After the holiday rush, January can feel a little dreary. The sun sets in mid-afternoon, cold weather creeps into your bones, and New York is at its quietest. But there’s a reason it’s the city that never sleeps, and there are no exceptions. For those looking to ward off the winter doldrums, there is plenty to keep you out and about. Take a final turn or two around The Rink, or reserve a table at one of the newest restaurants in midtown: NARO, Jupiter, or 21 Greenpoint.

Outside of Rockefeller Center, you can start the New Year off on the right note with a dash of culture at the Winter Show, a splash of jazz, or a side of prix-fixe goodness during NYC Restaurant Week. Read on for our top five picks of the best events happening around New York City in January.

Wondering what’s going on at Rockefeller Center in January? Scroll through our upcoming events, and sign up for The Center Newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox.

Photo by Jati Lindsay

1. Winter Jazzfest

January 12-18

Over 500 musicians will grace the stage at 12 different venues across Manhattan and Brooklyn during Winter Jazzfest, a week-long celebration of music. Big industry names and rising stars band together at this week-long festival to present the best of jazz and live musical performances. Treat yourself to hours upon hours of music at the Friday and Saturday night Jazzfest marathons (happening this year in both Brooklyn and Manhattan), or just enjoy a show (or two...or three...or all 10). Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Aerial view of the Winter Show at Park Avenue Armory

Photo by Zach Hilty

2. The Winter Show

January 20-29

There are over 300 art fairs taking place around the world each year. With so many options and an overwhelming amount of choice at each one, the Winter Show distinguishes itself through careful curation and a manageable size. This January, over 65 fine and decorative arts exhibitors will descend upon the Park Avenue Armory for 10 days of buzzy sales. These carefully selected vendors represent longtime participants as well as newcomers that promise to bring some modern flair to this long-held tradition. The show is not just a chance to peruse fine art, antiques, and jewelry, but it’s also an opportunity to put your wallet to work for good. All proceeds from the event benefit East Side House Settlement, a non-profit organization that serves lower Manhattan and the Bronx.

Photo by Trinh Minh

3. NYC Restaurant Week

January 17 – February 12

Not willing to spend a month’s rent on dinner, but dying to try that restaurant everyone is talking about? Forget $30 appetizers and an entrée that costs more than a shopping spree at Bergdorf’s. NYC Restaurant Week has got you covered. Happening twice each year, Restaurant Week (more of a month these days), is your chance to sample all those seemingly out-of-reach hotspots. Restaurants throughout all five boroughs offer special multi-course menus at a fixed price, helping diners expand their gastronomic choices while bringing in new business. Note that not all restaurants participate in both lunch and dinner menus, and Saturdays are typically excluded. Check back here after January 10 to see which restaurants are participating and how best to snag that corner table.

Collection of shoes at the Virgil Abloh:

Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum

4. Last chance to see Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech” at the Brooklyn Museum

Through January 29

First opened in July at the Brooklyn Museum, Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech” is the first museum exhibition to consider the legacy of the famed fashion designer and entrepreneur. Known for his label Off-White and his tenure as artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear, Abloh was revered as a transformative creative force within the fashion industry. The exhibition, which was originally developed by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, is reimagined here by writer and curator Antwaun Sargent. Featuring over 100 works by Abloh—including Social Sculpture, a cabin-like structure the size of a house—the exhibit looks across two decades of Abloh’s work and considers his groundbreaking contributions to the disciplines of fashion, design, and architecture.

New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden

Photo by Seth Hoffman

5. Catch a game at Madison Square Garden

Throughout January

Basketball and hockey fans alike will have plenty to keep them busy this January as the Knicks and Rangers face off against their rivals at Madison Square Garden. Both will have the home team advantage several times over the course of the month, so don’t miss the opportunity to root them on to victory. Other games to watch include two BIG EAST Conference match-ups featuring St. John’s Red Storm. The college team, led by head Coach Mike Anderson, will take on Georgetown and Providence in their bid to win entry to March Madness.

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