The best parties New York

From the end of November, the city will be dressed in its most beautiful clothes. Christmas markets in Bryant Park, Union Square and Williamsburg, cinnamon hot chocolate smell, decorated 5th Avenue windows, giant fir tree at Rockefeller Center, New York doesn't do things halfway when Christmas arrives. Recommended activities on Christmas Eve include: The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, The Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center, a visit to Dyker Heights' beautifully illuminated homes in Brooklyn and Mass at Saint John the Divine Cathedral.

The Coney Island Sirens Parade is traditionally held on the last or penultimate weekend of June. The stated goal is to elect the most beautiful mermaid after the parades by tank, car or other carriage. This show, which is burlesque, erotic and cheesy at the same time, is a pretext for fun in a fairground atmosphere from another time! More than 3,000 people participate in the parade each year. Men, women, children, everyone is welcome, so why not let yourself be tempted? Zany costumes, music and good humour guaranteed!

On the Saturday before Halloween, dogs have been parading in disguise in Tompkins Square for over 30 years. Dogs and their owners wear a matching costume. You will see hundreds of dogs in the most inventive costumes, three-headed dogs, superman dogs, chihuahua mariachi, there is something for everyone! The parade takes place between noon and 3pm. Prizes are awarded for the most beautiful costumes and a quest is organized for charities.

Since 1916, Nathan's Famous, Coney Island's hot dog king, has been holding a giant hot dog eating contest on National Day. The record is held by a certain Joey "jaws" Chestnut, who in 2021 managed to swallow no less than 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes! In fact, it's the world record. In the women's category, New Yorker Miki Sudo won in 2020 after swallowing 48 hot dogs. Unique and kitschy!