If You're In New York, Here Are 21 Summer Events And Festivals To Check Out

There's still plenty of time to soak up some summer!

1. Lincoln Center's Summer for the City

Mari Uchida / @mariuchidaphoto / Via Instagram: @lincolncenter

Running from May 14 to August 14, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is hosting more than 300 distinct events over the course of the summer. Highlights include "The Oasis" dance floor installation, the BAAND Together Dance Festival, and, on July 10, couples "whose weddings were canceled or diminished due to the pandemic" will be invited to redo their festivities alongside other New Yorkers with a "second dance" party complete with delicious desserts and a dance floor featuring several live musical performances. For more information check out Lincoln Center's website. 

2. The Rooftop at Pier 17's Concert Series

Pier 17 NYC / Via Instagram: @pier17ny

The South Street Seaport venue, complete with its iconic view of the Brooklyn Bridge, will serve as a host for a wide variety of artists this summer! With events and performances running from now until late August, there's something for every type of music-lover in this concert series. Check out their full schedule here. 

3. 2022 Games for Change Festival

The Times Center / Via Instagram: @thetimescenter

For almost two decades, the Games for Change Festival has served as a focal point for game developers, students, and game aficionados of all kinds to express their love of gaming and other types of immersive media. Happening in NYC from July 13—14, events will be taking place in person at the Times Center. These events include talk-backs, panels, and arcades. Additionally, the Games for Change Festival will be hosting a free online program from July 15—16. Check out their website for tickets, registration, and more information!

4. Electric Zoo

Electric Zoo / Via Instagram: @electriczoony

Electric Zoo is New York City's biggest electronic music festival. Taking place over Labor Day weekend, this is the perfect way to close out any summer in New York, particularly if you're a fan of EDM or other electronic music performers and DJs. Take in New York's incredible skyline from Randall's Island Park which will host an incredible lineup that features Diplo, DJ Snake, DJ Martin Garrix, and more! For more information, check out Electric Zoo's website. 

5. New You, New York Festival Fitness Challenge

Instagram: @phantomfit

Be honest, has the heat slowed down your fitness regime a bit? It's okay, me too. That's why PHANTOM Fitness is here to help! As part of the Festival of New York, PHANTOM Fitness has created the "New You, New York" Festival Fitness Challenge, and will lead a series of fitness activations in partnership with Times Square to help New Yorkers get back into an active routine, while also reconnecting with the iconic location that makes New York City the greatest city in the world! They'll be partnering with celeb guests and non-profits, and will have product giveaways throughout as well. You can learn more and sign up for free here! 

6. Summer Stage

Summer Stage / Via Instagram: @summerstage

With musical performances happening from now through October, and in venues all over the city, Summer Stage's performance and concert series is a great way to see different parts of the city and hear fantastic musicians do what they do best. The best part is that many of Summer Stage's events are completely free! Check out their performance schedule here for more information. 

7. Shakespeare in the Park

Steve Brown / @phantomflyernyc / Via instagram.com

Shakespeare in the Park is a classic staple of any New York summer! Currently, there are still a few weeks left to see Danai Gurira from Black Panther play Richard III, followed by a new musical version of the comedy, As You Like It, beginning in August. You can get your tickets here! It's worth noting that there's also a digital lottery and standby line for those feeling spontaneous! 

8. Seltzer Land

Instagram: @seltzer_land / Via Instagram: @seltzer_land

Personally, my fridge is always stocked with a variety of seltzers, but this nationally touring hard seltzer festival, which is taking place on August 6 at Pier 36, is the perfect excuse to get outside and partake in your love of all things sparkling! And, with a ton of different vendors, this is the perfect way to cool off during those hot NYC summer days. Tickets and more information can be found at Seltzer Land's website. 

9. Bryant Park Movie Nights

Instagram: @bryantparknyc / Via Instagram: @bryantparknyc

If you're looking for some picturesque movie nights this summer, be sure to check out Bryant Park's Movie Night schedule! Presented by Paramount+ with support from Vulture, Bryant Park Movie Night screenings will be happening through August on Monday nights. To see the full schedule, check out Bryant Park's website. 

10. New York Philharmonic Concert Series

Erin Baiano / @erinbaiano / Via instagram.com

You may have noticed by now there are a lot of outdoor concerts happening in NYC this summer! If you're looking specifically for relaxing classical music, then the New York Philharmonic's summer concert series is the one for you. These concerts are happening all over the city, and you can find more information about this series on the New York Philharmonic's website. 

11. Pizza Wine Movie Nights at Rooftop Reds

Instagram: @rooftopreds / Via Instagram: @rooftopreds

If you're looking for more ways to enjoy classic films in a summery (somewhat boozy) way, then Pizza Wine Movie Nights at Rooftop Reds might be perfect for you! With an eclectic film lineup worthy of any cinephile, and a delicious wine menu to boot, this is a film series you definitely don't want to miss. More information and tickets can be found here. 

12. Little Island Concerts & Events

Noel Y. Calingasan / @nyclovesnyc / Via instagram.com

Just a stone's throw from the High Line and New York's Meatpacking District, Little Island is a fascinating and gorgeous new park installation floating on 132 concrete stilts in the middle of the Hudson River. There are a ton of different cultural and artistic events happening on Little Island this summer, including dance, variety, and musical performances! Check out their full schedule on their website for more information! 

13. The Museum Mile Festival

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum / @guggenheim / Via instagram.com

With nine participating museums, including El Museo del Barrio, the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and more, the Museum Mile Festival gives you free admission to several popular museums throughout New York City! The museums also have expanded operating hours during this time, outdoor activities, and occasionally live music! This is a great activity for families, tourists, or longtime residents of NYC who maybe haven't had a chance yet to check out some of the city's most fascinating cultural exhibits! More information can be found here. 

14. Summer on the Hudson

instagram.com / Via instagram.com

With a plethora of free events taking place alongside Riverside Park and West Harlem Piers Park, Summer on the Hudson is one of the best annual outdoor arts and culture festivals in the city. Featuring shows designed for children, outdoor movies, cultural exhibits, music, and more, these events are all made even more incredible by the stunning summer vistas you can take in alongside the Hudson. Check out the full schedule here! 

15. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival

Ellen Qbertplaya / @qbertplaya / Via instagram.com

Beginning originally in 1979, the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival has been a Brooklyn mainstay for over 40 years, and has continually presented and celebrated "legendary jazz artists, chart-topping indie bands, gravity-defying dance troupes, large-scale film projects" and even the occasional virtual reality installation! The best part is, the concert and performance series, which runs all summer long, is completely free! Take a look at the full schedule here. 

16. UpDating

City Winery / Via instagram.com

This hilarious show, taking place at City Winery this July, pairs up two New Yorkers on stage for a blind date as audiences witness first-hand all the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of first dates! Created by NY-based comedian, Brandon Berman, and dating blogger, Harrison Forman, more details and a full schedule can be found on UpDating's Instagram. 

17. DiscOasis

DiscOasis / Via instagram.com

Happening in Central Park throughout the summer, the DiscOasis is an "immersive theatrical experience that unites art, light, music, dance, live performances, roller skating, good times, and good vibes" all at Wollman Rink! With both a daytime and a nighttime version, you've got to check out this limited-time installation if you're looking to travel back in time and experience some of New York's disco roots! Tickets and more information can be found here. 

18. Bronx Night Market

Bronx Night Market / Via instagram.com

Bronx Night Market is an "open-air food and drink festival that celebrates the diverse food and vibrant culture in New York City." Featuring over 50 different vendors creating signature dishes from all over the globe, Bronx Night Market is a monthly series that occurs on the last Saturday of the month. The next one is July 30th at Fordham Plaza in the Bronx! To RSVP, and for more information, check out the Bronx Night Market's website! 

19. Forest Hills Stadium Summer Concert Series

Toby Tenenbaum / @tobytenenbaum / Via instagram.com

This Queens venue will be hosting a variety of music acts all throughout the summer! Featuring performances from Leon Bridges, The Lumineers, Regina Spektor, Ice Cube, Phoebe Bridgers, Van Morrison, and more, this concert series is not one to miss (and it's now in its 99th year!). Get tickets and find out more information (including the full schedule of performances) at Forest Hills Stadium's website.

20. Puppy Brunch

Instagram: @howmnyc / Via Instagram: @howmnyc

Beginning on Sunday, July 10, and running every Sunday until August 26 (aka National Dog Day), HOWM Cocina + Cocktails will be hosting Puppy Brunch! This restaurant located in Chelsea invites you to bring your pet and partake in several unique dishes for people and their dogs! And don't worry, if you have leftovers, doggie bags will be provided. More information can be found here, or on HOWM's website. 

21. The US Open

Sarah Stier / Getty Images

Closing out the summer, and beginning on August 29, is the 2022 US Open! If you've never had a chance to attend before, make sure you get your tickets for this year on the US Open's website! Besides some incredible tennis, the Open also features an eclectic mix of food trucks and live musical performances!

If you, like me, are definitely going to check out some of those rooftop/outdoor movie screenings, then make sure you also add 1UP, the hysterical new comedy from BuzzFeed Studios set within the world of esports, to your summer movie list! It premieres July 15, only on Prime Video in the US, Australia, and New Zealand.

BuzzFeed Studios / Lionsgate / Via youtube.com