Lincoln Square is off to a clean start in 2026 with the recent installation of our ninth Citibin at Broadway and West 70th Street. Citibins are compact, rat-proof containers that securely store the public’s trash collected by our Clean Team for pickup by the NYC Department of Sanitation, ensuring that BID trash bags are never left on the sidewalk. Since 2022, Citibins have been an effective part of the BID’s sanitation program through the City’s Clean Curb initiative. As a result, Lincoln Square’s sidewalks remain spotless and free of trash bags. Keep an eye out for the installation of our tenth Citibin later this year. | | |
A Guide to the Exciting Businesses That Opened in
Lincoln Square in 2025
| 2025 was a great year for new businesses in Lincoln Square. Some of the new eateries and retailers might already be among your favorites, but to get you up to speed on any openings you may have missed, here’s a rundown of recent additions to the neighborhood. With the opening of Olde City (201 Amsterdam Avenue at West ... | Explore Jewish Culture Through Film at NYJFF | The New York Jewish Film Festival (NYJFF) is returning to Lincoln Square this month, giving audiences the opportunity to explore the Jewish experience through films from around the world. Now in its 35th year, NYJFF is co-presented by the Jewish Museum and Film at Lincoln Center. From Wednesday, January 14 to Wednesday, January 28, ... | |
Events Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
in Lincoln Square
| It has been 40 years since the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated in the US, and Dr. King’s messages of peace, non-judgment, and justice still resonate today. Throughout Lincoln Square, there are several events honoring MLK’s legacy through readings, discussions, music, and more. On Sunday, January 18, at 11:00am, New ... | | |
Update on the Effects of Congestion Pricing
in Lincoln Square
| | Monday, January 5, marked the first anniversary of the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) Tolling Program. To commemorate this milestone, the MTA released the First Evaluation Report. The report outlines numerous successes of the program, including several that are already noticeable within our district. We have seen a decrease in ... | | Alternate side parking regulations will be suspended on Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The full NYC ASP calendar can be found here. | | Children’s Book Donations | | Council Member Gale Brewer’s annual Free Children’s Book Fair will take place on Sunday, January 25, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (334 Amsterdam Avenue between West 75th and 76th Street). Prior to the book fair, you can donate children’s books at Council Member Brewer’s office (563 Columbus between West 87th and 88th Street) through Friday, January 16. Books can also be donated at the JCC from Monday, January 19, to Friday, January 23. | | Two Important Items From Community Board 7 | Discussion on Central Park Drives: On Monday, January 12, at 6:30pm, Community Board 7’s Parks & Environment Committee and Transportation Committee are hosting a public discussion on pedestrian safety while crossing the Central Park Drives. Click here to sign up to speak in person or online. Comments are limited to one to two minutes, subject to time availability and the number of speakers. The meeting will be held at 250 West 87th Street and via Zoom. | | Community Board Public Member Applications: People living and working in Lincoln Square and the Upper West Side can apply to serve as a public member on a committee in Community Board 7 (west of Central Park West from 59th Street to 110th Street). The committees cover various topics, including Transportation, Parks & Environment, Business & Consumer issues, and more. The application is linked here and must be completed by Thursday, January 15. | | Recycle Your Christmas Tree at Mulchfest | | |
The NYC Department of Parks & Recreation’s Mulchfest provides a way to ensure your Christmas tree is turned into mulch and not sent to a landfill. You can bring your tree to any Mulchfest location (map linked here) until Sunday, January 11.
If you can’t bring your Christmas tree to a drop-off site, the NYC Department of Sanitation will collect Christmas trees on regularly scheduled recycling days. You can check your building’s recycling day by entering your home address here.
| | Resources and Reminders for Small Businesses | | |
Restaurant Academy: The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is offering free, in-depth business management education covering what’s needed to plan, launch, and operate your own food service business. Click here to register for upcoming webinars.
NYC Contracting Summit: SBS is hosting the NYC Contracting Summit on Wednesday, January 14, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The conference brings together representatives across government and the private sector to network and discuss upcoming contracting opportunities with small business owners. To learn more and sign up for this free event, click here.
Enclosed Sidewalk Cafés: SBS reminds businesses that existing NYC Department of Consumer & Worker Protection-licensed enclosed sidewalk cafés that were in operation on March 16, 2020, or the four years prior, may continue to operate, but must apply for a sidewalk café license and revocable consent from the NYC Department of Transportation by Saturday, January 31. To learn more and apply, click here.
Guide for the FIFA World Cup 2026™: SBS has published a guide with tools and resources to help businesses attract and engage with fans and visitors to NYC throughout the World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday, June 11. To check out the guide, click here.
| | Registration is now open for the Sanitation Foundation’s free, eight-week educational series—beginning on Tuesday, January 27—about making New York City cleaner and more sustainable. The series includes both online and in-person events. Click here to learn more and register by Monday, January 12. | Due to upcoming construction at Damrosch Park, the northbound M11 bus stop currently at Amsterdam Avenue and West 62nd Street is being relocated to the south side of West 62nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue until 2028. The bus stop relocation is expected to take place on or around Friday, January 16. | DOROT's Winter Package Delivery | DOROT, a nonprofit supporting healthy aging for older adults, is hosting its annual Winter Package Delivery on Sunday, January 25, at 10:00am. As a volunteer, you can deliver a package of seasonal treats and enjoy a friendly in-person visit or phone visit. DOROT's West Side location is 171 West 85th Street (off Amsterdam Avenue). To learn more and sign up, click here. | Professional Development for NYC Teachers | On Monday, January 26, from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Film at Lincoln Center (144 West 65th Street) is hosting a professional development day for NYC teachers, educators, teaching artists, and administrators who would like to use film as a teaching tool. The agenda includes instruction on how to use film in the classroom, advanced workshops, and a roundtable discussion. To RSVP, click here and email education@filmlinc.org with questions. | The annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) Survey, a citywide survey that estimates the number of New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness, will take place on Tuesday, January 27. The HOPE survey provides data that shapes how NYC directs resources to address homelessness. You can sign up here to help canvass streets, subways, and other public spaces from 10:00pm to 4:00am on the night of January 27. | Upper West Side Recycling | The January/February edition of Upper West Side Recycling’s Eco Letter, available to read here, has information and resources about how to dispose of waste properly and environmental events coming up. To join the email list, click here. | Keep Clear of Fire Hydrants | FDNY is reminding New Yorkers to keep fire hydrants clear at all times. It is unlawful to park within 15 feet of a hydrant and parking too close to a hydrant can result in a summons with fines of up to $5,000. You can call 311 to report a blocked or improperly opened fire hydrant. For more information, visit FDNYSmart.org. | |
A Joyful WinteRamble Illuminated Lincoln Square
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On December 17, Lincoln Square BID's WinteRamble, a community-centered celebration of the winter solstice, was a night to remember. In a heartwarming display of artistry and togetherness, people of all ages joined the procession of mini lanterns and icicle lanterns alongside Processional Art Workshop's Frost Giant puppets. We also had music from people playing thumb pianos as part of J.C. King's Kalimbascope. Thanks to our sponsors and special thanks to the NYPD's 20th Precinct for ensuring a safe event. Check out our Flickr to see all the spectacular moments from the WinteRamble.
The magic of the holidays isn't over in Lincoln Square. There's still time to enjoy our Magical Lights at Dante Park (Broadway and 64th Street) and Richard Tucker Park (Broadway and 65th Street), as well as our enhanced lights in the Broadway Malls from West 60th to 70th Street.
Photo credit: Filip Wolak
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