Warm autumn sunshine and lush fall colours make New York City in October an even more enticing travel destination than it already is. From the spectacular Columbus Day parade to dozens of Halloween events, there is no shortage of things to do to enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

Columbus Day Parade
Columbus Day falls on the second Monday of October, and this autumn long weekend is a popular one with travellers. New York City’s annual Columbus Day parade, a long-running tradition since 1929, takes place on Fifth Avenue and celebrates the great growth and contributions of the Italian-American community. Broadcast on six continents, the parade boasts thousands of marchers, a steady stream of colourful floats and live music and entertainment ranging from the traditional to the cutting-edge.

The kids are going back to school, the weather is still warm and the sun is still shining – making New York City in September an ideal destination. Check out a ball game at Yankee Stadium, have dinner in Little Italy during the San Gennaro Festival, or grab a water bottle and explore the city with one of the many walking tours available.

Harlem Week is a two month long celebration of the diversity and culture of one of the world’s most famous neighborhoods – Harlem in New York City. In 1974, the idea of Harlem Day was created to pay tribute to the fascinating past and present of the neighborhood. A group of activists were intent on putting Harlem back on the map when it came to the cultural, religious and social development in the city. The one-day festivity soon gave way to Harlem Week – an event that slowly came to spread over the months of July and August each year. Today, this festival attracts over a million visitors who come to celebrate with locals.

It’s more than just the weather that’s hot in the Big Apple in August. From free film screenings to colourful street parades, the city’s culture comes to life during the beautiful summer season. In addition to the summer-long schedule of free concerts and productions such as Central Park’s Summerstage and Shakespeare in the Park, here are some other activities to consider checking out during an August trip to New York City.

If you thought that you’ve seen it all when it comes to fireworks displays, you haven’t yet experienced what Macy’s has to offer you. Using up to 55 times more fireworks than the average fireworks display in the United States, the New York department store, Macy’s, has continued to bring joy and celebration to the city with its exceptional fireworks display every Independence Day for the past thirty years. The Macy’s 4^th of July Fireworks Spectacular is one good reason to visit the city during the summer months and see how New Yorkers know how to celebrate!