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The after-dark calendar
Big nights out, the seasons, and museums that stay open late, from the organisers’ own pages. We list a date only when the organiser has published it.
Coming up
December 2, 2026
Rockefeller Center tree lighting
The tree is lit on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 7–10 p.m.; the ceremony itself is not open to the public (it is broadcast), and the tree stays up into January. (Rockefeller Center)
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027, select nights
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
The zoo’s evening lantern event runs on select dates; ticketed. (Bronx Zoo)
Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
NYBG Holiday Train Show, evenings
The Conservatory stays open until 8 p.m. on select evenings: Nov 27–29; Dec 5, 11, 12, 18–20, 26–30; Jan 2. Ticketed. (NYBG)
December 31
New Year’s Eve in Times Square
Free and unticketed. For the 2025–26 celebration, viewing areas opened at 3 p.m., the Ball was raised around 6 p.m. and dropped at 11:59 p.m.; entry was from Sixth and Eighth Avenues, every bag was searched, and backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, chairs, coolers and alcohol were not allowed. There are no portable restrooms, and no paid “all access” pass gets you past police lines. Check the 2026–27 details nearer the date. (Times Square Alliance FAQ)
Late May and mid-July
Manhattanhenge
The sunset lines up with the cross streets four evenings a year. Our forecast for 2027.
Museums open late
| Museum | Late opening (from its visit page, checked 2026-10-29) |
|---|---|
| Whitney Museum of American Art | Fridays until 10 p.m., free from 5 to 10 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. (whitney.org) |
| New Museum | Thursdays until 9 p.m., pay what you wish 7–9 p.m. (reserve online). (newmuseum.org) |
| The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Has late hours on some days; see metmuseum.org for current times. |
| Museum of Modern Art | Has a late weekly opening; see moma.org for current times. |
| Brooklyn Museum | Free First Saturday evenings in season; the 2027 season hasn’t been announced. (brooklynmuseum.org) |
| Guggenheim, Queens Museum, Bronx Museum | No regular evening hours listed. |
For the Met and MoMA our bot could not read the live visit page, so we don’t quote hours: follow the link.
Summer nights
The city’s free outdoor evening seasons. None has announced 2027 dates yet; they typically run from June to September.
SummerStage
Free and benefit concerts in Central Park and neighborhood parks (City Parks Foundation). Official site
Free Shakespeare in the Park
The Public Theater’s free summer plays at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Official site
Bryant Park Movie Nights
Free Monday-evening films on the lawn; in 2026 the lawn opened at 5 p.m. for 8 p.m. screenings, July 13 to September 14. Official site
Summer for the City
Lincoln Center’s summer festival of free and choose-what-you-pay events. Official site
River To River
LMCC’s free summer arts festival across Lower Manhattan (June 19 to September 27 in 2026). Official site
NYC Parks summer evenings
Summer on the Hudson in Riverside Park and free outdoor movies in parks across the boroughs. NYC Parks
Evening street events with city permits
Street fairs, open streets, plaza events and parades permitted to run into the evening over the next three weeks, as listed in the city’s permitted-event data. Names are as the organisers filed them.
| Date | Event | Where | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon Nov 2 | Dia Gala Outside tents annual event Street Event | WEST 26 STREET between 11 AVENUE and 10 AVENUE, Manhattan (sidewalk and curb lane closure) | 6:00 pm–10:00 pm |
| Tue Nov 3 | Chess on Underhill Plaza Plaza Event | Underhill Avenue Plaza: Underhill Avenue Plaza Underhill Ave between Atlantic Ave and Pacific St, Brooklyn (pedestrian plaza) | 6:30 pm–9:00 pm |
| Wed Nov 4 | Cyclocross Practice 2026 Special Event | Randall's Island Park: Wards Meadow Picnic Area Blue , Manhattan | 6:00 pm–9:00 pm |
| Thu Nov 5 | NYRR Open Run at Flushing Meadows Corona Park Special Event | Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Zoo Large Event Area, Queens | 6:00 pm–9:00 pm |
| House Party 2026 Street Event | LINCOLN PLACE between 7 AVENUE and 6 AVENUE, Brooklyn (full street closure) | 7:00 pm–10:00 pm | |
| Fri Nov 6 | Humane World for Animals Benefit Gala at Ciprianis - 42nd St. Street Event | EAST 42 STREET between PARK AVENUE and LEXINGTON AVENUE, Manhattan (curb lane only) | 5:00 pm–9:00 pm |
| Julien Creuzet Midnight Moment Program Plaza Partner Event | Times Square: 46/47 Broadway Pedestrian Plaza (Times Sq) BROADWAY between WEST 46 STREET and WEST 47 STREET, Manhattan (pedestrian plaza) | 11:30 pm–11:57 pm | |
| Tue Nov 10 | Chess on Underhill Plaza Plaza Event | Underhill Avenue Plaza: Underhill Avenue Plaza Underhill Ave between Atlantic Ave and Pacific St, Brooklyn (pedestrian plaza) | 6:30 pm–9:00 pm |
| Wed Nov 11 | Cyclocross Practice 2026 Special Event | Randall's Island Park: Wards Meadow Picnic Area Blue , Manhattan | 6:00 pm–9:00 pm |
| Thu Nov 12 | NYRR Open Run at Flushing Meadows Corona Park Special Event | Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Zoo Large Event Area, Queens | 6:00 pm–9:00 pm |
| Tue Nov 17 | Chess on Underhill Plaza Plaza Event | Underhill Avenue Plaza: Underhill Avenue Plaza Underhill Ave between Atlantic Ave and Pacific St, Brooklyn (pedestrian plaza) | 6:30 pm–9:00 pm |
| Wed Nov 18 | NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS Street Event | WALL STREET between WILLIAM STREET and HANOVER STREET, Manhattan (partial sidewalk closure) | 6:00 pm–10:00 pm |
| Thu Nov 19 | NYRR Open Run at Flushing Meadows Corona Park Special Event | Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Zoo Large Event Area, Queens | 6:00 pm–9:00 pm |
| Sat Nov 21 | Vigils November 21, 2026 - Presentation, Christ the King Special Event | Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Vatican Pavillion, Queens | 7:00 pm–10:30 pm |
Source: NYC Permitted Event Information (Street Activity Permit Office and NYC Parks), NYC Open Data, checked 2026-11-01. Events starting at 5 p.m. or later and ending at 9 p.m. or later. A permit is not a promise the event will happen.