Festivals and events in New York: Cheap NYC activities

It's been a long time since we dubbed green tea as the new black coffee—nowadays, the majority of the city's best coffee shops and tea houses regularly pour out Japan's slightly bitter and deliciously nutty matcha. The drink’s popularity has risen so much stateside that May 2 has been officially dubbed National Matcha Day. And to celebrate the caffeinated festivities, premium tea brand Jade Leaf Matcha—the number-one selling matcha brand in the U.S.—will offer up free drinks this Thursday. Not only that, but they’re also introducing a cool new doughnut collab for the occasion.  RECOMMENDED: The 15 best donut shops in NYC, for classic rounds and newfangled flavors On Thursday, May 2, Jade Leaf Matcha will be partner with one of New York’s favorite doughnut purveyors, Dough Doughnuts, for not one but two matcha-flavored doughnuts using the tea brand's matcha blend. Available to purchase at all Dough locations from Thursday through Sunday, May 12, the limited-edition flavors include a fluffy, chocolate-frosted doughnut with a delicate matcha cream filling and a matcha-flavored ring topped with a sweet glaze and crunchy pistachios. Dough has been known to frequently bake up fresh new flavors to celebrate the changing seasons, various holidays and fun calendar events, so it's not a surprise that the bakery chainlet would want to get in on the tea-tinged fete.  And you can’t have a sweet treat without a little something to wash it all down, so Jade Leaf will also be give out free m

Free and cheap tickets to NYC's best museums? It's possible! One of the benefits of living in or visiting New York City is all the incredible cultural institutions and museums are at your beck-and-call like The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, MoMA or the Guggenheim. They are among the finest in the world—there’s just one hitch: They’re often pricey to get into. Unlike cities such as London or Washington, D.C., New York isn’t big on publicly funded museums, which is too bad, especially if you actually live here and have to pay most of your wages on food and rent. Granted, there are senior and student discounts, and memberships that let you get in gratis if you’re willing to pay for the annual fee. There is one alternative, however: most museums offer free hours or days and pay-what-you-wish admission. You just have to know where and when they are. We’ve got the info you need in our guide to all the free museum days and cheap admission in NYC you should know about, whether you live here or are planning a visit. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best museums in NYC

If you need another reason to get outside this summer, NYC street fairs take over various blocks in all five boroughs when the weather gets warmer. While frolicking along the city's sidwalks, snack on sensational eats from the best restaurants in NYC and score stellar throwback wares and antiques as you would find at our city’s finest vintage clothing stores. As enjoyable as eating and shopping can be, there are many more things to do outside, from rocking out at outdoor concerts to peeping at some street art. Take advantage of the beautiful weather, including awesome free things to do, while the streets are full of fun. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC

One of the best perks of living in New York City is having access to innumerable free events in our gorgeous parks. That’s why when Bryant Park Picnic Performances, presented by Bank of America announces its line-up, we get excited! Today, Picnic Performances released a list of 25 live music, dance, and theater events that’ll occur May 31 to September 13, and it includes The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Louis Cato; trumpeter Steven Bernstein playing the music of James Bond with Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra; the NYC premiere of Ghanaian highlife band Gyedu-Bly Ambolley; Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE dance company; South African world pop star Thandiswa Mazwai and many more! “The 2024 season of Picnic Performances is our most ambitious yet,” Dan Fishman, Bryant Park’s vice president of public programming, tells Time Out New York. “Bryant Park will host internationally renowned dance companies, Grammy-winning musicians, a fully staged production of Tosca, a centennial celebration for jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan, and a grand finale featuring an all-star lineup of musicians performing the music of James Bond.  “This year we present our first performance curated specifically for kids, a bilingual celebration of Broadway show tunes, the New York City debut of a Ghanaian music legend, and a concert that honors the incredible composer, Tania León. We are thrilled to bring such exciting free music, theater, and dance events to the center of New York City,

Groups! Can’t live with ‘em, can’t try almost everything on the menu in one sitting without 'em! Ok, maybe some can, but many will, at one point, still need to find restaurants perfect for large parties celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, big promotions, belated or pre-lated holidays and general getting the band back together events.  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island each have options for your next fête, and these are our favorites for those expanded occasions. Most allow you to book space for up to six via conventional platforms, save for noted exceptions that go up to about ten, and all have room for more when you connect via email or phone. RECOMMENDED: See all of the best restaurants in NYC

Don’t scoff, jaded New Yorker—there are a lot of free things to do in NYC today. We understand: When you live in the most expensive city in the world, it’s hard to imagine how anything in this town could be gratis. But guess what? Every event on this list is free and actually awesome! That’s right, we found the free art exhibitions, comedy shows, cultural celebrations and NYC park activities, so you can have the time of your life without paying a dime. Whether you’re looking for fun date ideas or something to do with visiting relatives, we got you. Do you want more great stories about things to do, where to eat, what to watch, and where to party? Obviously you do, follow Time Out New York on Facebook for the good stuff.RECOMMENDED: See all free things to do in NYC

Let’s face it: NYC is expensive, both for visitors and locals. For those of us living here in the city, we’re constantly choosing between going out and, say, paying rent. While it’s certainly nice to splurge on one of the best restaurants in NYC, the reality is that we mostly have to focus on cheap eats and happy hour deals. We’re here to help: when it comes to going out in the city, you can still have fun without facing a hefty price tag. There are plenty of cheap things to do in NYC to fill your days without emptying your wallet. Some are even worthy cheap date ideas, if you’re looking. Simply walking the streets of New York can make for an entertaining day out, but if you look closely you can find fabulous things to without paying a fortune. Did you know that some of NYC’s top attractions are also affordable? Or how about comedy — a good laugh doesn’t have to cost much. Manhattan and Brooklyn have beautiful parks to stroll, and for a small fee you can get around on a bike or a boat. You can catch free shows from up-and-coming bands, or catch a movie for under $10. Entertainment in NYC can be cheap, or even free, so get out there and have some fun! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC 

The city’s most beloved free summer concert series is back with a stellar line-up! Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage 2024, New York City’s annual concert series that takes over Central Park every summer, just released its official line-up with artists like T-Pain, Snail Mail, Madison Cunningham, Corinne Bailey Rae, The Metropolitan Opera, Trixie Mattel and Amanda Lepore, Counting Crows, Ghostface Killah, The Gaslight Anthem and more. RECOMMENDED: SummerStage 2024 Guide This year, SummerStage will bring New Yorkers nearly 85 free and benefit shows to Central Park and 13 neighborhood parks across the five boroughs, including at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy and The Coney Island Amphitheater on the boardwalk in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, Crotona Park in the Bronx, Stapleton Waterfront Park in Staten Island, and SummerStage’s flagship venue at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. This season is all about celebrating incredible music from around the world with artists like The Aussie BBQ, Colombian music star Fonseca and Spain’s captivating new flamenco singer Israel Fernández, Sidonie and the Balkan Paradise Orchestra.  “We are thrilled to once again celebrate the vibrant diversity of New York City’s cultures and communities across all five boroughs,” said Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage. “Our lineup will shine a bright spotlight on some of music’

Under the sticky heat of the afternoon sun yesterday, dozens of fully nude models and artists (some of them nude, as well), gathered in Union Square for the final NYC Bodypainting Day. Each painter brought their artistic vision to life on the exquisite canvas of the human body, with some designs featuring intricate patterns and others with bold sweeping decorations.  Artist Andy Golub founded the annual event a decade ago and said this year would be the last for NYC Bodypainting Day in this form. It's likely that the news of the last hurrah attracted some of the throngs of onlookers who gathered around to watch the painters at work. Other attendees stumbled upon the event as they passed through the park, some suppressing surprised gasps or nervous giggles.  RECOMMENDED: This NYC vegan dinner party requires you to have dinner naked The event celebrates the human body in all of its beautiful shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities and ages (ranging from the 20s to the 80s at the event). Artists carefully wield paintbrushes to cover their subjects from head to toe in theatrical makeup.  "I wanted people to take a moment and really celebrate humanity," Golub told Time Out New York. "I think the event is really about spreading joy and feeling joy." When thinking back on the first bodypainting day, Golub describes it as "magical" with "this incredible feeling of positivity."  Ten years later, that energy imbued this year's event as well. While this is farewell to NYC Bodypainting Day

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2024. 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's the upcoming FAD Market schedule for 2024 Spring April 13-14: Earth Month Market at The Invisible Dog Art CenterMay 4-5: Brooklyn Brewery Market at Brooklyn BreweryMay 11-12: Mother's Day and Made in NYC Market at Empire Stores in DumboMay 18-19: NYCxDesign Market at The Invisible Dog Art CenterJune 1-2: Summer Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo Summer June-October (third weekend of the month): Governors Island MarketJuly 13-14: Summer Market at Empire Stores in DumboJune 22-23: Summer Market at The Invisible Dog Art CenterJuly 27-28: Summer Market at The Invisible Dog Art CenterAugust 10-11: Summer Market at Empire Stores in Dumbo  

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, inventive ice cream flavors from Sugar Hill Creamery and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

New York is a hotbed of artistic expression. The city’s art museums—including The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum—display some of the best artists spanning centuries. And with more than 1,000 galleries, you can check out the latest and greatest artists at any time, in all mediums from painting to sculpture. You’ll find the best galleries in NYC concentrated in Chelsea, but also Brooklyn and Queens to the Upper and Lower East Sides of Manhattan. Visit NYC’s legendary art galleries and you’ll see some of the best artists from around the world.

Giant puppets will parade through the Lower East Side on Saturday, May 11, to raise awareness for a giant issue: Climate solutions. "Ecological City: Procession for Climate Solutions" is described as "an urban ecological pilgrimage." Marchers will stop at more than a dozen gardens throughout the neighborhood showcasing visual art, music, dance, theater, and poetry. Expect to see 500 people in spectacular costumes during this theatrical pageant, along with mobile sculptures and larger-than-life puppets. RECOMMENDED: The best Earth Day events in NYC Though the event falls after Earth Month, it keeps alive the important conversations about sustainability, climate change, and climate solutions.  Photograph: Courtesy of Rachel Elkind The event’s organizers highlight community gardens on the march as a way to show the importance of these green spaces within the city. Not only are these green spaces beautiful, but they also offer pollinator gardens, solar gazebos, permeable paths, and trees that improve air quality.  "The gardens provide a myriad of solutions including sequestering carbon, filtering air pollution and run-off, as well as absorbing flood water from storm surges and sea level rise," event organizers said in a press release. "Visionary green infrastructure projects throughout the neighborhood include bio-swales, rain and pollinator gardens, solar gazebos, permeable pathways, vertical farming, green roofs, CSA-community supported agriculture/urban farming/environmental

New Yorkers might know their city like the back of their hand, but there are some hidden pockets of NYC still to be discovered. There’s always something new taking the place of something old in NYC, but luckily for us, there’s still a plethora of old places to explore, you just have to know where to look. From historic residential groves and tiny roads that have been left behind by the requirements for vehicle traffic to alleyways that were only used for horses and carriages back in the day, below are 10 amazing hidden streets in NYC you can visit right now. RECOMMENDED: Secret NYC: 26 speakeasies, underground gigs and more 1. Washington Mews (Greenwich Village) Photograph: Shaye Weaver/Time Out A private, gated (but often open) street just north of Washington Square Park, between Fifth Avenue and University Place, is a trip back in time to the day of row houses and stables. These mews (a row of stables) serviced horses from homes in the neighborhood during the 18th and 19th centuries and some were also were homes. Around 1950, NYU rented most of these buildings and converted them into faculty housing and offices.  2. Doyers Street (Chinatown) Photograph: Shutterstock Once known as the Bloody Angle, Doyers Street is a 200-foot-long curved street between Pell Street to Bowery that was once one of the deadliest streets. Sure, it’s full of restaurants like Nom Wah Tea Parlor, barbershops and other stores now, but during the early 20th century, it was the site of numerous ki

No matter where you are or where you work in New York, you’re probably stressed out. As great as our fair city is — with so many amazing things to do, fabulous restaurants and top-notch bars — it’s hard to find time to chill out. Taking a weekend getaway or relaxing on a nearby beach are good ways to relax, but often we need serenity NOW (and let’s face it: sometimes planning that beach trip or weekend getaway can lead to even more stress!). A relaxing spa treatment can be just the thing for a quick fix. Problem is, most of us can’t afford the luxurious spas that promise instant bliss. Fortunately there are a number of spots for affordable spa treatments in NYC. Whether it’s a facial, a massage, a mani-pedi or a body scrub, one to two hours at a spa will give you the re-set you need. You’ll feel refreshed and glowing in no time. When was the last time you treated yourself? We think now is the time to get that affordable spa treatment. If you’re looking for more affordable ways to unwind, take a calming stroll through one of New York’s parks, or get a scoop of sweet, refreshing ice cream and tune out for a while before getting back to the hustle and bustle. RECOMMENDED: Find more spas in NYC

If you’re a fan of bees—which you should be if you like flowers, trees and the continued survival of human beings on the planet—then you’re going to find these new "bee hotels" around New York City absolutely adorable.  The New York Department of Transportation and the Horticultural Society of New York teamed up to create these cute designated habitats in public plazas and across streets for bees to take refuge in. Dubbed “bee bunkers,” they will be used as pit stops for bees that are on their way to access larger green spaces. In fact, in the city, the insects have difficulty surviving, mostly given the relative lack of vegetation and limited access to nature. RECOMMENDED: What to do if you see a coyote in NYC Don't worry about potentially getting stung: The bee hotels were meant to attract tickle bees, a small native species that rarely stings humans, according to NYC DOT.  "Through this work, we are creating living spaces for native bee pollinators in the city, including both flowers and appropriate nesting sites," Dr. Kimberly N. Russell, undergraduate program director/associate professor of teaching at the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources at Rutgers University said in a statement. "Most bee species cannot live in hives, so we need to give them other materials to build their homes.” The "bee bunkers" will look like small bird houses filled with natural materials and soil where females will be able to build their nests and lay eggs. Researchers at R

It's always exciting when one of the best ice cream shops in New York City churns out a cool new flavor. It's even more exciting when said parlor will be scooping it up for free: OddFellows Ice Cream Co., the folks behind beloved flavors like Coffee Crunch, Strawberry Jam and Cookies & Mint, have partnered with brioche brand St Pierre Bakery on a new collaboration dessert that they'll be giving out for free to celebrate National Brioche Day.  RECOMMENDED: The 23 best desserts in NYC right now, including durian ice cream and gigantic cookies Launching on Tuesday, May 14, and available through the week as supplies last, the brand's sweet collab is a limited-edition Coffee & Brioche Waffles ice cream flavor that combines generous chunks of St Pierre’s decadent brioche waffles—"the sweetness of a Belgian waffle meets the richness of fluffy brioche," made from a traditional European recipe and sweetened with crunchy pearl sugar—with OddFellows’ carefully crafted coffee flavor. But that's not all: OddFellows will offer 50 complimentary Brioche Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches featuring the brand-new flavor to the first 50 customers who show up on May 14th to one of its six participating ice cream shops located in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as Tampa, Florida and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  That means NYC locals can visit the Domino Park (40 River Street), Dumbo (44 Water Street), Brooklyn Bridge Park (334 Furman Street, Pier 5) or Chelsea outposts (141 Eighth Avenue) for the chance t

May is full of reasons to celebrate: not only is it the end of that long, cold New York winter, but there's also Cinco de Mayo as well as, uh, the birthday of action star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on May 2. All of those festivities are coming together for the fourth annual Guac on the Rock campaign, an initiative from Johnson and his small-batch Teremana Tequila brand. And for the first time, the campaign is stretching out from a mere week of free guacamole to an entire month of gratis guac.  RECOMMENDED: The best spots for guacamole in NYC, from traditional Mexican recipes to unorthodox takes From Wednesday, May 1 through Friday, May 31, Johnson's Teremana Tequila will reimburse restaurant goers for their guacamole orders up to $1,000,000, when they purchase guac with any Teremana cocktail. (Yes, alas, that does mean you have to be age 21 and over to participate.) All you have to do is head to guacontherock.com and use the restaurant locator to find a participating eatery or bar near you. Once there, order a Teremana drink and guacamole; snap a picture of your itemized receipt and submit it on the Guac on the Rock website; and you'll see a reimbursement (of up to $10) via Venmo for that guac starter, no matter if you dine in or take out.   Launched in 2021, the nationwide, charitable initiative aims to encourage consumers to support America’s restaurants, by generating additional revenue for the local venues as well as tips for hospitality workers.  “For Cinco de Mayo and my

As the weather turns warmer, folks heading to the Rockaways should consider spending some time at the new 35-acre preserve that officials just unveiled. Boasting five different ecosystems, the new preserve features accessible connections to the Rockaway boardwalk and beach as well.  Expect a number of pedestrian pathways weaving through the preserve, allowing visitors to come face to face with the various natural environments on site: maritime grassland, maritime dunes, maritime shrubland, maritime forest and maritime swale. Photograph: Daniel Avila   Photograph: Daniel Avila Officials have also built a new welcome center, home to a community meeting space, office space for park rangers, crew headquarters for maintenance staff and public restrooms, according to a press release. “The Rockaway Renaissance takes another historic step forward today,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. in an official statement. “What was once a vacant, overgrown illegal dumping ground for decades is now a stunning hub of wildlife and a successful example of what community-centered sustainability work looks like.” Photograph: Daniel Avila But there's more: a local non-profit, RISE, has also set up camp in the area. The organization will be operating a native plant nursery, "raising locally-adapted native plant seedlings and saplings to support ongoing revegetation of the nature preserve, dunes, and other natural areas around the coast," reads the press release, while an urban

Looking for some classic summer fun? Roller coasters and thrill rides are not just for kids, and there are a slew of amusement parks near NYC where you can chase those heart-palpitating plunges and scream-inducing twists that take you back to your carefree days. Hitting up an amusement park can be as easy as taking the subway to Coney Island, but go a little further—say, New Jersey or Pennsylvania—and you’re in for even more thrills. You might encounter hordes of teens or families during peak times, but that’s all part of the fun. If you’re not into the jaw-dropping speeds and dizzying heights of an amusement park, there are plenty of thrilling day trips from NYC that don’t involve near-death feelings. If you need a little down time after getting jazzed up with all that amusement park stimulation, check out one of NYC’s hotel pools open to the public.

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about summer in the city, but when you need to beat the heat, why not give free kayaking in NYC a try? We’ve got plenty of water, from the Hudson River to the East River, and these waterways offer some of the best views of many of New York’s attractions. If you own your own kayak, you’re all set to paddle. For the rest of us, there are many organizations around the city that aim to reconnect urbanites to nature and the aquatic ecosystems that surround us. Groups of boaters and paddling enthusiasts lead small groups around New York’s waterways, offering a cool, relaxing and educational adventure. Best of all? It’s free! NYC Parks also hosts one-off free kayaking and canoeing events throughout the summer!  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Long Island City all have boating opportunities for you this summer. Most are first-come-first-served or by reservation only, so be sure to check before you head out. After all that paddling, treat yourself to a hearty NYC brunch. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in NYC

An array of colorful kites will take to the skies next month as part of Sound & Color!, a free spring festival in Brooklyn on Saturday, May 18.  It's the one day of the year when kite flying is open to the public at the Park's Pier 5, so you don't want to miss it. Whether you bring your own kite, buy one there, or make your own at a workshop during the event, the festival promises a fun kickoff to the warmer months.  RECOMMENDED: NYC events in May 2024 Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosts the family-friendly event, which takes place across its namesake park from 11am-5pm on May 18. Last year's festival brought together more than 5,000 attendees, so this year event organizers are expanding the event to include additional musical festivities across the park. Though kite-flying at Pier 5 is the main draw, also expect more kids' activities plus food vendors.  Photograph: By John Eng Even if you've never flown a kite before, expert instructors at the festival will help your flying contraption soar over the Manhattan skyline. Workshops will explore how to make kites in the Caribbean tradition. The festival not only kicks off spring, it also celebrates colors, culture, and unity by merging STEAM concepts with the Caribbean's rich history of kite-flying. All of those themes combine to create a day of outdoor fun for all ages.  Photograph: By John Eng As for music, expect an energizing live performance by Eruption Steel Orchestra's steel-pan drum line. Plus, Igmar Thomas (a maes

Grand Bazaar is one of NYC’s oldest and largest marketplaces where you can buy vintage treasures, antiques, clothing and more goodies from more than 100 local merchants. Photographers, jewelers and furniture designers sell their best on Sundays between 10am and 5pm on the Upper West Side (77th Street at Columbus Avenue).  Each week offers a different theme, from featuring women-owned businesses to focusing on handmade items to spotlighting international wares. The market runs both indoors and outdoors each week all year long.

There's nothing more "summer in NYC" than taking in a movie in the great outdoors, under the hardly-seen stars and set to the humming soundtrack of the city. New Yorkers love to take in films on the nicest rooftops, on the best beaches, and in our city's greatest parks (preferably with a drink or popcorn in hand). Luckily, NYC has no shortage of places to catch outdoor movie screenings you can attend in the warmer months. Looking to see a new movie any night of the week? Check out the best movie theaters in NYC. And for some at-home inspiration, you can always catch up on the best NYC movies of all time. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC 

Dating back to 1938, B&H is one of the last beloved vestiges of its era in the East Village. Its storefront is narrow but hard to miss beneath its vintage-style sign, and the slip inside tracks more as cozy than cramped. Squeeze up to the counter and choose from a menu longer than the spot’s footprint, featuring tons of omelets and egg plates, potato pancakes, knishes, heaping sandwiches and salad platters.