Valentine's Day is so over—the real holiday worth celebrating this month is Phil Collins Day, which is TODAY (don't say we didn't warn you). Instead of seeing heart shaped balloons filling up the subway cars, there will be inflated Phil Collins heads bopping around... at least, that's the dream. We're not quite there yet, this is only the 6th annual celebration of the man, and so far Hallmark has refused to acknowledge the holiday with sappy cards. more ›

President Obama's NYC visits mean traffic hell, as do Justin Bieber's. But what happens when the Commander in Chief and the super popular teen singer come to the Big Apple on the same day during the holiday season? It is making drivers freak out. more ›

Nothing says Christmas like marketing gimmicks, so Barneys decision to bring in Lady Gaga into their campaign this holiday season is actually pretty natural, we suppose. The high end retailer will be giving Gaga her own floor in Manhattan—the 5th, which is the men's department—for her own version of Santa's Workshop, called Gaga's Workshop. But... how many of Gaga's little monsters can actually afford to shop there? more ›

With this weekend marking the unofficial start of summer, it's high time to get your grilling essentials in order. Here's our four-step guide to throwing an awesome BBQ, even without a giant backyard. more ›

We'd like to take a brief pause from our regularly scheduled news cycle to bring you the very important announcement that today is Star Wars Day! Of course, if you're observing, you've surely already thrown back a few Alderaans, but in case you've been living under an AT-AT, say May 4th with a slight lisp, very slowly. What do you get? May…force! May the force be with you! Oh, you precious, pun-loving padawans. more ›

The high five didn't come for many more decades, and as legend has it, the first one took place in 1977 at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. It was between Dusty Baker and Glen Burke after the latter scored a home run. Other athletes have contested that story, but either way, the high five and its name came about sometime in the '60s or '70s, and by 1980 it was in the Oxford English Dictionary. Since then, America has had a lot of fun with the high five... remember the "Too Slow"? Good times. more ›

It's so hard to keep up with all the holidays lately. Today is Margarita Day and Spay Day... and we went through most of the day not even knowing it's also Lady Porn Day! more ›

Happy National Drink Wine Day! While some of us may celebrate this holiday every day, for those who don't like to indulge in a glass (or bottle) on the daily, now is your time to step up and pay tribute. This holiday is criminally under-publicized, and our email well is dry of any National Drink Wine Day events happening around the city. We'll update if we hear about any, but for now, just plan on uncorking a bottle at 5 p.m. (and another at 6 p.m., and so on). more ›

Well, this is almost as depressing as the death of mistletoe. Money troubles have put an end to the Grand Central Terminal holiday light show. The show has been going on for three years, but those looking for a little holiday light at the end of the tunnel this year won't find it. On the upside, this will speed up your hurried and already crazed yuletide exodus from the city, as it's sure to cut down on upward-pointing tourist cameras. more ›

You could buy a whole new house for the amount of money one Brooklyn family spent on Christmas decorations. According to the Daily News, the Seddio family in Canarsie has been brightening up the neighborhood with their annual display since 1963. They're giving Clark Griswold a little competition, with 250,000 lights, dancing reindeer, elves and talking Santas; this year they added a wreath with 11,000 lights to the roof of the house. Think you can see it from space? more ›

Today is Labor Day, hich was first celebrated in NYC 128 years ago, and is, as the Department of Labor says, "dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers." Local, state and federal government offices are closed, as are post offices and financial markets, and mass transit is on holiday or weekend schedules. The NY Times' editorial notes that in 1882, "This was a country of about 51 million people, and New York a city of about two million" (it was also the year that "the first commercial electric plant lit Lower Manhattan"), before deciding that it's nice to have a holiday that needs no preparation (unlike annoying Thanksgiving)! more ›

Today is Memorial Day, the federal holiday where U.S. men and women who have died in military service are remembered. Federal and state offices are closed, as well as post offices, schools, financial markets, and banks. Alternate side of the street parking rules are suspended and mass transit is running on weekend schedules (though there's additional weekend service on some lines, like the LIRR). more ›

Coming back from a relaxing summer, kids will have one day of school, followed by an extended long weekend, according to the Daily News. That's because Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year and first day of the High Holidays—falls on Thursday and Friday this year, with classes scheduled to begin on Wednesday. Why not move the first day back? Teachers need Tuesday to prepare, and Monday is Labor Day. "It just makes no sense," said Nick Comaianni, president of the parents council in southeastern Queens. "For the one day? Just let it go, leave it alone and start it the next week." more ›

It is upon us. Everything's been pink for about three weeks now, and hetero guys are wandering around in a daze trying to remember their girlfriend's cup size. There's no fighting it, and if you're not heading to church to honor the martyrdom of the Saint Valentine of Rome and Tremi, you might as well get into the spirit...or at least make plans to hit a strip club (we're not kidding, details above!). And even if you can't stand the flowers and hearts and ridiculous prix fixe dinners at every restaurant, just hold out for another month and then it'll be Steak and Blowjob day. For now, here are some appealing dining options at trustworthy restaurants; keep in mind that while time is quickly running out on reservations, your kitchen is always open for romance (unless you have roommates). Click on the images for details.
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Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day — the civil rights leader's birthday was actually on January 15th, but the federal holiday has been observed on the third Monday of January since 1986. more ›

Yes, despite their move to the suburban mom haven of Lifetime, the cast of Project Runway is celebrating their return to New York with a street naming and their own holiday. NYC & Company presented a New York City Proclamation deeming Wednesday January 13th as Project Runway Day, and the stretch of 7th Ave named "Fashion Avenue" has been temporarily re-named "Project Runway Avenue." Tim Gunn, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia joined city officials this morning for the naming ceremony in front of the "Needle Threading a Button" sculpture. We're not entirely sure what the traditional celebrations are for Project Runway Day, but we know there is one thing missing: Heidi Klum! more ›

A recent study showed that greedy Starbucks eaters shaped up when faced with the calories they were consuming—but during the holidays, all bets were off. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas New Yorkers ate largely and indiscriminately at Starbucks, according to the very same study, the Times reports. Turns out, holiday gluttony is an annual event as predictable as the tree at Rockefeller Center and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. But what drives self-destructive Christmas binge eating? more ›

A resident of a "luxurious small building" facing Central Park got some lip over a holiday tip, and turned to the UrbanBaby message board for advice: "So, I gave my doormen/ porters and handyman 60 dollars bonus each (times 11) and to the super, 100 dollars. One of the doormen complained about his bonus, saying, 'I love the card, not so much the contents.' I couldn't believe it. I wonder how much everyone else gave this year." And so the agonizing debate over whom to tip and how much rages on! One proposed solution for this particular contretemps? Re-tipping and apologizing to the doorman. more ›

Now that the holidays are over, and hopefully your egg nog hangovers have subsided, let's take a look back at December 25th. We asked to see what your Friday looked like, and here are some photos for a glimpse in to how some of us spent the holiday — send us yours and we'll add them! more ›

If you were wondering how recent converts to Judaism dealt with Christmas, look no further than this NY Times article. One said, "Everything just feels more tangible and in my face — I notice the angels when I walk down Fifth Avenue and feel a bit more disconnected. When I walked down Broadway, it felt like every pine tree had this strong scent, that they had just cut them. I had this moment of thinking, 'wow, this is not a part of me anymore."' But another reasoned, "I think it would be harder if I lived in Colombia, where everyone is doing Christmas. At least here, there is some kind of diversity. It is not as though everyone celebrates Christmas." more ›