Destination
When should you visit New York City?
Weather, crowds, prices and events for all twelve months — and one clear recommendation.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
My recommendation
May
May offers one of the best overall balances of comfortable weather, manageable crowds and a lively New York atmosphere.
Best weather
September
Warm days, cooler evenings.
Fewer crowds
January–February
The quietest stretch of the year.
Best value
January–February
Lowest demand and rates.
Best for events
September
US Open and Fashion Week.
May scores
Plan around
What to know before you book
- New York Fashion Week
- NYFW typically runs in February and September — the September 2026 schedule runs 10–15 September 2026. Fashion-industry activity and hotel demand rise sharply around these dates.
- US Open
- In 2026 the tournament runs 23 August – 13 September, with main-draw singles from 30 August. Expect higher demand across the city, not only in Queens.
- NYC Marathon
- The marathon is one of the largest annual events in the city. Confirm the current year's date before booking — hotels and transport are affected city-wide.
- Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving materially influences travel demand, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is part of the seasonal atmosphere. Not every November week prices the same.
- Christmas & New Year
- The strongest festive period of the year: high atmosphere, high demand, high prices and cold weather. Magical, but plan and book early.
February and September (dates change each year)
Late August to early September (dates change each year)
November (date changes each year)
Late November (date changes each year)
December
Month by month
All twelve months, at a glance
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
- Temperature
- -2–4°C
- Winter conditions — average highs around 4°C (39.5°F), lows around -2°C (27.9°F)
- Crowds
- Low
- Post-holiday lull, the quietest stretch of the New York year
- Prices
- $
- Lowest hotel demand of the year after the first week
Great for budget-conscious city breakers who don't mind winter — build the trip around indoor New York.
- Museums
- Broadway
- Value
- Temperature
- -1–6°C
- Cold — average highs around 6°C (42.2°F), lows around -1°C (29.5°F)
- Crowds
- Low
- Generally lower than spring, summer and the holiday season
- Prices
- $
- Low demand, with short spikes around New York Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week typically falls in February and can lift rates around specific dates.
- Galleries
- Fashion
- Value
- Temperature
- 2–10°C
- Changeable early spring — average highs around 10°C (49.9°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Busier than winter, well below peak season
- Prices
- $$
- Shoulder-season pricing before the spring climb
Pack for both ends of the range — March can swing from winter to spring in a day.
- Walking
- Neighbourhoods
- Shoulder season
- Temperature
- 8–17°C
- Mild spring — average highs around 17°C (61.8°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Rising, but still below the strongest summer and holiday periods
- Prices
- $$
- Higher than winter, below summer and December peaks
Ideal for long walking days across Manhattan before summer heat arrives.
- First-time visits
- Parks
- Walking
- Temperature
- 13–22°C
- Warm days, cool-to-mild evenings — average highs around 22°C (71.4°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Busy but manageable, before the summer peak
- Prices
- $$
- Reasonable value for the quality of the conditions
Book rooftops and outdoor tables ahead — May evenings are the first genuinely pleasant ones of the year.
- Outdoor sightseeing
- Rooftops
- Parks
- Temperature
- 18–26°C
- Warm summer weather — average highs around 27°C (79.7°F)
- Crowds
- High
- Summer visitor numbers build through the month
- Prices
- $$$
- Summer pricing takes hold
Use the long evenings — the city stays comfortable well past sunset.
- Rooftops
- Long days
- Outdoor events
- Temperature
- 21–29°C
- Hot and humid — average highs around 29°C (84.9°F)
- Crowds
- High
- Peak summer visitor numbers
- Prices
- $$$
- Crowds and prices are generally less attractive than spring
Plan indoor museums for the middle of the day and save walking for mornings and evenings.
- Summer energy
- Waterfront
- Air-conditioned culture
- Temperature
- 20–28°C
- Hot and humid — average highs around 28°C (83.3°F)
- Crowds
- High
- Still busy, easing slightly from the July peak
- Prices
- $$$
- Marginally softer than the peak summer weeks
The US Open begins in late August — expect extra demand around those dates.
- Summer travel
- Beaches nearby
- Late-summer events
- Temperature
- 17–25°C
- Warm days, cooler evenings — average highs around 24°C (76.2°F)
- Crowds
- High
- The US Open and New York Fashion Week concentrate demand on specific dates
- Prices
- $$$
- Higher around event weeks, otherwise reasonable
Check the US Open and NYFW dates before booking — hotel rates react to both.
- Weather
- Events
- City atmosphere
- Temperature
- 11–18°C
- Crisp autumn air — average highs around 18°C (64.5°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Busy but comfortable, spread across the city
- Prices
- $$
- Autumn rates, below the December peak
Central Park and the Hudson Valley are at their best — build in one outdoor day.
- Walking
- Autumn colour
- Neighbourhoods
- Temperature
- 6–12°C
- Cool late autumn — average highs around 12°C (54.0°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Quieter early in the month, busy around Thanksgiving
- Prices
- $$
- Varies week to week — Thanksgiving is far from the cheapest week
Don't assume every November week has the same pricing — the marathon and Thanksgiving both move rates.
- Thanksgiving
- NYC Marathon
- Early holiday lights
- Temperature
- 1–7°C
- Cold — average highs around 7°C (44.3°F), lows around 1°C (33.8°F)
- Crowds
- Very high
- Festive crowds throughout Manhattan, peaking around Christmas and New Year's Eve
- Prices
- $$$$
- Highest demand of the year around the holidays
Choose December if Christmas atmosphere matters more to you than weather or value.
- Christmas atmosphere
- Holiday markets
- Ice skating
Climate
New York City weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / 39°F | -2°C / 28°F | 92 mm | 11 |
| February | 6°C / 43°F | -1°C / 30°F | 81 mm | 10 |
| March | 10°C / 50°F | 2°C / 36°F | 109 mm | 11 |
| April | 17°C / 63°F | 8°C / 46°F | 104 mm | 11 |
| May | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 101 mm | 12 |
| June | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 64°F | 115 mm | 11 |
| July | 29°C / 84°F | 21°C / 70°F | 117 mm | 11 |
| August | 29°C / 84°F | 21°C / 70°F | 116 mm | 10 |
| September | 25°C / 77°F | 17°C / 63°F | 109 mm | 9 |
| October | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 111 mm | 10 |
| November | 12°C / 54°F | 6°C / 43°F | 91 mm | 9 |
| December | 7°C / 45°F | 1°C / 34°F | 111 mm | 11 |
Climate data: NOAA. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
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