Fall leaves in NYC
Photograph: Shutterstock
Photograph: Shutterstock

Things to do on a Sunday in New York

Have fun like there’s no tomorrow with the best things to do on a Sunday in New York including events, brunch and more.

Rossilynne Skena Culgan
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There’s a reason Sunday rhymes with Funday. It’s another chance to make it a great day here in New York City!

Whether you’re planning a day trip from NYC, looking for an awesome festival, or finally have the time to see some of the best museum exhibitions in NYC, we’ve scoured all our listings to put together our favorite things to do on Sunday in NYC right here (as well as on Saturday and this weekend. And if you blew all your cash on Saturday, stick with our picks for the best free things to do in town.

RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in NYC right now

Things to do on Sunday

  • Things to do

This summer, Portugal meets NYC. 

Just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brooklyn's Time Out Market is collaborating with the Portugal Football Federation for a one-of-a-kind cultural celebration. Starting Saturday, June 13, the Dumbo market hall will transform into the multi-sensory activation, Portugal House. Not only will the Market turn into the ultimate fan experience for World Cup fans, but the immersive experience held on the 5th-floor rooftop will bring the region's food, drink and culture to NYC. A hub of Portugal's finest exports, the pop-up includes exclusive wine masterclasses and live cooking demonstrations, as well as interactive games and cultural events that are sure to transport you there. And for a true getaway, one lucky guest will win a trip to Portugal. 

Portugal House runs from Saturday, June 13, to July 18. Stay up-to-date on all of our happenings here

  • Music

Jay-Z is coming home in a way only a New York icon could. The Brooklyn-born legend will take over Yankee Stadium for two massive summer shows celebrating the albums that made him a titan of hip-hop. Announced by Roc Nation, the back-to-back concerts—dubbed “JAŸ-Z 30” and “JAŸ-Z 25”—are set for July 10 and July 11, respectively.

Each night is dedicated to a different milestone. The first marks 30 years of Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z’s 1996 debut that introduced his razor-sharp storytelling to the world, while the second celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint, his 2001 masterpiece that helped redefine the sound of modern rap.

The setting is as mythic as the music. Yankee Stadium has hosted its share of blockbuster concerts, but these shows feel especially personal. Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter in Brooklyn, has spent decades mythologizing the city in his lyrics, and his return for a career-spanning celebration at one of its most iconic venues lands as both a victory lap and a love letter.

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  • Things to do

Few summer traditions are as quintessentially New York as watching a movie beneath the stars with the Manhattan skyline glowing in the background. Brooklyn Bridge Park’s beloved Movies With A View series returns for its 26th season, bringing free outdoor screenings to Pier 1’s Harbor View Lawn on Thursday nights throughout July and August, plus a special family movie night in September. This year’s lineup will be Hamilton (July 2), When Harry Met Sally (July 9), Bend It Like Beckham (July 16), The Talented Mr. Ripley (July 23), Clueless (July 30), Jurassic Park (August 6), Do the Right Thing (August 13), Bridesmaids (August 20), Public Choice Screening (August 27) and How to Train Your Dragon (September 18). Bring a blanket, arrive early and settle in for one of the city’s most scenic movie nights.

  • Things to do

Hockey player romance has us all in a chokehold, and we will never complain. For one night only, Club 90s goes full Off Campus at Webster Hall, giving us the dance break we all need to work off some of that pent-up aggression we all feel every time Hannah and Garrett or Allie and Dean lock eyes. Plus, our other favorite steamy hockey puckers aren't left out; there will be Heated Rivalry edits, as well. Grab your sticks and see you on the dance floor on Friday, July 10!

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  • Things to do
  • Events & Festivals

Get ready to journey through the cosmos, right here in New York City. The highly-anticipated "Space Explorers: The ISS Experience" has officially opened at Eclipso New York at 55 West 57th Street for a strictly limited engagement. Based on the Primetime Emmy Award-winning immersive series by Felix & Paul Studios, this groundbreaking exhibit gives you the rare chance to step into the boots of an astronaut and experience life aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

While fewer than 300 people have actually traveled to the ISS over the past two decades, this ambitious free-roaming virtual reality experience opens the hatches to everyone. Developed by PHI Studio, Infinity Experiences and Felix & Paul Studios, the production has already captivated over 500,000 visitors worldwide since its 2021 global debut. Now, it brings its acclaimed blend of culture, innovation and wonder to the heart of Manhattan.

At the core of the exhibit is the largest cinematic production ever filmed in space. Shot over three years using custom-engineered, low-orbit camera systems the footage captures the raw, authentic reality of space travel. Utilizing cutting-edge 3D 360° VR technology, you'll be transported nearly 250 miles above Earth. You're free to roam the virtual environment, where you'll walk alongside real astronauts, witness thrilling spacewalks and listen to interviews about life in zero gravity.

  • Comedy
  • Improv

Comedy festivals all promise big laughs, but only the Fun & Dumb Improv Festival delivers 200-plus shows, 750 performers and four days of what organizers describe as "the silly stupid good stuff." Returning July 9–12, the fifth annual festival takes over the Brooklyn Comedy Collective and neighboring venues in East Williamsburg with a dizzying lineup of improv, sketch, musical comedy and experimental performances. Expect appearances from some of the biggest names in alternative comedy alongside emerging performers from across the country, plus workshops for aspiring improvisers and late-night jams for anyone still standing. Whether you're an improv obsessive or simply looking for an excuse to spend an entire weekend laughing, this sprawling festival offers enough absurdity to keep you busy from morning until the wee hours.

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  • Things to do

Jazz in July returns to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, turning Thursday evenings into one of the city's most idyllic outdoor concerts. Held on July 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 6pm to 8pm, the series pairs live jazz performances with activities, artist talks and tours, making it easy to spend an entire afternoon wandering among the blooms before settling onto the lawn. This year's lineup includes Fernando García & the Lux Quintet, Gashford Guillaume & the Creole Fusion Ensemble, Itai Kriss and Telavana, and Prince Emagine & Friends. Bring a blanket, grab a drink from the pop-up bar and soak in golden-hour vibes—just leave the outside food and folding chairs at home. All performances are included with regular admission. 

  • Sports and fitness
  • Sports & Fitness

A free FIFA Arena soccer field has quietly opened inside Central Park, giving New Yorkers a chance to play on a dedicated World Cup-themed pitch through July 18. Installed in the parking lot near Tavern on the Green, the temporary small-sided field is open to players of all ages and skill levels, and best of all, it won't cost you a dime.

The field is open daily through July 18, with two sessions each day: 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm. Most days are dedicated to open play, allowing visitors to jump into pickup games or kick a ball around with friends.

Several special events are also scheduled throughout the activation, including a Youth Skills Academy for kids ages 6 to 14 on June 20 from 10am to 2pm, a Neighborhood Cup community tournament on June 27 from 4pm to 8pm, a Soccer in Schools educator event on July 8 from 6pm to 8pm and the U.S. Soccer Girls Summit on July 11 from 10am to 2pm. The installation wraps up with a closing celebration on July 18 from 4pm to 8pm.

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  • Things to do

Hackers, tinkerers and curious tech obsessives, this one's for you. Long-running hacker conference Summercon returns to Brooklyn on July 10 and 11 for a weekend of technical talks, cybersecurity deep dives and the kind of delightfully nerdy conversations that continue long after the official programming ends. Unlike massive convention-center affairs, Summercon embraces a more intimate, irreverent vibe, transforming a cluster of Gowanus venues into a walkable hacker village complete with presentations, workshops, parties and live music. 

  • Theater & Performance

"The Black Mirror Experience," a new immersive attraction inspired by Charlie Brooker's hit dystopian anthology series, made its U.S. debut at The Shed on June 20. Running through September 6, the limited-engagement experience promises to place visitors directly inside an original story set within the Black Mirror universe—complete with artificial intelligence, virtual reality and the creeping sense that something has gone terribly wrong. That is, of course, a universe distinct from the dystopian one in which we currently reside.

Producers have created an entirely new narrative designed specifically for the immersive format. Guests are invited to the grand opening of a showroom belonging to Phaethon, a powerful technology company preparing to unveil LifeAgent, a humanoid robot built to streamline your life, anticipate your needs and help you become your "best self."

The 60-minute experience combines physical sets with free-roaming virtual reality technology, allowing groups of up to six participants to move through the story together as its central characters. No prior knowledge of Black Mirror is required, though longtime fans will recognize the show's signature blend of technological optimism and existential dread. (Again, separate from our current reality.)

Free things to do this Sunday

  • Shakespeare
  • Central Park
Boomerang Theatre Company returns—as boomerangs are wont to do!—with Shakespeare's rollicking comedy, a battle of the sexes to which the Geneva Conventions don't apply: A swaggering gold digger breaks the spirit of his headstrong bride through starvation, brainwashing and sleep deprivation. Philip Emeott directs the production, which stars Thane Madsen and Katy Castaldi as the contentious couple and is performed for free at 2pm on weekends in Central Park (enter from Central Park West at 69th St). Tickets can be reserved in advance. 
  • Shakespeare
  • Upper West Side
As the middle show of its summer schedule, Hudson Classical Theater Company presents Shakespeare's wordy revenge tragedy, where a ghost and a prince meet and everyone ends in mincemeat. Company honcho Nicholas Martin-Smith directs; attendance is free and reservations are not required.
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  • Shakespeare
  • Midtown West
Who says you need huge movie stars to do Othello? Classical Theatre of Harlem's annual series of free outdoor performances in Marcus Garvey Park—sometimes known as Uptown Shakespeare in the Park—presents Shakespeare's fast-paced tragedy of jealousy, race and misplaced trust, in which a villain preys on the insecurities of a dark-skinned war hero married to a Venetian woman. Carl Cofield directs the full production, which stars James Udom, Nick Westrate, Isabel Arraiza, Orlando Grant, Keren Lugo and Hiram Delgado. Tickets are free but reservations (and donations) are suggested.

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