This post covers things to do in January in New York City in 2024. We include family-friendly, nighttime, and free activities.
As local NYC walking tour guides, we can assure you that January is a great month to visit the city.
Firstly, outside of the first week of the month, it's probably the cheapest time to visit all around, flights, hotels, and theaters.
Secondly, during January, museums and other indoor attractions operate as usual but with short lines and no crowds.
OK. It's cold outside, but who cares? There are enough indoor attractions to keep you busy for months in NYC.
We also considered the many tips from members of our NYC Travel Tips Facebook group.
Interact with locals, like our tour guides, expats, regular visitors, as well as newbies (once you finish this post, of course).
Now, without further ado, on to the post.
- Top 10
- Nighttime Activities
- Free Things to Do
- Family-Friendly
- Tourist Concession Passes
- How's the Weather
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN JANUARY
This is our list of the ten best events and things to do in NYC in January. For even more suggestions, see our comprehensive guide to things to do in NYC.
Several of the items below are already included for free with the purchase of a tourist concession pass.
For tips on the most popular activities in NYC, check out the following posts:
Keep in mind that New Year's Day (January 1st) and Martin Luther King Jr. Day (the 3rd Monday in January) are public holidays so some activities may be affected that day.
1. Attend a Concert
There are so many amazing performers that come through New York City and its surrounding cities.
Whether you're a fan of hard rock, pop music, or even classic 80s tunes, there are plenty of great concerts in the NYC area this January.
Pop Concerts
- Billy Joel | January 11th
- Tool | January 12 & 13
- Aerosmith | January 19
- Black Pumas | January 19
- Madonna | January 22nd, 23rd, 29th
Classical and Opera Concerts
- New York Philharmonic | various dates January 4th-26th
- New Jersey Symphony Orchestra | January 21st
- American Symphony Orchestra | January 25th
- New York Metropolitan Opera | January 6th, 11th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th
Music Festivals and Special Shows
- Freedom Now Suite | January 26th | NJ Performing Arts Center | Celebrating Mac Roach's Centennial
TIP: See the inner workings of Madison Square Garden on their All-Access Tour!
Check here for even more concerts in the NYC area this January
2. Watch a Sports Event
If temperatures become uncomfortably cold, head indoors and see some athletes sweat!
This month, you can see ice hockey inside an arena or a football game.
Though football stadiums are outdoors, the boisterous, electric atmosphere at a Giants or Jets game is worth braving the elements.
Sports events are also a great way to spend an evening.
They are also a family-friendly activity.
Football
Ice Hockey
Basketball
Check here for even more sports events in January.
Note that sports events are also a great way to spend an evening.
TIP: Madison Square Garden offers All-Access Tours so you can see how this iconic arena has become a world landmark.
3. Take a Walking Tours with Free Tours by Foot
January is a fine time to take a walking tour, believe it or not!
Weather can be surprisingly mild, and comfortable if dressed appropriately.
If you want to stay warm, we have several tours of Grand Central Terminal, an NYC gem that is both beautiful and warm!
We also offer food tours, bike tours, and occasional special theme tours like our ghost tours and holiday lights tours.
Our guided walks are free to join and operate on a pay-what-you-like basis, which means you decide what a tour is worth or what you can afford (even free) when the tour is over.
We also have GPS-enabled audio tours and self-guided tours of many neighborhoods that you will likely visit as a tourist in NYC.
4. See a Broadway Show
Winter (except around the holidays) is an off-peak time for shows and you may find that Broadway ticket prices are lower in the colder months.
Note that Broadway Week runs from January 12th through February 8th.
You can often get two-for-the-price-of-one tickets to many Broadway shows.
And, in the video below, Katie, a tour guide with us, Free Tours by Foot, explains the various ways you can get cheaper Broadway tickets.
Here are a few of the best productions taking place this month:
- Funny Girl
- Book of Mormon
- Hamilton
- Lion King
- Aladdin
- Chicago
- Wicked
- Six the Musical
- Moulin Rouge the Musical
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- The Play That Goes Wrong
Click here for even more Broadway shows playing in January
You might also enjoy reading our post on the top 25 performances on Broadway.
TIP: There is a Disney on Broadway tour which includes behind-the-scenes access at a real Broadway theater.
5. See a Stand-up Comedy Show
New York attracts some of the biggest names in comedy, and you'll find some of them performing in January.
Stand Up Comedy
- Jeff Lawrence/Janeane Garofalo | January 3rd, 6th, 10th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 24th, 27th
- Vir Das | January 19th
- Brad Upton | January 27th
Comedy Venues
For even more great stand-up performances, check this list of comedy shows in January in the New York City area.
6. Winter Jazzfest
This annual festival runs from January 11th through 18th, 2024. Over 100 bands will play at dozens of venues across the city.
Let these smoking hot jam sessions warm you up this winter!
You can buy tickets for individual shows, a day pass, or a two-day pass. See their website for the details.
If you aren't in town for the festival dates, you can see some fantastic jazz shows at famous venues like the Village Vanguard and Blue Note in Greenwich Village.
7. Look into a Tourist Concession Pass
A tourist concession pass affords you cheaper
entry into most of NYC’s most popular attractions.
While the passes themselves certainly aren’t free, if you plan your itineraries well, you will end up getting one or two attractions for free each day.
There are several different types of passes, so be sure to read our comparison post to learn about how you can save the most money on your trip.
8. Go Ice Skating
All the ice skating rinks in NYC are open in January, including the famed Rockefeller Center Rink and the Rink at Bank of America Winter Village.
Ice skating is an ideal activity for the whole family and you can go skating at night for a magical experience.
A few ice rinks you can visit include:
- Wollman Rink
- Chelsea Pier Sky Rink
- South Street Seaport Rink
- The Rink at Rockefeller Center
To find out the many places you can go skating in the city, see our post on where to go ice skating in NYC.
9. Visit the Bank of America Winter Village in Bryant Park
Winter Village at Bryant Park is one of the best holiday markets in NYC to shop for one-of-a-kind items including handmade winter clothing, sweaters, hats, mittens, scarves, decorative items, and more.
Although the Winter Village and shops will close around January 2nd, the ice skating rink, The Lodge Bar and Food Hall, and igloos will stay open until March 2024.
There will also be bumper cars on ice starting January 13th.
And, in the video below, tour guides Katie and Lori, from Kostenlose Touren zu Fuß, take you on a virtual tour of the Winter Village in Bryant Park.
It's located in Midtown Manhattan so why not also join one of our Midtown Manhattan Tours? If you can't join us, try our GPS-led audio tour.
Check out our guide on 50+ Things to Do in Midtown Manhattan.
10. Eat a 5-star Meal for Less During Restaurant Week
Enjoy a 5-star meal at a top New York restaurant and pay 1/4 of the regular cost!
During Restaurant Week, more than 300 of New York City’s best restaurants offer a prix-fixe menu for a very low price, relative to their regular prices.
The list of participating restaurants will be available in early January.
Pre-fix meal prices have run around $30, $45, or $60 in the past, and we anticipate the prices will be in this range, or perhaps a bit higher due to inflation.
The 2024 dates have not been released yet, but we expect that it will run again from mid-January to mid-February.
For advice on how to get the restaurants you want, see our post on how to make the most of Restaurant Week.
HONORABLE MENTION: After Christmas Sales at Woodbury Commons
Woodbury Commons is one of the premium outlet malls in New York state. It is only one hour north of New York City and worth the easy ride there.
Our post, How to Get to Woodbury Commons, has everything you need to know to get there, including bus company recommendations as well as directions on how to go by train.
Or, you could watch Katie tell you all about it in this video below.
This huge outlet mall has 220 stores including many upscale stores.
You can find post-holiday sales offering 25%-65% off everything from clothes, household goods, accessories, and much more.
There are also several other NYC outlets where you can save money this January.
HONORABLE MENTION: Take a Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
Hop-on-hop-off bus tours are a good way at any time of the year to see a lot of the city in a little bit of time.
In January, a bus tour has the additional enticing feature of keeping you warm on days that are especially cold.
Since they stop at the popular attraction locations, you can use the bus to move from destination to destination and it is a lot more interesting to look out a bus window than to stand in a crowded subway.
Our post on Hop-On, Hop-Off NYC Bus Tours can help you decide which is best for you. One of the tours is also included on the GoCity Pass.
This is one of the most festive days of the year for all New Yorkers, regardless of heritage.
THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN JANUARY
Below are a few ideas for keeping yourself entertained at night.
Also, be sure to check out all the sections of this post, as you'll find other great nighttime activities, like going ice skating, seeing a concert or Broadway show, or attending a sports event.
For more ideas, see our post on New York City at Night and our New York Night Tours.
See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Lucky for those coming to New York City the first week of January, you get a chance to see the stunning and gigantic Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.
The tree typically remains illuminated from 5:30 a.m. to Midnight every day until mid-January.
See our full post on the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree for much more information.
While you are there, think about visiting the Top of the Rock where you get unparalleled views of New York City.
Read our post on how to get cheaper tickets for Top of The Rock. Access can be found on the GoCity Pass as well.
See New York City Sparkle from Above
Head to one of the five observation decks in January.
You'll have an easier time getting tickets for your preferred time slot and won't fight the crowds to get to the windows.
And in this short video, Katie explains how to plan your visit to the Empire State Building.
- Empire State Building | until 10 pm
- Top of the Rock | until 11 pm
- One World Trade Center Observatory | until 10pm through January 5th, until 9pm from January 6th
- Summit One Vanderbilt | until 11 pm
- Edge Observation Deck | until 10 pm
Not sure which to visit? See our list of the pros and cons of each of them. Some can be found on the GoCity pass.
Go to a Winter Antiques Show
In 2024 The Winter Show takes place from January 19th – 28th, with an opening night party on January 18th.
This is the most prestigious antique show in America.
It is held at the historic Park Avenue Armory and the show highlights an eclectic mix of works dating from ancient times to the present day.
The Armory itself is a gorgeous location to showcase fine works of art. Going to the Winter Antiques Show is worth it just to see the building.
Click here for information on hours, directions to the Armory, and more.
Take a Bus Night Tour
Seeing New York City at night can make for an entirely new way to see the city.
The New York skyline is breathtaking when illuminated after dark.
Night bus tours are also a great way to see many different areas of the city in a short amount of time.
Note that our free self-guided tours are viewable on your device, or our audio tours are equipped with GPS which is good for night or day.
FREE THINGS TO DO IN JANUARY
Here are just a few free things you can do in NYC in January.
We list some free activities in other sections of this post, such as taking a pay-what-you-wish Grand Central Terminal tour or ice-skating at the Rink at Bank of America Winter Village.
Check our comprehensive post on free things to do in NYC for even more suggestions!
Hear Some Gospel Music!
Since January is a non-tourist season you will have a much easier time getting into one of the top Gospel services in New York City.
On Sundays, the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem is one of the most popular services to attend to hear this inspirational music. It's free to attend!
Let Derrick, also a tour guide with us, give you tips to increase your chances that you can attend this service - and how long it could be.
Find out more about this church as well as others where you can hear Gospel music in New York, read our post, Gospel Music in Harlem and the Rest of New York City.
If you're interested in learning more about Harlem, we also have a walking tour of the neighborhood.
Take a Free Tour of Grand Central Terminal
On an especially cold day, kill two birds with one stone by visiting Grand Central Terminal.
You'll be nice and warm while you take in the splendor of this historic train terminal, a true icon of New York City.
And below is a short highlight video narrated by Tour Guide Katie.
There are a number of several free tours you can take.
If you pop into the Terminal spontaneously, you can try our audio tour, which can be used at any time!
Our guide to Grand Central Terminal is filled with helpful information, so be sure to take a look.
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
In 2024, this national holiday falls on January 15th.
Some museums and venues that will likely have shows or exhibits dedicated to Dr. King are:
- Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
- The Museum of the City of New York
- Brooklyn Academy of Music
- Apollo Theater
Both the Apollo Theater and the Schomberg Center are located in Harlem, the perfect neighborhood to visit on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Take a look at our A Harlem Visitors' Guide for suggestions of things to do there.
Attend a Free TV Show Taping
Totally free, totally fun! And totally easier to get a seat in January when the tourist season is over.
This video covers what you need to know about getting free tickets to TV show tapings and live broadcasts of popular shows in NYC.
We include how to apply for tickets, what to expect on the day of the show, as well as information on TV studio tours.
Our post of New York TV Show Tapings explains how you can get free tickets to shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and many more.
THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN JANUARY
Below are just a few ideas for things to do with kids in January.
Many of the activities in other sections of this post are kid-friendly, such as going to a sports event, ice skating, and taking a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
For more family-friendly activities, see our post on things to do with kids in New York City.
We also have a 3-day itinerary for families and our list of over 100 things to do in New York City which includes dozens of kid-friendly activities.
Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden
This fantastic annual show is running until January 15th, 2024.
It's worth taking a bit a slightly longer subway train ride to the Bronx to see these G-scale mini-trains circle 150 of New York City's landmarks along a half-mile of track.
Read more about the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show here.
You will also see the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Libertyund Rockefeller Center re-created with only natural materials like bark and leaves.
For more information, click here.
Annual Three Kings Day Parade
This free parade is now in its 47th year and is a fantastic event for kids.
It features children wearing crowns, music, dancing, puppets, sheep, and even real camels!
This parade is organized by the El Museo del Barrio to honor those who contributed significantly to the Latino community.
The parade usually runs from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. It starts at 106th St and Park Ave and ends at 115th St and Park Avenue in Harlem.
TIP: The El Museo del Barrio is one of many museums you can visit for free. See our post listing free museums in NYC.
Take a Disney on Broadway Tour
Fans of Disney musicals will definitely want to consider taking this unique tour of Broadway focused on their shows.
Not only does this outing include a behind-the-scenes look at a popular theater, but you'll also have the chance to try on actual props and costumes used in productions like The Lion King and Mary Poppins!
Even if you can't make it out to see one of these musicals, chances are that you and your entire family will enjoy this Disney on Broadway tour.
- $72/Adults, Students | $55/Children
- Includes admission to New Amsterdam Theatre.
- Includes the opportunity to try on actual costumes and props.
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Visit an Attraction or Museum without the Crowds
Below are indoor, kid-friendly experiences that will keep your little ones warm and entertained. These attractions are quite fun for grown-ups too!
Be sure to see our Museums and Attractions section in our post Things To Do with Kids in NYC.
- Madame Tussauds
- Ripley's Believe It or Not
- Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
- New York Transit Museum
- Tenement Museum
- Museum of Broadway
National Geographic Ocean Odyssey
Stay warm while you take a deep dive into the ocean.
Using photo-real animation with giant projection screens and immersive sound, your simulated ocean voyage will feel real.
This is a great activity for families with children as there is a great deal of interactive technology including touch screens, holograms, and games involving ocean conservation/research. Get all the information here.
Find out about more family-friendly activities from our post on things to do with kids in NYC.
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