As a freelance music journalist/photographer, I have had the honor of covering this festival for…read moreseveral years. It's one of the best put together and organized festivals I've ever been a part of. That says a lot when it's being held in a large population area (Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn). The sound is top-quality, the vendors, bathrooms, workers, and volunteers have it together. Tons of food trucks. With this came the pleasure of bucketlist things like watching Grace Jones perform from the stage (stage right) with her mother, brother , and her mother's best friend and then hanging out with them in her tent afterwards. In addition, I was able to hang with my friends in Fishbone, Ice-T & Coco, QuestLove, Bad Brains, Suicidal Tendencies, Body Count, and many, many more. The park is large with spacious ground, enough to accommodate the thousands of folks in attendance at any given time. Truly an amazingly inclusive event to be asked to be a part of.

Compared to other festivals I've been to, AP is by far one of the most organized and spacious ones…read moreout the bunch. I went in 2018 (just the Saturday show) and it was a really decent time. The grounds were clean, there was some bench seating and I wasn't suffocating from the clouds of marijuana in the air. All I do is go to festivals in the summer so I'd urge anyone who hasn't been to AP in NY to check it out. P.S: Don't get the VIP band. It's a waste of money!

Kcon is all about the Korean pop boys and girls group bands, yummy food and fun activities,…read moreexciting meet and greet with kpop celebrities and of course singing and dancing to their live stage performances. If you're into kpop, this is totally the venue for you. If you're not sure like I was few years ago whether to attend, go and experience it all for yourself. I attended the past few years kcon event and let me say that each year, the performances gets better and more number of fans have increased. I would recommend purchasing the tickets in advance online for better seatings and view of the stage. There are other activities during the day for extra fee. This event can be a full day event if you do the day's activities. Also, each year, there's two days of live stage performances by different groups. Don't worry if you don't speak Korean. Guess what? More than 50% of attendees aren't Koreans and don't understand a single word! However, lucky for us, there are English subtitles at the bottom of each large monitor screens near by the stage to understand what is being said from the idols. I love the excitement of the fans and this year one of my all time fav kpop boy group, Super Junior, was performing and I love it!

Kcon NY has the potential to be great, and with some small changes, could be. Let me warn you, this…read morereview's gonna be pretty negative, but don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Kcon, but that was because of the idols and my friends who I went with. The management itself has issues. First, the convention aspect. Standing in the hot sun all day was quite uncomfortable. I understand that the convention is outside, but with the amount of money people are paying for tickets, Kcon's organizers should be able to afford some more fans and tents. Maybe even move the convention into a real convention center, like LA. The fan engagements are very uncomfortable, as the audience is all packed into a standing crowd, and my shorter friends can't even see the artists. In the future, having seating would vastly improve fan engagements. The hi-touch isn't much better, as you barely have time to high-five the artists and say a word to them before being hustled along by aggressive security guards. The concert itself is very enjoyable, but the artists' sets are generally far too short, only 3-5 songs each. With the number of artists present, you only get around 15-20 songs performed per night. For comparison, the Exo and BTS concerts at the Prudential Center were around the same price and for your money you got a much longer concert (around 30 songs) with much higher production value. The Kcon organizers seem fairly unresponsive to their customers, and keep raising ticket prices EVERY YEAR despite inconsistent lineup quality. This seems like a blatant cash grab, and at this rate, tickets will cost minimum $150 by Kcon 2019, which is more than even the top American pop musicians. Kcon seems to know how desperate American Kpop fans are to see their idols, and are squeezing out all the money they can get. However, their plan seems to be backfiring, since this year, many popular Kpop artists (BTS, Exo, B.A.P, Dean, Shinee, KARD, Monsta X, G-Dragon) had their own US tours rather than attending Kcon, meaning Kcon had to go with a lackluster lineup made mostly of rookie groups. In addition, the Platinum/Diamond packages are absurdly overpriced. I haven't bought them, but I've seen many testimonials of people who did saying the experience wasn't worth the price, and considering the young demographic Kcon targets, it seems unethical to ask children to fork over hundreds, even thousands of dollars for the chance to meet their idols.

The people, the love, the colors, the music, the food, the joy - you just have to be there…read more I've gone years ago and loved it. This past year, I was in it. Amazing! You have to put this to your to-do list and to the NYers, Harlemites and Bronxites that "don't do NY things", lol!!, you've gotta come out for this. It's a must for an NY native. Tourists and visitors will love this too. There's the past, present and future all in one parade. I will march in the parade again this year and if I can for as long as I am in NYC.

We had an outstanding time! Took the baby (in a back wrap- stroller would be too bulky) and hubby…read moreand we just enjoyed the sites/sounds. It was so enlightening to see such positivity and we were proud to be a part of the festivities. You should definitely make it a point to go if you haven't gone yet.

The Village 52nd Annual Halloween Parade is a uniquely magical NYC Halloween experience. This is a…read moremust see Spooktacular celebration! Featuring a testament to the creativity and spirit of New Yorkers. This is a family friendly parade, but be prepared for the loud music, and noise. I have personally enjoyed the most incredible time watching the parade for many years which is a spooky jamboree, and it's an experience I can't recommend enough. Truly unlike any other parade. The vibe is fun, and electric, expect a massive crowd to be lined up along Sixth Avenue. Seeing the sheer number of people with wild, creative, and inventive costumes, from giant puppets to intricate monster makeup, was exciting. The highlight will be seeing the dedicated group of "Thriller" dancers performing the iconic moves. The energy from both the marchers and the cheering crowds on the sidelines will be fun. While it will be crowded. The police always do a great job managing the flow, and everyone was in high spirits. For anyone considering it, I highly suggest marching in costume over just watching. Being inside the parade, surrounded by music, artists, and fellow revelers, is an unforgettable feeling. This is a must-do event for anyone who loves Halloween and wants to experience a truly magical night in NYC. NYPD will have barricades in place, along the parade route on Sixth Avenue. The date and time will be Halloween night (October 31), from 7pm to 11pm How to get to the parade. Mass transportation is the best way and the following are trains that will get you to the start of the parade route; Take the C or E to Spring St.; A, B, C, D, E, F or M to West 4th St.; 1 to Houston St. or Christopher St.; or 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F or M to 14th St, walk to Sixth Avenue and you will be along the parade route. If you wish to participate in the Halloween parade you need to be in costume, to take part. There is no registration or fee. The coolest part of the parade and one of many big highlights is the Thriller Dance, performed by a dedicated group who duplicate all the moves from the Michael Jackson "Thriller" video. Tip: Check out my next review of all the Halloween Spooktacular after party's in Manhattan, and Brooklyn!

GRUMPY OLD MAN REVIEW - PLENTY OF OTHERS HAD FUN BUT HERE ARE MY IMPRESSIONS…read more I thought the storm and rain had passed and it would just be windy and warm. I thought right. Bonus. I thought I'd see oodles of creative costumes and experience something special. Thought wrong. West Village Halloween Parade 2025. First of all, it's not a parade but an exercise in crowd control. The cops will make damn sure they block off any route on foot or by wheels to that Sixth Avenue path from Canal to 23rd or wherever. They're thinking of our safety. Oh yeah? What if something bad happens? Forget about escape as you're crushed with your fellow young liberal non-white fun-seekers against the steel barricades. And Jill Sobule who was killed a house fire May 1, 2025 when her friends didn't even try to save her, lived on during the night in my mind. She wrote a song about girls simply dressing slutty isn't actually a costume. Got that right. In the Village, that rule applies to everyone. Streets crowded and teeming with drunks all in the thick miasma of the stench of weed made me wake up to the fact that I wasn't there to see the Parade per se but parked near the Holland Tunnel and was walking to the Blue Note to see Robert Glasper and had to find a way to cross Sixth. Took forever. And the dingy, trashy atmosphere didn't help. Watched vids of a Michael Jackson Thriller dance routine as the pinnacle act of the parade and it was sad. Guess anything in the public eye is forgivable if you help drunks dance. Maybe I'll go next year dressed as the Ghost of Free Talking.

More like 3 1/2 stars. Because you have to stand behind one of the barricades to watch it pass for…read moreover 4 hours. That being said, it's a unique experience. We attended the 13th annual parade and festivals (2019) held in New York City. It starts around 21st street and goes down Broadway, then University Place, turning onto East 8th street which becomes Saint Marks Place. It ends in the Dance Fest after party at Tompkins Square Park. The parade includes some 10,000 dancers from over 150 organizations with 100 unique styles of dance. Groups come from New York but also New Jersey and Connecticut to promote their dance schools, clubs, performing arts programs, and national origins. We had staked out a good viewing spot on 8th street just after the parade would turn from University place. Luckily we were in the shade. We stood for over 4 hours as the different groups passed by. Many had banners featuring the name of their groups and had amps with their music to accompany their dances. A few were on trucks or parade floats. Most were walking and dancing the entire route. Amazing how they did both in heavy colorful costumes and very high heels, too. All sorts of dance were here -- from ballet to belly dancing; hip hop to traditional Chinese fan dances; Latin fusion to ballroom. Can you think of it? It was represented. Then there were some of the weird and wild with drag queens and campy dances. Exercise like dancers too -- from aerobics to jazz. And also there was a mix of ages -- from tiny kid dancers to elderly Asian umbrella dancers. All sorts of folk and ethnic dancers. A lot of Bolivian dancers with blaringly loud "hurt your ear drums" music. Contrasted with drum corps -- the all female group was great. If you're in town when this occurs, plan for disruptions in traffic and closed streets. And if you can't go (or stand) for the entire parade, at least carve out an hour to see this unique New York experience.

Today was the 13th Annual NY Dance Parade. It was on Broadway between 14 St and 21 Street in…read moreManhattan running downtown bound. There were lots of different dance schools, dance teams and other dancers represented. It also wasn't just New York Area groups because I did see one from North Carolina. Plenty of good music to dance along the sidelines.The cops let people cross Broadway to get to the other side during lulls in the parade,

You know, I come here every year. So it's always just an amazing experience. Just to be around…read morethings that I enjoy, such as comic books, cartoons as well as artist gallery and panels. It was extra special this year because I was able to enjoy it with a high school friend of mine as well as my boyfriend. We had such an amazing time. All in all will come back again.... and always.

NYC Comic Con never disappoints! Lots of things to do and see. They have info booths scattered…read morethroughout the event so there is no way to get lost in the shuffle. Please be aware that there are lots of people in this event so certain locations will be packed and blocked, so have patience and enjoy! Lots of fun for all ages. Everyone is so friendly and approachable. Hope you enjoy some of the cosplay pics! EXCELSIOR! IYKYK!

Because I had tickets for the Rockettes show, I figured I'd do the tour beforehand. And if you do…read morethe tour beforehand, and its close to your showtime. you don't have to leave, which obviously beats having to wait in the cold/rain/snow and the long line. Now, what you see with the tour is dependant on if there's a show running. Since there was a show running when I was there we didn't get to see the hydraulics, backstage area, or get to go on the stage. We did get to meet a Rockette, saw the seamstress room, production area, and a few other spots. Alexander Christopher was our guide and he was a blast, very enthusiastic and energetic. Its a fun time. That said, its probably a little overpriced. But its still a fun experience and I recommend doing it, especially if you're doing the Rockettes show, and like I said if you get the tour right before your show time you won't have to back out and wait in line.

Keith our tour guide was a great ambassador for RCMH and was able to handle things smoothly when…read moresome in our group got separated in an elevator snafu (group went to wrong floor). We enjoyed learning about the history of this beautiful, iconic building and took a picture with one of the Rockettes who spoke briefly with our group. And the show that followed was fabulous! Great job, Keith!

There are two major pride parades in NYC (#1): The one that most people know about in Midtown…read moreManhattan that is among the largest in the world (#2) and this one in Jackson Heights, Queens. Just knowing the festival has a presence in the borough gives me a new appreciation for my former home. In years past, it's been as colorful of a festival as any. There are costumes, a fun cast of characters, games, photo opps, lots of music, and a lot going on in every direction. Daytime is usually the best time, before the rainbow bars across Roosevelt become a filled to the brim at night. The parade route is somewhat minimal, but the conviviality is no less diminished. The festival has taken a bit of a hiatus in the last couple of years but it's making a roaring comeback on June 5th of this year. It's not the same animal as the one in Manhattan, but an important event in the borough no less. I hope they do it bigger and badder than ever before. (#3) ____________ (#1) At least before the pandemic. (#2) https://www.yelp.com/biz/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-pride-parade-new-york (#3) With more food, please?

The Queens Pride Parade & Festival is always a great, fun time but we need better food options!…read moreThere are plenty of food trucks parked here but the options are all the same: meat on a stick or arepa.