Though summer officially begins at the end of June, there are plenty of warm weather activities already taking place. Not to mention, June is Pride Month! So get ready for a fun-filled June, packed with plenty of fantastic events that will be popping up all month long. Here are 42 of our favorites:
1. Step into the 1920s at this Jazz Age Lawn Party
The roaring 20s have returned to NYC on Governors Island at the Jazz Age Lawn Party. The Prohibition-era inspired event consists of live jazz, Paper Moon photo booths, vintage clothing vendors and more! Score you tickets here.
2. Make Your Summer Shine Bright At Brookfield Place
Brookfield Place is a shopping oasis in Lower Manhattan where you can find high-end retail stores but this summer it’s home to a variety of activities! This waterfront oasis is located at 230 Vesey Street, in Lower Manhattan. Celebrate Pride all June long with incredible art installations, kick back and relax on the waterfront with a specialty cocktail at Portside and much more. Maybe pickleball and dancing to some incredible live DJs are how you want to enjoy the warmer weather, and they’ve got that too! Go to Brookfield Place for the shopping and dining, stay for the incredible summer fun.
3. Explore 15,000 square feet of Banksy-inspired art
Embrace the legacy of one of the greatest street artists in history at the brand new Banksy Museum in New York City. Uncover his most unique pieces of work and get a deeper look into the mysterious artist. Grab your tickets today!
4. Show your Pride at the NYC Pride March
June is Pride Month and that means there will be plenty of opportunities to support the community! This year’s march will take place on Sunday, June 30th. Learn more about the NYC Price March here.
5. And at all the other Pride happenings going on in NYC
There’s truly nowhere like NYC, being the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, to celebrate Pride all month long. From educational art installations to food specials that give back to non-profit organizations centering the Queer community, there will be plenty of ways to honor and support the community in NYC. Find them here.
6. Celebrate Pride With Manhattan West Woof Fest
One of the cutest ways to ring in June and celebrate Pride is Woof Fest: Paws for Pride, happening on June 8th at Manhattan West Plaza (385 9th Ave, Midtown). From 12-3 p.m. enjoy a variety of activities, including instagrammable photo-ops and portraits. Speak to your dog’s spirit with Reiki and tarot card readings for your furry friends along with chowing down on some fab locally-made treats! At 1:30 p.m. pups and their owners can take part in the Walk of Pride catwalk contest.
Festive attire is encouraged, so show off your pride for a chance to win fun prizes. While walk-ins are welcome, it all depends on available space. So RSVP and sign a waiver here! (Complete the waiver ahead of time to ensure a fast check-in and to receive a free collapsible water bowl upon entry, while supplies last).
7. Listen to enchanting music by candlelight in beautiful NYC spaces
Hear everything from classical masterpieces to current day tracks in a stunning candlelit venue. Explore the many options, with concerts for everyone’s taste here.
8. Escape to another dimension at Bubble Planet
Immerse yourself in hundreds of bubbles through 10 wondrous rooms at Bubble Planet. After touring cities like Milan, London, and LA, Bubble Planet has floated on over to NYC to help you unleash your inner child. From the ‘Bubble Bath’ pit to AR technology, you don’t want to miss out! Grab tickets now.
9. Read up on Juneteenth
Juneteenth (a.k.a. Freedom Day) marks the end of enslavement of people of African descent in the United States, which happened on June 19, 1865. In 2020, Former Governor Cuomo declared the date an official state holiday, followed by NYC schools. Learn more about Juneteenth here.
10. Join in the celebrations for Juneteenth
From concerts and educational opportunities to variety shows and exhibitions, each year NYC hosts plenty of events and ways to celebrate Juneteenth. Find them here.
11. Check out summer programming at Hudson Yards
“Backyard at Hudson Yards” is returning for a third season! The weekly concert series programmed by The Bowery Presents is featuring today’s emerging artists. In addition to concerts, there will also be sports screenings, fitness classes and street vendors at the complex. Find out more here.
12. Boogie down at Lincoln Center’s massive dance floor
Lincoln Center’s iconic plaza is once again transforming into a massive dance floor for the summer. In addition to the dance floor, the property will host a plethora of free events, thousands of artists, and food from across the city for New Yorkers to peruse and enjoy. Learn all about the festivities to come with Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City here.
13. Broadway Sings
Broadway Sings have numerous June dates for your favorite artists! Imagine Broadway performers performing your favorite tunes by your favorite artists! Select dates in June feature hits by Taylor Swift on June 12th and belt out those hits to ABBA on June 13th and 18th. These concerts take place at The Cutting Room (located on 44 E. 32nd St.) and $35-$50 depending on which seat you choose.
Rock out to anthems by Queen on June 19th and don’t miss Broadway Sings Billy Joel on June 16th & 23rd! All of these concerts take place at The Cutting Room (located on 44 E. 32nd St.) and $35-$50 depending on which seat you choose.
14. Jam out to your favorite artists at Governors Ball
The most anticipated music festival in NYC is coming in hot this year with a stellar lineup that will have you rocking out all weekend long. The festival is happening from Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9, featuring unmissable performers like SZA, Post Malone, 21 Savage and the Killers. Find out everything you need to know about Governors Ball 2024 here.
15. Get giggly at Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest
The Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest is returning from June 19-23 for a week-long celebration, amplifying historically marginalized voices. The annual festival spotlights incredible talent and powerful storytelling for an event you absolutely can’t miss. Learn about the hilarious headliners and more details here.
16. Pack your schedule with all the free concerts coming to NYC this summer
Thanks to all of our fantastic parks, New Yorkers have plenty of choices for where to spend time outdoors during the warm weather months, like enjoying incredible music performances in NYC Parks this summer all for free! From Bryant Park to Hudson River Park to Hudson Yards, the options are seemingly endless. Check out a roundup of free summer concerts here.
17. Take part in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is celebrating its 67th anniversary with its parade on the Sunday, June 9. Celebrating and honoring the Puerto Rican leaders, educators, artists and celebrities that have left a cultural footprint on the nation, the event will march up Fifth Avenue!
18. Do something special for the father figure in your life on Father’s Day
With Father’s Day just around the corner, coming up with a plan can seem daunting. But, when in doubt, you can never go wrong with a delicious meal and some drinks. Give your dad a break from being the grill master with Korean BBQ, or pair some cold beers with a big, juicy burger.
19. Explore a ballon bonanza at this playful pop-up coming to NYC
Larger-than-life, eco-friendly balloon sculptures are taking over Park Avenue Armory in an incredible, visual experience called Balloon Story. Walk under whimsical creations and uncover imaginative exhibits. Join the waitlist now!
20. Relax at NYC’s beloved seasonal restaurant and beach club Gitano Island
Once called “Gitano Garden of Love” and located in SoHo, the Mexican-inspired escape has reopened on Governors Island instead with the name “Gitano Island.” Learn more here.
21. Check out some of NYC’s newest speakeasies
There’s something about having a drink in a speakeasy that blows the experience of having a drink in a regular bar straight out of the water. Some of of favs include:
Some more good ones can be found here.
22. Taste international fare at outdoor food markets
With warm weather comes nights spent outdoors, and there’s no better way to celebrate some of the city’s most delicious food than at one of its beloved markets. Some of our favs are:
23. Enjoy happy hour with friends
Celebrate everyone’s favorite hour with incredible happy hour deals all across the city. Let’s be honest, there’s not much New Yorkers like more than cheap drinks! See the full list here.
24. Get your tan on at the beach
The weather is finally looking up. And with that in mind, it’s time to start working on that summer tan and soaking in all of the vitamin D. Check out the best beaches in NYC.
25. Hit up Coney Island’s Luna Park
Whether it’s Luna Park or Deno’s WonderWheel Amusement Park, take a day trip to Coney Island for some exhilarating coasters and other exciting rides! Learn more here.
26. Kayak for free at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday (family sessions only) this summer you’ll be able to walk up to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse Pier 2 for free kayaking. The sessions only run for 20 minutes but the views are worth it and at the end of the day, it’s a free activity! So why not? Learn more here.
27. Catch the return of SummerStage
Just shortly after all the Memorial Day festivities are over, SummerStage will kick off the summer season with their opening night on Saturday, June 1. The lineup for the season will include notable performances by renowned and local artists from around the world in a variety of genres spanning salsa, jazz, hip-hop, indie, reggae, and more. Read more here.
28. Enjoy waterfront dining for delicious food and incredible views
From eating on historic boats with insane views of the sunset to checking out secluded seafood hotspots on NYC’s smaller surrounding islands, these are some of our favorite spots for a breezy cocktail and bites.
- Grand Banks, Pier 25 in Tribeca
- Baylander Steel Beach, Harlem
- La Barca Cantina, Pier 81 Midtown West
29. Dine al-fresco in a low-key hidden spot
As the weather warms the city, it’s time for enjoying all of the incredible outdoor dining setups all summer long. If you want to avoid the crowds and have a secluded dining experience in peace, you’ll want to add these spots to your list:
- Blume, UES
- Terrace at Cathédrale Restaurant, East Village
- sek’ənd sun, Astoria
- Milk and Roses, Greenpoint
30. Speed down the track at this indoor go-kart raceway
In need for some speed? Grab your pals and go go-karting at this indoor raceway located in the Showboat, the largest hotel on Atlantic City’s iconic boardwalk. Take your pick from the 30 state-of-the-art electric karts and see who’s really the fastest out of your friends. One race (10 laps) starts at $25. See more pricing options and info here.
31. Cool down in a pool with a view
There are several hotels and rooftop pools that you can visit with a day pass or membership that might be worth getting for the summer. They’re the perfect way to stay cool while also enjoying gorgeous views of NYC. Check out some of our recs here.
32. Stroll down one of the oldest streets in America
Looking for a little educational trip? Drive over to New Paltz, New York (just around 40 minutes by car from the city) to check out Huguenot Street, one of America’s oldest streets. Explore the centuries-old stone houses and learn about American history throughout the architecture and preservations of the historic district. Read more about Huguenot Street here.
33. Rely on your every sense but sight at this unique dinner experience
Dining in the dark invites you to elevate your tasting experience by being blindfolded throughout a curated 3-course meal. Guests will be able to tap into their tastebuds full potential once sight is removed and really experience dishes in a new way. Reserve your spot now.
34. Get into your favorite museums for free during ‘Museum Mile Festival’
‘Museum Mile Festival’ is returning to NYC on Tuesday, June 18th from 6pm-9pm. Fifth Avenue will be blocked off from 82nd Street to 105th Street to let New Yorkers roam in and out of their favorite museums, at no cost. Read all about Museum Mile Festival here.
35. Celebrate World Bicycle Day (June 3rd)
There’s nothing like getting some fresh air during the warmer months in the city so don’t forget to enjoy the outdoors every once in a while! With World Bicycle Day this month, there’s no better time than now to get back into the cycle of exercising. Bike around Central Park or on the Brooklyn Bridge, even on the Hudson River Greenway
36. Take in skyline views at these stunning rooftops
Nothing beats a drink in hand and a skyline in sight. Here are some of our favorites:
- Experience a backyard vibe at The Ready
- Escape to the Hamptons right in the city at this beachy-themed bar
- Sip on cocktails at Overstory in the Financial District
Check the entire list here and adventure to one of these fantastic rooftops across the city for the most unbeatable scenery and not to mention, refreshing cocktails!
37. Chase movies all over Manhattan at the 2024 Tribeca Festival
Film buffs get excited because the Tribeca Film Festival is returning on Wednesday, June 5th. Experience everything from screenings to TV debuts, panel talks to live music. The entire festival will run until Sunday, June 16th.