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.

Straphangers Lounge

  • Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • New York Marriott Marquis (1535 Broadway) 6th floor, Manhattan
  • Free and open to the public

The Straphangers Lounge is an interactive installation, with a full-scale subway car, platform and signs all made entirely out of textiles.

Artists Karima Sundarji and Sue Hunter crafted each piece by hand and will be showcasing them as part of the textile conference Vogue Knitting Live 2025.

​See pictures and more on their website.

MLK Jr. Celebration

  • Sunday, Jan. 19, and Monday, Jan. 20
  • Brooklyn Children's Museum
  • Ticket information here

Admission to the Brooklyn Children's Museum Sunday and Monday will also include access to activities celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The museum says there will be puppet performances, protest marches, community art programs, storytime and the opportunity to take part in a volunteer service project.

Edgar Allan Poe's Birthday

  • Sunday, Jan. 19, from 1 to 5 p.m.
  • 2640 Grand Concourse, the Bronx
  • Free and open to the public

The Bronx Historical Society is offering free admission to Edgar Allan Poe's cottage in the Bronx Sunday to celebrate the late poet's 216th birthday.

The home is where Poe wrote some of his most celebrated works. There will also be readings and performances.

Zlante Uste Golden Festival

  • Friday, Jan. 17, from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and Saturday, Jan. 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
  • Astoria World Manor (25-22 Astoria Blvd.), Queens
  • Ticket information here

More than 50 bands will perform across multiple stages over two nights in what organizers say is "North America’s biggest celebration of community through the music and dance of the Balkans."

There will also be complimentary Balkan appetizers, a cash bar, and crafts from artisans in the Charshiya marketplace.

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.

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 Terminal 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.

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.

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."