Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop (December 31 into January 1). Annual event since 1907 (with exceptions in 1942–1943). Over 1 million people attend in Times Square; current ball is 12,350 lbs adorned with 5,000+ Waterford Crystal discs. Countdown begins at 11:59 p.m.
New York Fashion Week (NYFW) (February and September (semi-annual, approx. 7–9 days each)). Founded 1943 by Eleanor Lambert as 'Press Week'; modernized by CFDA in 1993. One of the global 'Big Four' fashion weeks (with Paris, London, Milan). Held in Manhattan; open to buyers, press, and increasingly the public.
Tribeca Festival (formerly Tribeca Film Festival) (June (annual; inaugural May 2002)). Founded 2002 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff to revitalize Lower Manhattan after September 11. Hosts 600+ screenings and approximately 150,000 attendees. Renamed Tribeca Festival in 2020.
NYC Pride March (Last Sunday in June). Annual march since 1970; commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots. Organized by Heritage of Pride since 1984. Largest Pride event in the world; millions of spectators line the route through Manhattan.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November), 8:30 a.m.–noon). Annual parade since 1924. Route runs from 77th Street to Herald Square, Manhattan. Televised nationally on NBC since 1953. Over 3.5 million attend in person; 50+ million TV viewers. Features giant character balloons,…
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting (Last Wednesday of November or first Wednesday of December (following Thanksgiving)). Tradition since 1933 (informal tree since 1931). Norway spruce typically 69–100 ft tall, adorned with ~50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski crystal star. Tree remains lit through early January.