Say hello to 2025 in style in New York State by warming up with a variety of fun, exciting, and delicious events! Whether you want to take in a two-for-one show on Broadway, groove to the smooth sounds of jazz, dance the night away amid botanical beauty, revel in seasonal festivals, or simply embrace the great outdoors, New York State has must-dos for everyone! Photo Credit: @ianpoley on Instagram.

January 1

Start the new year in nature with a First Day Hike! All are invited to explore the great outdoors and beautiful wintry scenes of New York State parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, canal trails, and public lands on New Year’s Day. Choose from around 100 hike options of varying settings, lengths, and experience levels, including Olana, Letchworth, Allegany, and Grafton Lakes State Park. This family-friendly tradition is in its 14th year and only continues to grow. No matter where you are in New York, there is a First Day Hike for you. Find your hike here.

Polar Plunge into the New Year (NYC and Adirondacks)

January 1

Credit: @coneyislandfun on Instagram

Looking for an exhilarating way to kick off the new year? Commemorate the arrival of 2025 with a polar plunge! Take a dip into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean at the Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Plunge, a beloved Brooklyn tradition dating back to 1903. In Lake George, join fellow brave souls as you dash into the frosty waters during the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge at Shepard Park Beach. With waves of plungers entering the water every 15 minutes, the event is filled with laughter, shivers, and a sense of community as everyone celebrates the start of a new year together. Brooklyn and Lake George; Coney Island plunge is free to attend and participate, but participants are encouraged to make a minimum donation of $25 to support local nonprofits. Participants donating $50 or more will receive a limited-edition Polar Bear Plunge Beanie. $10 signup fee to participate in the Lake George Polar Plunge.

January 3

Mark your calendars to embrace the arts at the Athens Cultural Center! Discover new exhibitions, connect with fellow art enthusiasts, and unwind with a refreshing drink in hand every first Friday of the month, from 5 PM to 7 PM, as the center opens its doors to celebrate the rich tapestry of culture and creativity that defines the local community. Best of all, it’s free to attend! Athens, free.

January 9 – 15 

Get ready for a spectacular celebration of jazz at the 2025 Winter Jazzfest in New York City! This year’s festival features an incredible lineup of artists, including Makaya McCraven as the Artist-in-Residence, performing in multiple unique settings. Highlights include an opening night concert with poet Aja Monet and her jazz band, a 60th-anniversary celebration of John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme”, and a marathon of performances across venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Manhattan and Brooklyn, various venues and prices.

January 10–13

Credit: @ianpoley on Instagram

Immerse yourself in a weekend of cool sounds and spirited jams at the annual Jazz on the Mountain music festival taking place within the Hudson Valley’s iconic Mohonk Mountain House. This year’s festival, curated by pianist Pete Malinverni, features a stellar lineup of returning favorites and fresh faces, with performances by Scott Robinson, Helen Sung, Ugonna Okegwo, Aaron Seeber, 2024 GRAMMY winner Nicole Zuraitis, vocalist Lucy Wijnands, and saxophonist Andy Farber.  Your stay at the hotel includes three meals daily, using locally sourced ingredients from their farm-to-table partners, yoga, meditation, and fitness classes, afternoon tea and cookies in the historic Lake Lounge, an indoor heated pool with underwater music, and more! New Paltz; performances free with dinner or lodging reservations.

Weekends, January 17–February 1

Credit: @bingpondfest on Instagram

Come out for some winter fun and celebrate all things hockey at the Binghamton Pond Festival. Held at Chenango Valley State Park, it is one of the few outdoor hockey events using mechanical refrigeration, allowing for great ice in temperatures exceeding 50 degrees or in full sun. Catch thrilling tournaments, hockey trivia, free hockey lessons for kids, and even fireworks! Bring a camp chair, your four-legged friend on a leash, or some friends and get ready to have a great time. Chenango Forks; Free admission; $10 suggested parking donation.

January 17–19

Credit: @visitellicottville on Instagram

With its unique collection of fine restaurants and cafes, quaint shops and galleries, antique shops and cozy lodging, the picturesque village of Ellicottville in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region is a Norman Rockwell painting come to life. January 17-19, you’re invited to enjoy the best blues bands in the region at the village’s big Winter Blues Weekend. You’ll find terrific blues music at over a dozen bars and restaurants. It’s a great way to keep warm on a cold winter weekend! Ellicottville; various prices.

January 17–19

Feel like you’re stepping into a picture-perfect winter postcard at the Salmon River Winter Festival. Celebrate the best of winter fun with music and a host of family-friendly activities, including a kids’ snow sculpture contest. Fill up with delicious food as more than a dozen restaurants and taverns compete in the festival’s 2025 Great Food Challenge to determine who’s got the best mac and cheese, chili, and wings! Pulaski, Sandy Creek, and Albion; Free admission, but $5 for ballot to serve as a food judge in Mac & Cheese and the Wing challenges, and $10 for the Chili challenge on day of participation.

January 18

Credit: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Embrace the chill at Grafton Lakes State Park during the 40th Annual Winter Festival! Join snowshoe adventures, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, meet Uncharted Wildlife’s live animals, catch the park’s animal rehabber with her birds of prey, savor delights from local food trucks, and take a ride on a kick sled. Other outdoor offerings include the popular snow bowling hill, snowball toss, and free snowmobile rides. The fun all kicks off with a Polar Plunge, hosted by the Knights of Columbus. Grafton; free.

January 18-19

Witness the enchanting village of Port Jefferson transform into a magical wonderland, featuring intricate ice sculptures, dazzling light displays, and festive activities for all ages. You’ll enjoy ice carving demonstrations, live music performances, snowshoeing adventures, and delicious seasonal treats. The best part? Admission to the festival is free of charge, making it an accessible and fun way to celebrate the winter season. Port Jefferson; free admission.

Revel in the Season at a Winter Carnival! (Adirondacks)

Credit: @kylevt on Instagram

Beat the winter blahs and enjoy some icy fun at winter carnivals. The Long Lake Winter Carnival on January 18 offers a full day of activities, including ice sculpture installations, cardboard sled races, a coronation ceremony, and fireworks. Meanwhile, one of the oldest winter carnivals in the United States, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, will run from January 31 to February 9 and features a variety of festivities such as an ice palace, parades, sporting events, and fireworks. Long Lake and Saranac Lake; free admission.

January 18-19

Kick off 2025 with a burst of excitement in Lake Placid as the FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup makes a triumphant return to the Olympic Jumping Complex, marking its first appearance in the village since 2019. Witness the exhilarating spectacle of aerial skiing that captivates with athletes performing gravity-defying flips, spins, and twists in individual competitions for both men and women, as well as a mixed team event, showcasing a variety of talents and skills. You’ll thrill to Olympic gold medalist Christopher Lillis and other members of Team USA, including Winter Vinecki, going head-to-head with the world’s best aerial skiers! Lake Placid; tickets start at $20.

January 21 – February 9

Credit: @msemilyisobel on Instagram

Trust us, you don’t want to miss this. From January 21 – February 9, you can score some of the best deals on dining, Broadway shows, tours, museums, and hotels with NYC Winter Outing. From new takes on established classics to star-studded modern masterpieces, enjoy the best of Broadway with 2-for-1 tickets to some of the biggest hits. Make it a dinner and a show kind of night by indulging in NYC Restaurant Week. Make the most of your visit and stay at one of the city’s most celebrated hotels for NYC Hotel Week at a discount and get 2-for-1 tickets to some of the biggest attractions, tours, and museums during NYC Must-See Week. Booking starts January 7. New York City; various prices.

January 23–25

Credit: @discoveralbany on Instagram

The annual Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival: Wine & Dine for the Arts is a three-day celebration that spotlights the capital city’s restaurants, chefs and their innovative cuisine, and educates consumers on healthy, sustainable agriculture. It also offers sustainable funding for the support and preservation of the not-for-profit arts community in Albany, raising nearly $1.5 million to date. Festival highlights include the Mayor’s Reception, Grand Tastings & Seminars, Slider Slam, and Grand Gala 5-course dinner hosted at the Albany Capital Center. Albany; various prices.

January 24-25 & January 31 – February 1

Courtesy of Kacey O’Brien at Warren County Tourism 

It’s time to get down and get funky! Discover the beauty of winter, embrace the cold, and conquer the ice at the Funky Ice Festival, hosted at the Adirondack Pub & Brewery in Lake George. Browse a gallery of hand-carved ice sculptures, chill out with a hand-crafted cocktail or local beer at one of the ice bars, and bust a move under the disco ball to your favorite 70s funk hits. Lake George; free entry.

January 24–26

The Expo Center of the New York State Fairgrounds will be the setting for The ​New York Sportsman’s Expo, an exciting weekend of exhibits showcasing the latest in products, travel, and entertainment for hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Featuring over 200 vendors along with the largest indoor fishing catch-and-release trout pond in the Northeast, and the popular National Dock Dogs competition, the expo gives attendees direct access to manufacturers, retailers, outfitters, and charters from across the globe. Syracuse; Adults (ages 13 to 64) $15; Seniors, Military, Police & Children (ages 6-12) $13; Children (6 and under) free.

January 26–February 2

Credit: @bryan_blvd on Instagram

Enjoy eight days of delicious deals featuring a diverse selection of some of the finest food on the East Coast during Long Island Winter Restaurant Week. Each participating restaurant will offer its own unique three-course prix fixe meals for $29, $39, and $46 all night, every night they are open, except Saturday, when the offer is good until 7 p.m. As part of the promotion, restaurants will also be offering 2-course lunches for $24. Long Island; various prices.

January 31

Credit: @highpeaks_ai on Instagram

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, dance, and botanical bliss at the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens! Slip on your wireless headphones and throw on your favorite beats to create the perfect soundtrack as you stroll through the lush pathways, sip your favorite beverage from the Bubble Bar, and mingle with fellow music lovers in this unique setting that blends nature with nightlife. Tickets include a bruschetta bar from Buffalo Catering Co. and a cash bar from the Bubble Bar! Buffalo; $35.

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