HOLIDAYS

There is no denying it, the Americans do the holidays better than pretty much anyone, so why not join the party?

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Most of us let the summer solstice, on 21 June, pass without a thought, but in Times Square thousands of yogis roll out their mats to join one of the seven outdoor yoga classes that run from 7: 30am to 8: 45pm. If you don’t know your downward dog from your lotus pose, Manhattanhenge is a pretty spectacular sight to behold when the setting sun is aligned with the East- West streets of Manhattan.

timessquarenyc.com INDEPENDENCE DAY

Better known as the 4th of July, Independence Day is when Americans take a day off to celebrate the severing of ties with the British Crown. Hmm, this may be an odd one for us Brits to celebrate, but they have fireworks, so we won’t tell, if you don’t…

HALLOWEEN

Brits have started to embrace Halloween in recent decades, but we will never be able to compete with New Yorkers’ love of the holiday. This year, the city’s Village Halloween Parade celebrates its 46th anniversary. Expect all the gay bars to be filled with costumed characters in various states of ( un) dress.

halloween- nyc. com CHRISTMAS

Apart from a trip to the North Pole, could there be anything more Christmassy than skating on the rink under the Rockefeller Center’s giant festive pine tree? Well, there’s also the Rockettes’ annual Christmas Spectacular show, or relive your childhood at the famous FAO Schwarz toy store.

rockefellercenter.com rockettes. com faoschwarz.com NEW YEAR’S EVE

Times Square is the most iconic location to see in the new year. The infamous Ball Drop, created by the owner of The New York Times in 1907, is held each year. Named after the newspaper, the Square fills with spectators waiting for 11: 59pm, when the ‘ time ball’ at the top of a flagpole on The New York Times’ former headquarters plummets 141 feet in 60 seconds to herald the new year.

balldrop.com