New York, New York

Also in January, the six-day Winter Jazz Fest in Greenwich Village is known for its top-notch lineup and two nights of “marathon” music, with live shows that last into the wee hours of the morning at small venues around the city.

Dog lovers can plan a visit in February to catch the legendary Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Manhattan. In addition to the judged events, attendees can look forward to art exhibits, dog-themed writing seminars, and national club gatherings where they can snap photos of stunning and unique breeds.

It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re Irish, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan in March is for all party-goers. The parade travels up famed Fifth Avenue, passing famous landmarks like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Central Park.

New York City shines in the spring when the snow melts and the trees start to blossom. In April, Sakura Matsuri, the cherry blossom festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, signals the start of the season as the cherry trees burst into a pretty pink splendor.

In August, bring the whole family to the exciting boat races at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. The event takes place in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens where families can expect delicious food, family activities, music, and dancing.

Fall in the City is one of the most colorful seasons, as the leaves change from green to gold and red. In September and October, the New York Film Festival, which is considered the most prestigious of its kind in the country, takes place at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in Manhattan. Attendees are among the first to see feature films, experimental works, documentaries, shorts, and other special screenings.

The biggest marathon in the world, the TCS New York City Marathon, takes place in November. Participants run through all five boroughs, starting at Staten Island and culminating at Central Park in Manhattan.

The annual Taste of Times Square in June offers up small dishes from dozens of restaurants around the city, with flavors of just about every cuisine imaginable. Held every September in the Belmont Little Italy section of the Bronx, the Ferragosto food festival celebrates all things Italian. A taste of the Southern USA comes to Manhattan in January with the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival. In February, Manhattan’s Chinatown rings in the Lunar New Year with colorful street celebrations, a parade, and samples of some of the best Chinese food around. April brings the Bacon and Beer Classic to Queens, an event featuring craft beer and unique pork-centric dishes along with contests, music, and games. During the winter and summer seasons, participating eateries from all over the city create special prix fixe menus for NYC Restaurant Week. For a discounted rate, you can try an appetizer, main dish, and dessert at hundreds of the city’s most popular upscale restaurants.