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Fri 3
Magic Mike XXL; Opens in theaters
Gird your loins: Matthew McConaughey may be AWOL, but Channing Tatum and the rest of the Kings of Tampa are back for one last ride in this exuberant sequel to the best movie ever made about male strippers.
Mika; Central Park, Rumsey Playfield, 7am. Free.
The British singer-songwriter puts some serious pep in your solo step with his infectious pop songs, if you manage to wake up early enough to see him perform at 7am.
Jaws; Nitehawk Cinema, Williamsburg, 1:30pm. $11pm.
Relive the cautionary tale, or enjoy it for the first time (before it’s too late and you’ve lost your leg) with afternoon screenings at Nitehawk on the July 3, 4 and 5.
International African Arts Festival; Commodore Barry Park, Fort Greene, 10am, $5.
While this four-day festival started as a small community fund-raiser, it now attracts a crowd of 75,000 from around the world.
Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead Simulcast; Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg, 8pm. $15.
It has been a half century since jam-band progenitors the Grateful Dead first started truckin’. Fortunately, NYC-based Deadheads don’t have to weep into their bongs, as Brooklyn Bowl will simulcast all of the guitar-noodling good times.
Cartoon Monsoon; Annoyance Theatre, Williamsburg, 8pm. $8.
Joe Rumrill and Mary Houlihan host this Pee-wee's Playhouse–like variety show where local comedians perform characters, show off cartoons and pull audiences into a world of crazy sketches.
Capriccio + Juan Atkins + DUST (live) + Reade Truth + DJ Spun + Escape Art + Alex from Queens; Good Room, Greenpoint, 10pm. $TBA, advance $10.
Capriccio is back with another banger at Greenpoint's Good Room. "Strictly for the freaks," the party collective promises "something beyond the dance, mystical, raw, dirty, romantic, futuristic…"
DanceBrazil; Joyce Theater, Chelsea, 7:30pm. $10–$49.
Among the best dance events this summer, DanceBrazil's infectiously enthusiastic choreography is influenced by movements from capoeira and contemporary dance. The company's fusion of the two marries the hypnotic martial art to ebullient modern movement.
Gap x Big Gay Ice Cream; Gap, GapKids, babyGap, GapBody, Midtown West, 9am.
This denim chain is showing its colors in honor of Pride Week by creating three custom shirts with Big Gay Ice cream. Nab a rainbow tee on the weekend to score a free ice cream sandwich.
Amy; Opens in theaters
Anyone with a beating heart will be forgiven for allowing it to break during this unflinching and thoughtful account of the life and death of the soul singer Amy Winehouse.
Sat 4
Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks; Various locations, 8pm. Free.
The famous fireworks can be seen from any point in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens with an unobstructed view of the sky above the East River. Pro tip: Choose a spot at least five hours before sundown, bring friends, a picnic basket and a blanket, and take turns using the bathroom.
IndieFest; Peoples Improv Theater, Flatiron, 6pm. $5.
The fifth go-round of PIT’s annual IndiePendence Day Festival will feature more of what attracted big crowds to the first four: a marathon 12 hours of live comedy performance, beer and—best of all—free BB (so we can all pretend the founding fathers added the right to freedom of BBQ consumption to the Bill of Rights).
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest; Nathan’s Famous, Brooklyn, 11:30am. Free.
Head to Coney Island to watch the world’s most infamous stomach-expanding, frank-inhaling spectacle.
The Cityfox Experience: Tale of Us + M.A.N.D.Y. + Behrouz + more; Location TBA, 2pm. $55-$95.
There's another excuse to celebrate July 4th! The legendary party collective Cityfox is returning with a party at the Brooklyn Mirage, a new indoor-outdoor, day-night Williamsburg venue popping up for the summer season only.
The Liberty Belle Extravaganza; Hudson Terrace, Hell's Kitchen, 3pm. $30, at the door $35.
Instead of fireworks, be dazzled by the burlesque performances by Hazel Honeysuckle, Calamity Chang, Gal Friday and more.
Third Annual Fourth of July Beach Party; Coney Island Beach, 9am. Free.
Last year's party began at 9am and went until midnight, so assume you're in for a full day of partying, unless you need to leave for a quick drunken ride on the Cyclone (you will definitely be tempted).
Warm Up at MoMA PS1; Long Island City, Queens, 3pm. $18, at the door $20.
The 18-year running outdoor music museum's party features the top-tier lineup of bands, DJs and producers, along with the same great taste in art, beer and food it's boasted from the beginning.
Dassara July 4 Pig Roast and Seafood Boil; Dassara, Carroll Gardens, 1pm. $3 at door, plate of pig sides, $12, plate of blue crab, $15
Dassara Ramen hosts another summer pig roast, complete with musical guests, Korean delicacies and fresh-made honeydew melon tea, courtesy of A.B. Tea.
Sun 5
Punderdome; Littlefield, Gowanus, 8pm. $7, advance $6.
At its best, it’s sublimely satisfying to the reptilian part of our brains that loves easy comedy. At its worst, it produces a groan so gut-deep, it’s almost as good as a belly laugh.
Chris Gethard: Career Suicide; Union Hall, Park Slope, 8pm. $8.
Explore the darker side of comedy as Gethard, otherwise known as Llana's timid boss on Broad City, makes jokes about suicide, depression, alcoholism and more uplifting topics.
Wolf Hall: Parts One & Two; Winter Garden Theatre, Midtown West, 1pm and 6:30pm. $75–$147.
For lovers of Hilary Mantel's two Tudor-period thrillers—or anyone who likes a ripping historical yarn—this double bill is beastly fun, and today is your last chance to see it.