NYC Cultural Festivals That Will Transport You To Another Country, New York

New York City is probably the biggest cultural melting pot of anywhere else in the United States. This combination of different languages, foods, and customs makes New York City a fabulous place to work and live if you enjoy experiencing diversity. There are many ethnic neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs where various cultural groups live and own stories and restaurants together, such as Borough Park, Brooklyn where Hassidic Jews tend to live, or K-Town near Herald Square, Manhattan where many Koreans live. Walking through one of these neighborhoods can transport you to another place, but in order to get fully immersed in the culture’s music, food, language, and mood, you should attend one of the city’s many cultural festivals and parades.

In September, Little Italy holds the eleven-day Feast of San Gennaro in honor of the million Italian Immigrants that came to that area in lower Manhattan in the early 20th century. This street fair is host to authentic Italian music, parades, religious processions, and food including a famous cannoli-eating competition. Don’t miss out on taking full advantage of Little Italy while you are there, and dine at Da Gennaro for an authentic Italian meal.

A citywide event favorite is the Chinatown New Years Parade that is held in January or February of each year. The parade features floats of traditional musicians and dancers, and celebrates one of the twelve animals on the Chinese calendar that change yearly. The It is popular to get dim sum before the parade begins, perhaps at the authentic restaurant Sunshine 27, or find a place to eat a meal at one of the hundreds of Chinese restaurants that will be open after the parade commences.

The city’s St. Patrick Day parade is a popular event in March that gives homage to the many Irish immigrants that journeyed to New York to begin their new lives, and celebrates the culture as a whole. The streets turn green as the crowd wears few other colors, and bagpipers and floats make their way through Manhattan. Many bars in the city also have holiday drink specials you may want to hit up after, such as McSorley’s Old Ale House in which is oldest saloon in New York City, established in 1854.

While the festivals celebrating Italy, China, and Ireland may be among the most popular in New York City, there are also a host of other cultural events throughout the year that are not to be missed including but not limited to Brazilian Day, The Pulaski Day Parade, The Philippine Independence Day Parade, and the German-American Steuben Day Parade. Whether you are celebrating your own cultural background or that of other’s, take time to make new friends and learn more about the culture of the event.