Long Island may be best for beaches and vineyards, but if you are looking to switch up your entertainment and days in the sun, visit New York City. Check out this list of the best events, festivals and fun things to do in the five boroughs this summer.
For more information, visit www.events12.com.
African festival
June 30-July 4
International African Arts Festival celebrates African art with music, dance, storytelling, handcrafted goods, and food vendors at Commodore Barry Park.
Big-band dance party
June 26
Midsummer Night Swing begins with a lesson in swing, tango, salsa, etc., followed by a live band in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center.
Asian films
June 29-July 15
Watch recent hit movies from China, Japan, and South Korea at the New York Asian Film Festival. (June 29-July 12 at Lincoln Center; July 13-15 at SVA Theatre)
SummerStage
Through Sept. 27
Enjoy outstanding music, comedy, theater, dance, lectures, and films during SummerStage in city parks. The (mostly) free concerts are popular, so arrive early.
French Restaurant Week
July 2-15
French Restaurant Week includes special deals at dozens of restaurants on the days between America’s Independence Day and France’s Bastille Day.
New York fireworks
July 4
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular lights up the sky above the East River at 9:20 p.m. for 25 minutes. To hear details, call 212-494-4495 extension 1. Free.
New Jersey fireworks
July 4 (noon to 10 p.m.)
Jersey City Freedom and Fireworks Festival offers live music, stage entertainment, a carnival, food trucks, a beer garden, and fireworks after dark on the waterfront at Exchange Place. Free.
Hot dog eating contest
July 4
Watch qualified champion eaters compete in the world famous Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, plus music and entertainment. The women compete at 11 a.m. and the men at 12:30 p.m. Free.
Tap-dance festival
July 7-13
NYC locations. See public performances or take your own classes at Tap City.
New music series
July 7-Sept. 1 (3 to 9 p.m.)
Warm Up is experimental live music, DJs and dancing in the outdoor courtyard of MoMA PS1 in Queens.
Car show
July 8 (1 to 8 p.m.)
AutoCon features classic, modified, and exotic vehicles on display, plus music, food vendors, and talks on a drive-up stage at Pier 94. Children 12 and younger free.
Free Summer Movies
July 8-Sept. 9 (begins May 4)
Free summer movies are shown throughout evenings at parks in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
LGBT arts festival
July 9-22
Fresh Fruit Festival features 40 works of gay and lesbian theater, dance, film, music, and visual art at The Wild Project Theater.
Classical music festival
July 12-Aug. 12
Attend concerts, operas, late-night recitals, and world premieres at
Mostly Mozart Festival, performed by the festival orchestra and special guests at Lincoln Center.
Afro-Latino festival
July 13-15
Afro-Latino Festival of New York has talks, films and awards on Friday, July 13, plus a ticketed concert with art and food trucks in Bed-Stuy Restoration Plaza on Sunday, July 15.
—List courtesy of Events12
