NYC Tourism + Conventions Unveils List of 20 Unmissable Events in the Big Apple During 2025

New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official destination marketing organisation and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, is spotlighting can’t-miss events across the five boroughs next year for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.

With major sports and culture happenings and a slate of new openings all set for New York City’s 400th anniversary, travellers are invited to book their 2025 NYC trip now.

“No place on earth does big events quite like New York City, from annual celebrations to once-in-a-lifetime activities. We encourage visitors and locals alike to make their plans now for what is sure to be a blockbuster 2025 in the five boroughs,” said Nancy Mammana, Chief Marketing Officer and Interim CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions.

“The power of event-related travel is no secret, from sold out global concert tours to major sporting events that are expected to help attract approximately 68 million visitors to the five boroughs by the end of next year—all driving critical tourism and visitor spending. We look forward to hosting these tourism activities and continuing to support local businesses in the year ahead.”

Don’t miss these 20 events in NYC in 2025:

1.      Book now for NYC Hotel Week SM, which will offer 25% off stays (in honor of the year 2025) at nearly 140 hotels from January 2–February 9. For even more savings, visit between January 21 and February 9, when NYC Winter Outing SM provides discounts across dining, theater, arts and culture, tours and more with NYC Restaurant Week®, NYC Broadway WeekSM and NYC Must-See WeekSM; reservations open January 7.

2.      Disney on Ice is coming to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center from January 16–19, presenting Frozen and Encanto for the whole family to enjoy.

3.      The 2025 BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament, college basketball’s longest-running conference tournament at the same venue,is returning to Madison Square Garden from March 12–15.

4.      Admire celebrity talent on Broadway this winter, including Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal in Othello(previews begin February 24), George Clooney in Good Night, and Good Luck (March 12), and Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren in The Last Five Years (March 18), with more A-listers hitting the stage later in the year.

5.      Spring marks the return of the Major League Baseball season. Cheer on NYC’s beloved teams at the New York Yankees Home Openerversus the Milwaukee Brewers on March 27 and the New York Mets Home Openeragainst the Toronto Blue Jayson April 4.

6.      Culture buffs can enjoy thelong-awaited reopening of The Frick Collection on Fifth Avenue in April, following a four-year renovation and expansion. The reopening will include public access to the second floor of the original Frick residence for the first time.

7.      The NYC area will host major touring artists including Mary J. Blige’s For My Fans Tour at Madison Square Garden on April 10; Charli xcx’s BRAT 2025 Arena Tour at Barclays Center on April 30, May 1, May 3 and May 4; Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour at MetLife Stadium on May 15; Post Malone with Jelly Rollat Citi Field on June 4; the Oasis Live ’25 World Tour at MetLife Stadium on August 31 and September 1; and Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour at Madison Square Garden on September 17, 18, 20 and 21.

8.      Sign up for the annual Five Boro Bike Tour on May 4, where cyclists will take on the 40-mile course, which spans all five boroughs.

9.      2024 WNBA Champions, the New York Liberty will kick off next season in May and play through October. Game-day energy at Barclays Center is electric and fun for the whole family.

10.    This spring, the iconic Waldorf Astoria New York will reopen after a complete refurbishment. The 375-room hotel will retain the scale and beauty of its original art deco architecture, while adding fresh, contemporary furnishings that honour the original building. Guests will also have access to a holistic wellness program, culinary offerings, including the recently announced Lex Yard restaurant by Chef Michael Anthony, and expansive meeting and event space. Reservations open December 10.

11.    French luxury department store Printemps will open a new flagship on Wall Street in the spring, marking the brand’s first store in the United States. In addition to retail offerings, the flagship will house five new restaurants.

12.    Central Park will see two long-awaited openings in 2025: the $160 million redevelopment of the Center at the Harlem Meer, which will offer swimming during warmer months and ice-skating in the winter, and the revitalised Delacorte Theater, reopening in time for the Public Theater’s free Shakespeare in the Park program this summer.

13.    Celebrate Pride in the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and the home of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. NYC Pride events will take place throughout the month of June, and be sure to visit the new Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, which was unveiled last summer and is open year-round.

14.    SailGP, the most exciting racing on water, returns to New York City from June 7–8 with the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, featuring national teams battling in New York Harbor on identical 50-foot flying catamarans, reaching speeds over 60 miles per hour.

15.    Eight of NYC’s most iconic museums on Fifth Avenue open their doors to the public for free during the annual Museum Mile Festival, which next year will take place on June 10.

16.    New York/New Jersey will welcome international football clubs and fans for the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup tournament next summer, with a total of eight matches to be played at MetLife Stadium including the Final on July 13. This precedes the FIFA World Cup, taking place in summer 2026.

17.    In 2025, NYC will celebrate 400 years since its founding. Commemorations will take place throughout the year—stay tuned at nyctourism.com. Also note: August marks 10 years since Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical Hamilton opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, telling the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

18.    Queens is home to the US Open Tennis Championships. From August 26–September 8, the world’s top tennis talent will compete for the fourth and final Grand Slam title of the year.

19.    More than 50,000 runners hit the streets for the TCS New York City Marathon each year. In 2025, the race will take place on November 2. Even if you’re not running, find a neighborhood and cheer folks on—the festivities go on all day. Prefer slightly shorter distances? The United Airlines NYC Half takes place March 16, and the RBC Brooklyn Half is May 17.

20.    The Studio Museum in Harlem will celebrate its grand opening in a brand-new home in fall 2025. As part of the inaugural season, the museum will present a comprehensive exhibition of the work of American artist, activist and community organizer Tom Lloyd.

In 2023, tourism to New York City generated an estimated $74 billion in economic impact with more than $48 billion in direct spending. This activity supported over 380,000 leisure and hospitality jobs—roughly 9% of the City’s workforce—and thousands of small and minority-owned businesses across all five boroughs. In 2023, NYC welcomed 62.2 million visitors—50.6 million domestic and 11.6 million international. In 2024, visitation is expected to grow to 64.8 million.

For a comprehensive list of openings and events, see NYC Tourism’s latest What’s New & Upcoming in New York City pressfact sheet and Events & Festivals visitor guide.