The Beat

New York, N.Y. (December 9, 2025) — The African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF), New York’s longest-running showcase dedicated to global stories spotlighting the human experience of people of color, proudly welcomes an exciting slate of filmmakers and creators for its Closing Weekend events. As the festival enters its final days, audiences can look forward to powerful screenings, insightful conversations, and talent whose work challenges convention, expands representation, and deepens our understanding of the human experience of people of color.

A Shining Beacon of Light, Liberty & Jewish Confidence

Ahead of Celebration of 250 Years Since America’s Founding, Iconic Menorah to Shine Forth as Universal Symbol of Liberty 

New York, NY — In a moment of great annual anticipation, The World’s Largest Menorah—a 36-foot New York City icon and the world’s most recognizable menorah—will be erected at the corner of 5th Ave and 59th St. across from the Plaza Hotel, on Wed. Dec. 10 at 8 am. …

Tickets now on sale

New York, N.Y. - South Street Seaport Museum announces the 2026 sailing season for the 1885 Schooner Pioneer beginning in May and running through October. Tickets range from $5–$70 to sail New York Harbor and are on sale now! Get them here.

One Night Only! Thursday, December 11 at 7pm at Judson Memorial Church

New York, N.Y. - Actionplay is pleased to announce its upcoming performance, Actionplay Voices Choir Holiday Gala (Winter Spectacular!) & Cha-Chingle Jingle Mingle!, taking place on Thursday, December 11 at 7 p.m. at Judson Memorial Church in the East Village. The celebrated neurodiverse Actionplay Choir, featuring singers ages 15 to 61, will present a full concert of festive holiday songs. This gala performance will raise funds for the Voices Choir, Actionplays new disability-inclusive choir, who recently performed at Night of Too Many Stars.

Empire State Plaza Ice Rink Opens for the Season on December 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday

NYS Tree Lighting & Fireworks Festival at the Empire State Plaza, Presented by Highmark Blue Shield on December 7

Harlem Tree Lighting Celebration at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building Plaza in Harlem on December 11

New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the official schedule for the 2025-26 Winter at the Plaza season, including the opening of the ice rink at the Empire State Plaza in Albany and the annual tree lighting at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building in Harlem. The Winter at the Plaza series of events are presented with support from I LOVE NY and Coca-Cola.

Revolutionary Classics, Censored Cinema, and Trailblazing Filmmakers Lead NYC Festival

New York, N.Y. (November 18, 2025) – The Harlem-based 33rd Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) returns to New York City from November 29 to December 14, 2025 , with a powerful and essential lineup of over 70 films from more than 30 countries . Founded in 1993, the festival’s mission is to expand traditional views by showcasing socially relevant, award-winning films about people of color from Peru to Zimbabwe, from the USA to Belgium, and from New Zealand to Jamaica , creating a vital dialogue between groundbreaking new voices and classic films.

25 Performances Planned January 22 – March 1

“Ed Schmidt’s new play, Edward, is a singular experience…eloquent prose…fantastic writing…If given the chance, I would see this show as many times as I could.” – LA Theatrix, Anthony Gutierrez (Edward)

New York, N.Y. - In EDWARD, a box filled with twenty-seven ordinary objects becomes a profound reconstruction of one man’s life. The acclaimed solo show by Ed Schmidt will present twenty-five performances in independent bookstores throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan from January 22 through March 1. The title character, Edward O’Connell, a former high school English teacher who believed in “the vital role that literature plays in the development of a well-rounded life,” makes bookstores an ideal backdrop for his story to unfold.

December 8–22 at The Gene Frankel Theatre in NoHo

New York, N.Y. - Following a successful inaugural festival this summer, the Gene Frankel Theatre Festival returns this December with The Gene Frankel Theatre Winter Festival. Eighteen new short plays and one-acts will make their New York Premiere and be presented across seven performance blocks. Running December 8–22 at the historic Gene Frankel Theatre in NoHo, the festival will feature approximately 100 artists.

The Two-Day Festival Will Take Place on September 19 & 20

New York, NY (November 21, 2025) - Following its massively successful, sold out 2025 debut on Randall’s Island, John Summit’s Experts Only Festival will officially return to New York City on September 19–20, 2026. Produced in partnership with Medium Rare, Relentless Beats, and EMW, the festival is set to once again deliver one of the largest dance music events in NYC, bringing together top global artists, elevated production, and the signature high-energy Experts Only community.

State Funding Allows wild project To Acquire 195 East 3rd Street Theater, Preserving a Vital Cultural Space for Independent, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC Artists

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an additional $600,000 in State funding to enable wild project — a nonprofit producer, performance venue, and community space — to purchase the building at 195 East 3rd Street in Manhattan’s East Village that has housed the organization's 89-seat theater since its founding in 2007. This investment will help secure long-term stability for a vital independent arts organization, preserving affordable cultural space for emerging, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and local artists.