Celebrations, Concerts, and Free Events Will Take Place Throughout 2025, Across All Five Boroughs
Our Bureau
New York, NY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced, “Founded By NYC,” a year-long inclusive, comprehensive celebration of the 400th anniversary of New York City that launches tonight. In partnership with NYC Tourism + Conventions, Founded By NYC will celebrate how New York City has made history, and continues to do so — highlighting the achievements driven by the creativity and resilience of the five boroughs and its people, including the perspectives of marginalized audiences like those of the Indigenous community, women, and people of color.
“For four centuries, history has happened here. And in 2025, through our ‘Founded By NYC’ campaign, we will celebrate all those who came here from around the world over those 400 years to build our great city — the New Yorkers whose vibrant culture, innovation, and abilities continue to make us the envy of the world today — as well as all we continue to do every day to build a future that is safer and more affordable,” said Mayor Adams. “But we know that our city’s history has not been without its challenges, and that the story of New York City began a millennia ago, long before the Dutch arrived, when this land was inhabited by the Lenape people. To properly recognize our city’s complex, diverse, and unparalleled history, we must also acknowledge the painful parts of its origin, and ensure we are celebrating the Lenape’s rich contributions to our city as much as anyone else’s. The story of New York City is one of perseverance and triumph, and, in 2025, we will show the world why we are the greatest city in the world.”
Starting this week, organizations are encouraged to visit Founded By NYC to submit events to be added to the Founded By NYC celebration. Events should be in person, encourage visitors to explore everything the five boroughs has to offer during this milestone year, and should highlight or commemorate one or more of the following themes: historical significance, cultural impact, innovation and creativity, authentic storytelling, or sustainability and legacy.
Founded By NYC brings together organizations across the city, including the Lenape Center, The Broadway League, the Museum of the City of New York, Times Square Alliance, multiple Business Improvement Districts, and all city agencies. All year, New York City’s 400th anniversary will be incorporated into major city events in the worlds of art, film, music, and more, including Gracie Mansion’s art installations, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation free summer movies featuring notable films set in the five boroughs, the 47th Annual Museum Mile Festival, New York Philharmonic free concerts featuring New York City-based composers and performances of iconic New York City songs, performances by Broadway stars, and the largest-ever New York City Department of Transportation Summer Streets with 400 blocks of free events citywide. Dates and times for events will be announced in the coming months. New York City’s 400th anniversary themes will be featured in additional events, parades, festivals, institutions, and celebrations across the city with announcements to come throughout the year.
The campaign is supported by “Hamilton,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, including the song, “The Schuyler Sisters,” which provides the soundtrack for the Founded By NYC teaser video. Further integrations with the musical, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in August, will be announced in the coming months.
Throughout planning for New York City’s 400th anniversary, the Mayor’s Office has partnered with the Lenape Center to uplift the voices of the Lenape community. Earlier this year, Mayor Adams proclaimed November 20 “Lenape Heritage Day” in a ceremony at Gracie Mansion. This announcement came one year after Mayor Adams hosted the first-ever mayoral reception celebrating Native American and Indigenous heritage at Gracie Mansion, to ensure the past contributions and painful experiences of the Lenape people and other Indigenous communities are not lost to history.
“New York City has long been a beacon of inspiration and ingenuity, and the ‘Founded By NYC’ campaign captures that spirit,” said NYC Tourism + Conventions President and CEO Julie Coker. “Our year-long commemoration invites visitors and locals alike to explore the rich history, cultural diversity, and innovation that define New York City. From the Lenape people’s legacy to the communities that have shaped the five boroughs, this campaign honors our shared past while looking to the future. We look forward to welcoming the world to celebrate 400 years of New York City magic.”
“We look forward to continuing to partner with the city to honor the homeland and territory of Lenapehoking,” said Joe Baker, co-founder, Lenape Center. “While much progress has been made, there is still more to do. This anniversary provides an opportunity to teach New Yorkers about crucial principles of culture that have provided the Lenape a harmonious and balanced existence with Haki, Mother Earth.”
New York City continues to be the largest point of entry to the United States, with more flights arriving through city airports than any other destination in the country. The New York City subway system rebounded, reaching 1 billion trips nearly two months before the end of 2024.
