10 International Holidays and Where To Celebrate Them in NYC
It’s estimated that almost 40 percent of New York’s population was born outside the United States, so it’s little wonder that the city is home to a wide array of celebrations from all corners of the globe, each with its own unique customs. Here are 10 international holidays that are observed in the Big Apple, and where to go to make sure you’re at the heart of the action.
1. Chinese Lunar New Year at Sara D Roosevelt Park
Park
New York City public schools first closed for Chinese Lunar New Year in 2016. City dwellers and their children can head to the Lower East Side’s Sara D Roosevelt Park for Chinatown’s Lunar New Year parade and festival, which honors Chinese deities and ancestors. Little ones will marvel at the colorful costumes and masks representing the 12 animals of the Chinese calendar. There are also dancers, singers, food, and an impressive firecracker finale.
2. Brazilian Carnival at Churrascaria Plataforma
Restaurant, Brazilian
The word “carnival” comes from the Medieval Latin carne vale (meaning “flesh, farewell”), and once referred to a period of merrymaking before the pre-Easter period known by Catholics as Lent. Whereas some Catholics lament the start of this 40-day observance early Spring, Brazilians celebrate Carnival with a five-day party that puts even New Orleans’ Fat Tuesday to shame. Carnival celebrations in New York City are tamer than those in Latin America, but you can still enjoy a taste of Brazil at Manhattan’s Churrascaria Plataforma, considered to be one of the best rodízio-style restaurants in the US. Choosing from a selection of fish, chicken, pork and lamb, you can prepare for Lent with a carnivorous feast to end all feasts. Accompany it with a glass of Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha.
3. Greek Independence Day at the Greek Cultural Center
Theater
March 25 commemorates both the start of the Greek War of Independence in 1821 and the Greek Orthodox Church’s celebration of the Annunciation – the day Mary received word from the angel Gabriel that she would become pregnant with the Son of God. Each year in Athens, Greek schoolchildren dress in traditional blue and white garb and parade through the streets, a custom that’s followed by a ceremony of the Greek Armed Forces. Since 1938, New York’s Greeks have been following suit, albeit on a much smaller scale, via The Greek Independence Parade on Fifth Avenue. If parades aren’t your thing, consider seeing a show at the Greek Cultural Center, which promotes the artistic achievements of Greek-Americans.
5. Bastille Day hosted by the French Institute Alliance Française
Museum
For 18th-century French revolutionaries, the Bastille was more than just a towering Parisian prison – it was a symbol of the oppressive monarchy, and therefore, it had to go. Every July 14, the French celebrate that fateful day in 1789 when the Bastille met its demise, effectively beginning the Revolution. Every summer, you can do the same in Manhattan. Bastille Day on 60th Street, hosted by the French Institute Alliance Française, offers performances by can-can dancers, delectable treats like crêpes and macarons, and even chances to win trips to Paris and Bordeaux.
6. Oktoberfest at Zum Schneider
Restaurant, Bar, German
7. The Feast of San Gennaro
Park
8. Día de los Muertos at El Museo del Barrio
Museum, Store
9. Boxing Day on Fashion Avenue
Shop
Occurring on December 26, Boxing Day is rumored to have begun in 17th- or 18th-century England, when postmen, servants, and tradespeople collected “Christmas boxes” of money or gifts as tokens of appreciation for their hard work. Nowadays, Boxing Day celebrations closely mirror the United States’ Black Friday, with citizens of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the other Commonwealth nations heading out to shop for post-Christmas bargains. Celebrate Boxing Day in style on Fashion Avenue, where you can find last-minute deals on everything from fabric to jewelry.
10. Guy Fawkes Day at Cock & Bull
Bar, Pub, British
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