with a strict limit of two per person. Plus, it’s first-come, first-served, which means this could very easily turn into one of those blink-and-you-miss-it situations.

On Wednesday, April 22 from 11am to 6pm, book lovers can head down to Broadway between 36th and 37th Streets outside Gotham Hall and find "On the Road: A Bookmobile Block Party," an open-air and open-to-the-public literary event presented in partnership by House of SpeakEasy and the Garment District Alliance. That's a fun change from your favorite local bookstore, no? 

The block party will feature a free book distribution, complimentary lemonade served by the Garment District Alliance and live literary programming throughout the day, bringing House of SpeakEasy's "mission to the streets of Manhattan and inviting the public to experience the transformative power of reading," per organizers. 

The event will also mark the debut of House of SpeakEasy’s new fleet of three Bookmobiles, each designed to bring free books directly to the communities that need them most:  The flagship box truck Bookmobile is themed “We the People” in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of American independence;  an all-electric pop-up Bookmobile will feature the artwork of beloved illustrator Richard Scarry; and the new House of SpeakEasy Sprinter Bookmobile sports the artwork of acclaimed author-illustrator James Yang. 

For two weekends only, the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place is getting a full tropical makeover, complete with palm-lined seating and a breezy, laid-back vibe as it hosts Movies Under the Palms.

Running from April 24 to May 2, this free pop-up series turns the space into a cozy cinema where the only thing more inviting than the films is the setting itself. This is movie night, but with soft lighting, rows of seats tucked beneath swaying palms and an atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. And the lineup is pure comfort viewing that will be fun for all ages.

The lineup features a mix of nostalgic throwbacks and sing-along favorites, with audience participation encouraged. It kicks off with Hook the first Friday evening, followed by Ratatouille on Saturday afternoon. The second weekend shifts into musical mode, with Annie and The Wizard of Oz inviting audiences to hum, sing or go all in.

New York’s sweetest 4/20 freebie might also be its most iconic. This year, Housing Works Cannabis Co. is teaming up with Magnolia Bakery to give the first 50 customers through the door a serving of the bakery’s legendary banana pudding, because why be high when you could be high and indulging in a beloved dessert?

"Puff, Puff, Pudding" comes as New York’s legal weed scene continues to evolve just five years after legalization and a few years into the rollout of licensed dispensaries. Housing Works Cannabis Co., the city’s first adult-use dispensary and the only 100 percent charity-focused one, has been at the center of that shift, funneling proceeds into healthcare, housing and social services for New Yorkers.

On April 20, the shop leans into both celebration and community with a full day of activations. Alongside the Magnolia giveaway, customers will find in-store pop-ups featuring brands like Dank, Curaleaf and Electraleaf, plus ongoing April promos including a raffle tied to Space Poppers popcorn purchases and limited-edition swag bags for new loyalty members.