#1 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
In addition to 3.5 million live spectators, more than 50 million people watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on television. Last year’s parade marked the event’s 90th anniversary. Next: November 23, 2017
#2 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
The place to be to ring in the new year, the annual event packs Times Square with roughly one million celebrants and is broadcast live to a billion people around the world. Ringing in 2017 were performers Mariah Carey—whose technical glitches became their own story—Gloria Estefan, and DNCE. Next: December 31, 2017
#3 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
Upwards of two million people are expected at this year’s N.Y.C. Pride, which has the theme “We Are Proud.” The multi-day festival includes several events to appeal to a variety of attendees, including the L.G.B.T. Pride March, the PrideFest street festival, Family Movie Night, and the Pride Luminaries Brunch. Next: June 16-25, 2017
#4 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
Eastern Parkway and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn set the stage for the jubilant celebration, which is organized by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association. The event draws more than three million spectators every Labor Day. The procession caps off a multi-day celebration of Caribbean culture. Next: September 4, 2017
#5 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
The 60th annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade will once again draw thousands of revelers to Fifth Avenue to celebrate Puerto Rican culture. The parade includes floats and performances, and will be broadcast live on ABC. Next: June 11, 2017
#6 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event (up from #7)
This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, which is broadcast live on NBC. The event unveils one of New York's most popular holiday attractions, and is free and open to the public. Last year’s ceremony featured performances by headliners including Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Sarah McLachlan, and Josh Groban. Next: November/December 2017
#7 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
Some 250,000 marchers and two million spectators gather each year in Manhattan to honor the Patron Saint of Ireland. The 2017 parade is dedicated to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and to the New York State Police. The grand marshal will be Michael Dowling, head of Northwell Health. Next: March 17, 2017
#8 Parade, Festival & Holiday Event
The World Science Festival celebrates its 10th iteration this year. Some of the best minds in science and art come together for the annual event, which last year closed with a free public festival in Washington Square Park. In 2016, the festival added a satellite event in Brisbane, Australia. Next: May 2017
