If you decide to go to New York in January, you probably have many questions. The cold… the holidays are over… Is it really a good idea to go? What about the price of the trip? What are the main attractions and activities to explore or do in New York in January? We tell you everything in this guide.
Going to New York in January 2025
One thing is for sure, January is the coldest month of the year in New York. The thermometer even goes down to -10°C, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid visiting New York at the beginning of the year. Because while New York in January is cooler, it is also cheaper than other months. The city at this time of year offers great opportunities for good deals. And there are events not to be missed.
A tip: to make the most of your stay in NYC in January, take warm clothes with you: gloves, a scarf, a hat…
New York in January is also a much quieter time to go for a walk. The city attracts more tourists in the summer than at any other time of the year. It is precisely the quietness of the place that makes it even more interesting to explore. You won’t have long queues at attractions like the Statue of Liberty, the Top of the Rock and museums.
Plus, it’s a great time to take a trip to New York at a reasonable cost because hotel and airfare prices in January are among the lowest of the year.
The New York programme in January 2025
Like every month, the “city that never sleeps” keeps its promise in January. You can do all the activities you want every day. But some programmes are more interesting because it is winter, the attractions are less crowded and the prices are unbeatable in January.
Fun outing, show and shopping
Guided tours in English
Explore the city on foot or by bike with an English guide. He or she will share interesting stories about New Yorkers, tips and tricks of the trade in the Meatpacking District, Greenwich Village, Soho, Harlem, East Village and Brooklyn.
The ice-rinks in New York
Go ice skating in one of New York’s giant ice rinks.
DreamWorks Water Park
The park offers water rides of all shapes and sizes. You’ll also find the world’s largest indoor wave pool, at a temperature of 81°F (27°C), perfect for warming up on those cold winter days in January.
Shopping in Woodbury Common
This shopping area is home to over 220 branded shops. Stroll the streets of Woodbury Common and browse through the likes of Jimmy Choo, Dior, Gucci, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger. And if you’re a shopping enthusiast, take advantage of the post-holiday sales to get some great deals.
Broadway musical show
In the evening, see a Broadway musical. It’s easier to get tickets for shows at this time of year.
The cultural events in January
Winter Jazzfest in Greenwich Village
A musical event bringing together musicians and jazz fans from 9 to 15 January 2025. Today, Winter Jazzfest has evolved into a major event spanning several days from 9 to 15 January 2025. It now hosts up to 150 bands, representing more than 600 artists, on 20 different stages across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Find out more about the concerts and venues : https://www.winterjazzfest.com/
MANHATTANHENGE
These are two days when the rising sun aligns perfectly with the streets of Manhattan. It’s a magnificent sight to behold on 11 and 12 January 2025 at 7.30am. For the best view of Manhattanhenge, position yourself on Manhattan’s main east-west avenues (14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd or 57th Street). Arrive 30 minutes before dawn to choose the best location. Face east to capture the sun’s perfect alignment with the skyscrapers.
New York City Restaurant Week
From 21 January to 9 February 2025, a unique opportunity to sample New York dishes at reduced prices in the city’s best restaurants. $29 for lunch and $42 for dinner are fixed prices for the hundred or so participating restaurants. Tips, extra charges and certain days are not included. Book in advance by consulting the list here : NYCtourism.
January’s sporting events
Attend a basketball (NBA), ice hockey (NHL) or American football (NFL) match. And even if you’re not a sports fan, you certainly don’t want to miss these large-scale, American-style events.
Basketball: experience an NBA game
January is an important month in the NBA regular season, and the New York teams will have to give their all to finish in the top ten places in order to qualify for the play-offs. If you want to join New York Knicks fans for a thrill, head for Madison Square Garden, or if you prefer the Brooklyn Nets, the venue is Barclays Center.
New York Knicks
The Knicks will play 11 games at Madison Square Garden during January 2025, a unique opportunity to experience an NBA match in a crazy atmosphere.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets will be playing 7 games at the Barclays Center, giving you the chance to watch an NBA match for less, with tickets 5 to 10 times cheaper than those for the Knicks.
Hockey: experience an NHL match
New York Rangers is the NHL’s professional hockey team, playing its home games at Madison Square Garden. And whether or not you know the rules of hockey, it doesn’t matter, because while the main thing is to get a puck into a small cage, the spectacle offered by the games is incredible. You spend an hour in a memorable atmosphere.
8 games await the Rangers in January, including two electric encounters with their best enemies, the Boston Bruins on 2 January and the New Jersey Devils on 9 January.
Latest American football matches
The NFL regular season has come to an end for the Giants and Jets. Will either team qualify for the play-offs? That’s all we want for them, but if one of the two teams makes it to this stage of the competition, we’ll be happy.
The Giants’ chances of qualifying are virtually nil given their last place in the standings, and barring a miracle none of them will be shown below :
The Jets play their final regular season game on 5 January and have a chance of qualifying for the play-offs if they make a clean sweep in December:
Other events not to be missed in January
In January, New York always offers very interesting programs to see and participate in. Between parades, shows, concerts and other small events, there is no time to get bored. You can book your tickets directly online for each event.
The public holidays in January 2025:
- 1st January : New Year’s Day – New Year’s Day postponed to Monday
- Monday 20 January 2025 : Martin Luther King Day – public holiday commemorating Martin Luther King
During these two days, restaurants and other tourist attractions remain open.
