In a city as big and lively as New York, there's always something going on - and we've got the latest on what you won't want to miss. From hot-dog eating to festive ice-skating, there's literally something for everyone, so mark your calendar.

• Winter Jazzfest (January) - jazz hands at the ready - this classic festival has been going since 2005, and it's dotted around multiple venues across the city, so if you're a fan of the sax, you might want to bag yourself a wristband.

• New York City Ballet Winter Repertory Season (January) - catch everything from up-and-coming faves to classics like Sleeping Beauty, with a full season of performances all taking place at Lincoln Center.

• Lunar New Year Parade & Festival (February) - watch as Chinatown is filled with dragon troupes, extravagant floats, marching bands, acrobats, musicians and even martial artists in celebration of the new year.

• New York International Children's Film Festival (March) - a great one to bring the kids along to, this festival celebrates all kinds of children's cinema, from quirky animated shorts to dramas and feature-length documentaries.

• Macy's Flower Show (March) - a slightly different vibe to Chelsea, this show sees Macy's Herald Square decked out with blooms from all over the world, as well as unique gardens which you can take a guided tour around.

• Cherry Blossom Festival (April) - when spring arrives in NYC, so do the cherry blossom trees in Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is celebrated with a weekend of J-pop concerts, taiko drumming, bonsai-pruning workshops and martial arts.

• River to River Festival (June) - a FREE summer arts festival. Expect live music and unique dramatic performances that celebrate diversity and inclusion.

• Pride Month (June) - a vibrant and lively celebration of love in all forms, with loads of events throughout the month, topped off with the iconic march down Fifth Avenue on the last Sunday of the month.

• Summer Stage (June - October) - head on over to Rumsey Playfield at Central Park for a summer of live stage performances from well-known artists and rising stars.

• 4th of July Fireworks (July) - no prizes for guessing what date this event takes place on. Of course Independence Day is a huge celebration in America, and New York City is one of the best places to experience it, with fireworks bursting over the iconic skyline. Head to one of the many waterfront viewing spots and you'll be sorted for the night.

• 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest (July) - that's right, if fireworks aren't quite your scene then maybe you'll prefer to celebrate this iconic holiday by heading to the corner of Surf and Stillwell to watch a bunch of steel-stomached eaters chow down on as many hot dogs as they can in 10 minutes. Each to their own.

• Shakespeare in the Park (August) - exactly what it says on the tin, if you're a fan of the ol' Romeo and Juliet, then you'll definitely want to bag a seat to one of these outdoor productions under the stars. You might even peep a couple of well-known actors!

• Richmond County Fair (September) - one for the whole family, this county fair features circus performers, live music, rides, food stalls (keep an eye out for the pie-eating contest), cartoon character cameos and even a petting zoo!

• Fall at Queen's Country Farm Museum (October) - think hay rides, blue-ribbon competitions, arts and crafts, pie-eating contests (yep, again), live music and an Amazing 'Maize' Maze where you can pick pumpkins and taste some fresh-from-the-tree New York apples. There's games and bouncy castles for the kids too.

• Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival (October) - stop by one of the many Manhattan venues where this event takes over for an autumn celebration of all things wine and food. Look out for familiar faces like Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri.

• Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center (October - December) - this popular ice rink opens at the start of the winter season, but if you want the full experience then you'll want to head over in December when the iconic Christmas tree is there. Go on, get your skates on!

• Macy's Thanksgiving Parade (November) - in celebration of Thanksgiving, marching bands, huge balloons, floats and a few famous faces flock to the streets for a day of all-singing, all-dancing fun. Some of the most iconic balloons include SpongeBob, Kermit the Frog and Snoopy (which you might remember from that episode of Friends where the balloon got loose over the city!).

You definitely won't be short of a club or bar in New York, so whether you've got your eye on a classy rooftop bar or somewhere you can dance until morning, you might want to keep these lively spots on your radar:

• Paul’s Cocktail Lounge - one of the most exclusive bars in Manhattan, with a kitsch interior, bottle service and a humble dancefloor. Don't worry if trusty doorman Ludwig gives you the up-and-down on the way in - it's all part of the experience!

• The Box - not somewhere you'll want to bring the in-laws too, but if you're in the mood for a very wild night, then this place will definitely deliver - with a surprise line-up that's featured nude dancing, erotic shows and burlesque performances in the past.

• Comedy Cellar - if you fancy something a bit light-hearted, this comedy club is great for a spot of cosy evening entertainment, with a range of comedians taking to the stage while you drink and dine in comfort.

• 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar NYC - just a few blocks away from the Empire State building, this swanky bar features an indoor penthouse lounge and an open rooftop with a dancefloor heated igloos to keep you cosy in winter.

• Cafe Wha? - drink the night away with music from the house band, creating an atmosphere that's guaranteed to get those toes tapping, at the very least!

• Bar 54 - prepare to be wowed as soon as you step out of the lift at this place, thanks to the views of the skyline. This is one of the highest rooftop bars in town, so prepare to spend the night staring out of the window while you drink and snack to your heart's (or wallet's) content.

• The Back Room - classy speakeasy, here we come! Think dim lighting, great beers, cocktails served in teacups and friendly waiters.

• Paradise Club - a cabaret performance venue where you can drop by for dinner and a show, but stick around long enough and you'll see the room open up to a lively dancefloor.

Well, for starters, delicious. Good ol' American grub isn't for the fainthearted, but if you want to dine out like a true New Yorker, here are some of the classics you need to get your mitts on:

• New York-style pizza - we've said it once, and we'll say it again - you NEED to grab a slice when you're in the big city, even just for the bucket list. Or the Insta pic. New York pizza is known for its thick, hand-tossed crust and it's pliable base which can easily be folded in half if you want to eat it like a local.

• Bagel - the most classic way to enjoy a bagel in New York is at breakfast time, stuffed with cream cheese and washed down with a coffee, but you'll find bagel shops and stands all over the place - with fillings ranging from basic to weird and wonderful (like a French-toast bagel with birthday-cake cream cheese. Head to Tompkins Square Bagels to try it for yourself).

• Giant soft pretzel - these face-sized, twisted, doughy delights can be found all over the city at food stalls and subway stations, perfect for an on-the-go snack. You can keep it classy with the 'original' pretzel or branch out and try something different - like a cinnamon-sugar coated one for a sweet hit.

• Cheesecake - speaking of sweet, this one goes without saying. New York is home to The Cheesecake Factory, after all. The smooth, creamy topping on top of a melt-in-the-mouth crumb is what makes it New York style, and you'll be able to enjoy this classic dessert at most restaurants, so grab a fork and dig in.

• Corn dog - essentially, it's a sausage on a stick coated in a cornmeal batter, deep-fried and drizzled with your sauce of choice - ketchup and mustard recommended. You'll find these at street food carts for an on-the-go snack.

• Chopped cheese sandwich - no, it's not just chopped cheese on a sandwich (although we're not sure we'd complain at that). It's ground beef, onion, tomato, and melted cheese served on a toasted bread roll and layered with lettuce, tomato and whatever sauce you fancy.