You’d be hard-pressed to find an American who’s not familiar with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Every fourth Thursday of November, droves of folks and quite a few floats parade through Manhattan, ringing in the start of the holiday season for IRL spectators and at-home viewers around the globe. And while the singing celebs and costumed dancers bring plenty of excitement to the day’s festivities, the larger-than-life, unlike-anything-else-you’ve-seen balloons hovering overhead earn the most oohs and aahs.
Thursday’s famous parade is a beloved tradition, but few realize that the best opportunity to see the helium-filled balloons up close actually happens on Thanksgiving Eve. The Macy’s Balloon Inflation takes place in the shadows of the American Museum of Natural History on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. From 1-8pm on Wednesday, November 27, you can snap photos in front of the grounded polyurethane giants as they come to life in preparation for the main event.
We’ve answered the most burning questions about Thanksgiving’s most underrated celebration below, including which new balloons are joining the lineup this year.
PHIL ROEDER/FLICKR
How does the Balloon Inflation work?
Every year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons are transported from the Macy’s Parade Studio in Moonachie, New Jersey, and laid out in the Upper West Side. They’re ceremonially inflated on Thanksgiving Eve, when the public can get a front row sneak peek of the parade’s newest, biggest, and most beloved balloons. Guests will line up for the viewing at 73rd Street and Columbus Avenue, make their way through security, and be guided through the inflation area moving clockwise around the Natural History Museum, starting at 77th Street/Central Park West and ending at 81st Street/Central Park West.
How do I get there?
Subway is the fastest form of travel in NYC, and in this case, you’ll want to take the B or C lines to 72nd Street. You’ll be tempted to get off at the Museum of Natural History stop at 81st Street, but don’t! The lineup area is much closer to 72nd. You can also ride the 1, 2, or 3 lines to 72nd Street. If you’re coming from the east side of Central Park, you can take the 65th Street Transverse via bus or car.
PHIL ROEDER/FLICKR
What’s the best time to see the balloons?
If you’re looking for a less crowded viewing experience, arrive at the entry point earlier in the day. If you’re looking to see the balloons in their final stages of inflation, brave the crowds at night. The balloons begin taking their general form between 1 and 3pm, but by dark, they’ll look much more complete. If you’re leaning toward the later hours, just be sure to get in before 8pm or you’ll be turned away.
What should I bring?
November in NYC isn’t strikingly warm. The current forecast predicts occasional rain showers on Wednesday, with a high of 57 and a low of 43, so layer up, bring comfortable footwear, and grab a poncho to stay dry. Carrying a full camera might become a hassle, but make sure you have something to take photos with!
Note: Umbrellas, backpacks, large bags, alcohol, drones, and e-cigs will not be allowed through security, so plan accordingly.
What balloons are new this year?
This year’s parade will feature three new character balloons and two new heritage balloons. Get an early look at these five budding icons on Wednesday:
Astronaut Snoopy | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Astronaut Snoopy
The parade’s most prominent character got a redesign to commemorate 50 years since the moon landing. Dimensions: 43L x 29W x 49H # of handlers: 90
Green Eggs and Ham | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Green Eggs and Ham
A green “hammobile” the size of 4 million eggs, or 14,000 hams, joins the parade following the release of Netflix’s new Dr. Seuss-inspired show. Dimensions: 51L x 27W x 46H # of handlers: 90
Spongebob Squarepants & Gary | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Spongebob Squarepants & Gary
Spongebob’s speechless sidekick joins the festivities with this newly designed character balloon honoring the iconic cartoon’s 20th anniversary. Dimensions: 46L x 36W x 44H # of handlers: 90
Love Flies Up to the Sky | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Love Flies Up to the Sky
The latest entry in the Blue Sky Gallery series recognizes the talent of renowned contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. Dimensions: 30L x 36W x 34H # of handlers: 40
Smokey Bear | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
Smokey Bear
The star of America’s longest-running PSA returns for the first time since 1993 to celebrate his 75th birthday. Dimensions: 16L x 25W x 51H # of handlers: 40
Power Rangers Mighty Morphin Red Ranger | COURTESY OF MACY’S, INC.
What balloons are returning?
The new balloons might hog the spotlight, but there are plenty of other familiar characters you’ll catch a glimpse of on the Natural History Museum grounds, including The Elf on the Shelf, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, The Nutcracker, Olaf, Pikachu, Pillsbury Doughboy, and Ronald McDonald. And you won’t have to work hard to spot the tallest balloon, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, measuring 62 feet tall (5 stories high); the longest balloon, Power Rangers Mighty Morphin Red Ranger, measuring 77 feet long; and the widest balloon, Jett by Super Wings, spanning the width of an actual Learjet at 39 feet. See the full lineup of balloons, balloonicles, and trycaloons here.
Some traditions never die, and after 45 years of keeping New York weird, the Village Halloween Parade seems to be one of them. The only nighttime parade in New York City returns to Sixth Avenue on Thursday, October 31, for a highly anticipated celebration of all things spooky.
This year’s theme — Wild Thing! — calls for an exploration of the natural world, a hard lean away from civilization, an inventive take on your inner beast. Expect antlers, expect fur, expect tails, nails, leaves, and straw. And like every other year, you’ll still find giant puppets, whimsical dancers, and thousands of costumed New Yorkers donning their wackiest creations.
For one night only, almost anything goes. So request Friday off work and get ready for the wildest weeknight of the year. Here’s everything you need to know about the 46th annual Village Halloween Parade (and where to celebrate afterward).
Where and when is the parade?
If you didn’t gather from its name, the parade happens in Greenwich Village. The mile-long route is simple: Participants step off at Spring Street and move up Sixth Avenue to 16th Street. Marching begins at 7pm and wraps up around 10:30pm.
COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE
How do I get there?
Traveling underground is always your safest bet for events like these — streets are closed, and buses and traffic are rerouted to avoid the parade area. Rally with your crew before you head to the scene, and brave the subway on Halloween together. You can take the B, D, F, or M lines to the 23rd, 14th, or West 4th Street stations; the 1, 2, or 3 lines to 23rd, 18th, 14th, Sheridan Square, or Houston Street stations; or the A, C, or E lines to West 4th Street, Spring Street, or Canal Street.
What’s the best viewing spot?
The biggest crowd builds at Sixth Avenue and 10th Street, where TV crews set up camp. Arrive extra early to claim a spot if you’re looking to get in on the action. Otherwise, any place along Sixth Avenue will get you a decent vantage point, with the exception of the Ruth E. Wittenberg Triangle, where logistical issues will prevent you from nabbing a view.
COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE
Can I march in the parade?
Yes, but with a catch: Only those in costume will be permitted to march. To join the procession, line up on Sixth Avenue between Spring and Broome streets. Much of Sixth Avenue will be closed off, so it’s best to approach the line-up area from the south (coming up from Canal Street) or the east (entering from Broome or Sullivan). Line-up begins 30 minutes before the parade, at 6:30pm, and lasts until 9pm.
What should I wear?
You don’t have to dress as a “wild thing” to march in the parade, and you aren’t required to wear a costume at all if you’re planning to watch from the sidelines, but what fun is that?
This is an opportunity to flex your creativity muscles and show off the outfit you’ve spent all year brainstorming, wild or not! Take advantage of it and express yourself in whatever costume you see fit. If you decide to march, you’ll automatically be considered for the annual costume contest, so whatever you do, don’t half-ass it.
COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE
Can I bring booze?
No. Sadly, even on the most sinful night of the year, open container laws still apply. And the parade isn’t any more forgiving than NYC government: Its zero tolerance policy for alcohol means you should keep the tallboys to your apartment pregame. You’ve got a long night ahead of you, so pacing yourself is probably for the best.
New Yorkers jump on every opportunity to turn up, and Halloween night is far from an exception. Webster Hell, the parade’s official after-party, returns to the East Village this year, bumping tunes from 8pm till 4am to catch any late-night stragglers. Tickets cost $39.95, and the partygoer whose costume steals the show will walk away with $5,000 cash.
If you’d rather turn up on your own terms, the city has plenty of bars with Halloween spirit. Hunt ghosts at historic haunts like White Horse Tavern and Ear Inn, enter the “Temple of Terror” at beloved rooftop bar Mr. Purple, or find an interactive theatre experience at the West Village’s Jekyll & Hyde Club. Check out our full guide here.
Where can I watch if I can’t make it?
NY1 will broadcast the Village Halloween Parade live from 8-10pm on Halloween night. Click over to channel 1 if you’re in NYC, or sign in with your TV provider and watch online.
The countdown to the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 30, has begun, with plenty of time to prepare for the main event. The combination of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the first-ever stateside WorldPride, and an entire month teeming with all manner of LGBTQIA+ events promises to make this June the greatest Pride month NYC has ever seen. New Yorkers and folks from all over the world are amped to commemorate the Stonewall Inn’s historic place in the modern Gay Rights Movement, celebrate WorldPride’s aim to bridge communities across cultures, and have an all-around excellent time.
WorldPride alone added dozens of new events to 2019’s already packed Pride month calendar, and those are just the tip of the iceberg. Theaters, gay bars, historical societies, libraries, and city parks all have additional educational, entertaining, and decadent plans of their own. So get out the glitter and gear up for the celebration of a lifetime: Here’s every NYC Pride month parade, party, screening, talk, performance, exhibit, ball, festival, and concert you can hit this June.
Sunday, June 2 Jackson Heights NYC’s biggest borough will host the season’s first Pride festival. The parade steps off on 37th Avenue at noon, followed by a block party at 75th Street and 37th Road till 6pm. Don your best ‘fit, get colorful, and make some noise for a shot at one of the coveted Queenie Awards. Cost: Free to attend; bring cash for snacks and sips
Sunday, June 2 Concludes in Hamilton Heights Cycle with pride on a 30-, 60-, 80-, or 100-mile ride through New Jersey and New York to benefit OutCycling’s youth program. Finish the journey with a BBQ festival on the Hudson Greenway. Cost: $90
Tuesday, June 4 Long Island City Educate yourself on the most prominent issues facing the transgender community, and learn what you can do to create a more positive and supportive environment for transgender people today. Cost: Free
Wednesday, June 5 Bushwick Twelve drag stars will face off in what’s sure to be one of New York City’s fiercest Pride Month battles. Who will win your support? Cost: Free
Saturday, June 8 Park Slope/Prospect Park Close out Brooklyn Pride Week with a festivity-packed day. It all starts at 10am with a 5K run around Prospect Park, and continues through the evening with stage entertainment, family activities, a concert in the park, and the Twilight Parade at 7:30pm. Cost: All events are free to attend; 5K participation costs $40
Tuesday, June 11 Brooklyn Heights Most people know Walt Whitman as the brain behind Leaves of Grass, but few have come across his unpublished poetry collection, Live Oak, with Moss, which fervently explores same-sex love. Learn about this little known work at the Brooklyn Historical Society’s moderated discussion. Cost: $10 general admission; $5 for BHS members
Wednesday, June 12 Long Island City Brooklyn Boulders brings Pride to the rock wall with races, climbing instruction, and — check this out — a vertical drag show. It’s bringing in a DJ and providing drinks from Brooklyn Brewery to keep the one-of-a-kind Pride party going. Cost: $15 event pass; $25 climbing + event pass; free for members
Thursday, June 13 – Saturday, July 6 West Village The National Queer Theater is giving a censorship-free voice to four international playwrights whose stories of love, oppression, and injustice shed light on the paucity of civil rights progress made in other parts of the world. Each play runs five times at the IRT Theater. Cost: $20 general admission; $17 youth tickets (ages 30 and below)
Friday, June 14 Bushwick Express yourself in the most colorful way you know how at House of Yes’s disco-themed Pride party. Sparkle under rainbow lights and let your inner pride spill out onto the dancefloor. Cost: $20-30
Monday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 19 Chelsea WorldPride and LGBTQ film presenter NewFest will screen three queer films and one short over three days at SVA Theatre. Each full-length film centers on some facet of LGBTQ culture in NYC, and every screening is followed by a Q&A with key players who brought the stories to life. Cost: $30 per screening; $100 for a three-day VIP pass; NewFest member discounts available
Wednesday, June 19 Bushwick This simple but effective party concept from Videology marries a drinking game with a film screening to delightfully buzzed effect. See Natasha Lyonne in the late ‘90s queer classic But I’m a Cheerleader and get jolly in the process. Cost: $15 general admission; $60 for a VIP ticket with a bottle of sparkling and table service
Friday, June 21 West Village Bring the kids along for an age-appropriate film screening event on Pier 45, hosted by drag star Miss Richfield. This year’s flick is the Academy Award-winning Disney/Pixar hit Coco. Cost: Free to attend; VIP seating available for a pretty penny
Friday, June 21 Midtown Dive into LGBTQ history at the NYPL’s after-hours Pride celebration. The night centers on the Love & Resistance: Stonewall 50 exhibit, and features plenty more entertainment from drag queens and special guests. Cost: $15 for early admission at 7pm; pay-what-you-wish after 8pm (suggested donation $15)
Saturday, June 22 West Village Beloved NYC drag queen Petra Fried hosts this year’s CosPlay event at Pier 40, with Drag Race alum Aja headlining the boat cruise’s talent. You’ve got almost the whole month to perfect your costume — don’t waste it! Cost: Tickets start at $45
1 Bronx Pride March | ED GARCIA CONDE/WELCOME2THEBRONX
Sunday, June 23 The Bronx The northern borough’s bash is expected to attract an estimated 20,000 revelers. The day begins with an 11am rally and march, followed by an afternoon festival with street vendors and performers. Cost: Free to enter
Sunday, June 23 Midtown Enjoy an open bar and brunch buffet on Moxy Hotel’s rooftop in honor of businesspeople who have been instrumental in promoting workplace equality for LGBTQIA+ people this year. Presented in partnership with Thrillist, the Pride Luminaries Brunch will be a morning to remember. Cost: Tickets start at $85
Sunday, June 23 Bushwick Enter the final week of Pride with a hard lean into whips and chains, leather and latex at this ball-style bash celebrating both BDSM and the queer and trans people of color who’ve brought ballroom culture to life in New York City. Newbies and allies are welcome to attend, but encouraged to show enthusiasm from the sidelines out of respect for the participants. Cost: $10 in advance; $15 at the door
Monday, June 24 Brooklyn Heights Learn about Brooklyn’s history of serving marginalized communities with clips from the documentary We Came to Sweat and a panel discussion from experts on the borough’s queer nightlife scene. Cost: $10 general admission; $5 for BHS members
Monday, June 24 – Tuesday, June 25 Tribeca Hear important conversations about global human rights with a range of experts and activists. This two-day conference features performances and presentations that will touch on policy, art, and justice. Cost: $30 one-day admission; $50 two-day admission; student/senior discounts available
Tuesday, June 25 Chelsea This panel discussion, Q&A, and networking opportunity focuses on LGBTQ+ movers and shakers in the entertainment industry. Star Trek legend George Takei and transgender actress Leyna Bloom lead the discussion at SVA Theatre. Cost: $25+ general admission; $15 student admission
Wednesday, June 26 Prospect Heights June may be nearing its end, but WorldPride is just ramping up. Pack into the Barclays Center for a benefit concert kickoff as Whoopi Goldberg, Cyndi Lauper, Ciara, Billy Porter, and Chaka Khan use their talents to raise money for three monumental LGBTQIA+ organizations. Cost: Tickets start at $45
Wednesday, June 26 Brooklyn Heights Separate fact from fiction as two professors unpack the complexities of HIV/AIDS and explore how identity, history, science, and stigma factor into our understanding of the virus today. Cost: $10 general admission; $5 for BHS members
Thursday, June 27 Midtown The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus and LGBTQ choruses from across the country will commemorate Stonewall’s 50th anniversary at Carnegie Hall. Their new choral piece celebrates the Stonewall Uprising’s ripple effect with over 500 participating voices. Cost: Tickets start at $22.50
Friday, June 28 SoHo Thrillist partnered with NYC Pride and meal-delivery non-profit God’s Love We Deliver for the return of this popular culinary experience and fundraiser. Enjoy cooking demonstrations by accomplished chefs and taste their creations on the GLWD terrace, all for a good cause. Cost: Tickets start at $70
Friday, June 28 West Village Remember the Stonewall Uprising at a rally reminiscent of 1969’s. LGBTQIA+ rights have come a long way in the last five decades, but there’s still a long way to go. This call for change should rank high on your Pride month must-dos. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 29 Central Park Start Pride Weekend with your best foot forward by running in (or watching) a 5-mile race through the park. The 38th annual event aims to break the Guinness World Record for the largest Pride charity run. Cost: $37 per runner; discounts available for members, seniors, students, and youth
Saturday, June 29 Lower East Side Five NYC party collectives will band together for an ultra-queer night of fun. When the party’s over, you’ll have five new LGBTQ+ nightlife options to add to your agenda. Cost: General admission is $30
Sunday, June 30 East Village Join NYC Pride for an afternoon of music, activities, and all sorts of treats to go along with the neighboring Pride March. Cost: Free to attend
Sunday, June 30 Manhattan This is the Pride Month event, a tradition that began the year after the Stonewall Riots and has since grown to include millions of LGBTQ+ people and allies. Nab a spot on Fifth or Seventh avenues, celebrate all the progress that’s been made, and call for continued action. Cost: Free
Sunday, June 30 Times Square Squeeze in one more celebration before Pride Month wraps at WorldPride’s last hoorah, where Melissa Etheridge, Jake Shears, and fast-rising pop star MNEK will take the stage alongside a Broadway act and other talent. Cost: Admission is free with registration
If Easter is the Christmas of spring, then Cinco de Mayo may be its New Year’s Eve: the peppy follow-up event characterized by booze, dance music, colorful streamers, and parties that rage on long after the sun folds into the Hudson. Every fifth of May, New Yorkers rally to celebrate Mexican culture through food, music, and — most notably — drinks. While mass intoxication isn’t exactly the reason for the season, it’s certainly enticing.
This year in NYC, May’s liveliest holiday takes flight with rooftop parties, taco-tasting competitions, a live donkey, and enough drink deals to keep you dancing through the weekend. So squeeze in a siesta before you fiesta, and maybe set aside some time to understand why you’re drinking in the first place. You’ve got a busy weekend ahead.
Upper West Side Stroll out of the park and onto a patio for open-air drinking at Infamous Bistro. All day long, they’re serving mezcal palomas for a painless $8. The featured cocktail pairs fresh grapefruit and chili salt with the smoky liquor to create a unique, warm weather concoction. It’s smoke and spice at an affordable price. Cost: $8 per paloma
Taco & Margarita Flight | COURTESY OF CLINTON HALL
Williamsburg, Midtown, Midtown East, FiDi, and Belmont Reward your appetite at any of Clinton Hill’s locations on Sunday. If you’re looking for discounts, get three tacos and three margaritas for $25 total, or order a bucket of Coronas for the same price. At 4pm, customers at the Williamsburg and 36th Street locations can also whack piñatas to score mini tequila bottles. Cost: $25 taco and tequila flights; $25 buckets of Corona; standard menu prices vary
Chelsea Dream Downtown’s resident Mexican hotspot vows to spice things up with the Habanero Hot Box, a pair of tacos packed with four types of chiles, four cheeses, and a smattering of salsas, habanero cream, jalapeno chorizo, and cotija on top. The flaming dish, available from May 1 through the summer, arrives in a smoke-filled glass dome, and until Cinco de Mayo, brave patrons can get the new, creamy El Medico cocktail at half-price to soften the blow. Cost: The Habanero Hot Box (two tacos) costs $16; the El Medico is $8 from May 1-5
SoHo Elevated drinking adds pizzazz to any boozy fiesta, so when Hotel Hugo’s classy rooftop bar promises Cinco de Mayo discounts on a whole roster of drinks, you know you’re in for a good time. All Sunday night, take in Lower Manhattan views and reasonably priced liquor at a beloved SoHo spot. May 5’s must-try is the El Tapatio, a tequila-based cocktail with flavors of orange, cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime. Cost: Select beers are $6; house wine is $8; well cocktails are $9; specialty cocktails (including the El Tapatio) are $10
Chelsea, Tribeca, and Midtown For one week only, you’ll find Cinco-inspired pita tacos at all Hummus & Pita Co. locations. From Friday, May 3, to Friday, May 10, fill fried pita “taco shells” with any combination of their usual ingredients. Falafel? Toss it in the taco. Turkish meatballs? Go for it. Chicken tabun? It’s holiday chicken now. Top with veggies, salads, and a signature hummus for a well-rounded celebratory bite. Cost: $9.95 for a set of three tacos
The seasonal outdoor deck | COURTESY OF BROOKLYN CIDER HOUSE
Bushwick When cideries and Mexican holidays overlap, amazing things happen. Brooklyn Cider House just reopened its outdoor deck, and Cinco de Mayo weekend offers the perfect excuse to break it in. On Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, you’ll find Cider-Ritas, chips & guac, and $2 tacos on the menu. BCH has plenty of other Cinco-friendly options, too, like the shareable Cider House Nachos, complete with your choice of pulled pork, chicken, or veggies. Cost: $2 tacos; $10 Cider-Ritas; $9 chips & guac; prices for standard menu items vary
Nolita Ed is keeping it simple this year, but when a seafood joint decides to take part in the fun at all, who’s to say it’s not enough? Cut to the chase with half-priced mojitos and margs between 3 and 7pm on May 5. It may not be the most traditional Cinco destination, but celebrations are what you make of them — plus, their fish tacos are plenty on-theme. Cost: Cocktails normally run around $12-13; cut in half, you’re looking at less-than-$7 drinks
Kips Bay & Midtown East On May 5, customers at sister bars The Flying Cock and The Horny Ram can expect ice cold beer buckets ($36) and regular happy hour specials from 4-7pm. The Horny Ram will also serve freshly made margaritas ($13) all day long, marked down to $7 at happy hour. Cost: An ice bucket with six beers runs $36; margaritas at The Horny Ram are $13 for most of the day, $7 during happy hour
Thursday, May 2 Union Square Help Thrillist find the best taco in town at this year’s Taco Knockout, where 15 taquerias will serve up their most prized recipes in an attempt to win your vote. Between sampling, stop by the Michelada bar for a custom drink, listen to live music, and snap a pic at the photo booth. That’s living life to the Thrillist. Cost: $65
One of five participating Lower Manhattan bars | ROCHELLE’S NYC
Saturday, May 4 Lower East Side Slink between five watering holes at this holiday bar crawl. Register at Libation between 2 and 6pm and set on your way. Most spots have food and drink promotions until 10, but if it’s a mariachi band you seek, drop into Casa Mezcal before they pack up at 5. Consider tonight a pregame for Sunday’s main events. Cost: $10 wristbands ($7.50 each for groups of four or more) get you discounted drinks at participating bars
Saturday, May 4 NoMad Take Cuatro de Mayo up 20 levels at one of NYC’s best rooftop bars, 230 Fifth. The 20th-floor penthouse comes to life at 8pm, and for the first hour, drinks are 2-for-1, and apps are free throughout the evening. Of course, no skyline-adjacent party’s complete without DJs and dancing, so come prepared to break a sweat as you ring in the month’s booziest day. Cost: $20 admission; 2-for-1 drink specials for the first hour
Sunday, May 5 NoHo Bleecker Street’s Ghost Donkey and Saxon + Parole are bringing extravagance this Cinco season. Their joint party begins at 1pm, when guests can feast at a whole roasted pig taco bar, order a variety of Mexican drinks, dance to a hip-hop mariachi band, see a pro nacho eating contest, and pose for a pic with a live donkey. It’ll be a celebration to remember, minus the hefty entrance fee. Cost: No tickets necessary, but come prepared to pay standard menu prices for food and drinks; table reservations can be made for groups of 10+
Sunday, May 5 Chelsea Yeah it makes your clothes fall off, but like, what is it? Gain a deeper knowledge of your favorite agave spirit at Tequila 101 in the Chelsea Market. Learn what goes into making tequila and how to best use it while sampling four hand-crafted variations, plus its smoky sister spirit, mezcal. The afternoon course is a perfect precursor to your evening festivities, and an excellent day drinking justification. Cost: $50
Sunday, May 5 Lower East Side Open bar, all-you-can-eat tacos, margarita tastings, and guacamole? The Taco Celebration has it all. From 6-8:30pm, soak up the party in Vandal’s Secret Garden, an art-forward indoor/outdoor dining space perfect for celebrating. Cost: $60
Sunday, May 5 Bushwick House of Yes shimmies the extra mile for holiday celebrations, and CINCO has all the markings of another successful Bushwick rager. Let tequila take control as two Brooklyn musicians set the dancefloor mood from 3pm till around 10. Unlike most HoY parties, CINCO is free to enter. Come ready to dance the day away — this just might be NYC’s wildest May 5 fiesta. Cost: Free
