Here in NYC, there’s always something new to see! From rotating art installations to free events around the city, there are so many happenings to match any style and personality. Now that summer is in full swing, there are tons of event series and festivals you should bookmark on your calendar. Let’s dig into our favorite festivals in NYC that are either happening now or coming up later this summer!
1. Tribeca Festival
The Tribeca Festival returns to NYC this June, running from June 5 – 16! This year’s experience includes brand new film debuts, panels and talks, immersive games and experiences, and so much more. You can catch all of these events happening at various theaters an venues around Tribeca and Chelsea! Check out our guide to Tribeca Film Festival for more info.
2. Governors Ball Music Festival
New York’s iconic Governors Ball Music Festival is happening in June, and this year’s lineup is stacked! The 3 day festival will take over Flushing Meadows Corona Park, with musical acts featuring Lizzo, ODESZA, and Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X, HAIM, Lil Uzi Vert, Diplo, Lil Baby, PinkPantheress, Pusha T, Joey Badass, and more. Don’t forget about their tasty food lineup too which will keep you filled all weekend long.
Check out our complete guide to Governors Ball here!
3. Lincoln Center Summer for the City
Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City is officially returning for the third year! From June 12 – August 10, Lincoln Center will be transformed, offering all kinds of fun summer activities. Highlights include concerts with the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center, a week-long India Week celebration, a contemporary concert series curated by Nadia Sirota; the return of the BAAND Together Dance Festival, Pride Month celebrations; Juneteenth event, comedy nights, wellness events and workshops, art activations, and more.
Where: Lincoln Center Plaza
4. Jazz Age Lawn Party
Teleport back to the 1920s era at the Jazz Age Lawn Party, which is set to return to New York City on June 8th-9th and August 10th-11th. The Prohibition-themed extravaganza features all sorts of activities like two massive dance floors, a pop-up French café and market, wine tastings, beer garden, vintage motor car exhibition, and a whole lot more! Not to mention everyone dresses in their best 1920s attire…it’s the festival of the summer! Learn more about Jazz Age Lawn Party here.
🎷 Buy your tickets to Jazz Age Lawn Party here!
5. SummerStage NYC
SummerStage in Central Park is a New York summer tradition, and it is back this summer with an incredible lineup. It starts this June and runs throughout the dog days of summer, welcoming tons of fantastic artists to NYC. The concert series is organized by City Parks, and offers shows in 12 different parks across the city, with the largest stage being in Central Park. Booked artists range from Afrobeat to hip-hop to indie, and many concerts are even free as well!
Take a look at SummerStage’s full lineup here and plan a visit today.
6. Museum Mile Festival
One of NYC’s most electric block parties is back this summer, Museum Mile Festival, when you can explore 8 of NYC’s most famous museums for free! It’s happening on Tuesday, June 18 from 6 – 9 pm, where Fifth Ave will be completely shut down to traffic from 82nd Street to 105th Street so New Yorkers can easily stroll through many of Uptown’s museums. Plus, there will be tons of art-related activities, food vendors and street musicians to accompany free museum admission! See what museums are participating here!
7. Bryant Park Picnic Performances
Enjoy free outdoor performances all summer long in Bryant Park, where there the likes of New York City Opera and Carnegie Hall Citywide (plus more) will be doing shows. They are running from May 31 – September 13 with performances starting at 7 pm on select days! Check out the full schedule of Bryant Park Picnic Performances here.
8. Little Island’s Summer Season
Returning for its fourth season is Little Island’s Summer Season of entertainment and events. It’s happening from June 1 – September 13, and includes brand new performances ranging from dance to theater to opera. Check out the full lineup here!
Where: Pier 55
9. Smorgasburg
Grab some food and friends at Smorgasburg, one of the best open air markets in the entire city! Walk through a variety of vendors and try out different snacks and foods while you enjoy the warm summer air. There are 4 Smorgasburg locations in NYC, including Williamsburg (Saturdays 11 am – 6 pm), Prospect Park (Sundays 11 am – 6pm), and World Trade Center (Fridays 11 am – 7 pm). These food festivals are the perfect way to spend a day and have some delicious bites along the way!
10. Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Returning to Coney Island on Saturday, June 22 is one of the most whimsical parades and festivals this city sees each year. The Coney Island Mermaid Parade celebrates the start of summer with tons of mermaid-inspired costumes, floats, and performances along the Coney Island boardwalk. It’s fun for all, and attendees are even encouraged to dress in their sparkly nautically-themed best. Learn more about this year’s parade and festival here!
11. Dragon Fest
NYC’s largest Chinese food festival is set to touch down this summer on select locations from now until October. Dragon Fest features over 100 varieties of Chinese cuisine, ranging from soup dumplings to bowl pudding cake. Some of the recognizable NYC vendors include MáLà Project, Kopitiam, Pecking House, Nom Wah, Lady Wong, and Nan Xiang. Check out the dates and learn more about Dragon Fest here.
12. PrideFest
PrideFest will happening once again this June, making it one of the biggest Pride events in NYC happening all month! The LGBTQIA+ Street Fair will take place on June 30, starting at 11 am, and will feature tons of Pride-focused exhibitors, entertainers, activities, music, food, and free Pride gear. See the location of the fair and learn more details here!
13. Backyard at Hudson Yards
Happening on the west side, the Backyard at Hudson Yards will be having an entire summer of fun programming! Headlined by a free 8-week concert series (featuring artists like Keke Palmer, Chayce Beckham and more), there also be other offerings like movie nights, sport viewing parties on the big screen, weekly fitness classes, family-fun workshops, DJ sets, food trucks, and more! Learn more about Backyard at Hudson Yards here.
14. US Open Fan Week
The annual U.S. Open Tennis Championships will resume again this late August/early September and a few weeks before that comes the Fan Week! It usually includes all kinds of activations and events to get you closer to the game…including watching practice sessions, friendly matches, a kid’s day, and plenty more. Stay tuned in the coming months for full details but bookmark August 19 – 25 now!
15. Harlem Week
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Harlem Week, a week-long festival celebrating the rich heritage of the neighborhood and its residents. There’s typically all kinds of virtual and live events happening…including live music, dance performances, panel discussions, and dining specials with local businesses. This year it’s happening from August 7 – 18, so stay tuned.
16. Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival celebrates Chinese culture with dragon boat races, traditional music, dance performances, and food. This year’s festival takes place on August 3 & 4 at Meadow Lake. Learn more about the event here!