Whether you’re looking to enjoy the performing arts, see outdoor cinema, or indulge in fresh summer dishes at an open air market, our ultimate summer guide has everything you could want to see, do, taste, and experience this summer in the greatest city in the world.
- Independence Day
- Culture & Parades
- Food & Markets
- Film & Performing Arts
- Sports & Fitness
- Visual Art
Click Here for the Full NYC Summer Guide
Independence Day
Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks
Sunday, July 4th at 8 PM
Check website for viewing posts. Also live on NBC.
2021 marks the 45th annual Macy’s 4th of July festivities. Televised live on NBC and visible across the Manhattan skyline, celebrate Independence Day with family, friends, and a fascinating fireworks display with bright colors, upbeat music, and a renewed sense of community and celebration.
Nathan’s Hotdog Eating Contest
1310 Surf Ave, Coney Island, Brooklyn
July 4th at 11 AM
The annual tradition of the Fourth of July hot dog eating contest will be back this year before a live audience in Coney Island. Typically, the free ticketed event attracts nearly 30,000 people eager to watch the live hotdog eating contest. Nathan’s in turn donates roughly 100,000 hotdogs to The Food Bank for New York City as part of giving back to the community.
Culture & Parades
Starts at 26th Street and 5th Avenue, Manhattan
June 27th from 12 PM – 3 PM
Come together to support the LGBTQ+ community in the annual parade. All are welcome to join with participants ranging from activists, allies, and anyone in between. Beginning in Lower Manhattan, the parade will continue through Greenwich Village and pass the Stonewall National Monument where the 1969 riots took place – catapulting the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
NYC Pridefest
Throughout Greenwich Village, Manhattan
June 27th at 11 AM
Moving into its 27th year, Pridefest’s LGBTQ+ street fair will present exhibitors, entertainment, delicious food, and lots of entertainment as a way to celebrate equality.
Governors Island, Manhattan
August 14 – August 15 from 11 AM – 5 PM
The Roaring Twenties celebration commemorates the golden age of art, rebellion throughout the Prohibition, and the start of blurring gender lines. Beginning in 2005, the original celebration of the Prohibition era attracted small groups to Governors Island; now the lawn party has evolved into a beloved and memorable event in New York City.
West 21st Street & Surf Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn
September 12 at 1 PM
Help bring fantasy to life by joining the nation’s largest art parade! Over 3,000 people will come together to showcase their creativity and community pride on the streets of legendary Coney Island.
Food & Markets
Try out the city’s very best local food vendors at one of the largest open-air food markets in America. As a bonus to sampling delectable cuisine, your participation contributes toward creating a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Smorgasburg Williamsburg
90 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn
Saturdays through October 31 from 11 AM – 6 PM
Smorgasburg Breeze Hill
Breeze Hill, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Sundays through October 31 from 11 AM – 6 PM
Smorgasburg WTC
Fulton & Church Street
Fridays through October 31 from 11 AM – 7 PM
July 19 – August 15
Make reservations for the finest restaurants in Manhattan for fixed priced lunch and dinners at a fraction of the original cost. Reservation availability will open on July 12th. You won’t want to miss these deals and experience incredible cuisines at much more affordable prices.
55 Water St, Brooklyn
Ongoing on Tuesday – Sunday from 11 AM – 10 PM and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM – 11 PM
Delight in the best of New York culture all under one roof! The Time Out Market features foods and drinks created by the most talented chefs in the city, a demo cooking area, and pop-up musical performances.
New York Hall of Science, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Every Saturday through September 25th from 4 PM – 12 AM
Launched in 2015, the seasonal outdoor market is opening this Summer hosting countless vendors varying from food, art, and much more. The market also hosts live entertainment and attracts a vibrant crowd to the park.
1 Fordham Plaza, Bronx
Saturdays through November from 12 PM – 7 PM
Explore the culture and innovative food scene of the Bronx at the Bronx Night Market located in Fordham Plaza. The events feature affordable family fun with diverse cuisine, vendors, and musical guests.
Film and Performing Arts
Radical Park at Hallets Point Play, 27-50 1st St, Astoria, Queens
Through June 26
Broadway at the Drive-In is back in time for those well-deserved summer movie nights. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the theatre from the comfort of your car or you can even reserve a picnic table to enjoy with a group of friends.
1 Oak St, Brooklyn
Through July 4
Whether you drive, bike, or walk, this “drive-in” movie experience has a seat waiting for you! Enjoy impressive views of the Manhattan skyline and a show at one of the city’s most popular filming locations!
Lower Manhattan, Midtown, & Harlem
Through July 31
Enjoy a musical self-guided walking tour featuring the home of Langston Hughes, Lincoln Center, and the African Burial Ground National Monument, all performed by Kenneth Overton and pianist Kevin J. Miller who take you on a journey through Black Music History in New York.
Central Park
July 6 – September 18
Central Park welcomes back the comedy and tragedy of Shakespeare performed live in an open outdoor theatre. Shakespeare in the Park offers free admission and a two-month run of Merry Wives, a fresh adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, that will open your mind, touch your heart, and bring a breath of fresh air we all can embrace.
Summergarden: New Music for New York
The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, Sculpture Garden
Sundays, July 8 – July 29 at 8 PM
Summergarden welcomes the series New Music for New York performed by The Juilliard School and Jazz at Lincoln Center. The performance will include four nights of contemporary music directed by Joel Sachs. Seating is free and is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Head over to the Sculpture Garden to enjoy a night full of magical performances.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival
647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
Unlike other concerts, BRIC festival is a summerlong event where you can come back and enjoy lively music from established artists countless times. This year, the festival will be adapted into a multi-platform event to allow for those at home to experience the concert as well.
- July 31: Opening Night Concert with Ari Lennox and KAMAUU / Nesta
- August 5: Movie Night: Wattstax
- August 6: Buffy Sainte-Marie & Naia Kete
- August 7: Family Show with LADAMA, Tiga Jean-Baptiste, DJ Ali Coleman
- August 13: Skip Marley & Ivy Sole
- August 14: Vijay Iyer, Joel Ross, Melanie Charles, Mahogany L. Browne
- August 20: Junglepussy, Tygapaw, Mari World
- August 21: Lido Pimienta, Rita Indiana, YEИDRY
- August 27: Yaeji, KeiyaA, Nappy Nina
- August 28: San Fermin, Son Little, Attacca Quartet
- August 31: Glass Animals
- September 10: DANCE: Passion Fruit Dance Company, Soul Summit, St James Joy
- September 17: Mr Eazi, DJ Bembona, AJO
- September 18: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
The Greens on The Rooftop at Pier 17, Manhattan
Through August 23 movies begin at 8:30 PM
Dinner and a show – what more could you want? Seaport Cinema is showing the most requested movies at the Green on The Rooftop at Pier 17. Enjoy films like The Parent Trap, Dirty Dancing, and Moana from now through August.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances
Bryant Park, Manhattan
Through September 20
This summer, 25 live performance events, including musical, dance, and theatre shows will fill Bryant Park with some of the best talent found in the city. Bring a chair or blanket and some snacks to enjoy while you take in acts by the New York Philharmonic, Classical Theatre of Harlem, and many more!
Citi Field Complex, 41 Seaver Way, Queens, NY 11368
September 24 – September 26 11:45 AM – 10:00 PM
An ever-evolving summer festival, Governors Ball brings you an experience like no other filled with music, art, food, community, and much more! With four different stages and over seventy acts, Governors Ball will showcase artists such as Billie Eilish, Post Malone, A$AP Rocky, J Balvin, and many more of your favorites.
Queens Drive-In at New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St, Queens
Through mid-September
Nothing says summer like enjoying a movie in the open air. Through September, take in a feature film and the breathtaking sunset views of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. A portion from every ticket sale will be given to the local nonprofit, Elmcor.
Central Park, Manhattan
Through October
SummerStage live performances are back! These powerful music events will take place across four of the city’s parks and feature new and renowned artists with ties to New York.
Sports and Fitness
Between Piers 1 & 2, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through the end of August.
Wed and Thurs from 5 to 7 PM; Sat from 10 AM to 3 PM; Sun from 12 to 2:30 PM
This summer, take in the sights of New York City from the water instead of the streets! Join the volunteers of Brooklyn Bridge Boathouse as they guide you or your whole family on a kayaking adventure.
LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Fridays through October 22 from 7 PM – 10 PM
Dust off those roller skates and your best retro-inspired outfit for a night of fun and nostalgia. DJs will be playing top hits from the 70s-today as you groove your way through the Dreamland Roller Disco.
Pier 17, Manhattan
All Summer Long
Seaport Fit is partnering with New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital and LIFEWTR to present free fitness classes with some of the city’s best trainers. Elevate your life with HIIT, pure barre, trooper fitness, and yoga.
30th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Flushing Meadows Park, Queens
August 7 – August 8; Times TBD
For more than three decades, this festival has featured two days of competitive boat races accompanied by traditional Asian arts and crafts, music, dance, and cultural activities. Free Admission – Rain or Shine.
Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series 5K
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Every other Wednesday at 6:30 PM through August 18
Every other Wednesday this summer, lace up the sneakers, support the local community, and run or walk a 5K around Prospect Park. Race registration is $15.
Flushing Meadows, Corona Park
August 30 – September 12 from 11 AM – 7 PM
Dating back to 1881, the US Open is a monumental event where people from all over the world visit New York to watch the most renowned tennis players in action. Ranging from the most acclaimed tennis players to those beginning their careers in the sport, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has held unforgettable matches over the years.
Visual Art
Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher St, Manhattan
Through July 8
Take a walk in the West Village to look through beautiful art, created by unrepresented artists, covering empty storefronts open to the public.
Seaport District 23-25 Fulton St, Manhattan
Through July 30: Fridays from 1 – 8 PM, Saturdays & Sundays from 12 – 5 PM
A massive outdoor gallery curated by Street Dreams, Celebrating the Wins includes artistic elements like pop-up photo studios, live DJs, immersive music showcases, and a photography-inspired flea market with prints, equipment, and fashionable finds from cutting edge streetwear lines.
Through August 1: Times Vary
Free of charge and happening all summer long, witness remarkable displays and live performances from New York’s evolving arts scene. Observe mesmerizing art exhibits and connect with aspiring artists to learn how their interpretations transpired.
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
Through September 5: Wednesdays-Sundays from 11 AM – 6 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
Artist, KAWS, challenges our view on consumerism through works of art that depict our relationships and emotional connections with objects. Come view over 100 of his diverse works and leave with a new point of view.
Pier 36 NYC
Through September 6
Envelop yourself into the world of Van Gogh! This immersive experience will have you up-close and personal with the artist’s famous works like never before! All of your senses will be awoken as you take in the colors, movement and sounds of impressionism.
Yayoi Kusama at the New York Botanical Garden
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
Through October 31: 10 AM – 6 PM Daily, 10 AM – 9 PM Saturdays
Immerse yourself in the whimsical world of contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Learn more about Kusama’s childhood and the elements of nature that inspire her breathtaking pieces.
Pier 36, Downtown Manhattan, 299 South Street
September 9 – September 12 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Featuring modern and contemporary design through 100 galleries, Art on Paper will be hitting Pier 36 for its seventh edition. Known as an influential exhibit in New York City, Art on Paper features unique and powerful projects through visual and experiential moments for all viewers.
