Fun Things to do in New York City This January: Aura Readings, Times Square Sound-baths, Ice Skating Concerts & More!
- JAHLEAH SANTIAGO
- Jan 16
- 6 min read
January in New York City proves that winter is anything but a slowdown. The city leans into the season with music beneath iconic bridges, world-class exhibitions, meaningful theater, global cultural celebrations, and some of the most exciting dining experiences you’ll find anywhere all packed into a single month. Here are a handful of things to do in New York City this month while you're out and about!
Arte Museum New York | Numerous Dates in January
ARTE MUSEUM New York invites visitors into a transporting world where eternal nature is reimagined through immersive digital art. Set within Chelsea Piers, the experience blends monumental visuals with evocative soundscapes and custom-crafted scents, creating a multi-sensory journey that feels both otherworldly and deeply calming. The visit concludes at ARTE CAFE, where tea meets interactive media art for a uniquely modern moment of pause. A must-see for art lovers and anyone seeking an unforgettable cultural event. Find tickets here.
The HUM: A Musically Driven Full-Body Sound Experience Times Square | Winter 2026
In the heart of Times Square, THE HUM offers a radically new way to pause amid the city’s constant motion. This immersive, five-minute experience transforms music into physical sensation, bridging wellness, sound science, and cutting-edge haptic technology to help guests reset, recharge, and restore both mind and body. Participants settle into a custom-designed musical chair that reclines into a zero-gravity position. Wearing an eye mask and headphones, guests are invited to “listen” with their entire body as twenty-eight precision-mapped haptic devices translate sound waves into gentle vibrations that move through muscle and tissue. The result is a one-of-a-kind musical massage, engaging the nervous system directly and reaching places human touch cannot. Because the human body is nearly 70 percent water and sound travels more efficiently through water than air these vibrations move fluidly through the body, allowing music’s stress-reducing qualities to be felt as much as heard. It’s a distinctly New York way to reset before stepping back into the rhythm of the city.
Live Music on Ice at Roebling Rink Brooklyn Bridge Park | Thursdays, January 8th–29th
Sofar Sounds brings its signature intimate concerts beneath the Brooklyn Bridge at Roebling Rink. Each Thursday features two surprise NYC artists set against skyline views, ice skating, and a cozy community atmosphere. Listening is free, skating remains one of the city’s most affordable winter pastimes—and together they make for a quintessential Brooklyn night out.
January Xinomavro Wine Class & Dinner Series at Nerina |
Nerina at 35 Commercial Street in Greenpoint will host a series of January wine classes and wine dinners focused on the exploration of Xinomavro grapes. Nerina's first Greek Wine Class of the year will take place on Friday, January 16th at 5:30 PM with a second session on Friday, January 23rd at 5:30 PM, each offering a guided tasting experience led by Sommelier Evan Poholchuk with three expressions of the varietal and a Greek cheese plate. Additionally Nerina will host a Xinomavro Wine Dinner on Friday, January 30th at 7 PM featuring a five-course chef-driven tasting menu paired with curated wine selections and a deeper look at the terroir, tradition, and producers shaping this iconic Greek grape. Reserve your spot here.
Divine Egypt at The Met Fifth Avenue Through |
One of the season’s most compelling museum experiences, Divine Egypt gathers nearly 250 works exploring ancient Egyptian gods and their role in daily life, power, and belief. Rare loans from institutions like the Louvre bring figures such as Horus, Sakhmet, and Osiris into sharp focus through a visually stunning, deeply immersive exhibition. Open now through January 19th.
Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition (through Friday, January 31) – As part of a global tour, Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition is on display at the Cathedral through Friday, January 31. This immersive experience offers a 3D journey through over 850 years of history, showcasing the iconic cathedral's resilience, including its miraculous survival of the 2019 fire and ongoing restoration. Guided by interactive HistoPad™ tablets and stunning 3D models, visitors can explore Notre-Dame’s story in breathtaking detail. Don’t miss this last chance to experience this cutting-edge exhibit before it closes.
Wine Pairing Dinner at Le Petit Village Chelsea | January 21st
Le Petit Village hosts a one-night-only five-course wine pairing dinner in its warm, candlelit dining room. Hosted by Josh Leporé, the evening celebrates winter cuisine through thoughtful pairings, guided tasting, and refined French hospitality. To make a reservation visit Resy.
The Infamous Stringdusters – 20th Anniversary Tour NYC & Patchogue | January 21s
Celebrating two decades as a band, The Infamous Stringdusters bring their roots-driven bluegrass to Bowery Ballroom and Patchogue Theatre, previewing music from their upcoming album 20/20. Expect virtuosic musicianship and a high-energy live show that feels timeless and joyful.
Lunar New Year at Flushing Town Hall Queens | Begins January 23rd
Flushing Town Hall welcomes the Year of the Red Horse with a month-long celebration honoring Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Mongolian traditions. The opening reception features Red Horizon: Art. Heritage. New Energy alongside a traditional Korean tea ceremony, followed by performances, film, and exhibitions—many free and open to the public.
Color Factory: Aura Reflection Experience | January 25th
Color Factory invites guests to reset for the new year with live aura readings and complimentary aura photography, woven into its immersive installations. The experience blends color, art, and self-reflection for a uniquely uplifting winter afternoon.
Eros Unbound: Erotic Readings + Confessions The Red Pavilion | January 29th
Hosted by Laura Desiree, Eros Unbound returns for an evening of sensual storytelling at The Red Pavilion featuring immersive soundscapes and audience-driven confessions. Featuring special guest Sean Young, the night blurs performance and participation in one of NYC’s most boundary-pushing cultural gatherings.
The Cupid Project at Time Out Market Union Square | January 28th
Time Out Market Union Square is hosting The Cupid Project on January 28th from 5–7pm. The Cupid Project is an annual card-giving initiative that delivers handwritten Valentine’s cards to nursing homes, with the goal of combating loneliness and bringing communities together. Guests are invited to stop by, write a Valentine’s card, and take part in a small act of kindness that helps spread connection and goodwill. Since 2018, The Cupid Project has delivered cards every Valentine’s Day, rooted in the belief that even simple gestures can make a meaningful impact. The event is open to the public and can easily be paired with food from on site vendors like Fornino, the beloved artisanal pizza pioneer making its Manhattan debut or drinks from the expansive bar for an after-work hang at the market.
Disney On Ice Presents: Mickey’s Search Party Barclays Center | January 29 – February 1
Disney On Ice returns to Brooklyn with a high-energy production blending world-class skating, aerial acts, and beloved characters. From Frozen to Coco, Moana, and Beauty and the Beast, this family-friendly spectacle delivers winter magic for all ages.
Platform by the James Beard Foundation: January Dining Series
Pier 57, Market 57 | Throughout January
Platform by JBF transforms January into a global culinary tour with one-night-only dinners from some of the country’s most celebrated chefs. Highlights include a Collab Dinner: From Waikīkī to NYC: A Modern-Day Lūʻau Presented By The Royal Hawaiian & Moana Surfrider, and more like Marc Vetri’s pasta omakase, collaborations between Bazaar Meat and COTE, an Indian winter crab feast from the Semma and Dhamaka teams, and an Athenian supper club with Diane Kochilas.
Manhattan Vintage: Winter 2026 Show January 30th – February 1st
Manhattan Vintage returns this winter as New York City’s largest and most iconic vintage event, bringing together more than 100 dealers spanning every era, aesthetic, and price point for a weekend that feels as much like a cultural gathering as it does a shopping destination. Often described as “the Beyoncé concert of the retro clothing world,” the show is a true New York institution, drawing collectors, stylists, industry insiders, and the vintage-curious alike with rare finds, unexpected discoveries, and one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t see twice. Designed as a full experience beyond the racks, the event features complimentary coat check, on-site tailoring, food and drinks for purchase, a DJ setting the mood, and prime people-watching throughout the day. Welcoming all ages and backgrounds, Manhattan Vintage has earned acclaim from The New York Times, Vogue, Coveteur, and Elle, solidifying its place as a must-attend moment on the city’s fashion calendar.