The Park Avenue Armory’s annual Winter Show, now 68 years old, is widely considered the crème de la crème of America’s art, antiques, and design fairs. Indeed, its opening night party launches the city’s social season. This year, the show sees 69 international exhibitors presenting works that span 5,000 years. Each and every item on the floor is vetted, and leading curators, scholars, collectors, and designers abound. Panel discussions to look out for include “Portraits of Power,” in which the Frick curator Aimee Ng discusses the historical significance of portraiture, and “J. P. Morgan: A Collectors Legacy,” which looks into Morgan’s acquisitions in ancient, Asian, and western art. For a quick taste of the show, check out the “Expert Eye” series on its Web site, where you can also buy tickets. —E.C.