Get us in your inbox

Search
improv comedy club
Photograph: Courtesy Mindy Tucker

The latest canceled events and closures in NYC

An up-to-date list of latest NYC event cancellations and venue shutdowns including the Met, MoMA and all New York Public Libraries.

Shaye Weaver
Collier Sutter
Written by
Shaye Weaver
&
Collier Sutter
Advertising

Here at Time Out, we love to help you explore and experience the best of New York City, but in the current climate, event organizers, venues, museums, restaurants and bars across the city are closing and canceling plans.

On Thursday, March 12, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that starting on Friday, March 13, at 5 pm, gatherings of 500 people or more will be banned. Facilities with an occupancy of 500 of fewer, the legal capacity will be reduced by half. This includes the closure of Broadway.

On Monday, March 16, Cuomo announced that as of 8 pm, crowd capacity must be reduced to 50 people and that restaurants and bars can only do takeout and delivery only. Gyms, movie theaters and casinos must also close, he said.

And on Friday, March 20, Cuomo banned all gatherings of any size or any reason, and ordered 100% of nonessential workers to stay home.

To help keep track, we have rounded up a list of major event cancellations and will be updating it as they're announced.

Latest canceled events and closures in New York City

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
  • Comedy
  • Stand-up
  • Hell's Kitchen
  • price 1 of 4

NYC's unbeatable comedy bastion founded in the 1990s by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh is planning to close its two Manhattan locations, according to the New York Times.

The sketch and improv comedy center apparently sent an email to students and performers on Tuesday, saying that they had to make the "heart-wrenching" decision to close its HEll's Kitchen Theater and the training center venues due to financial strain. It had already been struggling to pay rent, but the impact of the pandemic was the final nail in the coffin, according to the Times.

That being said, UCB's plan is to host shows at SubCulture on Bleecker Street while it looks to rent new space for classes, whenever things open up again.

  • Things to do
  • City Life

For the first time in its half-century history, New York City Pride has been canceled. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the cancellation of permits for all large in-person gatherings for the month of June, which includes the Celebrate Israel, Puerto Rican Day and LGBTQ Pride parades. "New York City is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. We’ve come a long way since the first Christopher Street Liberation Day March 50 years ago, which is a testament to the bravery and resiliency of LGBTIA+ New Yorkers in the struggle for equality," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "While this [current situation] prevents us from coming together to march, it will in no way stop us from celebrating the indelible contributions that the LGBTIA+ community has made to New York City or from recommitting ourselves to the fight for equal rights." 

Advertising
  • Music
  • Music festivals

Governors Ball 2020 has been canceled. 

"Over the past few weeks, we have gone to great lengths to find a postponement date that works for all parties involved. Due to a myriad of planning and logistical issues, we have come to the conclusion that there are no sufficient options available to us," the festival wrote in a statement. "We are pushing ahead, and are already jumping into plans for 2021."

  • Art
  • Art

Anna Wintour, the chair of the Met Gala announced in Vogue that the much-anticipated fundraiser originally set for for May 4 will be postponed, saying that because of the state and city mandates, it was "unavoidable and responsible" but promised a preview of the planned accompanying exhibition, About Time, in the May issue of the magazine.

In May, it was officially canceled.

Advertising
  • Things to do
  • City Life

Your safety means a lot to us. That’s why, in addition to changing our logo and shifting our mission, we’ve decided to close Time Out Market New York temporarily. The market will remain closed for as long as needed.  We’ve made this difficult decision after monitoring the latest developments and receiving input from health authorities and the city government. The wellbeing of our guests and staff is the most important thing for us, so this seemed like the right way forward.  “These are unprecedented times and nothing matters more than the health and safety of our guests, teams, concessionaires and the local community as a whole,” says Didier Souillat, CEO of Time Out Market. “We have decided to temporarily close as it is our responsibility to do our part to protect everybody—we are looking forward to reopening when it is safe and to once again welcome guests to Time Out Market.” The market will be closing after dinner service on Sunday evening, March 15. We hope to reopen soon, and will let you know as soon as we can when that will be.

Advertising
  • Art
  • Photography
  • Gramercy

UPDATE: Fotografiska is closed until further notice, but it will be working to bring its photography exhibitions to you via virtual tours, artists interviews, and other interactive content. Please check its social media channels (Instagram, Facebook) and website for updates.

If customers have unused tickets to an upcoming event or for general museum admission, they can expect a full refund in 7–10 business days. Memberships will be frozen for the length of the museum’s closure, and reinstated once the museum has reopened. 

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens
  • Chelsea

The High Line is closed until further notice. 

"While we fundamentally believe in the power of parks, especially during challenging times, we have to think about public health and safety," the park's officials said in a statment. "As an elevated park, the High Line’s design includes staircases and narrow paths. These unique conditions make it hard for us to meet the social distancing requirements of keeping at least six feet between people."

Advertising
El Museo del Barrio
  • Museums
  • Special interest
  • East Harlem
  • price 1 of 4

El Museo del Barrio is closed and its programming postponed until further notice. 

"We are confident that, together, we will be able to get through this extraordinary and unfortunate time, and recognize that the impact on all of our daily lives is immeasurable," the museum said in a statement. "El Museo del Barrio is your home and we are determined to foster a healthy and safe environment. We appreciate your understanding and support, and look forward to welcoming all of you back to the El Museo del Barrio, in the near future to celebrate the opening of Taller Boricua: A Political Print Shop in New York."

  • Museums
  • Movies and TV
  • Astoria
  • price 2 of 4

The Museum of the Moving Image is closed and all of its public programming is canceled until further notice.

If you’ve purchased a ticket for an event that has been canceled, know that MoMI will try to reschedule events. Tickets may be exchanged once the Museum reopens and programming resumes.

They also ask to ticketholders to consider converting your ticket purchase to a tax-deductible donation.

All ticket holders will be contacted with information about options; however, inquiries can also be sent to visitorservices@movingimage.us

Advertising
Advertising
Chelsea Piers
  • Sports and fitness
  • Chelsea

Chelsea Piers facilities will be closed until further notice.

"It is our view that suspending our operations temporarily is the socially responsible thing to do and in the best interests of overall community health," it said in a statment. "We will not be making any decisions regarding refunds or credits until the end of the 2nd quarter - June 30th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you."

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Museums
  • History
  • Upper West Side
  • price 2 of 4

The New-York Historical Society is closed until further notice.

"We are taking these preventive measures out of an abundance of caution to help ensure everyone’s safety," it said in a statement. "Visitors who’ve purchased tickets to a program that’s been canceled will be contacted shortly to arrange either a refund or a ticket-to-donation to New-York Historical."

Advertising
Advertising
The Rubin Museum of Art
  • Museums
  • Art and design
  • Chelsea
  • price 1 of 4

The Rubin Museum is closed until further notice.

"The health and safety of our visitors and staff is a priority," Executive Director Jorrit Britschgi said in a statement. "This is a considerable step, but a necessary one to keep our public as safe as possible. We are actively monitoring the situation and will provide regular updates and resources to our community. We look forward to announcing soon when we can welcome visitors back into the Museum."

Advertising
Brooklyn Museum | Brooklyn, NY
  • Museums
  • Natural history
  • Prospect Park
  • price 2 of 4

All programs and events at the Brooklyn Museum are postponed or canceled with the closure of the museum until further notice.

"For inquiries related to Studio 54: Night Magic, which was scheduled to open on March 13, we look forward to welcoming media interested in seeing the show when we reopen to the public," it said in a statement. "The exhibition is on view through July 5, 2020."

Advertising
Advertising
  • Movie theaters
  • Midtown West

All New York Public Library locations will be closed to  beginning Saturday, March 14 through (at least) Tuesday, March 31. Friday, March 13 is be the last day the public can pick up holds or borrow books until library locations reopen their doors.

A statement on their website from Tony Marx, NYPL President: "We know the Library is a critical resource for New Yorkers of all ages, so we are taking steps to support our patrons as much as possible during this temporary closure: All late fees will be suspended and due dates extended during the closure period. The Library is working to expand access to e-books and increase awareness of our vast array of online resources. For example, New Yorkers can sign up for a library card to read e-books on our SimplyE app, use research databases, and much more. To learn more, visit our website, or stay tuned for email updates. Patrons can access the Library's Census resources online. All branches will be sanitized before they reopen. Ask NYPL virtual reference will be available and answering any questions."

  • Museums
  • Art and design
  • Midtown West
  • price 1 of 4

The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1 are closed until further notice.

Glenn D. Lowry, The David Rockefeller Director of The Museum of Modern Art, said: "Nothing is more important to MoMA than the health and safety of our community. We take seriously our responsibility as a civic institution to serve the public good." The Museum of Modern Art, MoMA PS1, and the MoMA Design Stores on 53rd Street and in Soho are all closed. 

Advertising
Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)
  • Attractions
  • Historic buildings and sites
  • Boerum Hill

BAM has suspended live programming and is closed until further notice.

"In consideration of the health of its audiences, staff, and artists, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) will immediately suspend all live programming.

Ticket holders for canceled presentations will be notified. Tickets may be refunded to the method of payment provided at the time of purchase, or alternately donated to BAM. Ticket buyers who purchased with cash are asked to contact BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100 for assistance."

  • Attractions
  • Midtown West

Edge is closed until futher notice.

"Edge will temporarily close effective Friday, March 13 following the latest guidance from the Governor. The health and safety of our employees and visitors remains our top priority. To help reduce infection risk, we will continue to conduct deep cleaning and disinfection of all spaces. We look forward to announcing when we’ll be able to welcome our staff and visitors back to Edge," they stated on their website.

Advertising
  • Nightlife
  • East Williamsburg

Avant Gardner has suspended all shows and is closed until further notice.

"As a venue and as members of a greater community, we find ourselves in uncharted waters. All events at Avant Gardner in the month of March are postponed and our team is actively working with agents, managers, artists, and clients to reschedule the affected shows. 
In the case that an event becomes impossible to reschedule, we will reach out to those ticket holders directly with more information,⁠" they stated.

Advertising
  • Museums
  • Art and design
  • Upper East Side
  • price 3 of 4

The Guggenheim is closed, and all events have also been canceled.

"As a proactive measure to protect the health of the museum’s visitors and staff, the museum is temporarily closed to the public until further notice. All tours and public events scheduled through April 30, 2020 are cancelled or postponed," they stated on their website.

 

  • Museums
  • Art and design
  • Meatpacking District
  • price 2 of 4

The Whitney Museum of American Art will close temporarily and cancel all events starting Friday at 5 pm.

"In the interest of protecting the wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, and visitors, and following guidance from local, state and federal authorities regarding measures that best promote public health, we have decided to temporarily close the Whitney to the public and cancel all events, beginning on Friday, March 13, at 5 pm," they wrote in a statement on their website. 

Advertising
  • Theater
  • Theater & Performance

All Broadway productions are effectively closed immediately. 

The Broadway League has announced that the ban will be in effect until Sunday, April 12.

“I don’t want to see Broadway go dark if we can avoid it,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said this morning. “I want to see if we can strike some kind of balance.” But as major New York cultural institutions fell like dominos today—including the Metropolitan Opera, the Metropolitan Museum and Carnegie Hall—it has become clear that Broadway would follow soon. People with tickets for performances through April 12 can contact their points of purchase to get refunds and exchanges for the canceled performances.

It remains to be seen how these productions will adjust to the closures. According to an estimate in Deadline, the shutdown will cost the industry more than $100 million in lost revenue. 

Advertising
  • Things to do

Spring Training games and the start of the 2020 regular season have been postponed, according to the MLB. MLB will announce changes to the schedule at a later time and "will remain flexible as events warrant, with the hope of resuming normal operations as soon as possible," it said in a statement. "Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our players, employees and fans." 

  • Things to do
  • City Life

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day on April 4 was going to offer free admission for two to the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, Museum of Arts and Design, Museum of Chinese in America, Dyckman Farmhouse Museum, Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, Intrepid Sea, Museum at Eldridge Street,  Air & Space Museum, Bard Graduate Center Gallery, Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden among others. 

It is now cancelled. The Smithsonian is also postponing/cancelling its public events through May 3.

Advertising
Carnegie Hall
  • Music
  • Music venues
  • Midtown West
  • price 4 of 4

Carnegie Hall has officially cancelled all March events, effective at midnight, March 13. Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute—whether taking place at Carnegie Hall or in off-site locations—is also suspended through May 10.

All free Carnegie Hall Citywide performances in venues throughout New York City are also cancelled through March 10, according to the venueIf you purchased tickets by credit card from Carnegie Hall for a performance that has been cancelled then you’ll receive automatic refunds. If you purchased by cash at the Box Office, you can email a scan or photo of the tickets to feedback@carnegiehall.org, along with complete contact details through June 30, 2020, for a refund. Those who purchased tickets directly from other concert presenters should contact that presenter for refund information.

Advertising
  • Things to do

The NHL has paused the 2019-20 season after a NBA player tested positive. "Following last night's news...and given that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and now it seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point–it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time."

  • Museums
  • Art and design
  • Central Park
  • price 3 of 4

The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that all three of its locations—The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters—will be closed starting Friday March 13. 

Daniel H. Weiss, President and CEO of the Museum, explained: "The Met's priority is to protect and support our staff, volunteers, and visitors, and we have been taking several proactive precautionary measures, including discouraging travel to affected areas, implementing rigorous cleaning routines, and staying in close communication with New York City health officials and the Centers for Disease Control. While we don't have any confirmed cases connected to the Museum, we believe that we must do all that we can to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our community, which at this time calls for us to minimize gatherings while maintaining the cleanest environment possible. We look forward to soon announcing when we'll be able to welcome our staff and visitors back to the Museum." 

Advertising
  • Shopping
  • Markets and fairs
  • Upper West Side

This Upper West Side year-round bazaar and one of NYC’s oldest and largest marketplaces for vintage and antiques, just announced they're shutting down their weekly markets through the end of the month. 

"Due to the current situation we are suspending our Sunday market activities until March 29," they wrote in a statement on their official Twitter account. "The health and safety of our vendors, visitors and staff is our highest priority. We thank you for your understanding and support. Stay safe!"

  • Things to do

This national non-profit fundraiser for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, is now rescheduled for June 13–14. The fundraiser and conference in June will still have the same highlights.

Advertising
  • Things to do
  • Festivals

The New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade will be postponed due to coronavirus, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced.

"Today I had several conversations with the organizers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade to determine whether the parade should move forward in light of the evolving situation and increased case count in the New York City area," Governor Cuomo said in a statement. "Following those conversations, I recommended and the parade's leadership agreed to postpone this year's parade due to the high density and the large volume of marchers and spectators who attend. While I know the parade organizers did not make this decision lightly, public health experts agree that one of the most effective ways to contain the spread of the virus is to limit large gatherings and close contacts, and I applaud the parade's leadership for working cooperatively with us. While the risk to New Yorkers remains low and we want to avoid social and economic disruptions, we have an obligation to take action to contain the spread of this virus."

This is the first time in the parade's 258-year history that it has been postponed. There was no word yet as to when the celebration would be rescheduled to.

  • Things to do
  • price 4 of 4

The GLAAD Media Awards will no longer take place on March 19.

GLAAD’s Rich Ferraro, Chief Communications Officer and an Executive Producer of the GLAAD Media Awards, issued the following statement:

"We were planning to unveil a historic get-out-the-vote campaign at the event because everything is at stake for LGBTQ Americans this election year, and are hopeful that the program and GLAAD’s ongoing work to fight against anti-LGBTQ discrimination will continue to be supported and funded. Since the event is canceled, our advocacy work will experience a loss of funding and we encourage community members and allies to consider becoming a GLAAD member to ensure this work continues."

Advertising
  • LGBTQ+
  • Midtown West
  • price 1 of 4

New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is closed indefinitely.

 Its annual Center Dinner on Thursday, April 2, is also canceled.

"This is a challenging and stressful time for all New Yorkers, and Center staff are working directly with our current clients to arrange services via teleconference or phone when possible," it said in a statement. "Center staff who are able to work remotely will do so during our closure, with limited staff available to respond to inquiries and questions related to the interruption in our services. Our phone lines will remain open during this time."  

Advertising
New York Public Libraries
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Attractions
  • Libraries, archives and foundations
  • Midtown West

The New York Public Library system, which covers the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, is suspending public programming at all of its branches for the month of March.

"The decision to cancel library programs was not taken lightly, as programs such as story times, technology training classes, and English language classes are lifelines for so many," NYPL said in a statement. "But considering the current situation, and the need to limit large crowds, this was the most responsible path forward to support the health and well-being of our communities."

While the NYPL has suspended all programming and events, the buildings themselves will remain open during regular hours.

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising