New York City is a multicultural hub with dozens of museums, hundreds of parks and millions of people. The number of potential things to see and do can feel overwhelming, but NY1 has you covered with some of the highlights taking place this weekend across the five boroughs.

Rockefeller Tree Removal

  • Saturday Jan. 11 at 10 p.m.
  • Rockefeller Center, Manhattan
  • Free and open to the public

The city will see a symbolic end to the holiday season Saturday as the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree comes down. Those who want a last look have until 10 p.m., when the lights will go dark and the removal process will begin. 

Under the Radar Theater Festival

  • Shows through Jan. 19
  • Various venues throughout the city
  • Lineup and ticket information here

One of "On Stage" host Frank DiLella's picks of the week, the Under the Radar Theater Festival is celebrating 20 years of being New York City's "premier annual festival of experimental theater," according to their website.

There are more than a dozen unique productions to check out, with each show featuring "cutting-edge performances from around the world and across the U.S."

(Photo courtesy of Under the Radar Theater Festival)

globalFEST at Lincoln Center

  • Sunday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m.
  • David Geffen Hall (10 Lincoln Center Plaza), Manhattan
  • Ticket information here

Returning for its 22nd year, globalFEST is a full night of music and performances from 10 artists across three stages. Organizers say the event celebrates "musical discovery with traditional, contemporary, and genre-defying acts" and brings together "unique musical perspectives that transcend borders."

Some of the performers include Paul Beaubrun from Haiti, Maruja Limón from Spain and Hazmat Modine from the U.S.

Mulchfest Chipping Weekend

  • Jan. 11 and 12
  • 35 chipping sites, 75 drop-off sites across the city
  • Free and open to the public

This is the last weekend to take advantage of Mulchfest, an opportunity for New Yorkers to recycle their Christmas trees.

Mulchfest's final two days are also known as "Chipping Weekend," during which residents can bring their trees to a designated site between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., watch them get chipped and take home a bag of mulch.

The Parks Department reminds New Yorkers to remove all lights, ornaments and netting before bringing trees to a Mulchfest site.

Bryant Park Winter Village

  • Open through March 2, 2025
  • Bryant Park, Manhattan
  • Free and open to the public

Bryant Park's Winter Village boasts an ice skating rink and an indoor lodge with food and drink options.

Also, as of Jan. 10, New Yorkers can reserve tickets to ride bumper cars on ice.

Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off

  • Up through Jan. 12
  • Museum of the City of New York, Manhattan
  • Ticket information here

The Museum of the City of New York hosts gingerbread creations from bakers across the boroughs for its third annual bake-off.

The theme this year was “Iconic New York,” inviting artists to create pieces that represented distinct sights in their communities. Visitors can see the finalists on display, all made of entirely edible materials, then cast their vote for “People’s Choice.” 

Tianyu Lights Festival

  • Open through Jan. 19
  • Citi Field, Queens
  • Ticket information here

Citi Field boasts its own light show from "the largest Chinese lantern festival producer in North America,” according to Tianyu’s website.

While the company hosts different experiences in cities across the U.S., the New York City exhibit is focused on the theme of Koda’s Adventure — “a magical fusion of animals and plants.”

There’s also a food court, live music and dance performances.

NYBG Holiday Train Show

  • Open through Jan. 20
  • New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx
  • Ticket information here

The New York Botanical Garden's annual Holiday Train Show has returned for its 33rd year. Visitors have the opportunity to see nearly 200 replicas of New York City landmarks — all created from plant parts.

Toy trains wrap around the recreations, including the city's iconic skyscrapers, Yankee Stadium and the New York Public Library. The garden runs both day and night availabilities, with seasonal food and drink offerings as well.

New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show

  • Open through February 2025
  • New York Transit Museum Gallery, Grand Central Terminal
  • Free and open to the public

Another train show in the city, the New York Transit Museum's offering is smaller than what's on display at the New York Botanical Garden, but no tickets are required.

Celebrating its 20th year, the exhibit features model trains running through a 34-foot-long display — departing from a miniature Grand Central and passing by other iconic New York City landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State Building. The Transit Museum's collection of model trains includes Metro-North, Polar Express and vintage subway train sets.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

  • Open through March 2025
  • Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan
  • Ticket information here

Ice skating is open for the season at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. The center's website calls it one of the city's "quintessential winter activities."