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Plan your month with our events calendar highlighting the best NYC events in May 2023 including major holidays
Now that spring is in full swing, there’s no shortage of outstanding NYC events in May 2023. We encourage you to find things to do outside and take in all the greenery by visiting some of the best NYC parks while the flowers are blooming. As for the month’s major holidays, don’t miss out on all the awesome things to do for Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.
From parades to performances and art exhibits to roller rinks, there's no shortage of ways to have fun in NYC this May.
RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar
After nearly a decade of planning, designing and building, the massive new wing at the American Museum of Natural History will soon welcome visitors. The architecturally stunning, 230,000-square-foot Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation will open on May 4.
Scientific wonders—including a butterfly vivarium, an insectarium and a 360-degree immersive experience—fill every inch of the space.
For the first time in more than a century, two of Van Gogh's most beloved paintings—"Wheat Field with Cypresses" and "The Starry Night"—will be on display together in a new exhibition at The Met this month.
The show, titled "Van Gogh's Cypresses," will be the first to focus on the artist's fascination with the flamelike trees. It opens on May 22, the 170th anniversary of Van Gogh's birth, and runs until August 27.
With a focus on the towering cypress trees featured in Van Gogh's work, the exhibition will explore one of the most famous trees in art history.
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s artwork, including her famous Infinity Mirror Room, is returning to NYC as of May 11. Her latest works will be on view at David Zwirner on West 19th Street, including new paintings, new sculptures featuring her signature pumpkins and flowers, and a new Infinity Mirrored Room.
Titled, “Yayoi Kusama: I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers,” it will be her largest exhibition to date and will make 10 years since her first exhibit with David Zwirner.
Described as "a huge 'Arigato!' from the Japanese community to New York City," the Japan Parade brings dance performances, musicians, marching bands, martial arts and traditional costumes to Manhattan.
The parade marches along Central Park West between 81st Street and 67th Street (heading south toward 67th Street) on Saturday, May 13 starting at 1pm.
For the entire month of May, 10 colorful sculptures by French illustrator Charlotte Gastaut will take over Fifth Avenue from 50th to 59th Streets. Expect to see large-scale arches, benches and live potted flowers, perfect for photo opportunities. All are invited to step out of the hectic urban landscape and into the artist's illustrations of wildflowers, birds in flight and other natural elements in her signature motif.
French jewelry company Van Cleef & Arpels is teaming up with the Fifth Avenue Association for the second year in a row to create Fifth Avenue Blooms, a collection of whimsical sidewalk sculptures accented with real flowers.
Smorgasburg is the food bazaar spectacular that unofficially announces summer in New York City every year. Founded by Brooklyn Flea’s Eric Demby and Jonathan Butler, the culinary extravaganza typically spotlights about 100 vendors across its locations. Smorg has three spots in 2023, two in Brooklyn (in Williamsburg and Prospect Park) and one at the World Trade Center.
The World Trade Center outpost runs on Fridays; Williamsburg on Saturdays; and Prospect Park on Sundays.
Another lesbian bar is coming to Brooklyn. Grotto, the roving sapphic cocktail bar, announced a new location at Talea Beer Co.’s aesthetically gorgeous taprooms in Williamsburg and Cobble Hill.
The pop-up kicks off on Sunday, May 21 and runs through June 21 on on Wednesdays and Sundays. Reservations are now available for the first two weeks of the twice-weekly pop-up.
Artist Lauren Halsey transformed images of lowriders, men in durags, DJs and spaceships into modern-day hieroglyphs to create a massive new rooftop installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Drawing on inspiration from Egyptian architecture and her Los Angeles neighborhood, Halsey reimagined an ancient language with a fresh, 21st-century take.
Titled "the eastside of south central los angeles hieroglyph prototype architecture (I)," The Roof Garden Commission: Lauren Halsey is now on view through October 22 on The Met's rooftop. The Cantor Roof Garden Bar will open on May 18.
The Times Square Alliance is back with its summer program, TSQ Live, New York City’s biggest free performance series and its largest open-air public programming funding the arts.
All events are free, for all ages and open to the public. Here's the schedule for May:
The hot pink, beachy California Malibu Barbie Cafe will serve up all-day brunch dishes including Pacific Paradise Pancakes, West Coast Wave Wedge Salad, a California Dreamin’ Club Sandwich and an Anything is Possible Sundae—a menu created by Master Chef semi-finalist Becky Brown.
Inside the 1970s Malibu time capsule, you’ll be able to step into and take photos in a life-size Barbie box and enjoy the vibrant, vibe-y photogenic playground.
The Malibu Barbie Cafe will run May 17 through September 15, 2023. Fans can join the waitlist right now to be notified when tickets go on sale.
Did you know Keith Haring collaborated with a New Yorker named Angel Ortiz? The duo combined their signature styles to create murals, sculptures, train paintings and art on other found objects in the early 1980s. Now, Ortiz will debut new work in a Soho gallery show this month.
Ortiz's latest work, called LAII: ODE 2 NYC showcases his love for his hometown. The solo show will run at Chase Contemporary in Soho (413 W. Broadway) from May 18 through June 18, 2023.
The massive foodie fest at Uptown Night Market is back in Harlem each month this summer. Expect more than 60 food, beverage and merch vendors focusing on a majority of local minority-owned businesses.
The free-to-attend outdoor event series runs on the second Thursday of the month through October (for May, that's May 11). Find the all-ages event at 133rd and 12th Avenue in West Harlem.
Featuring more than 120 works from 85 lenders, this sprawling show is the first to reunite Georgia O'Keeffe's works on paper made in series. It's also the first time MoMA has featured her work since 1946; at that time, the exhibition was the museum's first retrospective of a woman artist.
The renowned American artist is the subject of "Georgia O’Keeffe: To See Takes Time," on view through August 12.
The color of the year for 2023: Pantone's Viva Magenta, a hue evoking bravery, optimistic celebration and self-expression without restraint.
Now you can immersive yourself in the energy of that purply-pinkish-red tone at ARTECHOUSE's newest technology-driven experiential art experience called MAGENTAVERSE. The multi-sensory exhibit is open in Chelsea through May 29.
The hip-hop we know today—the kind that sells out arenas, racks up Grammy awards and gets major radio airtime—grew from DJing and breakdancing in New York City.
A new exhibition at Fotografiska, the photography museum in the Flatiron District, traces the genre’s evolution from its early days to today through 200 powerful photos by 57 photographers. "Hip-Hop: Conscious, Unconscious" runs through May 21 celebrating hip-hop as the influential genre turns 50 years old.
One World Observatory has transformed this month into a lush green indoor landscape all about sustainability.
Atop the nation’s highest skyscraper, this installation takes “going green” to soaring new heights. “The Urban Oasis” at One World Observatory is open all month long.
This verdant indoor landscape is designed to educate visitors on the sustainability efforts of One World Trade Center as well as city-wide efforts to help build a greener New York. The exhibition explains how the building makes effective use of daylight, water efficiency, clean air, sustainable materials and landscaping. The building's sustainability efforts have earned it Gold LEED status, a green building certification program used worldwide.
These upcoming ghost tours aren’t the cheesy kind with jump scares; instead, they explore the true, oft-hidden history and spirits lurking around New York City.
"Boroughs of the Dead: Macabre New York City Walking Tours” promise a “dose of dark history, women’s history, hauntings, ghosts, the occult” and more.
Here's what's coming up in May: Haunting Histories and Legends of Astoria. Behind Astoria's sweet exterior, there's a lurid and even grisly history. This tour unpacks the shadowy past, sharing all the details on a whirlpool of sunken ships, secret cemeteries and sinister legends. Plus you can admire the glorious Victorian mansions of Old Astoria Village. This tour runs on May 20.
The Smith, which boasts four locations across New York City (East Village, Lincoln Square, Midtown and NoMad), is rolling out a brand-new Martini Hour. On weekdays from 3pm to 6pm or all week long from 10pm until close, the restaurant will pour out $12 martinis, from a classic brine-splashed option to a party-starting espresso martini.
Several snacks are on the happy hour menu, as well, like shishito peppers sprinkled with sea salt ($7), black-truffle arancini filled with mushroom risotto and mozzarella and served alongside a truffle aioli ($9), and an old-school shrimp cocktail for $12.
One of the biggest AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) heritage celebrations worldwide is coming to NYC in May for the first time ever.
The Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival will fill Forest Hills Stadium in Queens with dozens of dynamic performers on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, notably during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Tickets are on sale now starting at $161.
The lineup includes headliners NIKI, Rich Brian, ITZY, Beabadoobee, DPR Live & DPR Ian, MILLI and XG.
Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2023. Expect to see your favorite makers plus brand new creatives to help you live smarter, gift better and support local businesses.
FAD—which stands for Fashion, Art and Design—takes over different venues with a horde of independent vendors and creators. Admission is free and dogs are welcome!
Here are the dates for May:
— May 13 and 14 (Mother’s Day Pop-up) at Empire Stores in Dumbo
— May 20 and 21 (NYCxDESIGN) at The Invisible Dog Art Center in Boerum Hill
Just because winter is over doesn’t mean the good shopping at Bryant Park has to end!
Urbanspace, which operates the Holiday Shops at the Bryant Park each winter, is staying for the spring. Over the course of three weeks, it’ll feature 116 local makers in stalls across the park in what it’s calling Urbanspace’s Spring Makers Market, running on:
Got a secret? Are you brave enough to share it at this upcoming gallery show? If so, the artist behind the new "Secrets of New York" might actually paint it.
Artist Sonya Sklaroff will debut paintings of NYC secrets in a solo exhibition at the Algonquin Hotel this May. The show features little-known pockets of the city and mysterious happenings that may pass us by as nearly invisible.
In addition to viewing the painter's current works, visitors can write down their own secret, then drop it in a secure box. About mid-way through the show, the artist will choose one of the secrets to paint.
"Secrets of New York" runs from May 5-30 at the Algonquin Hotel (59 West 44th St.); you can visit Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12-6pm or by appointment.
Following a sold-out and extended run in Washington, D.C., the much-anticipated Britney Spears jukebox musical Once Upon a One More Time will officially open at the Marquis Theatre at 210 West 46th Street by Seventh Avenue this month. The Broadway production will kick off previews on May 13, 2023, with an opening night scheduled for June 22, 2023.
Of course, theater goers can expect plenty of Spears' pop tracks to be performed on stage—including "Lucky," "Toxic," "Circus" and "Oops I Did It Again"—but it's the unique storyline that has got us even more giddy with excitement about the production.
Regency era London is taking over Manhattan this month during a Bridgerton-themed immersive extravaganza. You're invited to "The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience," a multifaceted event narrated by the one and only Lady Whistledown.
You'll get to interact with characters, explore immersive vignettes, sip themed cocktails, buy some exclusive merch, revel in a dance and acrobatics show and take a whole lot of photos.
The experience, which lasts about 90 minutes, runs through the summer at Mediapro Manhattan Studio at 508 West 37th Street by 10th Avenue in Hudson Yards. Tickets, which start at $49 per person, are available here.
The latest Moxy Hotel has unveiled LilliStar rooftop restaurant and bar. LilliStar’s seats span inside and outdoor areas, with vistas of the lower Manhattan skyline, East River and Williamsburg Bridge throughout. The 11th-floor space’s lofty interior is fitted with plush banquettes, soft bursts of foliage, and candlelit tables under its high ceilings. The terrace is similarly appointed with an unobstructed look at its main attractions.
Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace is back at Rockefeller Center through October.
The rink offers smooth ride with plenty of space to get around other skaters. Being able to glide by Prometheus and in front of spectators visiting Rockefeller Center is quite a thrill. Before Flipper’s first opened last year, the last time anyone roller-skated here was in 1940!
Tickets start at just over $20 for a one-hour rink time.
A new exhibit at The Rubin Museum of Art this spring explores the concept of death and the afterlife through the art of Tibetan Buddhism and Christianity. See 58 object spanning 12 centuries in this new show.
"Death Is Not the End" features prints, oil paintings, bone ornaments, thangka paintings, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and ritual objects, inviting "contemplation on the universal human condition of impermanence and the desire to continue to exist," as the museum described.
The exhibition focuses on three major themes: The Human Condition, or the shared understanding of our mortality in this world; States In-Between, or the concepts of limbo, purgatory, and bardo; and (After)life, focusing on resurrection, ideas of transformation, and heaven.
"Death Is Not the End" is now on view through January 14, 2024.
Many museums start with some kind of orientation, like a map or remarks from a docent. But not The House of Cannabis (a.k.a. THC NYC), the new weed museum now open in Soho. Instead, this museum starts, quite fittingly, with a trippy “Disorientation Room.”
While the museum boasts plenty of mind-bending multi-sensory bells and whistles, it also showcases art, highlights science and confronts the social justice issues baked into cannabis prosecution. The museum, the first of its kind at this scale, packs every inch of its four-story, 25,000-square-foot space at 427 Broadway with fascinating facts and delightful immersive experiences fit to entertain both tokers and non-smokers alike. Tickets ($45/adult) are on sale now.
The Standard, High Line is skating back to the 1960s with its themed roller rink.
There are weekly programs and events catered to kids and adults alike, including silent skate nights, disco parties, burlesque and drag shows, plus age-specific skating hours.
But the piece de resistance will undoubtedly be the wearable drink pouches that skaters will be allowed to don around their necks in order to sip on some top-notch cocktails hands-free while cruising around the rink. Now that sounds like a good time!
For anyone who ever dreamed of becoming an astronaut, this new exhibit in Lower Manhattan is the next best thing. This immersive experience blasts off into an exploration of our galaxy and beyond with stunning visuals and real-life videos courtesy of NASA.
“Destination Cosmos: The Immersive Space Experience” is now open at the historic Hall des Lumières through June 4. Tickets for “Destination Cosmos” start at $25 for adults.
It’s hard to get good food on the cheap, but for seven years, Queens Night Market has prided itself on offering the city’s best eats for just $5-6.
The 2023 season, which runs on Saturday nights through the summer at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, is now underway.
Early birds will get the best view with this new sunrise event atop The Empire State Building. The Starbucks Reserve Sunrise Experience offers a chance to watch the sun climb over the skyline while sipping coffee and sampling pastries inside a world-famous landmark.
The experience runs on Saturdays with limited capacity; tickets cost $135 per person and must be reserved in advance.
The popular Luna Park in Coney Island is officially open for the season—a sign that summer is, finally, near! The amusement park will welcome guests every weekend through Memorial Day, then it’ll be open daily for the season. As usual, New Yorkers will get to experience thrilling rides, including two new ones that made their debut last summer.
The pickleball craze is continuing as CityPickle has arrived at Central Park's Wollman Rink—the largest pickleball installation in the Northeast. Fourteen courts are open from 7am-9pm daily through October 9 and all skill levels are welcome to play.
Each court at Central Park can accommodate four to eight people. Full-price court rental options range from $80-$120 total per hour, depending on if it’s an off-peak or peak reservation time. That translates to about $10 per person for an hour of play.
You can do better than a dozen carnations for Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 14) this year to show Mom how much you love her and how well you know her. After all, she brought you into the world, so the least you can do is show your appreciation. Check out this list of things to do on Mother’s Day including the best restaurants in NYC to take her to, the best shops in NYC for gifts, spas in NYC for a relaxing day, flower shops for the perfect bouquet—basically, how to spoil the most important lady you know.
Governors Island is fun all year long but especially in summer when you can rent bikes, swing on hammocks, take in the sweeping views of Lower Manhattan, and visit the new QC NY Spa.
Ahoy, sailors! Fleet Week NYC 2023 is a celebration in New York City honoring the members of the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. From May 24-30, the weeklong party includes discussions, ship tours, performances and military fun.
On Memorial Day 2023, NYC will kick off the start to summer with tons of events. Memorial Day isn’t just about day-drinking and savoring the long weekend—it’s also about honoring the men and women who have died while serving in our armed forces. So before you chow down on the best BBQ in the city and line up for the best Memorial Day sample sales, remember the sacrifices made for the red, white and blue.
Spring in New York is full of excitement. When the sun comes out, the flowers start blooming and the weather warms up, New Yorkers can shed their winter blues and head out to NYC parks, NYC street fairs and food festivals in NYC. Plus, get revved for spring's biggest events below.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the NYC event calendar for 2023
From its art museums (The Met and MoMA) to its attractions New York City is the best city in the world.
Many of New York City's cruise lines, touring vessels and party boats are open for business.
It’s no secret that New Yorkers are stressed, but when it comes to unwinding, we’re pretty competitive about that too—that’s where the best spas in NYC come in. The city boasts some of the most luxurious spas in the country, but affordable spa treatments also abound. So get inspired with birthday party ideas in NYC or date night ideas in NYC and book yourself a treatment at one of our favorite New York City spas.
