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Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland

Celebrate your heritage, or learn about another, with these fun cultural events and festivals in the NYC area!


Part of what makes New York City great is that it is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. You can teach your kids about different cultures through museum visits and books, or you can take to the streets to experience these cultures for yourself. Check out this list of  cultural events and festivals in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland, and get to celebrating with your family! As with any family outing, please confirm the event is still happening before leaving home.

Select a month below to see the cultural festivals and events happening in the NY metro area:

Cultural Events in February

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC

Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival 
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Join thousands of New Yorkers and visitors alike in the streets of Chinatown and Little Italy for traditional Chinese New Year performances, beautiful decorations and costumes, floats, music, and delicious food. New Year events take place in all of the city’s Chinatowns, including Sunset Park and Flushing.

RELATED | Find more Lunar New Year events for families in the NY metro area

Cultural Events in March

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC 

St. Patrick's Day Parade
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Watch thousands of marchers parade up Fifth Avenue in celebration of Irish culture and history. The parade marches past St. Patrick's Cathedral and ends at the Irish Historical Society at 79th Street. 

RELATED | Find more St. Patrick’s Day events for families in our area

Cultural Events in April

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC

New York Tartan Day Parade
FacebookInstagram
Celebrate Scottish heritage and pride at this annual parade featuring all the kilts, pipes, and marchers you can imagine! 

Cultural Events & Festivals in Brooklyn

Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Prospect Park
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This annual festival, held in late April or early May, celebrates Hanami, the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers. The festival features performances, demonstrations, and family activities that help visitors learn about both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.

Cultural Events & Festivals on Long Island

Greenport’s Cherry Blossom Festival
Throughout Greenport
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Take a self-guided walking tour of Greenport’s cherry trees in full bloom, enjoy blossom-themed treats from local businesses, and more.

RELATED | These are the best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC

Cultural Events & Festivals in Westchester County

White Plains Cherry Blossom Festival 
J Harvey Turnure Memorial Park, 26 Lake St., White Plains
Facebook
Japanese food, games, events, cosplay performances, lion dance performances, and more await under the cherry blossoms in Turnure Park!

Cultural Events in May

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC

Irish Dance Festival
Pier I, Riverside Park South, Riverside Drive and West 68th Street, Upper West Side
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Learn the difference between sean-nós, céilí, and step dance with opportunities for all to join in. The festival features workshops, performances, lessons, and more!

Japan Day
FacebookInstagram
Bring the kids out to Central Park for fun activities and an opportunity to learn about Japanese culture. 

Cultural Events & Festivals in Brooklyn

Haitian American Heritage and Flag Day Celebration 
Nostrand Avenue and Clarendon Road, Flatbush
FacebookInstagram
Celebrate Haitian heritage with a parade, food, a performing arts showcase, live music, and more on Nostrand Avenue!

Cultural Events & Festivals in Queens

Greek Festival
St. Demetrios Cathedral, 30-11 30th Drive, Astoria
This annual celebration of Greek culture spans several days and includes music, Greek food and pastries, a flea market and boutique, children’s games and rides, and more.

Cultural Events in June

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC

NYC Multicultural Festival
Jackie Robinson Park Bandshell, 85 Bradhurst Ave., Upper Manhattan
Facebook
This festival is the largest showcase of NYC’s different cultures in one place! Enjoy live performances, arts and crafts, food and retail vendors, fashion, activities for children, health, safety, and wellness activities, slides, photo booths, giant video games, information resources, free giveaways, and more.

Celebrate Israel Parade 
Fifth Avenue, from 57th to 74th streets, Midtown to Upper East Side
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Fifth Avenue turns blue and white as more than 200 groups, including musical performers, marching bands, and marchers come together for the largest celebration of Israel in the world. 

National Puerto Rican Day Parade 
Fifth Avenue between 44th and 79th Streets, Manhattan 
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The annual parade celebrates Puerto Rican culture, heritage, and its contribution to the United States. Enjoy music, floats, and several Puerto Rican celebrities. 

Egg Rolls, Egg Creams & Empanadas Festival
The Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St., Lower East Side
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Through folk art demonstrations, music, dance, and conversations with the featured practitioners, festival-goers will enjoy the rich interaction between the Jewish, Chinese, and Puerto Rican artists and performers. Kids will love tasting kosher egg rolls, egg creams, empanadas, and other traditional foods.

Swedish Midsummer Festival 
Robert F. Wagner Park and Pier A Plaza, Battery Park City, Manhattan
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Celebrate some Swedish heritage and tradition in Battery Park. Families are welcome to picnic in the grass, help decorate the midsummer pole, make flower wreaths, dance, play games, and listen to authentic fiddle music. The festival occurs rain or shine, so be sure to make plans to enjoy the day no matter what!

Juneteenth
Belvedere Plaza, Rockefeller Park, 75 Battery Place, Manhattan
Enjoy art, music, and stories while the Federation of Black Cowboys teaches the whole family about the importance of Juneteenth. 

RELATED: Summer Fairs, Festivals, and Carnivals Your Kids Will Love

Cultural Events & Festivals in Rockland County

Greek Festival
Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, West Nyack
Facebook
Our region’s largest celebration of Greek culture is a staple of early summer. Kids can experience homemade Greek food, authentic music and dancing, plus rides and other entertainment.



Cultural Events in July

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC 

Bastille Day
SummerStage at Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Manhattan 
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Celebrate French culture in NYC with the whole family. Bastille Day (July 14), aka the national day of France, is a long-standing tradition!

Arab-American & North African Cultural Street Festival
Great Jones Street between Lafayette Street and Broadway, Noho
Facebook
This one-day festival features live music, Lebanese, Moroccan and Egyptian cuisines, exhibitions, and more on Great Jones Street between Lafayette and Broadway. 

Cultural Events & Festivals in Brooklyn

International African Arts Festival
Commodore Barry Park, Navy Street between Park and Flushing avenues, Brooklyn
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Formerly called the African Street Festival, this event began in 1971 as a small block party. It’s now a huge celebration for African culture. There will be vendor booths for crafts, clothing, art, books, and more, as well as food and entertainment for the whole family.

Global Ubuntu Festival
Commodore Barry Park, Flushing Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn
Celebrate African and Black culture through food, dancing, music, storytelling, and much more!

Cultural Events & Festivals in Queens 

Thunderbird American Indian Powwow 
Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks
Thunderbird is NYC’s oldest and largest powwow! More than 40 Indian nations are represented, along with traditional clothing, dancing, bon fires, music, and more. There are also arts and crafts, jewelry, and delicious food to eat.

Cultural Events & Festivals on Long Island

The Feast of St. Rocco
July 28-Aug. 1: Wednesday-Friday, 6-11pm; Saturday, 3-11pm; Sunday, 3-10pm
The Church of Saint Rocco, 18 3rd St., Glen Cove
Facebook
St. Rocco’s Feast is one of the largest celebrations of Italian culture on Long Island! The “Best Feast in the East” offers all the Italian food your family can eat, rides, live music, and more.

Cultural Events in August

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC

Harlem Week
Aug. 6-15
Facebook
Harlem Week, which began as Harlem Day in 1974, is a celebration of African-American, African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European history, arts, culture, religion, business, entertainment, and sports. This year’s festival will be a mix of virtual and in-person events.

Cultural Events & Festivals in Queens

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, Aug. 7; schedule TBA
Flushing Meadows Park, Flushing
Facebook
This is a great opportunity to experience Chinese culture! Watch as teams from around the world compete in this traditional Chinese summer event. Along with the racing boats, families can enjoy multicultural artists and traditional music and dance from around the globe, plus a food court with traditional treats.

Cultural Events & Festivals in Brooklyn

41st Annual Brighton Jubilee
Sunday, Aug. 29
Brighton Beach
A Brooklyn tradition that celebrates the borough's diversity, this multi-block festival features entertainment, live music, rides for kids, delicious food booths, and local merchandise. 

Living Earth Family Day
Saturday, Aug. 28
Virtual
Join the National Museum of the American Indian for a day of on-demand online activities, including painting and bracelet making, and the opportunity to learn more about Indigenous food, plants, and summer fun.

Cultural Events & Festivals in Orange County

New York Renaissance Faire
Aug. 21-Oct. 3
600 Route. 17A, Tuxedo Park, NY
Facebook
Take a step back in time to Elizabethan England for 16th century-style games, rides, crafts, music, dance, and tasty food. See knights in shining armor and old time costumes. Shop in the artisan market to take some of the fun home with you. Special themed weekends include a Time Travelers’ Weekend and Pirate Weekend—and kids can join the Kid Quest to uncover the magic of the Enchanted Forest anytime!

Cultural Events in September

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC

Brazilian Day
Sunday, Sept. 5
West 46th Street, Little Brazil, Manhattan
Facebook
The festival and outdoor concert celebrating Brazil’s Independence Day started as a small group of Brazilians who wanted to celebrate the holiday. It now spans 25 blocks. There will be traditional food to eat along with lively dancing, music, and celebration for all ages. The costumes will delight and the festivities will go on all day long.

The Annual Feast of San Gennaro
Sept. 16-26, see website for schedule
Grand and Mott streets, Little Italy
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This huge annual celebration includes colorful parades, live musical performances, and all the Italian food you can eat. 

German-American Steuben Parade
Saturday, Sept. 18
Fifth Avenue, between 65th and 86th streets, Upper East Side
FacebookInstagram
Cheer for the marchers while enjoying music, dance groups, and people in Karneval costumes and historic Tracht.

Autumn Moon Cultural Festival
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St.,Chinatown
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Take in various stage performances, cultural arts and crafts, calligraphy, moon cake tastings, and gift vendors.

Medieval Festival 
Fort Tryon Park, Broadway to the Hudson River, Manhattan
Go back to the Middle Ages at this annual festival sure to delight kids and adults of all ages. Wander through the medieval market town and see performers in period dress, along with magic acts, dancing, juggling, and even jousting on horseback. There will be medieval food, drinks, and crafts to enjoy. Don’t forget to dress in your medieval best!

Cultural Events & Festivals in Brooklyn

The Great Irish Fair
Saturday, Sept. 25
Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk, 3052 W. 21st St., Brooklyn
Facebook
Celebrate Irish-American culture and heritage with traditional and contemporary Irish music, food and pubs, Irish dancing, Irish goods, and activities for children. This year’s performers include Gaelic Storm and the Canny Brothers Band.

Cultural Events & Festivals on Staten Island

1776 Peace Conference House Celebration
Saturday, Sept. 18
Conference House Museum, 7455 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island
Celebrate American history and culture with the family on Staten Island. Kids can enjoy interactive museum displays and demonstrations outside, and past festivals have included colonial-style dancing and food. 

Cultural Events in October

Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC

Columbus Day Parade
Monday, Oct. 11
Fifth Avenue, from 47th to 72nd streets, Manhattan
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Honor Italian Americans’ contributions to NYC with thousands of visitors and parade participants. There will be more than 100 bands and floats, including high-school bands, professional groups, and traditional dances. This parade is the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American and Italian culture. 

Main photo: Dancers at the French Institute Alliance Francaise's Bastille Day celebration
Photo by Sasha Arutyunova

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