The Blankman List is a monthly curated list of things to do in New York City. It showcases the full range of what there is to do, for residents and tourists alike.
I especially seek out artistic and cultural events like concerts, plays, and art exhibits, along with anything that is high-quality, notable, and/or free. There is at least one event for every day of the month, and no borough or event type is off limits.
Seeing events past the first week requires a paid subscription.
Disclaimer: before going anywhere, please confirm the date, time, location, cost, and description using the listed website. Any event is at risk of being rescheduled, relocated, sold out, at capacity, or canceled. Costs are rounded to the nearest dollar and may change. I try to vet quality and describe accurately, but I may misjudge.
Monday, January 1
Art display with light shows and interactive elements; 8 am–10 pm; through Jan 6 (art display only after Jan 1)
Free
Brookfield Place Winter Garden
230 Vesey St (Financial District, Manhattan)
Series of circus sideshow acts; 1 pm, 2:15 pm, & 3:30 pm
$15
Coney Island USA
1208 Surf Ave (Coney Island, Brooklyn)
Tuesday, January 2
41st Annual Wreath Interpretations
Art exhibition of wreaths made with unusual and unexpected materials; 9 am–5 pm; through Jan 4
Free
The Arsenal in Central Park
830 5th Ave (Upper East Side, Manhattan)
Wednesday, January 3
Michael Richards: Are You Down?
Artist retrospective exhibition; 11 am–6 pm; through Jan 7 (Michael Richards was in his World Trade Center North Tower art studio on 9/11)
Free
The Bronx Museum
1040 Grand Concourse (Concourse, The Bronx)
Classic 19th-century French opera; 7:30 pm; various dates Dec 31–May 25
$37–$210+
Metropolitan Opera House
30 Lincoln Center Plaza (Lincoln Center, Manhattan)
Wine Wednesdays at Maggie Hall’s
Wine sold for $7/glass and $28/bottle all day; 4 pm–4 am; every Wednesday
Free entry
Maggie Hall’s
34-06 30th Ave (Astoria, Queens)
Thursday, January 4
The Fourth Annual Loving the Alien: A Bowie Tribute Dance Party
David Bowie dance party with music video projections; 9 pm–1 am
$7
Littlefield
635 Sackett St (Gowanus, Brooklyn)
Tenor Petr Nekoranec in Recital: The Year of Czech Music
Gala concert featuring vocal music by Czech composers; 7–9 pm
Free
Bohemian National Hall
321 E 73rd St (Upper East Side, Manhattan)
Marina Abramovic Discusses A Visual Biography with Katya Tylevich
Performance art-themed book talk and signing; 6 pm
$35 (includes $35 gift card to store) or $109 (includes book)
Barnes & Noble Union Square
33 E 17th St (Union Square, Manhattan)
Friday, January 5
Architectural interior open house; 6–9 pm
$20
The Modulighter Building
246 E 58th St (Midtown East, Manhattan)
Percussion and vocal performance; 7 pm; Jan 5 & 6
Free with museum admission, which is pay-what-you-wish for NYC residents and NY, NJ, CT students, otherwise $30 adults / $22 seniors / $17 students
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Fifth Avenue, Gallery 305 (Medieval Sculpture Hall)
1000 5th Ave (Upper East Side, Manhattan)
Saturday, January 6
Post-punk concert; 9 pm (Earth Hound Bandcamp)
Free entry
Pete’s Candy Store
709 Lorimer St (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Class on whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails; 2–4 pm
$200
Apotheke Chinatown
9 Doyers St (Chinatown, Manhattan)
Sunday, January 7
Here and Now Winter Festival: RITUALS
NYC premieres of contemporary classical music; 4 pm
$35
Bargemusic
Brooklyn Bridge, Pier 1 (Dumbo, Brooklyn)
Brooklyn Nets vs. Portland Trailblazers
Regular season NBA [National Basketball Association] game; 3 pm (1:30 pm doors)
$36–$212+
Barclays Center
620 Atlantic Ave (Prospect Heights, Brooklyn)
NYCRuns Frozen Penguin Half Marathon & 5K
5K and half marathon running race; 8 am (5K), 9 am (half marathon), 6:30 am event begins
$55 (5K) or $100 (half marathon)
Central Park
Starts on West Drive & 89th St (5K course map) or West Drive & 94th St (half marathon course map) (West Central Park, Manhattan)