The New Year’s Eve champagne’s been drunk, the new planner’s been purchased and you’ve already written the wrong date at least twice — that’s right, it’s 2026! This is a special year for downtown, one that includes marquee events like an NYC FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th birthday along with all the Lower Manhattan highlights and Downtown Alliance-sponsored programming that you’ve already come to love. Below, you’ll find 26 things we’re looking forward to in the year to come. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram @downtownnyc to stay updated on events for the next 12 months…and beyond!
- Riding on the brand new NYC Ferry routes that leave from the Wall Street pier, including a route that connects Brooklyn and Staten Island.
- Our new Re:Store program, which invites businesses from other neighborhoods to open a three-month pop-up downtown for free! Applications open on January 12.
- Dining in style at a discount during NYC Restaurant Week, with the winter edition running from January 20 to February 12.
- A new slate of programming from LM Live (and New York on Film!) which kicks off on January 28.
- The Winter Olympics, which will take place from February 6 to February 22 — the games might be all the way in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy this year, but you’re still guaranteed to catch all the action at a number of venues downtown.
- Chilling out at the Governors Island Ice Sculpture Show on February 7.
- Live music at Fraunces Tavern (a perfect winter activity — cap it off with a drink at the Whiskey Bar!)
- Lunar New Year at the China Institute of America, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
- Feasting at the long-awaited Manhattan Golden Mall, which is expected to open in Lower Manhattan this winter.
- Having leisurely breakfasts at a neighborhood standby like Pearl Diner or Squire’s.
- Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the best Irish pubs in the city.
- Catching “CATS: The Jellicle Ball,” which originated at Lower Manhattan’s own PAC NYC, on Broadway starting this spring.
- Hopping on a Lower Manhattan walking tour when the weather warms up.
- Enjoying the spring daffodil bloom in Bowling Green Park (and our annual plant giveaway, obviously)
- Having high tea at the Warren Street Hotel.
- Jamming out on the rooftop at Pier 17 when the live concerts return in May.
- Taking a literary stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge on the Poets House Poetry Walk in June.
- Sampling dishes from some of Lower Manhattan’s most celebrated restaurants at the Dine Around Downtown community food festival in June (and don’t forget about Lunch Box in October!)
- MetLife Stadium hosting eight FIFA World Cup matches in June and July — the New York area’s first Men’s World Cup games since 1994!
- Lunchtime outdoor dance breaks during another season of free Art Is All Around concerts.
- Summer events in the newly revamped Wagner Park.
- Ringing in the nation’s big birthday during America 250 (and stay tuned for downtown’s special celebratory events in July).
- Seeing tall ships from around the world parade through New York Harbor as part of the Sail the 4th celebration on July 4.
- Post-work happy hours on the roof at Leonessa (102 N. End Ave.) — we literally cannot wait.
- Riding the BEAST.
- And Halloween! (Just because we just had it doesn’t mean we’re not already excited for next year).
