New York City Winter Offers

New York City is casting the spotlight on Harlem during Black History Month in February featuring new ways for New Yorkers and visitors to explore the neighborhood and take advantage of some of the best culture, restaurants and entertainment that New York City has to offer.

Cultural institutions highlighted throughout the month include: the Apollo Theater, Dwyer Cultural Center, El Museo de Barrio, Harlem Stage, the Museum of the City of New York, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and The Studio Museum in Harlem.

It is part of New York City’s marketing campaigns which include the City’s first-ever Broadway Week, the Get More NYC campaign, the return of the Off-Broadway promotion On the House and NYC Restaurant Week. The Get More NYC campaign, with programs offered throughout January and February, highlights special offers across retail, dining, culture, entertainment and hotels.

During the first-ever Broadway Week, January 24 to February 10, two-for-one tickets go on sale for 18 popular Broadway shows. Theatergoers can also enter the official AT&T Broadway Week Sweepstakes for a chance to win Broadway tickets for an entire year.

 NYC Restaurant Week® from January 24 to February 6 features more than 300 participating restaurants, including 35 new eateries, making it the largest NYC Restaurant Week in the program’s 19-year history.

The third annual On the House, an Off-Broadway program supported by media partner Time Out New York, offers two-for-one tickets to more than 30 Off-Broadway performances from January 24 to February 13.

For more information about top events in New York take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York.


For more detail on all of New York City’s winter programs and offers, visit www.nycgo.com.

Lights on the River Festival

It’s a holiday celebration! All are invited to come to downtown Owego on Friday evening, December 3, from 5:30-8:30 pm. Owego will sparkle with holiday lighting and a family festive atmosphere. Christmas lights reflecting on the river, children’s choirs, ballet dancers, barbershop quartet singers, a juggler, hot air balloon ride, alpacas to pet, an ice sculptor, horse and wagon rides, and a visit with Santa; all the sights and sounds of Christmas.

Join the Historic Owego Marketplace as it kicks off the 4th Annual “Lights on the River Festival.”

The festivities begin at 5:30 pm in downtown Owego. Enjoy plenty of shopping, warm free refreshments all around town, cookies, hot cocoa, and lots of goodies to get you in the mood for the holidays. Don’t forget to stop in the Tioga County Historical Museum for “O’Tannenbaum” and check out over 100 decorated Christmas trees and wreaths on display. Salvation Army kettles will be placed throughout the town as well.  The evening is capped off with an exciting riverside fireworks show off Draper Park near the bridge.

A shuttle bus and parking will be available from the Tioga County Fairgrounds/Marvin Park from 5:00-9:00 pm.

Owego is part of Tioga County, New York, an historic, rural county in the southeastern corner of the Finger Lakes Region.  Rolling hillsides, historic homes, quaint country shops, riverside restaurants, unique farm tours, fabulous festivals and a beautiful river make a trip to this part of New York state a memorable visit.

For more information about top events in New York state take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York.

For more information visit www.lightsontheriver.com/

Multiple Mark Twain anniversaries in New York’s Finger Lakes

Over 50 special events in New York’s Finger Lakes will honor American author Mark Twain’s enduring legacy on the 175th and 100th anniversaries of his birth and death respectively. It is also the 125th anniversary of the release of his renowned novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Twain spent a significant number of happy and productive years in the Finger Lakes region, spending summers in Elmira, a quiet city in the Finger Lakes, for over 20 years. His home there was a respite from the stresses of everyday life. Cynthia Raj, Manager of Tourism Promotion for Chemung County, explained, “Elmira was where Twain married, summered with his in-laws, buried his beloved wife and three children who preceded him in death, and chose as his final resting place.”

Twain also wrote a great deal of his beloved literature in the Finger Lakes. “He drew inspiration from the spectacular views of the Chemung River Valley to pen such classics as Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from his tiny study perched in the hills,” said Raj.

A large number of events will celebrate Twain’s life and literature. On April 21, the anniversary of his death, actor Hal Holbrook will perform his Emmy and Tony award-winning show Mark Twain Tonight! at the Clemens Center. On April 21-23 Hill Top Inn will be holding “Dine Like Twain Dinners,” where visitors can enjoy Twain family recipes while looking out over the same river view Twain himself gazed at while writing. To complete the experience, there will be a re-enactment of Twain’s burial at Woodlawn Cemetery on April 24.

Several ongoing promotions and specials will also honor Twain, among them the “Mark Twain in Elmira” exhibit at Chemung County Historical Museum which opens on April 15.

For more information about top events in New York state, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-new-york.html

The Mark Twain celebration will be ongoing throughout 2010. To view a full calendar of events and learn more about the region, visit www.MarkTwainCountry.com.

New York City's Most Stylish Hotels Welcome Art Fair

Art insiders will be flocking to New York City next week for Armory Arts Week – one of the largest contemporary art fairs in the world,

NYC & Company, New York City’s official tourism, marketing and partnership organization has launched its Style & Scene collection of hotels in partnership with Armory Arts Week, which runs from March 2 to 7. Style & Scene hotels offer visitors added value during their stay in New York City: Guests who book a room through the Style & Scene promotion will receive complimentary admission to The Armory Show (March 4–7), a Bloomingdale's VIP shopping envelope and other benefits from participating hotels.

Armory Arts Week is a premier art happening attracting some of the world’s most enthusiastic international and domestic collectors. New York City is home to more art collectors, galleries, first-class museums, critics and artists than any other city in the world. This weeklong celebration centers around The Armory Show, the world’s leading art fair devoted to the best art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Highlights of Armory Arts Week, which runs March 2–7, include Uptown & Museum Mile Day (March 2), SoHo Night (March 4), Long Island City Night (March 5), Chelsea Day and Brooklyn Night (March 6) and Lower East Side Day (March 7).

For more information about top events in New York, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-new-york.html

To book the Style & Scene promotion visit www.nycgo.com/styleandscene.

DETAILS OF NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION IN NEW YORK CITY

When the second-by-second countdown to midnight on December 31 starts, the eyes of the world are on New York’s Times Square, gathering place for hundreds of thousands of revelers and focal point for a billion worldwide television viewers.

The event is a global tradition, a collective farewell to the departing year as the world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball descend from the flagpole atop One Times Square at midnight.

Here is the schedule for the New Year’s Eve festivities:

4pm: The Revelers
Revelers start arriving late in the afternoon on New Year's Eve. By approximately 4pm, the “bow tie” of Times Square (42nd–47th Streets, between Broadway and Seventh Avenue) becomes a focal point for the festivities. The NYPD will direct revelers to gather in separate viewing sections. As one section fills up, police will direct new arrivals to the next section. As the evening progresses, revelers continue to fill the Times Square neighborhood along Broadway and Seventh Avenue, and as far north as Central Park.

6–6:03 pm - Lighting and Raising the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The celebration begins with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square.

11:59pm - The 60-Second Countdown
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the Times Square 2010 special guest (to be announced) will push the Waterford crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball, and lead the 60-second countdown to the New Year atop the Countdown Stage at Duffy Square (the center island from Broadway to Seventh Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets).

Midnight - 2010 Sign
At the stroke of midnight, the lights on the New Year’s Eve Ball are turned off as the numerals “2010” are illuminated high above Times Square.

Several events will take place leading up to the ball drop, including:

Confetti Wishing Wall–The Confetti Wishing Wall will be at the Times Square Information Center, located at Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets). New Year’s Eve is a time when people of every background come together to express a collective hope for renewal; a yearning for a better personal or global future can sometimes take the form of resolutions or wishes. With that in mind, visitors to the Information Center are invited to write their wishes and resolutions for 2010 on pieces of paper, which will be displayed on the wall. For those who cannot make it to Times Square to add their wishes, a virtual wall has been created at timessquarenyc.org. At midnight on December 31, the wish papers will become part of the confetti that rains down on the City. (Note: specific dates of Confetti Wishing Wall to be posted at timessquarenyc.org)

Good Riddance Day—The co-organizers of New Year’s Eve in Times Square (Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment) are inviting the public to say good-bye, once and for all, to those bad memories at the third annual Good Riddance Day. Shredders will be available for use in Duffy Square so everyone can discard their distasteful, embarrassing and downright depressing memories from 2009. (Note: specific date of Good Riddance Day to be posted at timessquarenyc.org)

Other New Year’s Eve Events in NYC:

For those seeking other New Year’s Eve entertainment options beyond Times Square, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises is offering a New Year’s Eve party cruise, which includes a full open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a nonstop DJ, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets for the three-hour cruise are $120 (must be 18 for the cruise, and 21 to drink alcohol). For more information, click on the ”special events” section of circleline42.com.

If a New Year’s Eve run around Central Park appeals to you, check out the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, hosted by New York Road Runners. There will be a DJ and dancing at 10pm, a costume parade and contest at 11pm, and fireworks and a four-mile race at midnight. More information can be found at nyrr.org.

Brooklyn residents and visitors can take part in the borough’s largest New Year’s Eve party at Grand Army Plaza, which will include fireworks and live music. The best viewing locations for the fireworks are within Grand Army Plaza, along West Drive in Prospect Park, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and Ninth Street. For more information, go to prospectpark.org.

For more information about visiting New York City, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of top events and festivals in New York, or check out the City’s official tourism website at nycgo.com.

Photo courtesy Countdown Entertainment

NYC & COMPANY INVITES GHOULS AND GOBLINS, VISITORS AND LOCALS TO
CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN IN NYC

This Halloween, hike a haunted hill, discover the creepy critters of the deep blue sea and become a character from your wildest dream.

New York City welcomes kids, teenagers, adults and families to celebrate this year’s fun-filled Halloween weekend. As visitors continue to seek value on their trips to the five boroughs, NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, announced today a variety of free and low-cost Halloween events and activities for all ages. As always, the Annual New York’s Village Halloween Parade is expected to draw thousands to Greenwich Village the evening of Halloween, but there are many other events leading up to October 31 that will get visitors and residents excited for this month’s spooky festivities.

“New York City is a great place to celebrate all occasions,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Halloween happens to be one of the most exciting times because everyone participates. Whether you’re trick-or-treating, pumpkin picking or getting into costume, Halloween allows all to celebrate the fall with kid-friendly and family-oriented indoor and outdoor activities.”

Enjoy the brisk days of autumn with eerily fun Halloween-inspired happenings across the five boroughs.

The Bronx:
Take a haunted safari, go on a hayride, watch magic shows and learn how to carve animal jack-o’-lanterns and make masks at the Bronx Zoo’sBoo at the Zoo. Weekends until November 1; general admission $15 for adults and $11 for children ages 3–12 (children ages 3–12 wearing a wildlife costume will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult purchasing full-price admission; limit one child per paying adult). www.bronxzoo.org

Get ready for a full day of fun and learning at the New York Botanical Garden’s Halloween Hoorah! Play with leaves, decorate pumpkins and learn about the vampire bat. Sunday, October 25, 11am–5:45pm; all-garden admission $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 2–12. www.nybg.org

Brooklyn:
Visit the Gravesend Inn Haunted Hotel, a high-tech haunted house designed by faculty and students at the New York City College of Technology. October 16, 17, 22–24, and 29–31; admission $6 for adults and $4 for students with a valid ID and children under 12. entertainmenttechnology.org/gravesendinn

Learn about monsters of the deep at the New York Aquarium’s Halloween at the A-Scarium on Coney Island. Hear scary sea yarns, watch an expert pumpkin carver, make a sea-creature mask and trick-or-treat at holiday treat stations. October 24, 25, 31 and November 1; general admission $13 for adults and $9 for children ages 3–12 (children ages 3–12 wearing a wildlife costume will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult purchasing full-price admission; limit one child per paying adult). www.nyaquarium.org

Manhattan:
Flock to Central Park to view scarecrows at the Pumpkin Festival’s Scarecrow Contest. Register online by Friday, October 16, to secure scarecrow entry. Scarecrow viewing Saturday, October 24, noon–5pm, Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. The top three scarecrow entries from each age category will be displayed afterward at the Arsenal Gallery, which houses the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s headquarters. www.nycgovparks.org/email_forms/scarecrow/index.html

Prepare for goose bumps at the Nightmare: Vampires haunted house. The interactive exhibition is designed to terrify the senses while exploring the history—and horror—of vampires. October 14–18, 20–31, Nov. 1, Nov. 4–7; advance tickets $30, at the door $35. Bring children ages 10 and under on October 24 for Kids Day; tickets $15. Otherwise no children under 12 will be admitted without a parent or guardian. www.hauntedhousenyc.com

Queens:
Pick Your Own Pumpkin at the Queens County Farm Museum—the perfect activity for all ages. October 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31, 11am–4pm, weather permitting; free admission except October 25, when admission is $5 per person for the Children’s Fall Festival. Price of pumpkin based on its size. www.queensfarm.org/events.html

Venture into the woods for a Haunted Hike in Forest Park. The forest is the ultimate dwelling of creatures that go bump in the night—beware spooky surprises. Saturday, October 31, 6pm; free. www.nycparks.org

Staten Island:
Enjoy the day outside with family and friends partaking in crafts, games and costumes at the Halloween Harvest Fair at the Conference HousePark. Saturday, October 17, 11am–4pm; free admission but $10 for children’s unlimited access to inflatable slide and bounce houses. www.nycparks.org

Join the ghosts of St. George Theatre at its Halloween Extravaganza, an award-winning show that features spine-shivering special effects and illusions. Friday, October 30, 7:30pm; tickets $10, $18, $20 and $28. www.stgeorgetheatre.com/events.htm

For more information on visiting New York City at Halloween, go to www.nycgo.com.

For more information about other annual top events in New York, visit the Top Events USA page on New York at http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-new-york.html