Tips and tricks for watching the Christmas Spectacular

After hearing all your warm recommendations about the Rockettes and the Christmas Spectacular show at Radio City, I finally got tickets! We went to the show last night, on Saturday, November 17th, 2018 and I've collected some tips and tricks for you to use before you purchase tickets for this event. Your Christmas overdose is right here and it's spectacular.

Buying tickets:

1. Tickets around Christmas time will be significantly more expensive. So my first advice is: "the sooner the better". Try to get your tickets around mid-November, you can get them for as low as $36 per ticket.
2. If you are buying via Ticketmaster, they will charge about $15 extra per tickets. Buying the tickets directly from the box office will save you all these extra Ticketmaster fees.
3. Go to Ticketmaster, choose your dates and look at open seating options that best fit your price. Write down 3 or 4 options for each date and when you go to the box office ask specifically for the seats you choose online.

Choosing seats:

1. Avoid orchestra 1 and 7. You can hardly see the stage from there.
2. Don't seat too close to the stage. They use a lot of space during the show so the best viewing points start around row KK.
3. During November tickets for the show are usually not sold out. If you buy a few days before the show, look for empty rows. If no one shows up when the Rockettes are up on the stage, you can upgrade your seat.
4. Middle seats have the best view, so aim for Orchestra 3, 4 or 5.
5. First rows of the mezzanines also have a great view, you can see the whole stage from up there.
6. Obstructed seats are usually not a good option, get them only if you think you'll be able to upgrade yourself once the show starts. Otherwise, it's a waste of money.

7. These videos were taken from row RR, seat 206.

Attending the show:

1. Arrive early so you'll have time to enjoy the venue. The show gives you an excellent opportunity to explore Radio City from the inside. It's a gorgeous venue and it looks extra fancy around Christmas time.
2. Don't forget to take the 3D glasses when you enter the theater. The people directing you to your seat should also provide you with these glasses.
3. There is no flash photography, but you are allowed to use your phone and capture memories. Just be considerate of your fellow viewers.

What to expect:
Enjoy the show! It's a great show and I've got very sentimental seeing them riding the bus around the Christmas decorated NYC. Also, the use of drones during the show and the Rockettes are absolutely Spectacular :)

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A post shared by New York Live with Mickey (@mickmicknyc) on Nov 17, 2018 at 9:37pm PST

Your complete guide to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

On Thursday, November 22, 2018, at 9:00am, the 92nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will start marching.
The Parade will march south on Central Park West, starting from 77th street. At Columbus Circle, the Parade will then turn east and march down on 6th Avenue all the way down to the Macy's store at Harald Square. You can view the parade route on the map here.
Best viewing points will be at Central Park West (60 - 77th Street and Central Park West). You should get to your designated spot early. Early birds start to show up around 6:00am on the west side of Central Park. Please note that while there are no public viewing spots at Columbus Circle you can view the parade from the Time Warner Mall. The Mall will be open at 9:00am so you'll be able to watch the parade from the second and third toasty warm floors - be there early.
Avoid viewing the parade between West 34th and West 38th street, it's reserved for the national television broadcast. Also, there is no public viewing on Macy's Herald Square. It is going to be very, very crowded. 3.5 million people are expected to attend this event, so be prepared to be squashed around. And get yourself some good warm clothes to keep you from freezing while you wait. To get a sneak peek at the balloons you can attend the balloon inflation on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, between 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET. The line to see the balloons starts at West 73rd Street and Columbus Avenue. And the balloons will be on view outside of the Natural History Museum (between West 77 and West 81st Street).  You can view the balloon inflation map here.

When is the best time to visit NYC?

Do you want to know when is the best time to visit New York City?
And what are the best events in the city? I'm here to help!
After doing daily live videos for over a year from NYC, I can now share with you the weather highlights from each month throughout the year.
So without further ado, here are the best live videos 2017-2018

Click on the months you are interested in to get more details. Also, if you have a problem with this link, try going to each month separately:
1. January
2. February
3. March
4. April
5. May
6. June
7. July
8. August
9. September
10. October
11. November
12. December

Also, you are very welcome to join my Facebook groups and follow my Instagram account:
1. Mickmicknyc
2. What to do in New York?

3. My Christmas in New York

1. JANUARY
January 1, 2018 - New Year Celebrations in Times Square

January 4, 2018 - Snowstorm in NYC

January 5, 2018 - freezing today, -9 degrees Celsius / 15 degrees Fahrenheit

January 7, 2018 - Freezing in Brooklyn

January 11, 2018 - 50 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 degrees Celsius

January 14, 2018 - Ice on the Hudson River

January 17, 2018 - Snow on the Brooklyn Bridge

January 22, 2018 - 7 degrees Celsius / 45 degrees Fahrenheit with some rain showers

January 23, 2018 - Rainy day walking to Flatiron Building

January 26, 2018 - Ice skating performance at Bryant Park

2. FEBRUARY
February 4, 2018 - Rainy day in Union Square

February 5, 2018 - Getting ready for Valentines Day in Times Square

February 8, 2018 - Sunny cold day in Central Park

February 11, 2018 - Rainy day, walking on Broadway

February 13, 2018 - Winter at the Bushwick Collective

February 14, 2018 - Lunar Year Fireworks

February 17, 2018 - Snowy rain/sleet, walking on Broadway

February 20, 2018 - Spring weather in Central Park

February 22, 2018 - Winter is back in Times Square

February 25, 2018 - Chinese New Year, Chinatown Parade

February 28, 2018 - Spring break at Central Park

3. MARCH
March 8, 2018 - International women's day

March 13, 2018 - Snowy rain / sleet waking on Broadway

March 17, 2018 - St. Patrick's Parade

March 19, 2018 - East Harlem and walking to Central Park

March 21, 2018 - Snowstorm in Times Square

March 22, 2018 - Snowy Central Park

March 25, 2018 - Macy's Flower Show

4. APRIL
April 1, 2018 - Sunny Easter Parade at St Patrick's Cathedral

April 2, 2018 - Snowstorm in Central Park

April 3, 2018 - Rainy and cold at Columbus Circle

April 5, 2018 - Begining of Cherry Blossom at Central Park

April 7, 2018 - Pillow Fight in Washington Square Park

April 9, 2018 - Cold evening in Times Square, 6 degrees Celsius / 42 degrees Fahrenheit

April 10, 2018 - Sunny day at Central Park, 10 degrees Celsius / 50 degrees Fahrenheit

April 13, 2018 - Sunny day at SoHo, 24 degrees Celsius / 76 degrees Fahrenheit

April 14, 2018 - Sunny day at Central Park, 22 degrees Celsius / 72 degrees Fahrenheit

April 15, 2018 - Winter at Central Park, 6 degrees Celsius / 43 degrees Fahrenheit

April 16, 2018 - Wind and rain at Bryant Park, 10 degrees Celsius / 50 degrees Fahrenheit

April 18, 2018 - End of season for the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center

April 19, 2018 - Rainy day in Central Park

April 20, 2018 - Sunny day, view from 86th floor of the World Trade Center

April 22, 2018 - Sunny day in the city

April 23, 2018 - Morning in Central Park

April 24, 2018 - Tulips at Brookfield Palce

April 25, 2018 - Rainy day at Times Square

April 26, 2018 - Sunny day at the World Trade Center

April 27, 2018 - Rainy day, walking on Fifth Avenue to Central Park

April 28, 2018 - Highlights from today’s Cherry Blossom Festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

5. MAY
May  3, 2017 - Brooklyn Bridge Park

May  5, 2017 - Rainy day in the city

May  11, 2017 - Times Square

May  12, 2017 - Rockefeller Center

May  13, 2017 - Rainy day, walking on Broadway

May  16, 2017 - Central Park

May 17, 2017 - Sunny day at the High Line

May 19, 2017 - Top of the Rock

May 21, 2017 - Coney Island

May 31, 2017 - Sunset at Central Park

6. JUNE
June 3, 2017 - Strawberry Fields

June 5, 2017 - Taste of Times Square

June 7, 2017 - Bryant Park

June 8, 2017 - Rockefeller Center

June 10, 2017 - Central Park

June 15, 2017 - Central Park

June 16, 2017 - Conservatory Garden in Central Park

June 17, 2017 - Mermaid Parade, Coney Island

June 19, 2017 - Severe thunderstorm in Times Square

June 25, 2017 - Pride Parade

June 26, 2017 - Central Park Secret Garden

7. JULY
July 6, 2017 - Hudson River Park

July 7, 2017 - Rain in Times Square

July 11, 2017 - Hell's Kitchen

July 20, 2017 - Rockfeller Center

July 20, 2017 - Chinatown and Little Italy

July 22, 2017 - Brunch at Timna

July 23, 2017 - East Broadway

July 24, 2017 - Central Park

July 25, 2017 - Bryant Park

July 27, 2017 - Upper West Side

July 28, 2017 - Central Park

July 31, 2017 - Evening walk through Broadway

8. AUGUST
August 3, 2017 - Rainy day, Flatiron Building

August 3, 2017 - SoHo and NoLita

August 4, 2017 - Summer in Central Park

August 6, 2017 - Friends House at West Village

August 7, 2017 - Rainy day in Times Square

August 9, 2017 - Brooklyn Bridge

August 10, 2017 - Sailing to Lady Liberty

August 14, 2017  - HOPE sculpture

August 17, 2017 - Roosevelt Island

August 29, 2017 - Rainy day, walking on Lexington Avenue

9. SEPTEMBER
September 1, 2017 - Manhattan Bridge

September 3, 2017 - Autumn is officially here, rainy day in the city

September 17, 2017 - Movie production at 49th street

September 19, 2017 - Rainy day in the city

September 21, 2017 - Little Italy, Feast of San Gennaro 2017

September  22, 2017 - Beautiful day in NYC

September 24, 2017 - Theater Flea Market

September 28, 2017 - Sunset from Brooklyn Bridge

September 30, 2017 - Williamsburg, Brooklyn

10. OCTOBER
October 1, 2017 - High Line

October 14, 2017 - Upper East Side, haunted house

October 15, 2017 - Zombies in East Village

October 19, 2017 - Halloween at Chelsea Market

October 21, 2017 - Autumn in Central Park

October 21, 2017 - Halloween Dog Parade

October 24, 2017 - Rainy day at Washington Square Park

October 25, 2017 - Battery Park

October 26, 2017 -RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns

October 27, 2017 -Autumn in Central Park

October 28, 2017 - Dyker Frights

October 28, 2017 - Winter Village at Bryant Park - Opening day

October 29, 2017 - Rainy day in Times Square

October 30, 2017 - RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns 🎃 Garden of Gourds

October 31, 2017 -Village Halloween Parade

11. NOVEMBER
November 1, 2017 - Autumn in Central Park

November 3, 2017 - Brookfield Place

November 4, 2017 - Getting ready for Christmas at Rockefeller Center

November 24, 2016 - Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

November 28, 2017 - Autumn in Central Park

November 29, 2017 - Holiday stars at Columbus Circle

November 29, 2017 - Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center

12. DECEMBER
December 9, 2017 - Christmas at Rockefeller Center

December 9, 2017 - Snowy day in the city

December 10, 2017 - Tavern on the Green

December 15, 2017 - Snow in Bryant Park

December 17, 2017 - Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center

December 18, 2017 - Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

December 20, 2017 - Christmas at Rockefeller Center

December 21, 2017 - Macy's holiday windows

December 22, 2017 - Wall Street Christmas Tree

December 24, 2017 - Christmas carols at Gramercy Park

December 25, 2017 - Freezing cold in Liberty Park

December 26, 2017 - Evening in Bryant Park

December 28, 2017 - -10 degrees Celsius / 14 degrees Fahrenheit

December 30, 2017 - Snowy day in Times Square

December 31, 2017 - Happy New Year from Times Square

Finally, after going over all these videos, I can conclude that in terms of weather and events in the city, the best time to visit is October.http://mickmickphotography.blogspot.com/2018/01/what-is-your-favorite-nyc-building.html

NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade

Photos from last year's parade - St. Patrick's Parade 2015

Boo York

After watching the Village Halloween Parade for the first time last year, I knew I have to join them this year. About a month ago, I started sensing the Halloween atmosphere when the leaves changed their colors to yellow and the streets covered up with pumpkins and skeletons.

To get into the Halloween spirit, before the parade, I had to go through several milestones. The first was to get a costume for Paxon. Obviously, with no kids in the house, I just have to practice on my cat, so I got him a lion's mane. Being such a good cat, Paxon didn't care about his new "hair extension" and was happy to model for the camera in exchange for a treat. The photos, however, wouldn't be complete without a pumpkin. Therefore, I went to the farmers market at Union Square to find myself a nice looking pumpkin.

Having the pumpkin, I couldn't resist carving it. My talented friend Alex drew a face on the pumpkin and we carved it together. It was very messy and cutting it is harder than you would expect, but after an hour or so I had a jack o'lantern in my apartment. I placed it next to the window and lit it. Without any candles, the nearest cellphone was sacrificed for this, as I placed it, flash on, inside the carved pumpkin. Paxon always likes to sit next to the window and the combination of the two represented a true Halloween spirit.

This year, first Halloween event was Shoshi's Halloween party. She was dressed as a football player and brought to the dog run at Washington Square Park. A lot of dogs showed up for the costume competition, but Shoshi did a great job chasing her football and won a price for most interactive costume. This is an upgrade from last year when she was dressed as a "working girl" and won the "most inappropriate but funny costume" category. 

Paxon, Shoshi and even jack o'lantern were all ready for the big day. I however still needed to find a costume that will keep me warm and comfortable to operate the camera during the parade. I choose to be a viking and the only things needed were a furry horned hood and leg warmers. More importantly, I wanted a new camera. Don't get me wrong, Canon 7D is amazing but it was getting old and cranky. Also, the 7D was always pretty terrible in taking photos under low light. For a long time I was debating between 5D Mark III, 6D and 7D mark II. Eventually, I found a nice deal and decided to go for the 6D. I received it just a day prior to the parade. The same night, I went to Times Square to practice, knowing I would find some cosplayers there. I wasn't disappointed.

Finally the big day arrived. Learning from previous parades in the city, I got a press pass and arrived at the location a few hours before it started. Getting there early with a costume proved to be a minor nuisance, as quite often I had to stop and pose for other photographers. An hour later the place was packed with cosplayers, professional artists and amateurs alike. The costumes and makeup I saw were phenomenal and the people in the costumes were very cooperative. Still having daylight during the preparations provided for lots of great photo opportunities. Another advantage of showing up early was meeting fellow photographers. The scene however was not complete until the sun set down.

When the darkness came the drums began to roll and the puppeteers with their huge skeletons and pumpkins opened the parade. Some of the photographers were also in costumes. I particularly liked a TV crew that stood in the opening line catching cosplayers for interviews; the two cameramen and the sound man dressed up as Super Mario and the reporter was dressed up as Princess Peach.   

I however did not stand still. I was walking with the skeletons, looking for the best place to take photos, a spot that will capture the atmosphere of the parade. Then I saw the Empire State Building.

Getting what I was looking for, I walked back to the parade's starting point, only to find myself in the middle of a big group of random cosplayers. I couldn't pass through them, I couldn't even lift my arm up to snap a photo. I was stuck. There was nowhere to go. Whenever I found an opening I squeezed myself in and half an hour later I was out! Looking behind my shoulder to avoid meeting this group again, I bumped into a zombie that tried to eat me alive. As a viking I had my own weapons and I managed to chase the zombie away to the cheering of the crowd. Unfortunately, no one recorded the event so I can't share it with you. I do however have a photo of some scary people from the parade.

Face to face with the zombie was one of the evening's highlights, but also the ending cue for me. Happy and exhausted, I left the parade, although the night was not over yet. Union Square, the subway and Times Square are also great photo spots for Halloween. I went to each and every one of them and stayed there until I got my moments. The new camera definitely stood up to the challenge. The night of Halloween was concluded after eight hours and 1222 photos of amazing encounters. This was easily one of the best nights I had in the city and I can't wait to see everyone again next year.