Ah, the sweet smell of summer in the city. Sure it’s a bit hot–and maybe that smell is from the melting of asphalt, and maybe your apartment lacks air conditioning so you’ve been couch-surfing at cooler abodes–but hey! It’s summer! School is out and if you can’t take a jitney to weekend at the Hamptons, here is a list of things to fill those endless NYC days.
May 24 – May 26
The Lower East Side Festival of Arts
Time: Friday and Sunday 6 p.m. – 1 a.m. Saturday 12 p.m. – 1 a.m
Price: Free
Location: 155 First Ave between 9th and 10th St.
The 24th Annual festival. A full three days debuting a lineup of theater, poetry, music, dance, comedy, film, and art. This revival of culture and artistic expression is all presented by hundreds of individuals and performers from local theatres and workshops. And on Saturday you will find a bunch of local street vendors and food to nosh on before the evening’s performances.
For more information, check out the Theater For The New City’s website.
May 27
Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade
Time: 10 a.m.
Price: Free
Location: Starts in Bay Ridge on 3rd Avenue and 78th Street in Brooklyn
For more information, visit the Parade’s website:
May 30th – August 29th
Yoga in the Park
Time: Tuesday’s 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Thursday’s 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Bryant Park
Yoga? Free? Unheard of in New York City! Whether you like to stretch it out in the late mornings or unwind in an evening class after work, Bryant Park has outdoor yoga classes throughout summer. The classes welcome all experience levels from beginner to teachers and they offer free mats on a first come first served basis. You don’t have to pre-register so enjoy a spur of the moment meditation or pencil it in your calendar every week!
For more information, visit Bryant Park’s website.
May 3 – September 8
Movies Under the Stars
Time: Various Tuesday – Sunday starting at 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30
Location: Central Park, Tompkins Square Park, Washington Square Park and more throughout Manhattan, Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn!
Enjoy a free movie screening as the sun sets and that cool summer breeze sets in. Grab your friends, a blanket for the lawn and some popcorn and cozy up the the movie of the evening! NYC Gov plays all genres from comedy, to action, to classics, to indie and family! So look up the show of the night and head over! I will definitely be seeing Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on the Hudson Pier.
Learn more at NYC gov parks website.
May 31-June 2
The Governors Ball
Time: 11:45 a.m. – 11 p.m., each day
Price: $115 per day
Location: Randall’s Island Park
This is a NYC summer staple! A well known 3-day mini Coachella without all the influencers, youtubers and bloggers just getting content! Headliners are Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, SZA, The Strokes, The 1975, Sheck Wes to name a few… Grab your friends and head over for a weekend of music, dancing, food and good times.
Learn more at the Governor’s Ball website.
May 31-June 1
Red Hook Fest
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Red Hook in Brooklyn
This is 2 days of free community fun making NYC tradition for over 25 years! A barbecue cookout, a DJ performance, huge dance party, special performances, kayaking, painting and other outdoor activities to get you up on your feet! If you want to relax, just hang out by the water, eat free BBQ, enjoy the music and see the statue of liberty.
For more information visit the Red Hook Festival’s website.
June 10
Taste Of Bushwick
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Price: GA Admission
Location: Brooklyn Cider House, 207 Starr Street
Head over to Bushwick and try an array of local restaurants and breweries! Support the 6th annual food and drink celebration of local businesses while filling your belly with only the neighborhood’s top delectables.
Learn more and get tickets at the Bushwick Starr website.:
June 30
NYC Pride March
Time: Noon
Price: Free
Location: 26th Street & 5th Ave
Since the first march in 1970, New Yorkers have gathered together to take a stand for civil rights and commemorate community members whose lives were taken by AIDS, violence or neglect. It is now the biggest Pride party in the world! Join the celebration of LGBTQ+ lives and cheer alongside 5th as paraders, floats and organizations go by!
For more information, visit nycpride.org
June 30
Brunch and Shop – LADIES DAY at the Grand Bazaar
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Price: Free Admission
Location: 100 West 77th Street
NYC’s weekly curated indoor and outdoor market is magical every Sunday, but especially so when an entire day is dedicated to women! Shop small businesses owned by women offering artisanal treats, crafts, vintage clothing, jewelry and food. Bring your girlfriends, chat with new ladies and meet the women who help keep NYC creative!
For more information, visit Grand Bazaar’s website.
July 19th – July 20th
Pinknic 2019
Time: 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Price: $95 a day
Location: Randall’s Island Park
An entire music festival drenched in pink and white revolving around the bubbly pink champagne, rosé. There is a sparkling swimming pool, a lawn with plenty of space to lay out a blanket and sip on bubbly and live performances for two days straight. Don’t forget to enjoy amazing food from NYC chefs and prepare for fireworks the last night to end an amazing musical excursion!
For more information: https://pinknic.com
July 27-28
NYC Poetry Festival
Time: All day
Price: Free
Location: Governors Island
With five different stages and over 250 poets, you are bound to be (or not to be) entertained! There will also be local food and drinks, books, crafts and activities to really nourish your stomach and soul! If you apply soon, you could even read your poetry for thousands to hear!
For more information, check out www.newyorkcitypoetryfestival.com
August 24th – 25th
Afropunk Fest
Time: 12 p.m.
Price: $60
Location: Commodore Barry Park
Jill Scott, FKA Twigs, Leon Bridges, Toro Y Moi… Just a few of the artist’s performing at this two day music festival in Brooklyn! Gather your friends and get your tickets for culture and music galore!
To learn more about the festival, visit the Afropunk’s website
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Illustrations by Olivia Heller
