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Now that it's officially summer in New York, there is no time like the present to spend some much-needed time outdoors. Now, we know how hard it is to resist keeping cool inside one of the city's best bars with AC and killer happy hour specials after work, but with our fool-proof list of awesome things to do outside every day this summer, how could resist soaking up the sun (or watching the sunset) after a long day? From free things to do in New York's best parks to outdoor movie screenings and concerts, there's something cool going on every night through September 22. Here's to the best f*cking summer ever!
June
Wednesday, Jun 22
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series; Central Park SummerStage; 8pm; free
If you haven’t been to the opera, you owe yourself the experience of seeing some of the world’s finest belt it out onstage at Central Park.
Thursday, Jun 23
Movies Under the Stars: Chocolat; De Witt Clinton Park; 8:30pm; free
Sometimes hot summer garbage and train delays make you forget that you live in one of the world’s most romantic cities. Luckily, the Movies Under the Stars series offers up love stories to inspire warm, tingly feelings.
Friday, Jun 24
Swedish MidSummer Festival; Robert F. Wagner Park; 5pm; free
For 20 years, Battery Park has hosted one of the world’s largest Scandinavian summer solstice celebrations outside of Sweden, with more than 3,000 guests showing up to dance around the midsummer pole.
Saturday, Jun 25
Silent Disco at McCarren Park Pool; 7pm–11pm; free
Dance like it’s Coachella around McCarren Park Pool without causing a ruckus! Wireless headphones let you tune-in to a music channel curated by Sound Off Experience DJs, so you can shake it like there’s no tomorrow.
Sunday, Jun 26
Only in Queens Summer Music Festival; Flushing Meadows-Corona Park; 1pm; free
Queens brings its A-game for this celebration featuring the best of what the borough has to offer. After refueling with bites from Sam’s Fried Ice Cream or any of the fest’s other vendors, head to the SummerStage concert at 4:30pm and get down to ’90s-tastic sets by House Party duo Kid ’n Play and smooth-moving master Ginuwine.
Monday, Jun 27
Indigo Girls + Lucy Wainwright Roche, Rumsey Field, Central Park; 6pm; free
For decades folk-rock duo Indigo Girls have inspired a cult-like international following—whether you’re a long time fan of their sweet harmonies or just consider it a "Rite of Passage" to see them live in Central Park.
Tuesday, Jun 28
Brooklyn Botanic Garden; 10am–5:30pm; free
Every Tuesday the Brooklyn Botanic Garden opens its gates to visitors sans admission. Here you can smell the sweetness of thousands of rose buds, appreciate the serenity of the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and learn about New York’s vegetation with the Native Flora Garden.
Wednesday, Jun 29
Kayaking on the Hudson; Downtown Boathouse, Pier 26; 5pm–6pm
After a long day of the office you deserve to stretch those arms and take in some amazing views of the city’s riverside with a free kayak ride. All summer long Downtown Boathouse is providing the vessels from Tue-Thu, 5pm to 7pm.
Thursday, Jun 30
Rock! Away! Riis Park Beach Bazaar; 5pm; free
Head to the historic boardwalk at Jacob Riis Park for this weekly beach fete featuring live music, DJs, shopping and tasty eats from food vendors like Ample Hills and Fletcher’s BBQ.
July
Friday, Jul 1
Coney Island Subway Firework Party, Madison Square Tavern; 6:30–9:30pm; $30–$40
Bring your MetroCard for an adventure that begins in a Manhattan pub and ends under the fireworks of Coney Island. After checking in at Madison Square Tavern, you receive a pair of headphones tuned into DJ sets to put on for a roving silent disco on the subway to Coney Island. The headphone-based dance party rages down the boardwalk until 9:30pm, when Luna Park unleashes the full force of its fireworks arsenal.
Saturday, Jul 2
Freesome Block Party; location TBA; 2–9pm; $20
Just in time for July 4th, Freesome is taking over a secret block in the borough for an all-day bash that includes rowdy DJ sets, drinks in red cups and yummy barbecue on the grill. And with old-school neighborhood partying that involves double Dutch, water guns and more, you’ll have more fun on the street than the kids from Hey Arnold!
Sunday, Jul 3
Fishing in Hudson River Park; Pier 25 at N. Moore St; noon–4pm; free
You don’t need wellies to learn how to fish in NYC. In fact, you don’t need to bring anything, since Hudson River Park will provide all the necessary tools for you to learn about river ecology and the many fish species that can be found in the river.
Monday, Jul 4
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest; Nathan’s Famous at Coney Island; 10am; free
Watch Frankfurter fanatics again chow down against the clock at this annual Coney Island eating competition. The top speedy eaters from this year’s preliminaries, held in 12 cities nationwide, battle to see who can eat the most buns and dogs in 10 minutes at the ESPN-televised finals.
Tuesday, Jul 5
Sunset Swing; Pier 45 in Greenwich Village; 6:30pm; Free
Light up the dance floor by learning how to Swing dance with musical help from The Baby Soda Jazz band. You’ll be singing “doo-ah” all night long.
Wednesday, Jul 6
Lunchtime concert series; Richard Tucker Park; noon–2pm; free
No more sad, desk lunches! Eat your Pastrami on Rye in the great outdoors with a side of jazz courtesy of Yaz Band and Alex LoDoico Ensemble.
Thursday, Jul 7
Broadway in Bryant Park; 12:30–1:30pm; free
Can’t get a ticket to your favorite Broadway show? You might get lucky in Bryant Park. Catch the best performances on and off Broadway as talented musicians and actors showcase the hits.
Friday, Jul 8
Classical Theater of Harlem Presents: Macbeth; Richard Rodgers Amphitheater, Marcus Garvey Park; 8pm
Grab a spot by this Harlem outdoor stage for a production of Shakespeare's tragedy, this time set against the backdrop of Haile Selassie’s rule of Ethiopia in the mid 20th century.
Saturday, Jul 9
Pinknic; Governors Island; noon; $55–$65
From noon to 6pm each day, 16,000 revelers—dressed in nothing but pink and white, duh—will descend onto Governor's Island for this rosé-themed fest. Settle onto rosé-hued designer blankets for stemless glasses of still, sparkling and champagne rosé selections ranging from Chandon to Château d’Esclans.
Sunday, Jul 10
LIC Flea and food; 11am; free
This open-air bazaar is Queens’ answer to the Brooklyn Flea, as both markets offer a wide array of retro wares and antiques, finger-licking–delicious eats and gorgeous skyline views that could bring a tear to the eye of the most jaded New Yorker.
Monday, Jul 11
Hallett Nature Sanctuary; East Side from 60th to 62nd Sts south of Wollan Rink; 2–5pm; free
Get an exclusive look at this enchanting trail, which is only accessible during these limited hours. You can explore the normally-closed sanctuary chock-full of woodland gardens, birds and other wildlife. Ah, magical.
Tuesday, Jul 12
Loft Presents The LOL Movie Series: Clueless; Solar One on the Pier; 7:45pm; free with R.S.V.P.
Catch up with Dionne and Tai, gush over Cher’s Alaïa dress and whisper "As If" as much as you want during LOFT’s summer outdoor movie series on the Pier.
Wednesday, Jul 13
Bushwick Flea; 10am; free
Every Wednesday, this thrifters’ paradise offers live music so you can groove while digging for treasures, which includes second-hand fashions, artwork and more.
Thursday, Jul 14
The Triplets of Belleville; Prospect Park Bandshell; 8pm; free
Celebrate Bastille Day in NYC with beautiful and strange Oscar-nominated French animated feature The Triplets of Belleville. The swinging jazz original score—and it’s foley sound effects—will be performed live by the film’s composer Benoît Charest and his 9-piece Orchestre Terrible de Belleville band. Sacrebleu!
Friday, Jul 15
Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco Party: British Invasion; Lefrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park; 7:30–10pm; $18 (includes skate rentals)
Join the insanity at Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco, at which you’ll need to unleash your inner Rollerblade vixen to keep up with the crowd. In celebration of the UK, Lola is throwing an epic British Invasion featuring hits from across the pond through the decades.
Saturday, Jul 16
Freddy’s Bar Doggy Fashion Show; Freddy’s Bar; 6pm; free
All the most fashion forward Fidos will be strutting their stuff on the red carpet when Brooklyn's Fifth Avenue closes down for this third annual block party. Dog owners are encouraged to bring their furry friends dressed in elaborate costumes, decked out in bedazzled collars or just as they are. There will be beer specials!
Sunday, Jul 17
Industry City’s Salsa Dancing Series at Sunset; Courtyard 220 36th St, Sunset Park; 1–5pm; free
Shake your hips and learn sexy salsa dance moves (with music from Willie Villegas’ Entre Amigos) until the sun goes down.
Monday, Jul 18
Books Beneath the Bridge; Brooklyn Bridge Park; 7pm; free
Every summer, Brooklyn Bridge Park works with local independent bookstores to bring special readings—that often include Q&As, signings, and performance—to the scenic park. Today, WORD presents the programming.
Tuesday, Jul 19
Loft Presents The LOL Movie Series: Pitch Perfect; Solar One on the Pier; 7:45pm; free with R.S.V.P.
Fight the urge to sing-a-long with Becca and the rest of Barden Bellas dress during LOFT’s summer outdoor movie series on the Pier.
Wednesday, Jul 20
Bryant Park Presents Accordions Around the World; Bryant Park; 6–8pm; free
Bryant Park turns into a musical dreamland, when over 75 accordionists and more harmonium players invade the grounds to show off their talents.
Thursday, Jul 21
Purple Rain; Brooklyn Bridge Park; 6pm; free
While the world may have mourned the loss of Prince, his music and talent live on—feel free to sing-along with the flick at this Movies With A View screening.
Friday, Jul 22
Panorama Festival; Randalls Island Park; various times and prices
Coachella in Los Angeles is the fest that really kicks the summer music festival season into gear. So it makes sense that its organizers, Goldenvoice, will be debuting their first NYC Panorama Music Festival this year.
Saturday, Jul 23
Warm Up; MoMA PS1 Courtyard; 3–9pm; $22 in advance, $25 day-of
Almost two decades of packing the Long Island City museum courtyard with NYC's music aficionados and sun-worshiping revelers, MoMA PS1's Warm Up is bigger than ever, with as strong a lineup of bands, DJs and producers including Kamaiyah, Maluca Mala, Endgame and more.
Sunday, Jul 24
Community Rowing; Hunts Point Riverside Park; 1pm–6pm; free
Why should the Hudson and East Rivers have all the fun? The 24-mile-long Bronx River is the city’s only freshwater river—explore it for yourself in a handmade wooden boat every Saturday and Sunday through September 4.
Monday, Jul 25
Smorgasburg; East River State Park; 11am; free
At this massive grub hub, there’s only one rule: Come hungry. The Brooklyn Flea spin-off draws more than 10,000 visitors per day with a slew of 75 to 100 incredible food vendors. Our pro tip? Make sure you peruse the lineup before you go—those mouthwatering scents and the bevy of choices can make you dizzy (and the dense crowds can make you hangry).
Tuesday, Jul 26
Loft Presents The LOL Movie Series: When Harry Met Sally; Solar One on the Pier; 7:45pm; free with R.S.V.P.
Watch this classic New York love story unfold during LOFT’s summer outdoor movie series on the Pier.
Wednesday, Jul 27
Shakespeare in the Park Presents: As You Like It; Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens; 6:30–10pm; free
Enjoy the Bard’s sparkling, witty comedy while being surrounded by nature. And since the performance doesn’t cost a dime, there’s truly no better way to spend hump day.
Thursday, Jul 28
Zumba Under The Stars with Lisa G aka RockaZumbaWay; Rockaway Beach Boardwalk, Queens; 7–9pm; free
Dance your heart out while working up a major sweat with Zumba-master Lisa G. The refreshing sea breeze from Rockaway beach should keep things cool, but you can always grab a refreshing beverage on the boardwalk afterward. (In fact, we encourage).
Friday, Jul 29
Movies Under the Stars: Cinderella; Mosholu Playground; 8–10pm; free
Sit on the grass of the Mosholu playground and relive the spectacle of 2015’s fairy tale costume masterpiece. Even if you’ve seen the animated movie dozens of times, you’ll fall in love all over again when Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham play the Evil Stepmother and Fairy Godmother.
Saturday, Jul 30
6th Annual New York Poetry Festival; Governors Island, Colonels Row; 11am; free
Frolic through your weekend with a full two-days of verse readings, featuring local poets from reading series such as the Poetry Brothel. Snag a patch of grass on Governors Island and enjoy the artistry in the summer sun. See the website for a full schedule.
Sunday, Jul 31
Learn to Tango Nights; Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association; 6–9pm; free
Head to Stuyvesant Park, learn how to do the tango and pretend you’re on Dancing with the Stars while listening to a live DJ and outdoor music.
August
Monday, Aug 1
Ballet Barre; Pier 2 Brooklyn Bridge Park; 7–8pm; free
Put your ballerina skills to the test during this muscle-strengthening, full-body workout on the Pier. Chances are, you’ll leave feeling more graceful than ever before.
Tuesday, Aug 2
Loft Presents The LOL Movie Series: Pretty in Pink; Solar One on the Pier; 7:45pm; free with R.S.V.P.
Watch Molly Ringwald’s finest teen dramedy work during LOFT’s summer outdoor movie series on the Pier.
Wednesday, Aug 3
Double Dutch; Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park; 7–9pm; free
Learn the art of double dutch in a block party environment with skilled Brooklyn-based instructors. Beginners are welcome.
Thursday, Aug 4
Temptations Revue Featuring Grammy Award Winner Barrington Henderson; Forest Park; 7–9pm; free
If you can’t help but sway every time a Temptations song comes on, this dynamic alfresco show is for you! Listen to great harmonies and learn the dance moves that made the Motown group a thing.
Friday, Aug 5
Queens Night Market; New York Hall of Science; 6pm; free
New York’s open-late market features a range of international grub, art and merchandise from up to 100 vendors, as well as free performances—think Hawaiian dance troupes and Bollywood dancers—to keep folks entertained. Our favorite part (besides the $5 price cap on tasty bites like tater twists, takoyaki, fried ice cream and, er, Trinidadian shark sandwiches) is the hours.
Saturday, Aug 6
Summer Streets; Lafayette St and Park Ave between the Brooklyn Bridge and 72nd St; 7am–1pm; free
For three weekends this August, nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets will be closed off to traffic and inundated with thrill-seekers who want a good time in the outdoors but don't feel like taking a jitney to the Hamptons. And after much fanfare from last year's fest, such favorites as the 270-foot Vita Coco waterslide will return.
Sunday, Aug 7
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival; Flushing Meadows Corona Park; free
Over 180 teams gather at the lake in Flushing Meadowns Corona Park on long boats, paddling to the beat of their boat’s drummer at this annual cultural festival inspired by the Hong Kong tradition. On land, you can join in the the fun with performances of Chinese music, martial arts demonstrations and vendors selling Asian cuisine.
Monday, Aug 8
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival: High Plains Drifter; Bryant Park Lawn; 5–11pm; free
Watch the legendary Clint Eastwood in action as the gun-toting “Stranger with No Name” during this classic outdoor film screening located in beautiful Bryant Park.
Tuesday, Aug 9
Loft Presents The LOL Movie Series: My Blind Brother; Solar One on the Pier; 7:45pm; free with R.S.V.P.
You can’t get enough of free outdoor movies right? Here’s another hilarious rom-com starring two fabulous celebrities: Jenny Slate and Zoe Kazan.
Wednesday, Aug 10
Game Social; Bryant Park; 6–8pm; free
Find your new BFF by playing a riveting game of Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne with strangers in the open-summer-air.
Thursday, Aug 11
Movies With a View: Selma; Pier 1 Entrance at Brooklyn Bridge Park; 6–9pm; free
Bring your Kleenex for this powerful film that chronicles the life of Martin Luther King. Make sure to bring a blanket and secure your patch of grass in advance.
Friday, Aug 12
Stargazing at Lincoln Center; The Fountain at Lincoln Center; 7–11pm; free
If you think you can’t spot stars in the city, prepare to get schooled. The Amateur Astronomers Association sets up its high-powered telescopes by the fountain at Lincoln Center every Friday and Saturday through the end of July, so come take a look at the planets and the moon and other celestial wonders.
Saturday, Aug 13
Summer Streets; Lafayette St and Park Ave between the Brooklyn Bridge and 72nd St; 7am–1pm; free
For three weekends this August, nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets will be closed off to traffic and inundated with thrill-seekers who want a good time in the outdoors but don't feel like taking a jitney to the Hamptons. And after much fanfare from last year's fest, such favorites as the 270-foot Vita Coco waterslide will return.
Sunday, Aug 14
Jazz Age Lawn Party; Governors Island; various times and prices
Slap on your spats and practice the Charleston because the Jazz Age Lawn party is returning to Governor’s Island. Sip on Prohibition-era cocktails like a classic St-Germain with mineral water and a twist or a glass of bubbly and none of the back-alley hooch of the day. Food vendors will be on hand to keep your Lindy Hop hoppin’.
Monday, Aug 15
Set Sail at Sunset; Pier 62, Hudson River Park; 6pm; $48
Hop aboard a 1920’s-style yacht and enjoy a special view of the Hudson, which includes a history lesson behind Manhattan’s breathtaking skyline. The $48 ticket comes with a free drink!
Tuesday, Aug 16
Summer on the Hudson: Pilates in the Park; The Plaza at 66th Street; 6:30–7:30pm; free
Fact: It’s never too late to work on your summer party. Get toned with instructor Melissa Ricci from Base Fitness during this multi-level pilates class that will strengthen your core and give you all the positive vibes.
Wednesday, Aug 17
Salsa Warriors at FMCP; Unisphere, Flushing Meadows Cornoa Park; free
Shake like a señora (or señor) with the Salsa Warriors. The crew will be dishing out a rowdy night of traditional and new music. From the live band to salsa lessons, you’ll be moving and grooving until your feet go numb.
Thursday, Aug 18
Short Story 3.0 Writers Workshop; Reading Room in Bryant Park; noon–8:30pm; free
Get creative and practice putting pen to paper by writing your own story, poem or screenplay during this free writers’ workshop. The lovely view of Bryant Park on a war summer’s day should inspire you.
Friday, Aug 19
Coney Island Friday Night Fireworks; W 10th St at Coney Island Boardwalk; 9:30–10:30pm; free
Spend your Friday night chowing down on Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and riding the Cyclone until you puke. When it’s pitch-black, the Alliance for Coney Island will kick off the weekend with a bang with a free firework show over the boardwalk.
Saturday, Aug 20
Summer Strolls Program; Fifth Avenue between 12th and 18th Sts, Brooklyn; free
Brooklyn’s Fifth Avenue transforms into an amazing block party that includes a rock wall, bouncy house, face painting and live music. This Saturday, join Park Slope’s first pizza contest with free slices provided by Artichoke pizza. Sign us up!
Sunday, Aug 21
Industry City’s Salsa Dancing Series at Sunset; Industry City Courtyard, 220 36th St, Sunset Park, Brooklyn; 1–5pm; free
Shake your hips and learn sexy salsa dance moves with music from Willie Villegas’ Entre Amigos until the sun goes down.
Monday, Aug 22
Central Astoria Movies on the Waterfront: Jaws; Astoria Park; 8:30–10pm; free
Sure, watching a movie about a savage shark tearing through beachgoers may seem like an insane activity during the climax of beach season, but that will only add to the suspense at this outdoor screening event.
Tuesday, Aug 23
Bronx Kill Salt Marsh Tour; Randall’s Island Connector, Randall’s Island Park; 6–7pm; free
Discover nature and wildlife in the Bronx during this tour, where you’ll learn the ecological importance of wetlands while exploring one of New York’s many waterfronts. Tip: Don’t wear your sneaks.
Wednesday, Aug 24
Summer on the Hudson: Yoga Evening Salute to the Sun; The Plaza at 66th St in Riverside Park; 6:30–7:30pm; free
Ogle the gorgeous sunset over the Hudson while mastering your warrior pose during this Hatha yoga with Hollis class.
Thursday, Aug 25
Journey to the Stars; Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park; 8:30–10:30pm; free
Join legitimate astronomers and search the sky for stars, planets and the moon from the beautiful Brooklyn Bride Park.
Friday, Aug 26
Randall’s Island Historical Tour; Randall’s Island Park; 6–7pm; free
You don’t have to be a New York know-it-all or a history buff to enjoy the free tours provided by NYC Parks. In fact, we think everyone will enjoy this stroll through Randall’s Island—because who doesn’t love taking photos of those skyline views? Apart from boosting your Instagram feed, you’ll learn about the two colossal bridges that span the park and about the man—Robert Moses—who brought together the three island’s once-separate three masses.
Saturday, Aug 27
Warm Up; MoMA PS1 Courtyard; 3–9pm; $22 in advance, $25 day-of
Almost two decades of packing the Long Island City museum courtyard with NYC's music aficionados and sun-worshiping revelers, MoMA PS1's Warm Up is bigger than ever, with as strong a lineup of bands, DJs and producers including Elysia Crampton, Ash Koosha and DJ Paypal.
Sunday, Aug 28
AFROPUNK Festival; Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn; 1–10pm; Tickets start at $65
Over the course of a weekend, this outdoor music festival—which celebrates multicultural arts—hosts a wide array of well-known artists (including some of the biggest hip-hop legends), like Ice Cube, Ceelo Green, Tyler, the creator and more.
Monday, Aug 29
U.S. Open Opening Day; USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing); 11am or 7pm; various prices
For two weeks, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park will be the tennis capital of the world for the U.S. Open tennis tournament. New Yorkers bring the party to the National Tennis Center with a celebrity-studded crowd, international food vendors and live musicians performing on the grounds—not to mention tennis's top pros.
Tuesday, Aug 30
Pilates with the Fitness Guru; Empire Fulton Ferry in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn; 7–8:30pm; free
Get your beach body toned and ready with the Fitness Guru who will teach you how to properly activate the muscles of your abdomen and back to create stability in your core.
Wednesday, Aug 31
Lunchtime concert series; Richard Tucker Park; noon–2pm; free
No more sad, desk lunches! Eat your Pastrami on Rye in the great outdoors with a side of jazz courtesy of Baby Soda and The Blue Dahlia.
September
Thursday, Sept 1
Kayaking; Pier 2, Brooklyn Bridge Park; 5:30–6:45pm; free
There are plenty of free kayaking options in NYC, so why not try them all? (It’s free, so you have no excuse). Have fun gliding on the water with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse.
Friday, Sept 2
Unicycle Festival; various locations; TBA; free
Easily the most fun thing on one wheel, the fest offers several days of unicycle shenanigans that include races, sports on the wheels, how-to-classes and experts doing fantastic tricks.
Saturday, Sept 3
Dreamland Roller Disco Skate Party; Beach 108th St Roller Rink at Rockaway Beach Boardwalk; 7–10pm; 8pm skate rental
Join Lola Star and her crew of burlesque dancers and roller derby stars for a pop-up roller disco party at Rockaway beach. Glide and swerve to hits from the 80s and 90s while taking in the gorgeous sunset on the shore.
Sunday, Sept 4
The Great North American Tugboat Race; Hudson River; free
The city’s hardest working boats get to have some fun with this annual race and competition. Cheer for your favorite colorful boat and afterwards engage in the land-lubbers activities like the Popeye-inspired spinach eating contest.
Monday, Sept 5
New York Caribbean Carnival; Eastern Parkway; 11am-6pm; free
It might be the last day you can wear white for a while, but you’ll want to dress bring and colorfully to fit in with this Caribbean bonanza that features music, dancing, food and out-of-this-world festive costumes and makeup.
Tuesday, Sept 6
Summer on the Hudson: bodyroll Workout with Viva; The Plaza at 66th St at Riverside Park; 6:30–7:30pm; free
Who wouldn’t want to try a 90s-inspired dance aerobics class if it meant grooving to jams by N’SYNC and The Spice Girls (at least, we hope)? Rework your bod using slamming moves and groves provided by Viva. Make sure to wear your crop top.
Wednesday, Sept 7
Greenmarket; Bartel-Pritchard Square, Brooklyn; 6am–3pm; free
This beloved weekday market inside Prospect Park offers veggies, fruits, baked goods, flowers, fresh-caught fish and more. Use the freshness to inspire you to actually use your kitchen rather than order Seamless for the third night in a row.
Thursday, Sept 8
Bryant Park yoga; Bryant Park; 6–7pm; free
Stake out a spot and set up your mat early if you want to get in on Manhattan’s most wildly popular outdoor yoga event, hosted by Athleta. You can take your pick of either Tuesday morning on the upper terrace or Thursday evening on the lawn.
Friday, Sept 9
Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco Party: Purple Rain; Lefrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park; 7:30–10pm; $18 (includes skate rentals)
Join the insanity at Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco, at which you’ll need to unleash your inner Rollerblade vixen to keep up with the crowd. In honor of the late Prince, Lola is throwing an epic Purple Rain tribute, so wear your purple skates.
Saturday, Sept 10
Kite Festival; Harbor View Lawn at Brooklyn Bridge Park; 11am–3pm; free
Kite enthusiasts are invited to catch a breeze from the river during this high-flying event. Kids who are new to the craft can assemble their own kite with complimentary supplies and instructions (while they last).
Sunday, Sept 11
Tribute in Light; free
From dusk last night until dawn, get a good view of lower Manhattan’s skyline for the 9/11 Tribute in Light. As remembrance for all that was lost during the attacks fifteen years ago, two large lights beam from the ground to the clouds in the place where the twin towers once stood.
Monday, Sept 12
MoMA PS1; 12pm-6pm; free
Starting in October 2015, contemporary art Mecca MoMA PS1 started offering free admission, but this is slated to end come October 2016. Get in while you can to see ground-breaking work that might challenge your view of art.
Tuesday, Sept 13
Free Kayaking; Downtown Boathouse, Pier 26; 5pm-7pm; free
Now that summer is almost over and Downtown Boathouse is about to shutter its open doors for the season, take advantage, once again, of the great views, exercise and experience of kayaking on the Hudson.
Wednesday, Sept 14
Zumba; Little Bay Park, Queens; 6–7pm; free
Get your sweaty at this charming park in Queens. This Zumba class blends Latin and African dance moves to hot tracks that will get you in the mood to move.
Thursday, Sept 15
Cinema LIC Outdoor Movie: Ghost; LIC Landing Events Space, Hunter’s Point South Park; 7:30–9:30pm; free.
There are outdoor films taking place all over New York, but none compare to this showing in Queens, where you can Whoopi Goldberg play a psychic. Bring the munchies!
Friday, Sept 16
Arts, culture & Fun: Back to the Block; Williamsburg Oval Recreation Center; 6–7pm; free
Get ready for a night of music and art featuring teen artists and local musicians on-the-rise. The concert features three bands and the artwork is created by More Art’s mentorship program, Arts Ambassadors.
Saturday, Sept 17
Full Moon Party; St. Cloud at The Knickerbocker Hotel; 9pm; free
The five-star Knickerbocker Hotel hosts this roaring shindig on its rooftop bar St. Cloud, and much like traditional Full Moon parties held on the beach, this bash is complete with live entertainment, guest DJs, a theme with appropriate décor to match, exclusive cocktails and a special moonlit surprise.
Sunday, Sept 18
Taste Williamsburg Greenpoint; location and time TBA
This riverside block party gets you access to the best bites and drinks from North Brooklyn. Make sure to wear your stretchy-pants—over indulging is encouraged.
Monday, Sept 19
Piano in Bryant Park; 12:30–2:30pm; free
What could be more relaxing than spending your lunch break in Bryant Park while an expert pianist provides the soothing or jazzy tunes to get your toe tappin'?
Tuesday, Sept 20
Stargazing;The High Line, 14th Street passage; 6:30–10:30pm; free
Members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York(aaa.org) lead these star-spotting expeditions, pointing out celestial bodies above the park. Follow the High Line’s Twitter feed (@highlinenyc) for updates in the event of inclement weather.
Wednesday, Sept 21
Photoville; Brooklyn Bridge Park; Various times; free
Celebrate this photography exhibit’s fifth year under the iconic bridge in Dumbo. View the spectacular art, listen to a talk or join a workshop, and enjoy brews from Smorgasburg beer garden.
Thursday, Sept 22
Bryant Park yoga; Bryant Park; 6–7pm; free
Stake out a spot and set up your mat early if you want to get in on Manhattan’s most wildly popular outdoor yoga event, hosted by Athleta. You can take your pick of either Tuesday mornings on the upper terrace or Thursday evenings on the lawn.