#1 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
In addition to 50 million TV viewers, more than 3.5 million live spectators watch the iconic parade make its way from the Upper West Side to Macy's Herald Square. Six new floats were added to the procession in 2015. Next: November 24, 2016
#2 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
The epic New Year's celebration puts the city on the world stage. In 2015, Anderson Cooper hosted, and performers like Jessie J, Carrie Underwood, and Wiz Khalifa entertained roughly one million celebrants. Mayor Bill de Blasio took part in the final 60-second countdown to midnight in Times Square. Next: December 31, 2016
#3 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event (up from #4)
More than 2.1 million people attended NYC Pride 2015, which took place just days after the Supreme Court's historic ruling in favor of marriage equality. The theme for 2016 is "Equality Needs You," meant as a call to action for L.G.B.T. people and their allies to keep the fight for equality. The 2016 event will include events like the L.G.B.T. Pride March, the PrideFest street festival, Family Movie Night, and the Pride Luminaries Brunch. Next: June 19-26, 2016
#4 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
More than three million spectators gather every Labor Day for what was formerly known as the West Indian-American Day Carnival. The procession makes its way through the streets of Brooklyn, capping off a five-day celebration of Caribbean culture. Next: September 5, 2016
#5 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
On the second Sunday in June, thousands of revelers fill the sidewalks of Fifth Avenue to celebrate Puerto Rican culture and watch the parade of floats, marching bands, dancers, and V.I.P.s. Next: June 12, 2016
#6 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
Roughly 250,000 marchers and two million spectators gather each year in Manhattan to honor the patron saint of Ireland. The theme for this year's parade is "A Celebration of Irish Faith, Heritage, and Culture," and Senator George J. Mitchell will serve as Grand Marshall. Next: March 17, 2016
#7 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
The televised event marks the unveiling of one of New York's most popular holiday attractions. Tens of thousands of spectators attend the celebration, which last year included performances by Sting, Mary J. Blige, and Michael Bublé, among others. Next: November/December 2016
#8 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
Some of the best minds in science and art come together for the annual event, which has drawn more than 1.5 million attendees since it launched in 2008. The festival's impact is growing; for the first time ever, a World Science Festival will also take place in Brisbane, Australia, in 2016. Next: June 1-5, 2016
