Christina Izzo is a writer-editor covering culture, food and drink, travel and general lifestyle in New York City. She was previously the Deputy Editor at My Imperfect Life, the Features Editor at Rachael Ray In Season and Reveal, as well as the Food & Drink Editor and chief restaurant critic at Time Out New York. She can out-eat and out-drink you. Seriously, don't even try her—you're gonna lose. Follow her on Twitter at @christinalizzo.

Christina Izzo

Christina Izzo

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Articles (209)

The 24 best Chicago bars—the essential spots, ranked

The 24 best Chicago bars—the essential spots, ranked

In a city where faded Old Style signs swing outside of beloved dive bars and lines snake around the block at trendy cocktail lounges, the best bars in Chicago act as meeting places, date locales and venues for celebrations. With so many great places to grab a beverage, the list of our all-time favorite bars around town is expansive—and inclusive of taprooms at Chicago breweries, sultry wine bars uncorking bottles of reds and whites, and the finest cocktail bars Chicago has to offer. In a metropolis packed with places to sip and swirl, these watering holes shine extra bright and boozy. Take a look at the best bars in Chicago and find the perfect destination for your next night out. Best Chicago bars at a glance: 🎶 For live music: Green Mill – Historic jazz lounge with nightly performances (Uptown) 🍹 For extravagant cocktails: The Aviary – Theatrical cocktail experience (West Loop) 😘 For date night: Lazy Bird – Basement bar with intimate vibes and live sets (West Loop) 🎉 For group celebrations: Three Dots and a Dash – Tiki cocktails with extravagant garnishes (River North) 🍸 For rare spirits: Billy Sunday – Amaro-focused drinks with unusual ingredients (Logan Square)   January 30, 2026: On a night out in Chicago, choosing which bar to go to can be daunting. With so many options for drinks of all kinds, this list breaks down everything you need to know to make the most of your night out on the town.  Our revised ranking of the best bars in Chicago spotlights the m
The best things to do in NYC this weekend

The best things to do in NYC this weekend

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: The Westminster Dog Show, NYC Restaurant Week, a 'Heated Rivalry' lookalike contest, a NYPL winter reading festival, the final days of Man Ray and Money exhibitions, and more, plus free events around town. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend! Finish off a great month with our round-up of the best things to do in January.  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. 
NYC events in February 2026

NYC events in February 2026

In the winter doldrums of February in NYC, after a money-sucking December and a resolution-filled January, it’s time to double down and really enjoy the winter with the best NYC events in February. Our event calendar includes some of the best things to do in winter as well as some epic Valentine’s Day events. This month is also a good excuse to take advantage of our winter getaways list, so plan your escape from the city and keep your fingers crossed for a little bit of snow to add to the winter wonderland aesthetic. RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar
The best things to do in NYC this week

The best things to do in NYC this week

If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week, or even for today, there are tons of fun options, including Restaurant Week, a Heated Rivalry lookalike contest, the New York Jewish Film Festival, the Whitney Art Party, the final days of Man Ray and Monet exhibitions, and more, plus awesome free events in NYC! For more ideas, scroll down to see this week's best things to do in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do 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. 
The best arcade bars in NYC for games and recreations

The best arcade bars in NYC for games and recreations

Want a drink with a side of Donkey Kong, a beer-fueled Skee-ball session or a booze-addled break at one of the city’s best bowling alleys? Head to the best arcade bars in NYC. Sure, a night out at one of New York’s best beer gardens, dive bars or cocktail bars is a good time in and of itself, but add the city’s best bar games to it and you’ve got a recipe for one legendary evening! RECOMMENDED: More of the best bars in NYC
The 100 best things to do in NYC for locals and tourists

The 100 best things to do in NYC for locals and tourists

Last updated January 20, 2026: Outdoor movies are back (albeit with space heaters and cozy blankets), as is afternoon tea at the Waldorf. Make the most of the wintry season both indoors and out as city's iconic museums, big attractions and favorite restaurants host the coolest exhibits, shows and menus right now.  How we choose the best things to do in NYC: Time Out editors traverse New York City from end to end looking for the coolest things to do, the most delicious places to eat and the most impressive shows to see. We then pick the very best items to make it to this list each month.  From its art museums (The Met and MoMA) to its attractions (Broadway theaters and sunrises from the Empire State Building), we are certain that New York City is the best city in the world. Its dining and drinking scenes are still unbeatable with unrivaled bars, restaurants and creative culinary inventions. Every day, we’re discovering something new and wonderful about our city, whether it’s one of the best parks, incredible views, cool hotels, must-see art or quirky museums—and we’re highlighting the best of the best right here. Quick picks: The best things to do in NYC at a glance Central Park: The world's most famous green space, stop by to enjoy some peace and quiet. (Free entry) The Metropolitan Museum of Art: This massive museum spans 5,000 years of art history to get lost in. ($30/adult)  The High Line: This innovative reclaimed space turned railroad tracks into a cool urban park made
The best gyms and health clubs in New York

The best gyms and health clubs in New York

Want to jump-start your health and wellness? A good place to begin is by joining one of these top-notch NYC gyms. Finding the perfect fitness center that won’t cost you an arm and a leg can feel like a huge feat, but we prefer you save your precious energy for the gym, so we’ve sweated through the city’s best and most budget-friendly health clubs across all five boroughs to ease your search. Here’s our essential list of our favorite places to get our blood pumping, which offer daily passes and monthly memberships among other perks like high-end amenities (hello heated pools!) and new fitness classes (and some non-traditional, weird fitness classes, too). Good luck with all your wellness goals, and after you dive in, go treat yourself to the best bagels in the city. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to fitness in NYC
The 14 best New Year’s Eve dinners in NYC

The 14 best New Year’s Eve dinners in NYC

We’re gonna say it: 2025 might have been the most unhinged year yet since height-of-COVID 2020, which means we will very much be eating (and drinking) our feelings this New Year’s. Luckily for all of us, New York City’s best restaurants are hosting fabulously festive dinners and rollicking New Year’s Eve parties. These prix fixe and à la carte options make for a memorable last meal of the year, whether you want to feast on raw-bar delicacies at one of the city’s top seafood restaurants, meaty Korean favorites only a few minutes from the Times Square ball drop or go full-glam at a luxurious Jean-Georges property. Here are the best restaurants open on New Year’s Eve 2025 in NYC.      RECOMMENDED: Full guide to New Year’s Eve in NYC
The Erie Canal is turning 200 this year–here's why you should care

The Erie Canal is turning 200 this year–here's why you should care

Two hundred years ago, a group of New Yorkers had a truly wild idea: To build a waterway linking the Hudson River to the Great Lakes in an effort to avoid those pesky Appalachian Mountains, which stretched 1,500 miles from Maine to Alabama and made the transportation of goods and settlement of people costly, arduous and time-intensive.  After a near-century of colonists mulling over how to use New York’s natural waterways effectively, New York legislators and businessmen began taking the idea seriously in the early-19th century. Construction on the canal then officially kicked off in 1817—led by New York Governor DeWitt Clinton. Eight years later, in October 1825, the Erie Canal was completed and a new era for New York State began: a golden age of commerce, culture and transportation. The massive project opened up larger swaths of the country to migration and helped solidify our national identity. If all that isn’t enough to get you to care about the big bicentennial of New York’s most impactful waterway, here are five more reasons why you should be celebrating the Erie Canal’s birthday this year. 1. Without the Erie Canal, New York wouldn’t be the global powerhouse it is today  There’s a reason New York is called the Empire State and that nickname is largely tied to the Erie Canal. Thanks to the canal acting as a gateway to the country’s Midwest regions, as well as a facilitator for foreign trade from Britain and Canada and the primary port of entry for European immigrants i
The 15 best luxury hotels in New York City for 2025

The 15 best luxury hotels in New York City for 2025

Does anywhere do luxury quite as well as New York City? Well, according to our round-up of high-end hotels, the answer is probably not. From sleek, glassy, towering stays which overlook Columbus Circle and Central Park to tiny little boutique hotels which feel more like ridiculously fancy private homes, luxury comes in all grandiose shapes and glitzy sizes here.  New inclusions are the Park Terrace Hotel and Loews Regency New York, but they’ve joined regal institutions The Knickerbocker, Mandarin Oriental, Thompson Central Park New York, and, of course, The Plaza. And we aren’t just talking about cloud-like bedding and pretty decor – luxury also means gorging on dishes crafted by world-class chefs, being in prime New York locations, and enjoying polished, attentive service. So, looking to splash out on an ultra-luxe stay in NYC? Here’s where we would recommend. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see
The 14 best hotels in New York City with a view

The 14 best hotels in New York City with a view

There’s a long (and we mean really long) list of reasons why one might choose to visit old New York—the food, the theatre, the bars and the art galleries, to name a few—but up there with the best things about this city is, without a doubt, its skyline. And while heading up to Top of the Rock or the One World Observatory are worthy ways to soak it up, your hotel room could be, too. So, that’s why we’ve compiled a round up of the best hotels in NYC with proper, show-stopping views. Sit back and enjoy. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in New York City
The 23 best spas in Chicago

The 23 best spas in Chicago

The return of winter (and seasonal depression!) already has us daydreaming about vacation. But before the temperatures really warm up, you can squeeze in some much-needed rest and relaxation closer to home with our updated spa list. Our latest selection highlights the sheer variety of Chicago’s spa scene—including luxury hotel spas, tried-and-true massage therapy and TikTok-approved scalp care—and prioritizes options for every budget. Go on, treat yourself!    The stresses of day-to-day life pile up fast. Luckily, Chicago is home to a selection of world-class spas designed to loosen your tightened muscles, invigorate your senses and whisk your worries away (if only for a few blissful hours). Choose your own relaxation adventure: Our favorite Chicago spas run the gamut from a luxury hotel spot outfitted with private napping nooks and splurge-y massage offerings to affordable bathhouses where you can spend the day sauna-hopping and unwinding on a budget. Whether you’re looking for romantic things to do in Chicago, planning an upcoming bachelorette party or craving a bit of solo serenity, explore Chicago’s best spas and prepare for some much-needed R&R.  RECOMMENDED: Discover the best things to do in Chicago right now

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Whitney Museum Art Party 2026

Whitney Museum Art Party 2026

Come dressed in your loudest prints and most vibrant patterns because the Whitney Museum's annual Art Party is back on Tuesday, January 27. Hosted by the Whitney Contemporaries, the bold fundraising festivities kick off at 8:30pm, a vibrant celebration of art, fashion and music that welcomes young patrons, emerging artists and art enthusiasts to sip crafted cocktails, enjoy passed bites, explore the museum's galleries after hours, and dance into the night. Speaking of, expect live DJ sets from The Dare and Raúl de Nieves to keep things grooving.   
Flower Shop at Grand Central Terminal

Flower Shop at Grand Central Terminal

Just in time for Valentine's Day, the CJ Hendry Flower Shop is popping up at Grand Central Terminal from February 1-15 for all of your bloom-buying needs this lovey-dovey season. Open from 10am to 6pm daily, the floral concept will fully focus on — what else? — roses (red and white, of course). All flowers are $10 but the tenth is yours free. And whether you're buying for a lover, a Galentine or simply as a self-care gift for you, don’t skip out on the free V-day flower carriers and ribbons. 
BRAVO’s Summer House Season 10 Cast at 92NY

BRAVO’s Summer House Season 10 Cast at 92NY

Calling all Bravo-holics! Spend a sunny evening with Amanda Batula, Mia Calabrese, Kyle Cooke, KJ Dillard, Lindsay Hubbard, Dara Levitan, Carl Radke, Levi Sebree, Jesse Solomon, Bailey Taylor, West Wilson and Ciara Miller — a.k.a. the cast of Summer House — to celebrate the season 10 premiere at 92NY. On Wednesday, January 28, the reality TV stars will take to the Geffen Stage at Kaufmann Concert Hall to tease the upcoming season with behing-the-scenes intel, exclusive clips and more. 
A Great Library Takeover: Winter Reading Festival

A Great Library Takeover: Winter Reading Festival

'Tis the season to curl up with a good book — helpfully, you'll find hundreds of them at this wintertime festival co-hosted by Reading Rhythms and The New York Public Library. On Saturday, January 31, NYPL’s flagship lending library in Midtown, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), will be turned into an after-hours winter wonderland complete with reading lounges, live musical performances, writing workshhops, themed activities and plenty of librarian-approved book recommendations. RSVP for free here. 
BELLHAUS: A Boxing Experience

BELLHAUS: A Boxing Experience

Step into the ring this weekend for a night of sweat, skill and serious fun—presented by Dionysus Group and Knock Out University, BELLHAUS: A Boxing Experience isn't your traditional fight night. On Saturday, January 24, head to Terminal 5 and see the venue transform into a three-story arena of spectacle, complete with a red carpet, cocktail attire dress code, surprise acts and complimentary welcome drinks. Fifteen exhibition boxing matches sanctioned by the USA Boxing Commission will unfold throughout the evening, along with special performances. 
Tournament of Champions

Tournament of Champions

Squash's most iconic professional tournament is back for its 28th edition at Grand Central Terminal. From January 22-29, the world's top players (including men's no. 1 Mostafa Asal and women's no. 1 Hania El Hammamy) will compete on a portable glass-walled court in Vanderbilt Hall for the chance to win a PSA Platinum Title and the Frank Stella Tournament of Champions trophy. For those unfamiliar, the tournament's a great way to catch up on the sport before it makes its big Olympic debut at the Los Angeles games this year. 
The House of Italian Beef

The House of Italian Beef

New York isn't as much of an Italian Beef town as Chicago, but the Midwestern specialty is getting its own interactive museum in NYC the form of "The House of Italian Beef" at Studio 525 (525 West 24 Street). A collaboration between Arby's  and The Chain, the experiential brand co-founded by actor-writer B.J. Novak, the pop-up will both celebrate the launch of Arby's first-ever Italian Beef Dip Sandwich and also delve into the cultural significance and local lore of of the Midwest’s most notorious sandwich. Entry is free with RSVP; text "Chain" at 505-552-4246 to get the ticket link.
Go Fact Yourself

Go Fact Yourself

Reality TV stars Dorinda Medley (The Traitors and The Real Housewives of New York City) and Jackie Cox (RuPaul’s Drag Race) will go head-to-head in a hilarious pop culture trivia showdown at Symphony Space on Saturday, January 24. Hosts-slash-comedians J. Keith van Straaten (Ask Me Another) and Helen Hong (Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!) will quiz the famous ladies on why they love what they love during this special taping of their hit podcast and live show. Expect surprise guests and plenty of laughs!
Cyndi Lauper's Closet Clean Out

Cyndi Lauper's Closet Clean Out

Girls just wanna have Cyndi Lauper's entire wardrobe — and now you can. The Brooklyn-born pop icon, who might just be as known for her irreverent, crazy-colorful fashion sense as she is iconic songs like "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," "True Colors," "Time After Time" and "She Bop," is hosting a major closet clean-out on January 20 and 21, with public hours set fpr 1pm to 3pm daily. Longtime fans and sartorially savvy folks can step into the superstar's world and shop "a treasure trove of designer gems, stage and street wear, and many new or unworn pieces pulled straight from Cyndi’s close," say organizers. Net proceeds will go to the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Fund at the Tides Foundation.
Anti Fascist Cabaret

Anti Fascist Cabaret

We don't know if you've heard, but things are pretty shitty, well, everywhere these days. And what better way to rail against the authoritarian forces yet again taking over our world than with a good ol' cabaret? The Anti-Fascist Cabaret is taking over the Caveat stage on Wednesday, January 21 at 7pm, with a mix of funny sketch comedy and serious speakers to "lift your spirits while focusing your rage toward meaningful action," promises organizers. You'll chuckle, you'll sing, you'll probably roar in collective frustration at the state of the planet — but hey, what good is screaming alone in your room?
"The Room" with Tommy Wiseau in Person

"The Room" with Tommy Wiseau in Person

Even casual cinephiles know the infamously bad yet hilariously entertaining film The Room, the 2003 indie title written, directed, produced by and starring the enigmatic Tommy Wiseau. (Even if you haven't seen the original, you probably have seen James Franco's The Disaster Artist, which was based on the making of Wiseau's cult-favorite movie.) And from January 23 through 25, you can revisit the enduring flick at downtown's Angelika Film Center, with appearances by Wiseau himself: The star will be in the theater's lobby for a meet-and-greet an hour before showtimes; and will stick around after each screening for a post-film Q&A. 
Grains of Change: A Festival of Rice Across East Asia

Grains of Change: A Festival of Rice Across East Asia

Celebrate the cultures of East Asia—in China, Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia and Japan—through the region's most iconic staple: rice. Held in the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of History on Thursday, January 22, "Grains of Change: A Festival of Rice Across East Asia" will bring together New York–based artists, restaurants, cultural organizations and vendors to explore rice not only as a cultural touchstone but also a symbol of sustainability. Attendees will get the chance to snack on rice-based bites from Win Son Bakery, watch a lively mochitsuki (mochi pounding) demonstration, observe Chinese calligraphy in the making, hear from scientists about the connections between rice production and climate change, get into mahjong with a beginners' class with the Green Tile Social Club, sip Korean-style soju cocktails from JUMO and more.

News (984)

Brooklyn Museum's hottest new haute-couture exhibit will spotlight Iris Van Herpen

Brooklyn Museum's hottest new haute-couture exhibit will spotlight Iris Van Herpen

Fashion fans, mark this one on your calendar: May 2026 won't just bring the return of the Met Gala, one of style's biggest nights, but also the debut of a high-profile new fashion exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. Opening its doors (or, rather, spreading its kinetic, three-dimensional wings) on Saturday, May 16 and running through Sunday, December 6 at the arts institution, "Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses" will celebrate one of the most forward-thinking designers in the industry, with 140 extraordinary haute-couture creations from the iconic Dutch designer on view alongside contemporary artworks, objets d’art and scientific artifacts. RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now The latest fashion exhibit taking over a major NYC cultural institution (with recent style-focused shows at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, at the New-York Historical Society and at the Brooklyn Museum itself, which hosted a popular Dior retrospective back in 2021), the Van Herpen exhibit will serve as first major New York presentation of the designer's work, after premiering at Paris's Musée des Arts Décoratifs in November 2023 and moving onward to Brisbane, Singapore and Rotterdam.  Photograph: David UzochukwuIris van Herpen, Morphogenesis Dress, from the Sensory Seas collection, 2020 The designs on view will include the avant-garde, highly sculptural garments that have made Van Herpen a runway pioneer—her ethereal, futuristic pieces celebrate both classic craftsmanship and ne
The largest sauna festival in NYC is bubbling up next month

The largest sauna festival in NYC is bubbling up next month

In case you missed it, it's been pretty freakin' brick outside this week, which very much has us scouring the city's best spas for bubbling hot tubs and boiling steam rooms to offset that awful chill. Helpfully, an entire large-scale sauna festival is soon coming to New York City next month to bring much-needed relaxation and warmth to our frigid city.  Beginning February 12 and running through March 1, Culture of Bathe-ing will transform Domino Park on the Williamsburg waterfront into an immersive and "unprecedented bathing experiment," with the aims of being the largest sauna village ever staged in the United States. Led by Robert Hammond, co-founder of the High Line, the fest will be equal parts wellness experience and cultural event, with both ticketed spa sessions — more than 1,000 guided experiences led by internationally renowned Aufguss World Champions and bathing practitioners from New York favorites including Bathhouse, Othership, and the Russian & Turkish Baths — as well as free public programming and workshops scheduled throughout the run, including live performance, sound, ritual, and immersive art curated in partnership with Pioneer Works. Related: A new Nordic-inspired bathing club opened in Noho this past fall “We are excited to partner with Therme’s sauna festival at Domino Park to bring talks, rituals, workshops and performances into the bathhouse,” says Gabriel Florenz, Founding Artistic & Executive Director at Pioneer Works. “Our joint program, Hot Bodies,
How to get tickets to Harry Styles' NYC concert residency

How to get tickets to Harry Styles' NYC concert residency

The last time Harry Styles was onstage in New York City—as part of his Love On Tour shows, which spanned nearly two years from September 2021 (kicking off in Las Vegas) to July 2023 (ending in Reggio Emilia, Italy)—he broke some pretty major concert records. We're talking a sold-out 15-night run at NYC's own Madison Square Garden, kind of records. And in support of his latest project, his fourth studio album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, the British-born pop star is set to shatter his own records with yet another historic Manhattan residency, this time with a whopping 30 shows in the Big Apple beginning this August through Halloween 2026 as part of his Together, Together Tour. And even more than that, New York will be his sole U.S. stop for the tour, with fellow residencies set for Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Mexico City, Melbourne and Sydney. It's yet another treat for NYC-area fans, who got to get an early listen of his new single "Aperture" last week.  RECOMMENDED: The 8 best concerts and music events worth travelling for in 2026 Given that pretty much all of America will be now trying to compete for a seat at his Manhattan gigs, here's everything you need to know about getting tickets to Harry Styles' NYC residency.  When does Harry Styles come to NYC for his Together, Together Tour? As part of his upcoming Together, Together Tour, Harry Styles will perform 30 shows in New York City from August 26, 2026, through October 31, 2026, before the singer moves on to
Where to horn out over 'Heated Rivalry' in NYC

Where to horn out over 'Heated Rivalry' in NYC

If you haven't heard, the entire world is currently enveloped in the horny mass psychosis that is Heated Rivalry. Since debuting on Crave in its native Canada and on HBO Max here stateside last November, the queer hockey romance has been a veritable pop-culture phenomenon, titillating TV fans with its secret love affair between two rival professional hockey players and making stars out of its leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie (who play Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, respectively).  And that #Hollanov thirst has officially hit New York, with a slew of lookalike contests, trivia nights, themed raves and dance parties taking over the city's social calendar for the next few weeks. If you're still spiritually at the cottage (guilty!), these Heated Rivalry-inspired events in NYC should keep you distracted while you're waiting to reunite with Ilya and Shane in season two.  Where to horn out over Heated Rivalry in NYC Photograph: Courtesy CraveHeated Rivalry Heated Rivalry: A Jockstar Rave at (Le) Poisson RougeJan. 24 at 11pm Get those hockey stretches in for a hot night of queer party-boy anthems, show edits and lusty remixes (and, yes, we're very much expecting some t.A.T.u.) courtesy of DJs Michael Medrano and Gregory Dillon at this LPR dance night. Get early-bird tickets here or pay $20 at the door.  Heated Rivalry Lookalike Contest at Washington Square ParkJan. 25 at 2pm This Saturday, the gentlemen who think they look like brooding Russian Ilya Rozanov or shy Shane
Union Square’s first-ever evening art installation will light up the plaza for the next month

Union Square’s first-ever evening art installation will light up the plaza for the next month

Sure, those festive holiday lights have officially burnt out, but that doesn't mean things have to be dark and dreary this winter: the Union Square Partnership (USP) is graciously adding some light and liveliness to the darkest time of the year with its new interactive art installation, "Patterned Behavior" by MASARY Studios, on view every evening (dusk to 10pm) from now through Tuesday, February 17.  RECOMMENDED: Rooftop Cinema Club unveils brand-new winter concept and fresh slate of seasonal screenings Located at Union Square Park’s North Plaza and Pavilion on 17th Street between Broadway and Park Avenue South, “Patterned Behavior” acts like an urban musical instrument, using architecture as a structure to “play” with sound production. Each evening’s illumination is shaped by the thousands of pedestrians that pass through Union Square every day, turning the footsteps and rhythms of passersby into a dynamic audio-visual composition with infrared sensors triggering synchronized light displays that depict how people come together in the area. For the vibrant concept, MASARY co-founder Ryan Edwards worked with "musical architecture" luminary Christopher Janney, whose piece "Reach New York” is at the 34th-Herald Sq Platform. “We’re fascinated by how people move through familiar public spaces and architecture and how those movements become part of our social rhythm,” said Edwards “With ‘Patterned Behavior,’ we’re inviting the public to see and hear how their presence shapes the s
The five best things to do in New York City on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend

The five best things to do in New York City on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is held every year—in 2026's case, on Monday, January 19—not only as a reflective observance honoring the life and legacy of the American civil right leader, but also as a rousing remind that the work is far from over. With racial equality, nonviolent resistance and freedom for all very much at the forefront of our minds (and in our headlines), we're taking MLK Weekend as a time to gather with our respective communities for volunteerism, education, activism and, of course, plenty of celebration. Whether you're looking to personally lend a helping hand or simply want to take in a vibrant cultural performance, here are five things to do this Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend to honor Dr. King's enduring legacy of civil service and universal love. (To find even more ways to give back to your local community, you can browse volunteer opportunities through New York Cares or the NYC Service hub.) RECOMMENDED: The best January 2026 events in NYC The best Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend programming MLK Jr. Day of Service Shoreline Cleanup Shirley Chisholm State Park (950 Fountain Ave)Jan 17, 1-3pmMake like Martin and give back to the community around you with a local shoreline cleanup at Shirley Chisholm State Park (a very fitting setting, given Chisholm's own pivotal role in our country's civil rights movement, as the first Black woman in Congress). All materials, including hand sanitizer, gloves, and garbage pickers, will be provided as you help clean debris
EXCLUSIVE: Rooftop Cinema Club unveils brand-new winter concept and fresh slate of seasonal screenings

EXCLUSIVE: Rooftop Cinema Club unveils brand-new winter concept and fresh slate of seasonal screenings

We're still a solid half-year out before New Yorkers can once again enjoy the warm, sunny charms of an outdoor movie, but Rooftop Cinema Club—the open-air social cinema that started in London back in 2011 before expanding internationally to cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami and, yes, the Big Apple—is bringing all of the appeal of an al fresco screening with the cold-weather comforts of an indoor viewing experience with its first-ever winterized outdoor cinema experience in NYC. Related: 26 massive movies you need to see in 2026 Dubbed the Winter Realm Cinema, the new screening series is a (graciously) fully enclosed and heated rooftop experience made for family movie night, a sweet winter date or simply a novel alternative to your local AMC theater. (Don't come for us, Nicole Kidman.) The wintry concept opens to the public today, January 13, with tickets available now for crowd-pleasing favorites like Edward Scissorhands and When Harry Met Sally... and more recent releases including Sinners and Materialists. Check out the full lineup here. "People crave community and warmth in the winter and we decided that we wanted to jump in and bring the winterization idea to life with Rooftop Cinema Club," the club's founder and CEO Gerry Cottle told Time Out. "Rooftop Cinema Club is all about bringing the fun and celebration to movie watching so we are excited to introduce our fans to an exciting new winter concept and immerse them when they walk through the wardrobe into
How to recycle your Christmas tree in NYC

How to recycle your Christmas tree in NYC

We don't want to be complete Grinches, but the days following Christmas in New York are usually riddled with the thoughts "Exactly how days in a row can I eat nothing but cookies? and also "What the hell am I going to do with this old tree?" Now, we can't help you with the cookie craze — if anything, we're only going to point you to even more of the city's best cookies — but we can help you with that admittedly unjolly tree removal. Whether you want to get rid of that spruce right on December 26 or are looking to part ways the Feast of the Epiphany-style on January 6, here's everything you need to know about safely and sustainably disposing of your Christmas tree in NYC this year.  How to recycle your Christmas tree in NYC 1. Participate in Mulchfest at an NYC park One of our favorite yuletide traditions, Mulchfest allows New Yorkers to bring (okay, drag) those Christmas trees down to their nearby participating NYC Park (check Mulchfest locations here), where the parks department will chop it up into wood chips that will be repurposed to nourish trees and make NYC even greener. (A whopping 52,569 trees were recycled last year.  Tree drop-offs are available during park hours between December 26 and January 11 — just remember to remove all ornaments, garlands, tinsel and other holiday paraphernalia before dropping it off.  2. Compost it curbside If you don't want to offload your Christmas tree manually, you can have the NYC Department of Sanitation collect it curbside. DSNY wil
Mayor-elect Mamdani is throwing a massive block party to celebrate his January 2026 inauguration

Mayor-elect Mamdani is throwing a massive block party to celebrate his January 2026 inauguration

In case you, strangely, hadn't heard: New York City is getting a new mayor in 2026. Yes, this past November, Zohran Mamdani—a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist and State Assemblymember—won the NYC mayoral general election, defeating independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa with 50.4-percent of the total vote. On January 1, 2026, the mayor-elect will not only officially succeed the Big Apple's current head honcho, Eric Adams, but he will be doing so with a big street-party inauguration ceremony along Broadway. And you're all invited.   RECOMMENDED: Is the infamous Elizabeth Street Garden becoming an official NYC park? As reported by the New York Times, following a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall held at 1pm on the first day of 2026, Mamdani will play host to a massive street party spanning seven blocks of Broadway in lower Manhattan between Murray and Liberty Streets.  And while capacity for the swearing-in portion of the proceedings will be a bit more limited (there will be 4,000 tickets for the event at City Hall), the outdoor shindig to follow will have space for another 40,000 spectators who will be able to watch the proceedings on large screens. There will also be musical performances and “interfaith elements,” as well as remarks from Mr. Mamdani; the incoming city comptroller, Mark Levine; and New York’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams. “This inauguration is a celebration of the movement we built, the mandate we won and the city we are
8 things to look forward to in NYC in 2026

8 things to look forward to in NYC in 2026

Surely 2026 has to be better than—waves around desperately—whatever the hell 2025 was, right? Right?! Despite the universe’s evidence to the contrary, we’re bringing a very hopeful energy into the new year and thankfully New York City is following suit, with a full slate of high-profile museum exhibitions, big-name Broadway shows, a pop superstar’s long-awaited concert tour and a major nationwide birthday. (Happy 250th, America!) We’ve combed through everything announced for 2026 so far—from a rare MoMA retrospective to a Mr. Rodgers–inspired takeover of the Bronx Zoo and loads in between—and narrowed things down to these eight standouts that we’re most looking forward to. Tribeca’s art scene will be getting a massive, tech-forward boost Onassis ONX—the Onassis Foundation’s lab serving artists working in XR, AI and immersive performance—is packing up its midtown digs and heading down to Tribeca, where it will double in size with an experimental, 6,000-square-foot studio at Broadway and Walker Street. We’re talking a motion-capture stage double the size of the old one, a three-wall seamless projection room intended for museum-grade installations and an expanded sound studio. The first show will be “TECHNE: Homecoming,” set to run January 9 to 18, 2026; it will bring together six artists (including Björk collaborator Andrew Thomas Huang and VR pioneer Tamiko Thiel) to explore identity and kinship via video environments and interactive “phygital” installations.  Photograph: By
I flew from NYC to the Virgin Islands just to eat at this floating taco bar

I flew from NYC to the Virgin Islands just to eat at this floating taco bar

Thanks to the talented, tortilla-loving likes of Greenpoint's Taqueria Ramirez (and their sister spot Carnitas Ramirez in the East Village), Jackson Height's Birria-Landia, Bushwick's Taqueria Al Pastor, the Los Tacos No. 1 crew and more, New York's taco scene has risen in formidability over the last decade or so. After years of second-rate status to San Diego, San Antonio, Santa Fe and the like, New York is nowadays awash in acclaimed fish tacos, deep-fried flautas and consommé-dipped fold-us. But what we're missing is floating tacos. That is, tacos that you can enjoy while wading in the middle of the ocean, Yeti full of rum punch being sent your way by pool float. Such are the immaculate vibes you'll find at Lime Out, a floating taco restaurant located in the U.S. Virgin Islands. And when yours truly heard that the team was debuting a St. Thomas sister to their viral St. John flagship this November, I knew I had to hightail down to the Caribbean to see exactly how the island's own taco scene was shaking up. RECOMMENDED: I flew from NYC to Canada for 24 hours just for dinner at this exclusive Toronto restaurant Photograph: Sarah SwanLime Out in St. Thomas Set directly in St. Thomas's Lindbergh Bay, the new Lime Out location is — like its sibling, which was birthed in St. John's Coral Bay by lifelong friends Richard Baranowski, Dylan Buchalter and Dane Tarr in 2019 and quickly gained global attention, being named one of TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places — accessible o
Fran Lebowitz's 20 New York-iest quotes from "Pretend It's a City"

Fran Lebowitz's 20 New York-iest quotes from "Pretend It's a City"

Netflix's latest limited series, Pretend It's a City, is a New York fever dream: The seven-episode docuseries is directed by Martin Scorsese, for one, and mostly follows Marty and his good friend and local legend Fran Lebowitz palling around the Players Club, the New York Public Library and the streets of Manhattan as she complains and quips about, well, everything. Michael Bloomberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, cab drivers, distracted walkers, the Dalai Lama—nobody is safe from the writer's infamously sharp-witted critiques and commentary. Through all of these tart takedowns, however, is a sweet loyalty to New York itself, as it was back in the '70s when Lebowitz got her start as a columnist at Andy Warhol's Interview magazine, and as it is now. It's a wistful watch, especially during a time when so much of ever-moving New York City is on pause, but it's also jam-packed with quotes that will leave you chuckling long after the credits roll. Here are 20 of our favorites: 1. "Let me tell you what smells horrible on the L train: The passengers." 2. "The only person I've ever met who disagrees with me as much as [Spike Lee] are my relatives."3. "How would I describe my lifestyle? Well, I can assure you, I would never use the word 'lifestyle.'" 4. "It's an amazing thing because there are millions of people [in New York], and the only person looking where they are going is me." 5. "If you can eat it, it's not art. If you can say 'I'll have that and a cup of coffee,' it's not art." 6. "One