January in New York City might be chilly, but these events are guaranteed to warm your soul. From free nights at the museum to lively crowds at the Rose Hill Gym, here are five NYC activities worth bundling up for this month.
1. UNIQLO Friday Nights at MoMA
Head to the Museum of Modern Art for UNIQLO Friday Nights, when the museum stays open late and New York state residents can explore world-class art for free. Don’t miss the Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective exhibit, featuring some 300 pieces from the artist’s six-decade career.
- Fridays, 5:30 – 8:30 pm.
- Free for NY state residents (advance reservation required)
- Manhattan
2. NYC Restaurant Week
Beginning Jan. 20, you can enjoy dining specials at some of the hottest restaurants in the city during NYC Restaurant Week. Nearly 600 participating restaurants will offer multicourse lunch and dinner menus for $30, $45 or $60. Tables tend to fill up at the most popular establishments, so book your reservation in advance.
- Jan. 20 – Feb. 12
- $30, $45 or $60
- All boroughs
3. MLK Day Concert at Brick Presbyterian Church
Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with uplifting music at Brick Presbyterian Church. Performed by vocalists and musicians from the Young People’s Chorus of New York City and the Harvard Glee Club, and featuring baritone Lester Lynch, this free concert will celebrate the civil rights leader’s life and inspire hope for the future.
- Sunday, Jan. 18
- Free
- Manhattan
4. Fordham Basketball Games
It’s basketball season, and home games at Fordham’s Rose Hill Gym are a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening. Cheer on the Rams as they take on opponents like Dayton, Bonaventure, and La Salle throughout the month. Who knows, you may even spot a celebrity in the crowd.
- Various dates in January
- Free for students, discounted for employees
- Bronx
5. Winter Reading Festival at NYPL
If a low-key evening with fellow book lovers sounds appealing, the Winter Reading Festival at the New York Public Library is for you. This one-day, after-hours event will turn five floors of the flagship Stavros Niarchos lending branch (a block down 5th Avenue from the one with the lions) into a cozy seasonal haven featuring wintry reading lounges, live music, writing workshops, and complimentary refreshments.
- Sunday, Jan. 31
- Free
- Manhattan
