Summer means the city heats up in a big way, and we couldn’t be more excited. Besides heading to Gotham's best beaches and drinking at its finest rooftop bars, you'll want to make room in your calendar for these amazing music festivals, super-fun outdoor activities and cool cultural offerings. Ready, set, summer!
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC
Many of Kahlo’s paintings feature a lush, wild world, one you can get a sense of at this exhibition. You can see a dozen of her paintings and works on paper, as well as a reimagining of the artist’s home and garden at her famed Casa Azul in Mexico City.
May 16–November 1; The New York Botanical Garden, Tue–Sun 10am–6pm; $20
A beloved NYC tradition is back for another summer. This year’s performances include The Tempest with Sam Waterston (The Newsroom) and Cymbeline with Hamish Linklater.
May 27–August 23; Delacorte Theater, Central Park, times vary; free
Dozens of superstar musicians gather for three days of frolicking on Randalls Island in what has quickly become New York’s premiere music festival. Catch Drake, the Black Keys, Deadmau5, Bjork, Chromeo, Marina and the Diamonds and many more, along with 150,000 other people who are ready to party. Bring sunscreen!
June 5–7; Randall’s Island Park; $105–$260
Some of the city’s best cultural institutions throw open their doors to the masses—free—for one day only. Nine museums, including the Guggenheim, the Met and the Museum of the City of New York, will welcome visitors from 6–9pm, with entertainment and a slew of activities.
June 9, locations vary, 6–9pm, free
This Brooklyn-bred band, led by the euphoric harmonies of rockers Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, is an indie-pop revelation. Tonight they share the stage with fellow borough bands and folksy folks Luke Temple and Pavo Pavo for a free concert as part of the Celebrate Brooklyn! festival.
June 13; Prospect Park Bandshell, 7pm; free
Travel back in time to the age of Gatsby at this grand affair. Wear your zoot suits and flapper dresses to immerse yourself in a day of gramophone DJs, Charleston contests, delectable cocktails and music from Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra.
June 13 and 14, August 15 and 16, Governors Island, $35–$95
Recline on the Great Lawn in Central Park and hear the city fall silent as the New York Philharmonic Orchestra performs mesmerizing scores. Their two nights of free performances here include songs from Gershwin, Bernstein and Rodgers.
June 17 and 18; Great Lawn, Central Park, 8pm; free
It’s the most colorful day of the year! Celebrate art and mythology beachside with King Neptune, Queen Mermaid and thousands of bedazzled and half-dressed marchers along the boardwalk. And don’t forget to bring some extra glitter.
June 20, Coney Island, 1pm, free
Take your improv comedy obsession to new heights at an Upright Citizens Brigade–hosted 56-hour marathon dedicated to Del Close, the grandfather of long-form improv. The lineup has yet to be announced, but last year’s included Ellie Kemper, Bobby Moynihan, Nick Kroll, Ilana Glazer, and of course Amy Poehler, one of the original UCB4.
June 26–28; times, locations and prices vary
It’s getting hot out here! Hit this giant Long Island City courtyard for a day under the sun with DJs and bands that know how to get the party started, with different acts every Saturday. Your ticket price includes admission to the museum.
Saturdays June 27–September 5, MoMA PS1, 3–9pm, $20, $18 advance
June 27; Larkin Cold Storage, 5–8:30pm; $60–$75
Our favorite parade of the year paints Fifth Avenue all the colors of the rainbow. More than 50 floats, 300 marching organizations and thousands of spectators come together for a celebration of love, equality and a whole lot of drag queens.
June 28; Fifth Ave, 12pm; free
Hold on to your butts, because a T-Rex army is invading Manhattan. Watch dinosaurs run amok in a science experiment gone horribly wrong as the sun sets over the Hudson in the warm summer air. And just imagine what Jurassic World has in store.
July 1; Pier 1, 8pm; free
Every year the whole of New York comes together to gaze out upon the river and shout, “Amurrica!” Find your perch along the East River, turn toward the Brooklyn Bridge and take in a 25-minute scored pyrotechnics show with more than 40,000 fireworks.
July 4; details TBA
Composer Danny Elfman has written many tunes that are now a permanent part of our collective cultural conscious, like the theme songs for The Simpsons, the Batman animated series and Pee-wee’s Playhouse. He’s also scored many works by iconic filmmaker Tim Burton, and tonight you can hear his infectious songs, from “This Is Halloween” to “Beetlejuice,” live onstage featuring an orchestra and choir. Dress up as your favorite character!
July 6, 8–12; Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, times vary; $65–$250
The famous magicians are leaving behind the sands of Vegas and storming the Great White Way for a limited time only. They’ll bring along some of the stunts they’re known for, such as stabbing each other, running each other over with heavy machinery and catching bullets in their mouths. You’ll fall over laughing while they do it.
July 7–Aug 16; Marquis Theatre, times and prices TBAGrab your mightiest squirt gun and head to this year’s Waterfight to get a playful reprieve from the summer heat. This year’s details are yet to be announced, but last year’s H2O battle drew thousands of people to the Great Lawn. Stay tuned.
July 25; details TBA; free
Former Fleet Foxes member J. Tillman branched out on his own as the folk-rock singer Father John Misty and we’ve all been blessed. In nostalgic songs with lyrics inspired in part by his upbringing in a strict evangelical Christian home, he tells haunting stories of the sinners and saints in us all. With Angel Olson and Summer Moon.
August 5, SummerStage, Central Park, 6pm, $35
This summer celebration of "open-minded, non-conforming" black music and the city’s multicultural landscape is the quintessential Brooklyn festival. This year’s lineup is yet to be announced, but last year’s included Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, The Internet and D’Angelo, so expect some showstoppers.
August 22 and 23; Commodore Berry Park, times and prices TBA
All aboard for the maiden voyage of an insane early-evening dance party. DJ duo Slow to Speak will spin tunes for a boatload of summer revelers cruising on the East River. Keep your eyes peeled for ticket announcements, as well as a yet-to-be-named special guest.
August 23; Location TBA, 5pm; Price TBA
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