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Best Things To Do In New York City This Weekend: Easter, Holi, Film Festivals, More

car
(Credit: Garrett Ziegler)

This weekend you can celebrate the Indian festival of Holi on Staten Island or watch hundreds of hats float down Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill's annual Easter parade. Whether you're in the Bronx or Brooklyn, there are plenty of things to do in New York City this weekend.

By Jessica Allen

FBC
credit: Full Bunny Contact

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Have you ever been tackled by the Easter Bunny? Would you like to be? Full Bunny Contact bills itself as an "extreme Easter egg hunt/cage match and insane Easter event," in which three brave souls will have 60 seconds to collect as many eggs as possible while trying to avoid three big bunnies. Cunning and agility are definitely necessary. Tuesday, March 22, through Sunday, March 27, see schedule for details, tickets required (Note: while there are some "family friendly" hours, FBC is geared for those 16 and older).

car
credit: Garrett Ziegler

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The largest car show in North America, the International Auto Show has been around since the early 1900s. The sets of wheels you'll see today are much different than those back then and it's fun to stroll around -- even if you're not in the market for a new car. Indeed, the show features almost 1,000 cars and trucks, including "futuristic concept cars, " over four floors of display space. Friday, March 25, through Sunday, April 3, 10 am to 10 pm, $16, tickets required.

PhagwahParade
credit: Phagwah Parade

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The Indian festival of Holi says "goodbye, winter" and "hello, spring" with songs, dances and color. If you attend this annual celebration on Staten Island, expect to be sprayed, festooned, and otherwise arrayed in the various colored powders that get tossed around and about. (Indeed, Holi is sometimes called the "festival of sharing love" or the "festival of colors.") Leave your office clothes at home and come dressed in white for your very own wearable souvenir. Saturday, March 26, parade begins at 12 pm, free.

EasterBonnet
credit: Guru Sno Studios

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A New York City tradition dating back to the 1870s, the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival features residents and visitors alike decked out in their finest Easter wear. You've never seen dome-toppers like these -- trust us. Creativity trumps just about every other consideration -- aside from gravity -- and participants wear startlingly beautiful, original, hats. Unlike more traditional parades, you won't see motorcades, floats, big bands and the Easter Bunny: this parade's all about the flâneurs and their fashion. Sunday, March 27, 10 am to 4 pm, free.

Film Festival
(Credit: Courtesy Photo)

New York has its fair share of film festivals but New Directors/New Films stands out for its emphasis on movies from emerging filmmakers from around the world. Over the years, we've seen movies about Somali pirates, a rape victim-cum-vigilante in Russia, and an Iranian vampire. The films are provocative, thought-provoking, and unlikely to be shown at your local Cineplex. Wednesday, March 16, through Sunday, March 27, see schedule for details, tickets required.

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