Spring Events in New York You Won’t Want to Miss

Sharing is caring!

From cherry blossoms and street parades to world-class art fairs and film festivals, the spring events in New York City are some of the best the city has to offer all year. As the temperatures rise and the trees burst into bloom, NYC shakes off its winter hibernation and fills its streets, parks, and venues with an incredible lineup of things to see and do.

Whether you’re a local looking for something new or a visitor planning a trip to New York, this guide has everything you need to make the most of the season.

Spring in NYC typically runs from late March through May, with each month bringing its own lineup of festivals, parades, cultural celebrations, and outdoor fun. Here’s everything happening, organized chronologically so you can plan your visit.

Want to save the article for later? Pin it!

*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we’ve used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!

What to Know Before Enjoying the Spring Events in New York

Spring in NYC typically runs from late March through May, and while the season is beautiful, a little planning goes a long way. Here’s what to know before you head out.

📆 When the Best Spring Events in New York Are

Each month of spring has its own weather and events to look forward to.

If you have flexibility on timing, late April through early May is arguably the sweet spot. I personally love experiencing the cherry blossoms in NYC, so would choose mid-late April,. However, the best time for you will depend on which of the Spring events in New York calls your attention the most.

🌦 What to Expect Weather-Wise

Spring weather in New York City can be unpredictable. Temperatures range from cool in March (often still in the 40s–50s°F) to warm and pleasant by May (60s–70s°F). April is typically the rainiest month, so always pack a light rain jacket regardless of the forecast.

✈️ Getting to NYC

If you’re flying in, you’ll likely arrive at one of three major airports. Each has its own quirks when it comes to getting into the city, so it’s worth reading up in advance. (That’s why we wrote three detailed articles for you!).

Upgrade Your Inspo

Get the best travel tips, tricks, and hidden gems sent directly to your inbox. You’ll become a better traveler, week after week.

Join the community 🚀

Loading…

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Upgrade Your Inspo

Get the best travel tips, tricks, and hidden gems sent directly to your inbox. You’ll become a better traveler, week after week.

Join the community 🚀

Loading…

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

The Best Spring Events in New York City

Here’s the full lineup of spring events in New York, organized chronologically so you can plan your visit month by month.

🎉 Events in New York in March

March marks the beginning of spring in New York City, though the weather can still feel more winter than spring for much of the month. Don’t let that put you off though. The city’s event calendar gets going early, starting with one of the most iconic celebrations in the world.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Spring season kicks off with one of the oldest and most iconic spring events in New York City. St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been marching down Fifth Avenue since 1762, making it older than the United States itself.

More than 150,000 participants march while an estimated 2 million spectators line the route, making it one of the largest parades in the world.

What sets this parade apart is that there are no floats and no vehicles. It’s just marching bands, pipe and drum corps, and ceremonial groups celebrating Irish heritage. The best viewing spot is near St. Patrick’s Cathedral, though arrive early if you want a prime position.

⭐️ Tips for Experiencing St Patrick’s Day in NYC:

🏃 NYC Half Marathon

The United Airlines NYC Half Marathon is one of the most scenic road races in the country and a highlight of the spring running calendar. The 13.1-mile course takes runners through the heart of Manhattan, from Central Park down through Times Square, along the West Side Highway, and finishing in Lower Manhattan, with thousands of spectators cheering along the way.

Even if you’re not running, the race is one of the top Spring events in New York to watch. Runners from all over the world participate, and the Times Square stretch in particular makes for a pretty epic atmosphere. If you want to run it yourself, registration opens months in advance and spots go fast, so book them early!

⭐️ Tips for Experiencing the NYC Half Marathon

💐 April: Blossoms, Broadway, and More

April is the heart of spring in New York City. The cherry blossoms are at or near peak, the weather is warming up, and the city’s cultural calendar is absolutely packed. This is the busiest and most exciting month of the season, and also the one that requires advance planning the most.

🌺 New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show

While it starts in February, the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden runs well into spring and is absolutely worth visiting. Each year features a different theme, with thousands of orchids arranged into spectacular installations across the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

The show is consistently one of the most visually stunning spring events in New York, and particularly incredible for photographers.

⭐️ Tips for Experiencing the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show:

🌸 Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Sakura Matsuri is Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s annual cherry blossom festival and one of the most beloved spring events in New York City. For one weekend each April, the garden celebrates Japanese culture through traditional performances, taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, tea ceremonies, cosplay, and more, all set against the backdrop of the garden’s famous cherry esplanade in full bloom.

Tickets are required and sell out fast, so book well in advance. Even outside of the festival weekend, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC during spring.

⭐️ Tips for Experiencing Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

🎉 Bonus: It’s also worth noting that one of the largest cherry blossom festivals in the entire region is actually just across the river: the Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark, NJ. Branch Brook Park has more cherry blossom trees than Washington D.C., and there are two weekends that have live music, food trucks, and more.

Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossom Festival: A Guide to New Jersey’s Springtime Spectacle

While most American flock to Washington, this gem is where you’ll find the best cherry blossoms in the country

READ THE FULL ARTICLE >

🐣 Easter Parade & Bonnet Festival

New York’s Easter Parade is less of a traditional parade and more of a joyful, spontaneous street celebration. Fifth Avenue is closed to traffic on Easter Sunday, and New Yorkers descend in their most creative and extravagant spring attire. Think towering floral bonnets, vintage suits, themed costumes, and pastel-colored pets.

It’s completely free to attend, and many people participate by dressing up themselves. Even if you just want to watch, the people-watching alone is spectacular. This is one of the most uniquely New York experiences you can have in spring.

🎬 Tribeca Festival

Founded by Robert De Niro in the wake of 9/11 to help revitalize Lower Manhattan, the Tribeca Festival has grown into one of the premier film and culture festivals in the world. Over roughly 10 days each spring, the festival showcases independent films, documentaries, TV premieres, gaming experiences, and live performances, transforming downtown Manhattan into a hub of creative energy.

Red carpet screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and free outdoor events are all part of the lineup. Even if you’re not attending screenings, the atmosphere in Tribeca during the festival is so energetic, with free community events and outdoor screenings throughout the run.

⭐️ Tips for Experiencing Tribeca Festival in NYC

🌍 Earth Day Festival NYC

Earth Day is celebrated with particular enthusiasm in New York City, where environmental activism has gained a lot of traction throughout the years.

The main focal point is Union Square, which has hosted Earth Day events since the very first one in 1970, making NYC one of the original birthplaces of the modern environmental movement. You can expect markets, educational booths, live performances, and community initiatives throughout the day.

Beyond Union Square, events pop up across all five boroughs, from park cleanups and tree plantings to sustainability fairs and film screenings. Many of these events are free and family-friendly, making it one of the most accessible spring events in New York for all ages.

⭐️ Tips for Experiencing Earth Day in NYC

🌷 Macy’s Flower Show

Every spring, Macy’s Herald Square undergoes a breathtaking transformation for its annual Flower Show. The iconic department store’s entire main floor, balcony, and window displays are taken over by thousands of plants, flowers, and trees, creating a fragrant, whimsical indoor garden unlike anything else in the city.

Each year features a different theme, and the displays are genuinely stunning. Admission is free, you simply walk in and explore. It’s one of the most accessible and enjoyable spring events in New York for all ages.

⭐️ Tips for Experiencing the Macy’s Flower Show

Are you in a rush?

Get got you! Save it on Pinterest to read it later.

Save to Pinterest

May: The Season in Full Swing

By May, spring is in full force. The weather is reliably warm, the parks are lush and green, and the city’s biggest outdoor events are in full swing. May also brings some of the most uniquely New York experiences of the entire year, from a 40-mile bike ride through all five boroughs to behind-the-scenes access to some of the city’s most iconic buildings.

🚲 TD Five Boro Bike Tour

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour is one of the most iconic and fun spring events in New York City. Each year, tens of thousands of cyclists take over NYC streets for a car-free 40-mile ride through all five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

The route offers incredible views and a unique perspective of the city that you simply can’t get any other way. The event is open to all skill levels, as it’s a ride rather than a race. Registration fills up quickly, so sign up as soon as tickets go on sale if you’re interested.

🎨 Frieze New York

Frieze New York is one of the most prestigious contemporary art fairs in the world, drawing galleries, collectors, and art lovers from across the globe each spring. Housed at The Shed in Hudson Yards, the fair features hundreds of galleries presenting cutting-edge contemporary and modern art across painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and performance.

Beyond the main fair, Frieze Week transforms the wider city into an art destination, with satellite exhibitions, gallery openings, and events happening across Manhattan and beyond. Even if the main fair ticket price feels steep, the energy around the city during Frieze Week is palpable and much of it is free to experience.

⭐️ Tips for Experiencing Frieze New York

⚓️ Fleet Week NYC

Fleet Week is one of the most exciting and free-to-attend spring events in New York. For about a week every May, U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard ships dock at Midtown Manhattan piers, and sailors and Marines descend on the city in their dress whites. The public can tour the ships, watch military demonstrations, and attend special events including ship tours and ceremonies.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on the West Side is the hub for Fleet Week activities. It’s particularly great for families and anyone interested in military history and naval vessels.

⭐️ Tips for Experiencing Fleet Week in NYC

Spring Events in New York: Final Tips & What’s Next

Spring is one of the very best times to visit or explore New York City, but a little preparation goes a long way. Here’s what to keep in mind for enjoying all of the different SPring events in New York.

Whether you’re watching the parade on St. Patrick’s Day, wandering through the cherry blossoms at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, or catching a film premiere at the Tribeca Festival, there’s truly something for everyone. For a full overview of what the season looks and feels like beyond just the events, check out our ultimate spring in New York guide.

Want to save the article for later? Pin it!

👀 What’s Next?

Now that you know all of the best spring events in New York, here are some other guides to help you plan your trip:

So are you ready to enjoy all of the Spring events in New York? We hope this guide has helped you organize your trip or your season if you’re a local!

Looking for more info about visiting NYC? Don’t miss out on our other New York travel guides! Also, make sure to join to our newsletter so you can get updates on our most recent articles every week, along with exclusive discounts on our shop.

Ready to start planning the most amazing trip to NYC? We can help! As locals, we love designing customized New York itineraries and can also take care of all of the stressful travel arrangements. To learn more, take a look at our travel planning packages.

Here are some other articles you’ll love:

• 

  North America

  Spring in New York: Seasonal Activities, How to Dress, & What to Pack

• 

  North America

  Here’s How to Get Around NYC Like a Local – It’s More Fun & Budget-Friendly!

• 

  North America

  How to Use the NYC Subway like a Local

• 

  Guides | North America

  Why Taking Ferries in New York City is the Most Underrated Way to Get Around

• 

  North America

  JFK to Manhattan: A Guide for Getting from the Airport to the City (By a Local)

• 

  North America

  A Local’s Guide for How to Get from LGA to Manhattan

Sharing is caring!