NYC Outdoor Event Coronavirus Restrictions Extended

NEW YORK CITY — Outdoor events in New York City, including some iconic traditions, will take a different form at least through New Year's Eve.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday extended coronavirus restrictions until Dec. 31 on events permitted by the city's parks, police and Street Activity Permit Office.

In plain English, that means don't expect your favorite crowded holiday public events to go forward as if the pandemic isn't happening.

But it also doesn't mean they'll be canceled altogether.

“Beating back COVID-19 means staying smart about public events with large gatherings," de Blasio said in a statement. "It also means drawing on our city’s greatest resource: our resilience and creativity. New Yorkers are rising to the occasion with inventive, inspirational uses of public space, and we’ll support every effort to safely keep New York City the greatest and most vibrant city in the world.”

Organizers for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Times Square New Year's Eve have already unveiled reworked, mostly-virtual offerings of their traditional events.

City officials touted similar "alternate celebrations" such as a "spooky walk" through the West Village for Halloween and a Veterans Day ceremonial motorcycle procession, according to a release.

Other recent events permitted include dozens of pop-up music performances by the New York Philharmonic, a staggered run organized by NYC Runs, a Times Square musical news conference with Arts Hero, hundreds of block parties, athletic events, religious events and other cultural performances, the release states.

Information on street permits can be found at nyc.gov/SAPO and for parks permits at nyceventpermits.nyc.gov/parks.