Your Ultimate NYC Summer Guide: Concerts, Food Fests, Free Movies & More

Feel the warm weather creeping in? Now is the time to embrace it. To celebrate, we’ve released our guide of the best things to do this summer .NYC is home to free outdoor activities , amazing concerts , fun traditions , and so many other fantastic happenings that you’ll want to fully **maximize that PTO**for the ultimate staycation. No plane, no problem! See what’s cookin’ in your city as the season gets under way. *— With contributions from [Justine Golata](https://secretnyc.co/author/justine-golata/), [Brianna Perry](https://secretnyc.co/author/brianna-perry/), and [Corey Fuller](https://secretnyc.co/author/corey-fuller/). * Grab a bite at NYC’s best street fairs and night markets ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No reservations? No problem. You can snag some of the best dishes in city without stepping foot inside a restaurant. From ramen and karaage at Japan Fes to soft pretzels and Jamaican coco breads at Smorgasburg , our guide to food festivals and night markets will satisfy any and all of your hunger cravings. Not sure where to begin? Here are a few of our favorites that are worth a pitstop this season: * Bronx Night Market * Dragon Fest * Family Style Food Festival * Japan Fes * Smorgasburg * Queens Night Market * Uptown Night Market Enjoy sunny days at NYC beaches ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Craving sand between your toes and a splash of salt water? Beach season in NYC commences on **Memorial Day Weekend**, giving you plenty of opportunities to (safely) soak up some Vitamin D. Even better news? A Train service has resumed to Rockaway Beach! Bring the umbrella — we’ve got the cooler. Head to NYC public pools for a dip... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ While New Yorkers aren’t typically used to backyards and pools, that doesn’t mean they can’t take a dip once temperatures soar. **Public pools**offer a free way to cool off when the heat and humidity become unbearable, so make sure you have a towel at the ready. ...or book a chair at NYC’s best hotel and rooftop pools ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Should you want to add some swag to your afternoon dip, and perhaps enjoy a few treats and cocktails while poolside, we know plenty of places to venture. Cut a rug at Jazz Age Lawn Party ---------------------------------------------------------------- For years, the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party has attracted all walks of life in NYC, and get ready to slip on your pearls and adjust that bow tie once again as this time-traveling festival returns to NYC onSaturday, June 14th to Sunday, June 15th and again onAugust 9th-10th ! Returning for its 20th edition, thousands of people take the ferry over to Governor’s Island to party like it’s the roaring 20s! Tickets are going fast, secure your spot here! Catch All The Summer Vibes At Brookfield Place’s Waterfront Oasis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many know Brookfield Place in Lower Manhattan as the destination for an impressive variety of shopping, but this summer it’s all about fun under the sun! Plan your summer escape to Brookfield Place and be sure to check out their calendar of free eventsand art exhibitions on view. In July, enjoy a DJ Series featuring global beats, as well as a sunset wine tasting event! In August, the notable BFPL Open tennis event takes place, and the Literary Series picks up again with free books and a Book Club. Don’t forget to shop ‘til you drop and experience an exquisite meal by the waterfront to complete your visit. Brookfield Place is the place to be and is located at 230 Vesey Street , right along the Hudson River. Practice your poses at Bryant Park’s free yoga classes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ One of NYC’s largest and longest-running community fitness programs, the beloved summer activity started out as a series that ran from May until the end of August, though due to popular demand they began extending their classes into the month of September. And lucky for us that’s happening again this year! Grab your mat, water bottle and peruse the schedule for your next free class. Grab a bite at The Standard High Line’s Soda Shop --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ready to take a (delicious) step back in time? The Standard High Line’s retro-inspired diner — 848 Washington St — is here for the summer with throwback decor and classic bites: think buttermilk flapjacks, tuna salad deluxe, pickled jalapeño poppers, biscuits & gravy, and milkshakes. Plus, those dining out can also enjoy lawn games, and a refurbished Airstream, The Hard Serve, providing ice cream in partnership with Van Leeuwen. Enjoy “Sunday Supper” like an Italian ------------------------------------- There’s nothing quite as sacred in the Italian culture as Sunday Supper — and that’s exactly the experience Chef Matthew Watson (and his entire family) will bring to hungry, carb-craving New Yorkers. His Sicilian roots-inspired dinner party will add personal touches with homemade recipes, a great playlist, and a welcoming environment. Chef promises “loud tables, bold flavors,” and fan-favorite dishes like his king vodka sauce, served over rigatoni and topped with fresh Parmigano. Learn more or get tickets to the next events — July 12th and 25th **online**. Dine on the waterfront at this breathtaking NJ eatery ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why not take in NYC from a different vantage point this summer? Blu on the Hudson, Weehawken’s culinary gem, serves American fare with a contemporary twist, all while providing gorgeous skyline views. Sharing a seafood tower and sipping on a Hamptons Spritz is the ultimate way to usher in the warm-weather season — especially now that the eatery is planning to open a 8,000-square-foot rooftop. Trust us, that trek to Jersey will be absolutely worth it. Find a new beach read thanks to Secret NYC’s Book Club --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Need a new read? The Secret NYC book club via Fable has you covered. Check out what’s happening with the club and join our discussion! Our monthly picks are the perfect companions while you’re hanging poolside or soaking up the rays at at Rockaway Beach. Catch free movies in the park ----------------------------- Al fresco season is all the more sweet with NYC’s plethora of outdoor movies. Bring a picnic blanket and a fellow movie buff for a fun evening, free of charge. Plus, those skyline panoramas are unmatched. Here are a few movie series to bookmark: * Bryant Park movie nights * Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Movies with a View * Intrepid Free Friday Night Movies * NYC Parks free summer movies Catch an intimate magic show in Brooklyn ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By day,The Art of Play curiosity shop is a typicalBrooklyn small business , brimming with collectibles, games, home goods, and other fun finds. By night, things change. The outpost morphs into a small, intimate theater — 69 Atlantic — with some of the most mind-blowing sleight of hand artistry you’ll ever witness. (Even **David Blaine**can attest to this.) Enter a botanical escape at “ARTECHOUSE Presents: Blooming Wonders” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For a floral fantasy like none other, “**Blooming Wonders”**delivers with high-resolution projections and interactive visuals that make the immersive garden pop. The 40-minute show is a larger-than-life representation of beautiful blooms that blend the best of nature and technology. When all is said and done, stop by the ARTECHOUSE XR Bar for a cocktail before venturing home. **Get tickets now**. Journey to Egypt without leaving NYC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Horizon of Khfu*, one of NYC’s premiere VR experiences, dials back the clock some 4,000 years and allows you to journey through Ancient Egypt — Pharaohs, pyramids, and beyond. As you work your way through the Giza Plateau and end up inside the Great Pyramid, don’t be surprised if you mistake this VR exhibit for a time machine. Relive the best of *Rolling Stone’s* history through “Amplified” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Music lovers and pop culture fanatics will find a lot to love taking a look back in time through *Rolling Stone’s* 60-year history. From iconic covers to never-before-seen moments and concert closeups, “**Amplified” at ARTECHOUSE NYC**is rock and roll magic. Enjoy a Candlelight concert -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imagine this: a strings ensemble, your favorite tunes, a gorgeous venue, and of course, thousands of (faux) candles. That’s exactly what you’ll be treated to at a Candlelight Concert. The performers set up shop at locations throughout the city, such as St. Ann’s in Brooklyn Heights, for a thrilling ode to today’s most popular artists — from Taylor Swift to Metallica and everyone in between. Stop by an outdoor concert or performance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ An amazing performance does not require a theater. Trust us when we tell you, those informal, outdoor gatherings are worthy of a standing ovation. From dances and jazz shows to operas and classical concerts, NYC’s lineup of summer shows is expansive. Here’s what we’re looking forward to this year. (Bonus? Most are free!) * Bryant Park Picnic Performances * Hudson River Park Summer Series * Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City * SummerStage * TSQ Live Check out AMNH’s new space show (narrated by Pedro Pascal) ---------------------------------------------------------- A brand-new Hayden Planetarium Space Show is coming to the American Museum of Natural History to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rose Center for Earth and Space! Titled Encounters in the Milky Way, the brand new show will be narrated by acclaimed actor Pedro Pascal and debut on June 9, 2025. Encounters in the Milky Way is the first Space Show to focus on the dynamic motions within our galaxy and their impact on our solar system’s history and future. The production uses groundbreaking data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, which has mapped nearly two billion stars since 2013. See a performance of *Shakespeare in the Park* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now that the historic Delacorte Theater has undergone renovations, *Shakespeare in the Park* is ready to return to its home and delight theater buffs with an amazing season. Expect more accessible seating, ticketing areas, and newly designed lighting towers — to name a few upgrades — as the actors gear up for their performance of *Twelfth Night *, which follows twins Sebastian and Viola who were separated after a shipwreck. Snag tickets to this first-edition Indian cultural fest at Lincoln Center ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) is gearing up for its debut India Weekend at Lincoln Center, a celebration of rich heritage through music, theater, and other artforms. Festivities kick off on September 12th with “The Great Indian Musical: Civilization to Nation,” a combination of dance, art, fashion, and music. Attendees can also expect bhajans, chanting sessions, gita readings, Parthiv Gohil singing traditional Garba and Dandiya Raas, and so much more. **Learn more and get tickets online**. Enjoy a free kayaking session at Brooklyn Bridge Park ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your paddles and life vests: Brooklyn Bridge Park kayaking , one of our favorite free activities in NYC, is back this May. The best part of a lakeside escape is available right in the city thanks to this complimentary park offering. Though you might not be paddling amongst mountains and greenery, we’d say taking in views of the NYC skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge are pretty epic. Ready to **book a slot**? We’ll see you there — Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays! Go car-free for 22 miles during Summer Streets ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For five consecutive Saturdays–July 26th, August 2nd, August 9th, August 16th, and August 23rd, NYC’s hustle and bustle will tone it down across the five boroughs with 22 miles of car-free entertainment, fitness, and fun courtesy of Summer Streets. Expect cycling, running, and more. To see where you can enjoy the weekend block party near you, explore our guide to the annual event. Indulge in a scoop (or two) of ice cream ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nothing says summer like a sundae or a shake. There are plenty of scoop shops to visit when you’re craving something sweet — Honeycomb from Van Leeuwen , boozy spoonfuls courtesy of **Tipsy Scoop**, or a rotating selection from **Caffè Panna**. Cheers to NYC’s newest rooftop bars -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now that the weather is *finally* cooperating, you’ll want to take full advantage. During your next Happy Hour with friends, book a spot outdoors with skyline views. New rooftop bars, like Leonessa and Bar Sprezzatura , have an Italian influence (plus DIY spritzes at Leonessa) while Executive Chef Samuel-Drake Jones serves up American fare at the 360-degreeHudson VU . Grab fresh fruit and veggies from your local farmers market -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you’re looking to prepare a farm-to-table meal, you’re in luck. NYC is home to a large number of farmers markets where growers venture weekly with the freshest picks straight from the country. Go thrifting at a flea market ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Whether you have a hankering for antique homeware or upcycled clothing, you’re bound to find a few treasures while thrifting at NYC flea markets. Our guide can point you to the perfect one for you and your next shopping spree. Search for thrills at Coney Island... ----------------------------------- Grab a hotdog at Nathan’s and take a ride on the **Cyclone at Luna Park**...but maybe not in that order. From the beach, the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New York Aquarium, and of course, the beloved Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, there’s no shortage of activities to choose from when you’re at the beachside Brooklyn nabe. ...and other fun NYC amusement parks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Looking for more thrills? Whether you’re keen on coasters or want to take things easy with bumper cars and games, we found the best amusement parks in the NY area that will provide high (and mild) thrills for whatever type of action you’re looking for. And if you just decide on funnel cake, that’s fine, too. Go glamping on Governors Island ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You don’t have to leave NYC for the perfect getaway! Governors Island’s beloved Collective Retreats has returned for the summer season, letting New Yorkers glamp under the glittering night sky. Offering various accommodation packages, the waterfront glamping experience is absolutely unforgettable, with lawn games, s’mores, morning yoga and more. Hop aboard NYC’s go-to speedboat, The Beast ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Beast is NYC’s only jet-powered speed boat ride and considered a “rollercoaster on the water,” so it’s a must for the daredevils among us. While passengers are used to the usual fun — music, water-spraying pranks, etc. — now they can opt for a new experience: the BEAST’ro, an exclusive themed dining experience on Pier 81 with delicious eats, drinks, and soft-serve treats. Hop aboard a vintage train to the beach ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thissummerthe New York Transit Museum is rolling vintage train cars out onto the tracks tobring New Yorkers beach bound on cars dating back to the 1930s! Two different Summer Nostalgia Rides will be available, which include their ever-popular trips to Coney Island and the Rockaways. Catch a baseball game --------------------- Batter up! The Yanks and Mets are in town, and you wouldn’t want to miss a single play. We have the best recs for the biggest fans in the city: * The best Yankee bars * The best Mets bars * What to eat at Citi Field this year (a.k.a. the best MLB ballpark food) * What to eat at Yankee Stadium this year Head to Fanatics Fest ---------------------------------------------------------------- Memorabilia, meet and greets, events — Fanatics Fest is the ultimate event for all sports fans. The three-day event features activations from top leagues like the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, WNBA, and WWE, along with appearances from over 500 athletes, creators, and celebrities. Plus, this year brings something exciting: the “Museum of Greatness”, a first-of-its-kind sports collection valued at over $200 million. Yowza! Catch the FIFA Club World Cup ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The highly-anticipated FIFA Club World Cup has officially kicked off — see what we did there? — and fans across the U.S. have the opportunity to catch 63 matches from 32 teams within six continental confederations this summer. That’s a lot of soccer...or should we say football? The tournaments will take place throughout 12 various stadiums across the U.S. this June and July, and fortunately, New Yorkers can be part of the excitement at MetLife Stadium. **Our guide** has everything you need to know. Catch the biggest games of the season on this massive outdoor screen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When we say we want a big TV to watch a sports game, we mean biiiig, and Hudson Yards understood the assignment. This summer, Hudson Yards is hosting free watch parties for the most popular sporting events of the season, and they’re doing so on a massive 30-foot big screen! See what’s happening and plan accordingly! Explore new exhibits ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Whether you have a passion for impressionism, want to take a step back in time, or feel inclined to revel in pop culture’s best moments, **NYC museums** have just about anything you can imagine. Here’s what we’re loving right now: * “The Year of Flaco”at the New-York Historical Society * “Amy Sherald: American Sublime” at The Whitney * JAPONISME → Cognitive Revolution: Learning from Hiroshige at Gagosian See a new Broadway show ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Great White Way has plenty of new material for us to look forward to this summer — including revivals of fan favorites like ***Mama Mia***! The 2025 debuts run the gamut from Shakespeare retellings to ’80s remakes and even sci-fi fun from Netflix. Plus, you can expect plenty of star-studded actors venturing over from screen to stage this year, making the lineup even more alluring. Grab tickets to NYC’s coolest concerts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Queen Bey is kicking things off with a seven-day run at MetLife beginning May 22nd, but “Cowboy Carter” isn’t the only tour to look forward to. You can expect NY (and NJ) pitstops from artists like**Kesha** **Post Malone**, and more this summer Honor those who served this MDW --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kick off the (unofficial) start of summer by honoring those who serve our country. From activations on the Intrepid to the annual Memorial Day Parade, NYC events are aplenty. Honor Juneteenth --------------------------------------------------------------------- From classical performances at Lincoln Center and Broadway singalongs to annual parades and park gatherings, NYC’s Juneteenth offerings are a great way to support Black culture and pave the way for a better, more inclusive future. Celebrate Pride Month --------------------------------------------------------------- Festivals, performances, drag brunches — NYC’s **June calendar**is filled with celebratory LGBTQ+ events that represent equality and inclusivity. Wish America a happy birthday on the Fourth of July --------------------------------------------------- No one does America’s birthday quite like NYC: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, Macy’s Fireworks — the list of celebrations are iconic and symbolic of what makes our city so special. Though we won’t eat anywhere near as many hot dogs as Joey Chestnut, you can rest assured we look forward to ringing in the country’s birthday from its coolest city. Source: https://secretnyc.co/things-to-do-in-nyc-summer-2025/