Unusual Events, Parties, and Things To Do in NYC for January 2025 (with Free Events!)
Happy New Year! Here’s the line-up of unusual things to do in New York City in January 2025.
Machine Dazzle: Obsession and Evidence
A multimedia sculpture titled “Memory.” Image: Marilyn Kirschner via Look Online.
What’s happening: Artist and designer Machine Dazzle kicks off 2025 with his first New York City gallery exhibit, Obsession and Evidence, at Gallery AP Space. The opening day featured a dazzling procession down Chelsea’s gallery row with performers donning Machine’s signature maximalist costumes. Now these costumes are showcased in the exhibit along with countless new works.
Known for transforming discarded objects into surreal sculptures, the artist explores humanity’s relationship with waste and the eerie naturalization of non-biodegradable materials. Highlights include AI-generated visuals, delicately-scaled sculptures, and Machine’s iconic theatrical designs, as seen in Taylor Mac’s Pulitzer-nominated A 24-Decade History of Popular Music.
The vibe: Machine Dazzle at his most focused— a spectacle of unapologetic creativity in a surprisingly muted palette, attracting avant-garde art lovers, bold fashionistas, and anyone with a flair for the fantastical. A vast collection of works— including mixed-media, digital imagery, and sculpture— assembled as an installation.
What to wear: Machine wouldn’t want you to blend in.
Now through January 15, 2025, open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11:00am to 6:00pm at Gallery AP Space. Information here.
Ice Skating in NYC
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center. Image: Via Rockefeller Center.
What’s happening: New York City transforms into a winter wonderland each season, and no experience captures the holiday spirit quite like ice skating at iconic rinks.
At The Rink at Rockefeller Center, skate under the famous sculptures and towering buildings in a setting straight out of a movie. For a riverside vibe, The Rink at Brookfield Place offers waterfront views and a sleek, modern aesthetic. Prefer something local? Check out Bryant Park’s Winter Village for free admission (with skate rental fees), or the expansive Wollman Rink in Central Park, which combines picturesque park scenery with skyline views (best experienced after a fresh snow).
The vibe: Each rink has a differnt energy, from the historic tone of Rockefeller Center (opened in 1936) to the sunny-soaked, chic Brookfield Place with its palm tree-lined Winter Garden. All rinks are perfect for families, couples on date nights, and the occasional pro skater eager to show off.
What to wear: Layers for warmth, gloves for the chill, and don’t forget cozy socks for your skates. Bonus points for scarves and pom-pom hats.
When and where:
Rockefeller Center: Open daily through the season; timed tickets start at $21. Tickets here.
Brookfield Place: Open daily through the season; $15 admission plus skate rentals. Tickets here.
Bryant Park: Free admission through the season; skate rentals $18–$33. Tickets here.
Wollman Rink: open through the season with $12–$23 admission, plus rentals. Tickets here.
Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy at The Shed (Extended)
Music for Medicine Benefit. Image: Open Medical Institute.
What’s happening: Step into a carnival dreamscape like no other at Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, a revival of the legendary 1987 art fairground conceived by André Heller. The show, which opened in November, has now been extended through February. Featuring installations and interactive attractions by icons like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Sonia Delaunay, and David Hockney, this whimsical art showcase was lost for decades before its dazzling restoration by Drake’s DreamCrew. It transforms The Shed’s McCourt space and Level 2 Gallery into a vibrant, surreal funhouse, blending art, live performances, and immersive experiences that feel both timeless and electric. Ferris wheels, carnival games, and more await.
The vibe: Imagine a dream you had after flipping through an art history book while binge-watching Euphoria and following up with—bear with me— Zombieland. It’s part gallery, part carnival, and all unforgettable— Luna Luna offers a rare look at unusual artworks in extraordinary formats, animated in a setting that is equal parts gallery and fantasy park.
What to wear: Artistic flair meets comfort.
Now through February 23, 2025, open daily at The Shed. Information and tickets here.
Jamie XX: In Waves
Jamie xx. Image: Alasdair McLellan.
What’s happening: Join producer and musician Jamie xx for an electrifying four-night residency at the Wade Thompson Drill Hall, where his signature mix of kinetic beats and atmospheric melodies will transform the space into an immersive dance floor. Each night features a unique guest DJ—Kiernan Laveaux, François K, Nick León, and Dee Diggs—adding their spin to the sonic journey. Inspired by his first solo album in a decade, In Waves, this performance encapsulates the emotional highs and lows of a mystical night out. Expect four hours of pure auditory and visual magic in a standing-room-only setup.
The vibe: Ignore the fact you’re in the heart of the Upper East Side. It’s ultimately a warehouse rave meets art installation. Expect a mix of cool kids, dance aficionados, and emotional indie-pop devotees unite for a shared experience that’s equal parts introspection and euphoria.
Dress code: All-black.
Thursday, January 9 through Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 7:00PM onward at the Park Avenue Armory. Information and tickets here.
Whitney Art Party 2025 “Studio 99”
2023 Whitney Art Party. Image: MATTHEW CARASELLA via Whitney.
What’s happening: The Whitney Museum of American Art transforms into Studio 99 for a night of disco-inspired glamour at the its annual Art Party. Dance to the beat of the '70s, sip cocktails, and savor passed bites while exploring the museum’s exhibitions, including the boundary-pushing Edges of Ailey show. Co-hosted by artists, fashion icons, and tastemakers, this celebration is a dazzling mix of art, culture, and unforgettable vibes. Proceeds support the Whitney’s Independent Study Program and its mission to elevate emerging voices in art.
The vibe: Very downtown but very democratic, a sparkling crowd of art lovers, influencers, and creatives descend upon the Meatpacking District to celebrate in a liberated fashion. Past attendees include Ashley Graham, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Karlie Kloss, Seth Myers, and others. This year’s Host Committee includes Salman Toor and the benefit committee includes Paul Arnhold and Wes Gordon, ensuring a dynamic evening. The entire museum will be accessible after-hours for intimate viewings.
What to wear: Disco-inspired attire.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 8:30PM until 12:00 AM at Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street. Information and tickets here.
The Winter Show
View of The Winter Show 2019. Image: Matthew Gilbertson via The Winter Show.
What’s happening: Step into the Park Avenue Armory’s Drill Hall for the 71st edition of The Winter Show, now a highly-anticipated cornerstone of NYC’s cultural calendar. Featuring over 70 world-class exhibitors, this prestigious art, antiques, and design fair offers treasures spanning 5,000 years of history. From antiquities to modern masterpieces, every item is vetted by top experts. Ticket sales benefit the East Side House Settlement, an organization transforming lives in the Bronx and Northern Manhattan through education and technology. Special events like the Opening Night Party, Design Luncheon, and Young Collector’s Night add flair to this storied fair.
The vibe: A mix of New York’s most discerning collectors, international art aficionados, and young patrons eager to mingle amid a collection of museum-quality works. Past editions have seen museum directors and celebrities brushing elbows with enthusiasts, all united by a love of timeless artistry.
What to wear: 70% uptown, 30% artist.
Friday, January 24 though Sunday, February 2, 2025 daily at the Park Avenue Armory. Information and tickets here.
Curiously suspended yet completely present, a new installation at the University of Michigan Museum of Art is Machine Dazzle at his most progressive, aware, and fun.