Things to Do in NYC This Week (Jan 12-18): Halsey & Film Fest
If your January is already starting to feel a little too routine, this guide to things to do in NYC this week (January 12-18) might be exactly what you need. Once the holiday glow fades and the cold really settles in, it’s easy to slip into a homebody phase without even noticing. But New York refuses to slow down, and it’s the perfect time to take advantage of events that feel a little less crowded and a lot more fun.
Please give the official event page a quick look for any recent changes. If entry is free, keep in mind that RSVPs and separate payments for all snacks and fun activities are typically required.
Free Fun Events & Activities
Sledding in Central Park
Once Central Park gets a proper layer of snow, the sledding hills officially open, and the fun begins. Pilgrim Hill brings the thrills with a steeper slope, while Cedar Hill offers beginner-friendly runs for little riders and a faster section for anyone feeling bold.
- Where: Pilgrim Hill and Cedar Hill
- Tickets: Free admission
- Best for: Families or playful grown-ups
New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show
Mini trains glide through a tiny New York City inside Grand Central, bringing a hit of nostalgia for kids and grown-ups. If you’re ticking off free things to do in NYC this January 2026, this one deserves a spot on the list.
- When: Until February 2026
- Where: New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store (Shuttle Passage) Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd Street, New York
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://grandcentralterminal.com
- Best for: Families
Bryant Park Winter Village
Look at us, still sipping hot chocolate and shopping for gifts we forgot to buy in December. The rink is free if you bring skates, so it earns its place in the NYC event calendar. Skyscrapers. Sparkly lights. Peak winter in the city.
- When: Until March 1, 2026
- Where: 41st Street and 6th Ave, New York
- Tickets: Free and paid
- Best for: Friends hanging out
Paid & Ticketed Events
New York Jewish Film Festival
Films that spark good conversations afterward. From dramas to docs, it is always a standout cultural event during winter. If someone asks what is happening in NYC today, this is a smart answer.
- When: January 14-28, 2026
- Where: Film at Lincoln Center (70 Lincoln Center Plaza, 4th fl., Manhattan)
- Tickets: On sale soon
- Best for: Film lovers
Brooklyn Nets Games
Catch the Nets bringing the heat even when the temperature drops outside. New stars are stepping up, and the arena energy is high. A solid pick for anyone following major events in New York City this week.
- When: January 16, 19, & 23, 2026
- Where: Barclays Center (620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Best for: Sports fans
Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Skating under the Brooklyn Bridge with postcard views behind you. It is pretty much the definition of unique things to do in NYC this January 2026. Also, your winter Instagram content will thank you.
- When: Until February 1, 2026
- Where: Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
- Tickets: Click here.
- Best for: Date nights
Holiday Express from the Jerni Train Collection
Vintage trains and detailed sets that take you back to the 1800s. It is a nice break from screens and streaming queues, and a fun way to slip inside history. A perfect add-on if you are planning for the NYC must-see week 2026.
- When: Until February 22, 2026
- Where: The New York Historical (170 Central Park West, Manhattan)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Best for: Curious minds
Skate at Domino Park
Music, food nearby, epic skyline views. This waterfront rink keeps the fun rolling with theme nights and community events. Type what is happening in NYC today into your brain, and this is one of the first answers that should pop up.
- When: Until February 22, 2026
- Where: 15 River St, Brooklyn
- Price: Click here.
- Best for: Groups of friends
Wollman Rink in Central Park
Classic NYC winter moment unlocked. If you want that “main character in a movie” feeling, this rink is the move. A definite highlight when looking at festivals in NYC this weekend that celebrate the season.
- When: Until March 15, 2026
- Where: 830 5th Ave, New York
- Tickets: Click here.
- Best for: Couples
Concerts & Broadway Shows
Halsey: Back to Badlands Tour
Ten years after “Badlands”, fans are getting the nostalgia they waited for. Powerful vocals plus a crowd that knows every lyric feels like a throwback party.
- When: January 13-15, 2026
- Where: Hammerstein Ballroom (311 W 34th St., New York)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.iamhalsey.com
- Best for: Pop fans
Candlelight Concerts
Live musicians surrounded by soft candlelight bring a new emotion to familiar songs. It is cozy, intimate, and very New York in winter. One of the most charming things to do in NYC this weekend when you want something slower than the usual city rush.
- Candlelight: Tribute to Queen – January 16 at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church (157 Montague Street, Brooklyn)
- Candlelight: Tribute to Justin Bieber – January 16 at Irondale (85 South Oxford Street Brooklyn)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay – January 16 at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church (157 Montague Street, Brooklyn)
- Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Gabriel on Strings – January 17 at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church (157 Montague Street, Brooklyn)
- Candlelight: Film Scores and Hollywood Epics – January 17 at Irondale (85 South Oxford Street Brooklyn)
- Candlelight: Tribute to Drake – January 17 at Irondale (85 South Oxford Street Brooklyn)
- Best for: Romantic vibes
Wicked on Broadway
A Broadway classic with jaw-dropping staging and songs that stay in your head on the subway ride home. Still one of the hottest things to do in NYC today downtown if you love theatre.
- Date: Until March 2026
- Location: Gershwin Theatre (222 W 51st St, New York)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Best for: Theatre fans
MJ the Musical
Michael Jackson’s greatest hits and unforgettable dance moves packed into one high-energy show. You will want to move in your seat the whole time.
- Date: Until July 5, 2026
- Location: Neil Simon Theatre (250 W 52nd St, New York)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Best for: Music fans
Other Events/Activities to Check Out
- Under the Radar Festival – Until January 25 at multiple venues | Ticketed
- Winter Jazzfest – Until January 13 at multiple venues | Ticketed
- Gottesman Rink at the Davis Center – Until March 8 at the East side of Central Park (between 106th and 108th Streets) | Ticketed
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Until May 10 at Lyric Theatre (214 W 43rd St, New York) | Ticketed
- MØ – January 16 at Webster Hall (125 E 11th St, New York) | Ticketed
Hands-On Fun to Keep You Busy and Toasty
If you’re craving more ways to survive the chilly months while having fun, check out 10 Insanely Cool Workshops in NYC to Survive Winter. From hands-on crafts to quirky classes, there’s something to keep everyone entertained and warm.
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