Posts in Arts & Culture | I Love New York Blog

Jazz At Lincoln Center _ Photo by Marley White - Courtesy of NYC & Co

From jazz and spoken word to rock 'n' roll, R&B, and hip-hop, Black music is a global language and innovation. Rooted in soul, rhythm, storytelling, resistance, and joy, it has shaped how people celebrate, express love, build identity and community, and imagine freedom.

June is Black Music Month, a time to honor the artists, sounds, and culture that have shaped generations and New York State’s soundscape. From Harlem, Queens, and the Bronx to Buffalo, Rochester, and Long Island, experience the cultural landmarks, festivals, museums, and theaters that continue to preserve and celebrate this legacy.

Get your sunscreen ready… it’s music festival season in New York State! From jazz to blues to indie rock to classical to country, there's a festival to satisfy every music taste.

A woman in a flowing yellow skirt and white shirt twirls with a red cloth in her hand in front of the backdrop of a red boat and the Statue of Liberty in the distance

From dramatic Shakespeare performances to electric dance celebrations, New York State is home to the world's most renowned art festivals. Attend the northeast’s largest blues event, dive into arts and culture at the Chautauqua Institution, or witness a star-studded film festival, where you may just bump into celebrities like Robert De Niro! What are you waiting for? Your New York artistic adventure awaits! …

Credit: @sg_uberdawg on Instagram

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Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Orchid Fest

Get ready for a month of celebration in New York State! Commemorate Women's History Month by exploring the state’s rich history of the Women's Rights Movement.

Book lovers, pack your bags for a literary adventure in New York State! From browsing the iconic stacks of the New York Public Library, to hunting for treasures in a Catskills book village, to visiting the homes of Washington Irving, Walt Whitman, and other famous authors, get ready to write your own chapter of bookish bliss with these literary destinations in New York State.

When Anthony Met Stanton statue. Photograph by Ethan LaCroix

From July 19–20, 1848, a group of 300 women and 42 men came together in Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls for the first-ever women's rights convention in the U.S. They began laying the groundwork for what would lead to women's suffrage in New York in 1917, three years before the nation followed.

A look at the One More River to Cross exhibit at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center

Museums, attractions, and cultural institutions across New York State are commemorating Black History Month this February with special programs and events honoring and celebrating the great contributions and achievements of African Americans. From art workshops to live performances to moving exhibits, find unique and meaningful ways to celebrate and understand Black history, culture, and heritage with these family-friendly events.

Blue, green, yellow, and orange ceramic bottles on display

Whether you're an art lover, history buff, or pop culture enthusiast, New York State's world-class museums are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. What better way to warm up during the winter months than by spending the day exploring an exciting exhibit? Walk through original studio sets from Everybody Loves Raymond at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, learn about American history through the lens of still life paintings at the Memorial Art Gallery, or celebrate six decades of Barbie at the New York State Museum–there’s something for everyone! Be sure to add these must-see Empire State exhibits to your winter itinerary before they're gone.

A person dressed in a polar bear costume stands in the ocean water in Coney Island during the New Year's polar plunge

Say hello to 2026 in style in New York State by warming up with a variety of fun, exciting, and delicious events! Whether you want to take in a two-for-one show on Broadway, groove to the smooth…

I Love New York Blog

Category - Arts & Culture

Explore the Rhythm and Sounds of Black Music in New York

25 Summer Music Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss in New York State

Guide to New York State's Annual Art Festivals

A Local’s Guide to Off-Broadway Theater: What to See, Where to Eat, and Things to Do

Credit: @sg_uberdawg on Instagram

13 Things to Do This March in New York State

Book Lover's Guide to New York State

48 Hours in Seneca Falls, NY

13 Family-Friendly Black History Month Events in New York State

This Winter's Must-See Exhibits at New York State Museums

20 Things to Do in January in New York State

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