NYC events in May 2018
Now that spring is in full swing there’s certainly no shortage of outstanding NYC events in May 2018. 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 in full-bloom. 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. There’s also incredible spring festivals showcasing some of the best art and music.
RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar for 2018
Featured events in May 2018
Mother’s Day in NYC
You can do better than a dozen carnations for Mother’s Day 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.
Summer Kickoff Yacht Party
Summer is coming a little early to New York City Harbor this year as Time Out New York teams up with Hornblower Cruises & Events to throw an epic celebration on the Hudson! Wear your flippy-floppies and get psyched for this three-hour party cruise, which includes an open bar (drink up!), delicious hors d’oeuvres and killer local DJs playing across the yacht’s four floors. Let's not forget about the stunning views of the New York skyline—oh, and did we mention three hours of unlimited booze?
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
This city tradition feels fresh every spring when artists following in the footsteps of Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning set up shop in the park. Hundreds of exhibitors, from NYU students to artists who remember the Village as a creative enclave, display their paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry and woodcraft. The show takes place on University Place starting at E 13th St.
Japan Day
The season for things to do outside has arrived along with lush trees and blooming tulips at NYC parks. So what better way to spend an afternoon than by soaking up the sun during the annual celebration of Japan Day? NYC will bring Japan to you at this fun festival, and judging by the lineup of performances, activity tents and other attractions, it’s safe to say that this massive cultural event is certainly one of the best things to do in spring.
"David Bowie Is"
Over the course of five decades, David Bowie drafted the new rules of rock & roll—and the rest of us are still trying to keep up. After breaking ticket records at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the touring exhibition “David Bowie Is” hits NYC in March, with more than 400 objects from the celestial pop icon’s life, including costumes, lyric sheets and performance clips. Here’s what you should look (and listen) for in this celebration of all things Thin White Duke.
Cat Camp
No, this isn’t a wilderness retreat that teaches cats how to tie knots, hike and start fires. (But we totally call dibs on that idea.) Instead, it’s a weekend of talks, shopping, and meets and greets where like-minded kitty lovers can revel in all things meow. Speakers like Animal Planet cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy will teach you how to better treat your beloved furball and, of course, expect plenty of adorable kitties up for adoption.
Bike New York for Bike Month
With a growing network of bike lanes and the ever-expanding Citi Bike program, Gotham is becoming ever more cycle-friendly. Here’s what you need to know in order to bike New York, from the best shops for a new set of wheels and how to make use of New York’s bike-share program.You can also get outdoors in New York or plan some weekend getaways and cycle to your heart’s content.
Memorial Day
On Memorial Day 2018, 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.
Fleet Week
Ahoy, sailors! Fleet Week NYC 2018 is a seven-day celebration in New York City, which honors the members of the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. Every year, the weeklong party kicks off with the Parade of Ships—a flotilla of visiting vessels and tall ships that cruise along the Hudson river—and continues with military demonstrations, a Memorial Day ceremony and more outstanding things to do around some great New York attractions.
Free NYC events in May 2017
Aperitivo Tuesdays
Take in some sun on Dream Hotel’s PHD Terrace while sipping Italian cocktails and nibbling complimentary treats at this afterwork shindig. Tunes from the ’60s come courtesy of the Nick Palumbo Band.
NY Handmade Cavalcade
This retailer’s multiple weekend run at various locations allows any impatient DIYers to grab creative handmade presents from more than 50 talented fashion, beauty and lifestyle crafters for everyone on your list or, hell, yourself. In the past, patrons have gone home with free goody bags of products, coupons and surprises from the vendors and sponsors. During certain weekends, folks can enjoy cocktails and pose for selfies in the holiday photo booth while they shop.
No, But What’s Your Real Job?
Abby Washuta invites you to this hang-out at New York Comedy Club East Village (every first Thursday) and at the Lantern (every third Thursday), where a solid line-up of stand-ups can always be expected. Look out for a raffle, and register early for a free margarita.
Renegade Craft Fair
Browse imaginative maker-designed goods from more than 200 creators; indulge in bites from purveyors like Cryo Cream, Eat Chic Chocolates and Ocka Treats; groove to live DJ sets; and attend workshops with crafty friends at this fabulous winter market. You’ll walk out with enough DIY crafts, knickknacks and artisanal treats to get you through the winter and beyond.
Lap Dance Saloon
Whether you're visiting town and looking for laughs or a jaded New Yorker who needs a break, you can count on Jeffrey Emerson and Jill Weiner to deliver excellent comedy at this free weekly East Village stand-up night. Look out for some of our favorite all-star performers to hit up the low-key show.
Side Ponytail
This free weekly getdown from Carolyn Busa, Julia Shiplett, Ben Wasserman and Emily Winter is a reliable night for solid laughs and surprise stars in Crown Heights.
Hack City
It’s a free comedy night...with dessert. Need we say more? Fumi Abe and Michael Nguyen bring together some of the city’s most diverse and reliably solid lineups every month at this sweet show. Count on an all-star lineup for the one-year anniversary, including Jo Firestone, Mike Brown, Sydnee Washington, Brian Park and Ronny Chieng.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park Rink
Bryant Park’s 17,000-square-foot outdoor rink is free and open late. Don’t get too excited—the admission may be gratis, but you’ll have to shell out $15–$19 to rent skates (or BYO). Still, it’s a veritable winter wonderland: After your time on the ice, warm up at spacious rinkside foodhall the Lodge. If you want to practice your lutzes and axels with ample spinning room, try visiting during off-peak hours. RECOMMENDED: More rinks for ice skating in NYC
New Year's Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park
Bundle up for a free, low-key New Year’s Eve with fireworks sparkling over Park Slope. Live music starts at around 10:30pm at Grand Army Plaza, where you can also snag a cup of hot cocoa. At midnight, fireworks will go off at Long Meadow; the best vantage points are at Grand Army Plaza, inside the park on West Drive and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street.
Black Guys
Brian Mitchell and Tyler Richardson shut down Starr Bar once a month at this well-curated stand-up show. The December edition features Mary Houlihan, Melissa Diaz and Julie Kottakis.
Music events in April 2017
Florist
Pastoral and tender in tone, Emily Sprague’s hushed tunes as Florist trade in poignant, unadorned imagery rendered with heart-on-the-sleeve intimacy.
No Age + Behavior
After this L.A. noise-punk outfit released its minimal An Object in 2013, the band decided to sit back, slow down and take a look around. Five years later, No Age has returned with a thoroughly enjoyable—and quite accessible—new album on Drag City, Snares Like a Haircut. It's a hearty dose of propulsive, anthemic rock and a worthy addition to the duo's already glowing catalogue. The tunes will make for an invigorating show.
Twin Shadow
Since George Lewis Jr. first introduced himself to the public as north Brooklyn’s one-man laptop act, he’s added a live band to the fray and made for a bona fide Prince-inspired endeavor with slick dance ballads—that is to say, it’s awesome. His new full-length, Caer, is his most fully realized vision yet, so be ready to move to sparkly jams.
King Krule
Even as a teenager self-releasing songs under the moniker Zoo Kid, Archy "King Krule" Marshall stood out as an old soul. His voice, layered with art-school echo, recalls the smoky baritone of bygone crooners like Johnny Hartman as well as the abrasive romance of Joe Strummer. Here he plays from his most recent album, The Ooz, a surrealist foray into the artist's psyche that effortlessly melds neo-soul, jazz and trashy punk.
Max Richter: SLEEP
This gig will have you snoozing—and that’s no accident. The celebrated contemporary classical composer Max Richter supplies audience members with cushy mattresses for his eight-hour overnight orchestral concert.
Spring Studios; Friday, May 4 & Saturday, May 5 at 9pm
Princess Nokia
A woman of many aliases, Destiny Frasqueri first made headlines as “Wavy Spice” in 2013 before diving into Afrofuturist explorations as well as disco, blues and soul vibes under her birth name. Recently, as Princess Nokia, she’s become a local icon, spitting an airy flow over hip-hop beats. Despite all the shifts, one trait remains: a commitment to continually breaking expectations. Her newest release, an emo mixtape titled A Girl Cried Red, is the latest thrilling transformation.
Car Seat Headrest
A band-name backstory: for the sake of privacy as a teenager in Virginia, Will Toledo began recording his 11-album discography (all self-released on Bandcamp) by hunkering down in the back of the family car. After picking up on Toledo's unique ear for poignant melody, prestigious indie arbiter Matador Records released his Teens of Style and Teens of Denial, both breathtakingly ambitious efforts with rough-hewn anthems that recall peak-era Built to Spill or Modest Mouse. This year sees the release of a re-recorded version of his 2011 LP, Twin Fantasy. Count on hearing from that cult fave at this outing.
Power Trip + Sheer Mag
This thrash quintet turned heads with last year's Nightmare Logic, an LP that perfectly captured the precision fury of mid-’80s Metallica—sans the ballads. The Dallas crew hits Elsewhere for a pair of shows with support from Sheer Mag, an anarchic, defiant outfit with incisive politics and arena-sized aspirations. The May 9 bill also includes Outburst and Krimewatch; May 10 features Fury and Red Death.
Hinds
Though this Madrid garage-pop quartet only just recently emerged—its debut appeared in 2016—the band traffics in loads of vintage, Velvets-esque unpolished charm and summery vibes. Hinds takes the stage here behind its sophomore effort on Mom + Pop, I Don't Run.
Roy Ayers
Vibraphonist and R&B pioneer Ayers, one of the most sampled artists of all time, brings classics like “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” and “Searchin” to open the Output roof’s summer season.
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