• In addition to the ever-changing plays, concerts and art shows, New York City has many events that occur annually. If you are planning a trip to New York City, you might want to check out some of the tried-and-true cultural festivals, holiday celebrations and other attractions that have decades of history. Although some of New York's annual events are broadcast on national or even international TV, nothing can beat the experience of seeing them in person.
  
  

Oktoberfest

• Every year in the beginning of October, Lexington Avenue in New York City closes to traffic for a day in honor of Oktoberfest, an annual celebration of German culture. The festival features traditional German food and drink such as bratwurst, pretzels and lagers, while dancers and singers entertain visitors. Admission is free, and the celebration occurs from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.
  
  

Chinese New Year Parade

• The Chinese New Year Parade, the largest on the East Coast, is another free cultural celebration occurring during the Chinese Lunar New Year. As this holiday's date can vary widely from year to year (in 2010, it occurred in February), you should check the calendar before planning to attend this event. The celebration takes place in New York's Chinatown district, and features elaborate parade floats and puppets, martial artists, acrobats, magicians and marching bands. At the end of the parade, a cultural festival is held.
  
  

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

• Animal lovers will enjoy the annual Westminster Dog Show, which has been staged in NYC since 1877, making it the second-longest continuously held sporting event. As of 2010, the event is held for two days in Madison Square Garden in mid-February. The event celebrates the finest examples of purebred dogs in the U.S., and showcases 2,500 dogs of all shapes and sizes, one of which will be crowned Best in Show. As the event has sold out every year since 2005, you should plan to purchase tickets well in advance.
  
  Westminster Kennel Club
  
  212-213-3212
  
  westminsterkennelclub.org
  
  

New Year's Eve in Times Square

• Perhaps the most famous annual event in New York City is the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, which has taken place since 1904 (the ball was first dropped in 1907, as a replacement for banned fireworks). An estimated 1 million people attend the actual event each year, while billions more watch on television. The festivities include a lineup of pop and rock music performances traditionally hosted by Dick Clark, who now co-hosts with Ryan Seacrest as of 2010.
  
  Times Square Alliance
  
  1560 Broadway
  
  Suite 800
  
  New York, NY 10036
  
  212-768-1560
  
  timessquarenyc.org