This Summer, anything is pasta-ble

If you were lucky enough to score tickets to this spectacular, prepare to witness a sea of New Yorkers dressed to the nines in their best white attire during the fifth annual Dîner en Blanc celebration. The secret dining event is BYOE (bring your own everything), and most guests spare no effort in packing exquisite meals and beautiful table settings, which look like they belong at a wedding reception rather than an outdoor picnic. The stakes to impress and be creative are high, so if this is your first year attending, don’t fret: these spaghetti salmon sliders, made with thin spaghetti, fresh tomatoes, light mayo and fresh arugula, are sure to be a crowd pleaser. Plus, because pasta is a complex carb, you’ll stay full and energized. Secret venue, Tue 28

Slideluck (part art show, part potluck) takes to the high seas this summer during its first-ever boat show. Hop aboard the Lilac, and set sail on the Hudson while you enjoy short films by creators like Alex Engel and photography by Marco Casino and more. Every guest is expected to bring something tasty and unique to the table, which is why we suggest a refreshing twist of a potluck favorite: Cold, no-bake lasagna. The Mediterranean-inspired, wholesome dish, made with sautéed zucchini, tomato salad, ricotta and pesto sauce, is best served cold, because no one likes to carry a hot plate to a party. Plus, between the fiber from the pasta and the nutrients from all the veggies, you don’t have to feel guilty when you go back for seconds. Hudson River Park, Pier 25, West St and North Moore St; Thu 23 at 6pm

Thanks to the High Line, you don’t have to hit your head on the sidewalk to see stars in the city. Every Tuesday at dusk, you can gaze at the moon, planets and asteroids through high-powered telescopes. Astronomy nerds and romantics alike can turn the leisurely activity into date night by packing an easy, on-the-go jarred pasta salad in a picnic basket. Combine elbow pasta, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and cooked ham in a mason jar, then season with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and basil. Surprise your starry-eyed SO with the aromatic tastes of Italy. Oh, what a lovely bella notte! The High Line, Washington St at Gansevoort St; Tuesdays 6–11pm. Through October.

What’s better than summer movie screenings? Free films outside in McCarren Park. SummerScreen likes to stream cult classics like Dazed and Confused and Jurassic Park, so grab a blanket, some booze and your best pals, and watch your favorite flick under the stars. Stomach grumbling? Forget popcorn. Spice up your traditional cheese-and-cracker app by making your own crisps using wavy lasagna, and top 'em off with bacon onion jam and Gorgonzola. McCarren Park, Bayard St to Nassau Ave between Leonard and North 12th Sts, Brooklyn; Wednesdays at 6pm. Through Aug 12.

Bryant Park’s summer lineup of entertainment takes a musical turn every Wednesday with Accordions Around the World, a free series where you can listen to tunes by global artists stationed around the park. And what’s more appropriate than spending an evening listening to international jams while munching on a cultural dish influenced by Asian cuisine, pasta maki? Use orzo as a substitute for rice, mix together your favorite veggies, and wrap the ingredients in toasted seaweed sheets. This tasty and healthy alternative to sushi is just as easy to make as it is to pack. Bryant Park, 40th to 42nd Sts between Fifth and Sixth Aves; Wednesdays 6–8pm. Through Aug 26.