Evacuation Day (November 25th)
"Evacuation Day" celebrates the evacuation of British troops from New York City on November 25, 1783. It used to be a great New York celebration, but now it is almost totally forgotten.…
Fall for Dance Festival (NY City Center)
The NY City Center's "Fall for Dance Festival" began in 2004. The 2006 festival promises 10 performances, 6 unique programs, and 30 companies on 1 stage. Fall for Dance FestivalSep…
Falloon (float + balloon)
A "falloon" is a combination float/balloon; the term was introduced at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The first "falloon" was introduced to the parade about 1990 --…
Fashion Week (“7th on 6th”)
"Fashion Week" was an event known only to the trade until 1993. In that year, it was called "7th on 6th" and Seventh Avenue (the Fashion District) began tent shows at Bryant…
Flatbush Frolic
The annual "Flatbush Frolic" is a street festival that takes place in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. http://www.clearviewfestival.com/eventforms/050918_con2005fdc.pdf…
Fleet Week
"Fleet Week" is when New York City becomes host to our sailors. The Frank Sinatra-Gene Kelly movie musical On the Town (1949) popularized sailors on leave in our wonderful town.…
Fresh Fruit Festival
The Fresh Fruit Festival is a LGBT-related entertainment in the Big Apple each July. http://www.freshfruitfestival.com/calendar.htmFresh FRUIT FESTIVAL Happening July 10 - July 23, 2006…
Gay Pride Week (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender PRIDE March; Moment of Silence)
"Gay Pride Week," held every June, is one of New York's most important festivals because it literally grew from New York itself. It commemorates the famous Stonewall Inn riots of…
Greater New York Orchid Show
The Greater New York Orchid Show has been held annually (since 1982) by the Greater New York Orchid Society. The event had been held at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, but recently it…
Greek Independence Day Parade
The Greek Independence Day Parade began in 1940, making it one of New York's oldest ethnic parades. It celebrates the independence of Greece from Turkey. 25 March 1940, New York Times, pg.…
Green Apple Music & Arts Festival
The first Green Apple Music & Arts Festival on April 20-23, 2006 is advertised as "America's Largest Earth Day Event." It may be an annual festival.…
Hallothanksmas (Halloween + Thanksgiving + Christmas)
"Hallowthanksmas" (or "Hallothanksmas") is a portmanteau word that combines the holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many people have noticed that when school…
Halloweekend (Halloween + weekend)
When Halloween ("All Hallows' Evening" falls on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, that weekend is often called "Halloweekend" (Halloween + weekend). The term…
Hallowthanksmas (Halloween + Thanksgiving + Christmas)
"Hallowthanksmas" (or "Hallothanksmas") is a portmanteau word that combines the holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many people have noticed that when school…
Harlem Week
"Harlem Week" began as "Harlem Day" in 1975. It became "Harlem Week" in 1977. The annual festival takes place in August. There was also a "Harlem Week" given…
Hip Hop Theater Festival
The Hip Hop Theater Festival is a new annual event. http://www.hiphoptheaterfest.org/In six years, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival (HHTF) has grown into one of the most influential outlets showcasing…
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
The annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival features a race of the dragon boats. The event has taken place in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens since 1991. The 2006 Hong Kong Dragon Boat…
HOT! NYC Celebration of Queer Culture
Dixon Place runs the annual HOT! NYC Celebration of Queer Culture performing arts festival. http://hot.dixonplace.org/HOT!The 15th Annual NYC Celebration of Queer CultureJune 29th to August 26th,…
HOWL! (Festival of East Village Artists)
"Howl" is the title of a 1955 poem by Allen Ginsberg. HOWL! is the Festival of East Village Arts, a week-long August celebration first held in 2003. 2005's festival celebrated the…
Idiotarod (with shopping carts!)
The "Iditarod" is the famous dog sled race in Alaska. The "Idiotarod" is a shopping cart race that's been held in New York since 2004.…