Things to do in NYC in January 2025 include many showcases for the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP). While The City is catching its breath from the holidays, booking agents fill New York theaters and night clubs for APAP’s JanArtsNYC performing arts festival showcases.
January’s U.S. holidays are New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day.
January weather is peak winter with average temperatures of 26-39°. New York City’s coldest month is still a great time to visit. You just need to plan what to do. It’s too cold for wandering around and may be slushy. Bring a jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves so you can layer.
Things to do in NYC in January 2024
- ART ~ Winter Show (Jan 24 – Feb 2), Master Drawings (2024).
- BOOKS ~ Nuyorican Bowery Slam 🇵🇷 (Mondays), Nuyorican Poets Cafe Monthly Grand Slam 🇵🇷 (Jan 31)
- DANCE ~ American Dance Platform (2024), Underground Uptown Dance Festival (Jan 24 – Feb 2), New York City Ballet (Jan 21 – Mar 2), Nelida Tirado flamenco 🇵🇷 (Wednesdays)
- DANCING ~ Tango La Nacional 🇦🇷 (Thursdays)
- FILM ~ New York Jewish Film Festival (2024), Cinema Tropical Awards (2024)
- FOOD ~ NYC Restaurant Week (2024).
- MUSIC ~ Chris Botti 🇮🇹 (Dec 9 – Jan 5 ), Winter Jazzfest (Jan 9-15), Prototype Opera Theatre Now (Jan 9-19), Unity Jazz Festival (Jan 10-11), NYC Jazz Piano Festival (2024), globalFEST (2024).
- PARADES & STREET FAIRS ~ Three Kings Day Parade 🇵🇷 (Jan 6), Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival (Sat, Feb 10, 2024)
- THEATRE ~ Under the Radar (Jan 4-19), Live Artery (2024), NYC Broadway Week (Jan).
The APAP conference of booking agents brings many dance, music, and theatre showcases.
Latin Culture in January 2025
- BIRTHDAYS ~
- FESTIVALS ~ Haitian Independence Day 🇭🇹 (Jan 1), Letter of the Year 🇨🇺 (Jan 1), Solemnity of Mary 🇮🇹 (Jan 1), Three Kings Day 🇵🇷 (Jan 6), Eleguá 🇨🇺 (Jan 6), Las Octavitas 🇵🇷 (Jan 7-14), San Sebastian 🇵🇷 (Jan 20), Dominican Heritage Month 🇩🇴 (Jan 21-Feb 27), Altagracia 🇩🇴 (21), Lunar New Year (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan 27).
- NATIONAL DAYS ~ Juan Pablo Duarte 🇩🇴 (Jan 26)
Latin Travel in January 2025
Puerto Rico Travel
La Sanse or Las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, Puerto Rico’s biggest festival, is in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, from Thursday-Sunday, January 16-19, 2025. 🇵🇷
Things To Do in NYC January 1-5, 2025
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Happy New Year 2025!
Latin Festivals
The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 says that “all persons…shall be free.” 🇺🇸
Latin Festivals
Haitian Independence Day, January 1, 1804, marks one of the great humanitarian achievements of all time. It’s the only time in history that a people freed themselves, and founded a republic. 🇭🇹
Latin Festivals
The Cuban Yoruba community produces the Letter of the Year, a foretelling of events and good behaviors for the coming year. 🇨🇺
Latin Festivals
The Solemnity of Mary celebrates the divinity of mother and child. 🇮🇹
African American Holidays
Kwanzaa, the African American holiday that was started in New York City, ends with Imani ~ Faith. “Habari Gani?”
Italian Jazz Holidays
Chris Botti, the New York Italian trumpeter who is one of America’s most popular jazz instrumentalists, plays his 20th Holiday Residency at the Blue Note New York in Greenwich Village; on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at 7pm & 9:30pm (5pm & 9pm doors). From $86. 🇮🇹
Traditional Flamenco Dance
Nélida Tirado dances traditional flamenco at Chez Messy, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Washington Heights, Manhattan; on Wednesdays from 8:30-10:30pm. 🇵🇷
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Italian Jazz Holidays
Chris Botti, the New York Italian trumpeter who is one of America’s most popular jazz instrumentalists, plays his 20th Holiday Residency at the Blue Note New York in Greenwich Village; on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 7pm & 9:30pm (5pm & 9pm doors). From $86. 🇮🇹
Argentine Tango Dance Party
Tango La Nacional, NYC’s most traditional milonga, is at La Nacional, the Spanish social club in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Dancing at 8pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Best dancers arrive late. Dancing ends around 2am. $25 🇦🇷
Friday, January 3, 2025
Italian Jazz Holidays
Chris Botti, the New York Italian trumpeter who is one of America’s most popular jazz instrumentalists, plays his 20th Holiday Residency at the Blue Note New York in Greenwich Village; on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 7pm & 9:30pm (5pm & 9pm doors). From $86. 🇮🇹
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Famous Birthday
Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American Hollywood star, was born in Los Angeles, California on January 3, 1905. 🇺🇸
Italian Jazz Holidays
Chris Botti, the New York Italian trumpeter who is one of America’s most popular jazz instrumentalists, plays his 20th Holiday Residency at the Blue Note New York in Greenwich Village; on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 7pm & 9:30pm (5pm & 9pm doors). From $86. 🇮🇹
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Famous Birthday
Alvin Ailey, founder of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the African American dance company that popularized modern dance around the world, was born in Rogers, Texas (near Austin) on January 5, 1931. 🇺🇸
Three Kings Day Parade Breakfast ~ (2024)
The 47th Three Kings Day Breakfast is an opportunity to meet parade honorees and community leaders at El Museo del Barrio in “El Barrio” East Harlem; on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 8:30-10:30am. FREE. 🇵🇷
Three Kings Day Parade ~ (2024)
The 47th Three Kings Day Parade 2024 features the Three Kings, giant puppets, camels, floats and live music including Puerto Rican bomba or plena by BombaYo, Latin jazz by Annette Aguilar & Stringbeans, the women’s Brazilian drum line Fogo Azul, and more in the parade on Park Avenue from 106th St to 115th St; on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 11am – 12pm. FREE. 🇧🇷 🇵🇷
Three Kings Day Parade Celebration ~ (2024)
The 47th Three Kings Day Celebration follows with Puerto Rican television host Rhina Valentin and live bomba and plena music, and probably some dancing, by Los Pleneros de la 21 in El Teatro at El Museo del Barrio in “El Barrio” East Harlem; from 1:30-3pm. FREE. 🇵🇷
Italian Jazz Holidays
Chris Botti, the New York Italian trumpeter who is one of America’s most popular jazz instrumentalists, plays his 20th Holiday Residency at the Blue Note New York in Greenwich Village; on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 7pm & 9:30pm (5pm & 9pm doors). From $86. 🇮🇹
House of Yes 9th Birthday Party ~ (2024)
New York Puerto Rican DJ Eli Escobar, Colombian DJ Madame Vacile, Bronx Dominican DJ Ultra Violet, and Bronx Dominicans Dos Flakos; make the House of Yes Birthday Party at House of Yes in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Friday, January 5, 2024 from 10pm – 4am. From Free to $41. 🇵🇷 🇨🇴 🇩🇴 🇩🇴
Things To Do in NYC January 6-12, 2025
Monday, January 6, 2025
Latin Festivals
Three Kings Day is the Hispanic gift-giving day at the end of Christmas season. 🇪🇸 🇵🇷
Latin Festivals
Elegúa, orisha of the crossroads (destiny) and messenger of God, the same one God as in many religions, is celebrated in Cuban Yoruba tradition on Three Kings Day, January 6. 🇨🇴 🇨🇺 🇩🇴 🇭🇹 🇵🇷
Carnival Travel
New Orleans Mardi Gras Carnival starts on Kings Day, January 6 and builds to its climax on Fat Tuesday. 🇺🇸
Three Kings Celebration ~ (To Be Confirmed)
Meet the Three Kings and receive a free gift; at the Three Kings Block Party; at Teatro SEA, at the Clemente Center in Manhattan’s Lower East Side; on Monday, January 6, 2025, from 3-5pm. FREE. 🇵🇷 🎄
Salsa Dance Party
Latin Mondays at Taj by Talia Castro-Pozo, one of NYC’s most popular Latin dance parties, is at Taj II in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, on Mondays. 5pm doors. 7pm salsa lesson. Live sets at 9pm and 11pm. From $13. 🇨🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇵🇷🇵🇦🇵🇪🇻🇪
Puerto Rican Spoken Word
The Nuyorican Bowery Slam is at the Bowery Poetry Club in NoHo, Manhattan; on Mondays. Sign-up at 6:30pm for the slam from 7-9pm. $20. 🇵🇷
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Latin Festivals
Las Octavitas, extend the Puerto Rican Christmas season until January 14 and Puerto Rico’s biggest festival, the Sanse, Las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián in Old San Juan which begins this year on January 18. 🇵🇷
Famous Birthdays
Juan Gabriel, the Mexican Elvis who opened doors for Latin singers, was born in Parácuaro, Michoacán, Mexico; on January 7, 1950. 🇲🇽
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Traditional Flamenco Dance
Nélida Tirado dances traditional flamenco at Chez Messy, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Washington Heights, Manhattan; on Wednesdays from 8:30-10:30pm. 🇵🇷
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Argentine Tango Dance Party
Tango La Nacional, NYC’s most traditional milonga, is at La Nacional, the Spanish social club in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Dancing at 8pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Best dancers arrive late. Dancing ends around 2am. $25 🇦🇷
Friday, January 10, 2025
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Things To Do in NYC January 13-19, 2025
Monday, January 13, 2025
Salsa Dance Party
Latin Mondays at Taj by Talia Castro-Pozo, one of NYC’s most popular Latin dance parties, is at Taj II in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, on Mondays. 5pm doors. 7pm salsa lesson. Live sets at 9pm and 11pm. From $13. 🇨🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇵🇷🇵🇦🇵🇪🇻🇪
Puerto Rican Spoken Word
The Nuyorican Bowery Slam is at the Bowery Poetry Club in NoHo, Manhattan; on Mondays. Sign-up at 6:30pm for the slam from 7-9pm. $20. 🇵🇷
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Famous Birthday
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the great American civil rights leader, was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. From the words of Rev. Dr. King, we realized that we are part of his community, and he is part of our community. That expanded our world exponentially. 🇺🇸
Traditional Flamenco Dance
Nélida Tirado dances traditional flamenco at Chez Messy, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Washington Heights, Manhattan; on Wednesdays from 8:30-10:30pm. 🇵🇷
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Famous Birthday
Roberto Roena “El Señor Bongó,” a bomba and salsa legend for Cortijo y Su Combo, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, and Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound; was born in Dulces Labios, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico on January 16, 1940. 🇵🇷
Argentine Tango Dance Party
Tango La Nacional, NYC’s most traditional milonga, is at La Nacional, the Spanish social club in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Dancing at 8pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Best dancers arrive late. Dancing ends around 2am. $25 🇦🇷
Friday, January 17, 2025
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Things To Do in NYC January 20-26, 2025
Monday, January 20, 2025
Catholic Saints
The Roman Catholic Feast of San Sebastián, the early Christian saint and martyr, a saint of athletes (for his male beauty) and the LGBTQ+ community (for his martyrdom), and protection from plagues (from the Greek god Apollo), is January 20. 🇫🇷 🇮🇹
Salsa Dance Party
Latin Mondays at Taj by Talia Castro-Pozo, one of NYC’s most popular Latin dance parties, is at Taj II in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, on Mondays. 5pm doors. 7pm salsa lesson. Live sets at 9pm and 11pm. From $13. 🇨🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇵🇷🇵🇦🇵🇪🇻🇪
Puerto Rican Spoken Word
The Nuyorican Bowery Slam is at the Bowery Poetry Club in NoHo, Manhattan; on Mondays. Sign-up at 6:30pm for the slam from 7-9pm. $20. 🇵🇷
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Dominican Festival
La Virgen de la Altagracia (The Virgin of Highest Grace) is the patron saint of the Dominican Republic. 🇩🇴
New York Dominican Festival
Dominican Heritage Month, from January 21 to February 27, is a New York State celebration of Dominican Heritage, which began with Juan Rodríguez, New York City’s first immigrant, in 1613. 🇩🇴
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Traditional Flamenco Dance
Nélida Tirado dances traditional flamenco at Chez Messy, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Washington Heights, Manhattan; on Wednesdays from 8:30-10:30pm. 🇵🇷
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Argentine Tango Dance Party
Tango La Nacional, NYC’s most traditional milonga, is at La Nacional, the Spanish social club in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Dancing at 8pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Best dancers arrive late. Dancing ends around 2am. $25 🇦🇷
Friday, January 24, 2025
Saturday, January 25, 2025
East Asian Festival
Lunar New Year 2025 Year of the Snake is the East Asian spring festival. 🇨🇳🇰🇭🇰🇷🇰🇵🇯🇵🇲🇳🇵🇭🇸🇬🇹🇼🇹🇭🇺🇸
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Dominican National Day
Juan Pablo Duarte, the founding father of the Dominican Republic, was born in Santo Domingo on January 26, 1813. There are celebrations at the Altar de la Patria in Santo Domingo, and Duarte Square in Hudson Square, Manhattan. 🇩🇴
Things To Do in NYC January 27 – February 2, 2025
Monday, January 27, 2025
Salsa Dance Party
Latin Mondays at Taj by Talia Castro-Pozo, one of NYC’s most popular Latin dance parties, is at Taj II in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, on Mondays. 5pm doors. 7pm salsa lesson. Live sets at 9pm and 11pm. From $13. 🇨🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇵🇷🇵🇦🇵🇪🇻🇪
Puerto Rican Spoken Word
The Nuyorican Bowery Slam is at the Bowery Poetry Club in NoHo, Manhattan; on Mondays. Sign-up at 6:30pm for the slam from 7-9pm. $20. 🇵🇷
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Traditional Flamenco Dance
Nélida Tirado dances traditional flamenco at Chez Messy, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Washington Heights, Manhattan; on Wednesdays from 8:30-10:30pm. 🇵🇷
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Argentine Tango Dance Party
Tango La Nacional, NYC’s most traditional milonga, is at La Nacional, the Spanish social club in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Dancing at 8pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Best dancers arrive late. Dancing ends around 2am. $25 🇦🇷
Friday, January 31, 2025
Puerto Rican Spoken Word
The Nuyorican Poets Cafe Monthly Grand Slam is at the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan; on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 9:30pm – 1am. $35. 🇵🇷