Mark Peikert

Getting seats to the best Broadway shows usually requires quite a bit of advance planning. But what if you haven't planned, and you urgently need to see a show tomorrow or even tonight? Don't panic: There are plenty of options for last-minute tickets, especially if you’re willing to put in some legwork. It partly depends on what you're willing to pay and how much risk you're willing to take—and, of course, on plain old luck. If everything goes your way, you might even luck into cheap Broadway tickets, great seats or a chance to see hit shows that you would never have been able to get into earlier. Here is our insider guide to buying last-minute Broadway tickets. The day before the show: Enter the digital lottery Many Broadway shows—including Aladdin, The Book of Mormon and Hadestown—conduct digital lotteries for cheap tickets on the day before each performance. In most cases, you enter the lottery online, then wait until later the same day to find out by email if you've won; if you do, you'll need to reply to the ticket offer within an hour or you'll lose your chance. A few shows, such as Wicked, do their drawings on the morning of the show itself; others have drawings once a week, notably the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child $40 ticket lottery and the $10 Hamilton lottery, both of which happen on Fridays and cover the week ahead. For a full list of shows that offer lotteries, consult Broadway on a Budget or Playbill's Broadway and Off Broadway listings. The morning of the s

Attention proud nerds: Anime After Dark is about to tip nerd culture into a deliriously playful burlesque fantasia at The Slipper Room. Expect a high-gloss collision of cosplay and cabaret as performers bring JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Spy x Family, Pokémon, Cowboy Bebop, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Ghost in the Shell and Sailor Moon to life with wit, heat, and precision. Featuring Lychee Mynx, Happy Bun Bun, Storm Psycho 6, Mae B. Koi and more. 

Tap your toes and enjoy the music at the 15th Annual Blue Note Jazz Festival, with performances running from June 1 through July 1. The festival pops up at major venues across NYC, including Sony Hall, Blue Note Jazz Club and SummerStage in Central Park. This year's performances include Ledisi, Durand Bernarr, Big Freedia, UMI, Bestin Conrad, Shabaka Hutchins, Kokoroko, Cymande, Take 6, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jose James, BLK ODYSSY Louie Vega: Elements of Life and more. Here's the full lineup with ticketing info. 

Whether you’re excited about or terrified by artificial intelligence, it seems to be here to stay. Creatives can learn how to work with AI at RenderCon—which offers a deep dive into the future of media, art and technology as it relates to AI. Hosted by the Render Network, the conference hosts artists—including L.A.-based Refik Anadol, the mind behind soon-to-open Dataland—developers and industry leaders for two days of talks, panels and hands-on workshops focused on real-world AI production workflows. Expect practical insights, demos of cutting-edge new tools and networking opportunities.

Erstwhile podcast host and comic about town Marc Maron has been branching out into live music lately. He’ll bring both the laughs and the melodies with his Marc Maron Band for one night only this April 13 at Lodge Room. Joining him on the bill will be special guest comedians Blair Socci and Lara Beitz. 

The Sierra Club has organized this inaugural Earth Day concert, dubbed Sierra Sessions. Hosted by KCRW DJ Novena Carmel, the night will feature performances by eco-conscious songwriters and storytellers, including Hurray for the Riff Raff, Irene Diaz, Dr. Lyla June, Rising Appalachia, Rozzi and more. Each artist will perform a few songs in the intimacy of Village Studios and share reflections on nature and life on Earth. If you can’t make it in person, the concert will be streamed on YouTube on Earth Day, when the various chapters of the Sierra Club will also host watch parties. If you can make it to the show, stick around afterward for an after-party.

Timed to the United States’ 250th anniversary, the American Folk Art Museum's Folk Nation: Crafting Patriotism in the United States exhibition explores how vernacular art has shaped national identity. Using the museum’s collection, the show delves into the meanings of “folk,” “nation” and “patriotism” at the 2 Lincoln Square gallery. It offers a thought-provoking look at who is represented in American stories and how those stories change. The show runs April 10–September 13, then reopens October 8 and runs through February 28, 2027.

Step into the atmospheric Crypt of the Cathedral at St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave.) for Music in the Crypt, a hauntingly intimate concert from Grammy-winning Experiential Orchestra led by James Blachly. The program, shaped by the space’s resonant acoustics, features works by Franz Schreker, Caroline Shaw and Beethoven. Performances are scheduled for 7:30pm on April 10, and at 5pm and 7:30pm on April 11.

Discover new global perspectives at the inaugural CONDUCTOR Art Fair of the Global Majority, a boutique event spotlighting artists and galleries from historically underrepresented regions. Running April 30 to May 3 at Brooklyn's Powerhouse Arts (322 3rd Ave.), the fair brings together work from across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Oceania and Indigenous nations. Curated by Adriana Farietta in collaboration with Powerhouse Arts, expect a showcase that challenges traditional art market narratives while celebrating the richness and diversity of global contemporary art. 

A Current Affair returns to Brooklyn with 70 premier vintage retailers on April 11 and April 12, offering thrifters access to some of the best deals around, not to mention rare and collectible designer vintage. Come out to the Industry City location in Brooklyn at 51 34th St. on Saturday and Sunday, and browse clothes, bags, accessories, jewelry and more. General admission is $21.88, but early-bird and weekend passes are also available at higher price points.

The Met Gala? In this economy? The Debt Gala provides an inclusive alternative to the Met's annual satorial spectacle—all to raise money for Americans in medical debt.  The annual Debt Gala comes to Williamsburg's Music Hall on Sunday, May 3, with the theme "Body of Werrrk." The tongue-in-cheek event swaps formality for fun, reshaping the traditional gala experience into an open celebration for all. The theme is meant to encourage guests to design fashionable riffs on the human form.  In addition to throwing a great party, the event also centers economic justice and the struggle to afford rising costs of care. In its first two years, the Debt Gala has helped eliminate over $4 million in medical debt for struggling families. This year, proceeds from the Debt Gala will support Undue Medical Debt and Point of Pride. The red carpet begins at 4pm, followed by a 6pm show and an 8pm dance party. 

Folks flock to this annual floral-filled exhibition at Macy’s Herald Square, where jaw-dropping arrangements are on display for two weeks. The theme for this year's installment is "Homegrown," part of the nationwide celebration of America's 250th birthday, "expressed through flowers, fiber and timeless handicrafts," per Macy's. From Thursday, April 23 through Sunday, May 10, explore greenhouse-inspired installations, breathtaking bloom-filled planters, decorative stained-glass garden panels, sculptural fabric birds, yarn-wrapped trees and more in the immersive spring spectacle. 

It would be nearly impossible (or at the very least, incredibly time-consuming) to visit all of the restaurants in the Lower East Side. Luckily, Taste of the Lower East Side brings all of our favorites together in one place, and they are doing it all for charity. On Wednesday, April 29, dozens of the neighborhood's best restaurants, bars and small businesses are coming together to serve the best food and drinks in town. Pile up a plate with bites and drinks from Beauty & Essex, Freemans, Mia's Cocina and more. It is all going down at the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues). Tickets range from $300 for general admission and up, with proceeds going to  Grand St. Settlement.

The Frick Collection has figured out a particularly elegant way to make you appreciate what NYC has to offer: put you in a gorgeous museum, surround you with great art and then add live classical music. The museum has announced its 2026–27 concert season, continuing the ambitious programming launched after the Frick's renovation. The new Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium at the museum's Upper East Side home hosts a concert program that brings internationally celebrated musicians, chamber ensembles and early-music specialists into the Frick. The programming is designed to bring music into conversation with the museum's collection.  RECOMMENDED: Lincoln Center announces 2026–27 season of live programming, including a long-awaited stage reunion between Audra McDonald and Billy Porter Now, that programming takes a dainty step out of the auditorium and into the garden with the 2026–27 concert season. The fall exhibition Siena: The Art of Bronze, 1450–1500 inspires two weekends of programming in November. Early-music specialists Jasper Snow, Georgia Burashko, Joshua Cheatham and Richard Pittsinger will perform surviving fragments of Sienese polyphony, while Antwerp-based ensemble Graindelavoix presents a program centered on Sena vetus, a ceremonial motet honoring the Tuscan city. And there will also be pop-up performances in the Garden Court on November 14 and 22, ahead of evening concerts. The performances are included with museum admission, offering visitors a chance to hear the s

Broadway is about to become slightly less financially terrifying (though probably not for producers). NYC Broadway Week returns this September with its semiannual 2-for-1 ticket deal, giving theatergoers a chance to see 25 Broadway shows for the price of one ticket and the knowledge that they can still afford to eat. The fall edition runs Tuesday, September 8 through Sunday, September 20, with tickets on sale beginning today, August 18 at 10am. RECOMMENDED: Current Broadway Shows in NYC: The Complete A-Z List And no, the offerings aren't just the long-running revivals that you've probably already seen. The beauty of Broadway week is that so many productions participate in an effort to let you and yours see something fresh and exciting. Or as fresh and exciting as the current Broadway economic climate will allow.  Among the participating productions are & Juliet, Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Buena Vista Social Club, Chicago, The Great Gatsby, Hadestown, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Just in Time, The Lion King, The Lost Boys, Maybe Happy Ending, MJ, Oh, Mary!, Operation Mincemeat, The Outsiders, Paranormal Activity, The Rocky Horror Show, Schmigadoon!, School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play, Six, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Titaníque, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) and Wicked. Of note: Just in Time, The Lost Boys, Paranormal Activity, The Rocky Horror Show, Schmigadoon!, School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play and Titaníque are participat

Looks like she really, really, really, really, really, really hates him, now that Carly Rae Jepsen has been announced as one of the songwriters for a new Broadway musical adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You, with a book co-written by Lena Dunham. RECOMMENDED: Lin-Manuel Miranda's new musical Warriors is coming to Broadway next spring Yes, it's something of a millennial fever dream: A cult-classic '90s rom-com, reimagined for the Broadway musical stage by Dunham and Jepsen. The show will begin previews on August 17, 2027, at a theater to be announced, starring a cast also to be announced. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 10 Things I Hate About You on Broadway (@10thingsbway) That means no word yet on who will take over the roles that turned Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt into stars, but this creative team is already a selling point. In addition to a book by Dunham and playwright Jessica Huang and music and lyrics by Jepsen and Ethan Gruska, Tony winner Christopher Wheeldon will direct and choreograph, while Tony and Grammy Award winner Tom Kitt handles music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations. The musical will return audiences to the halls of Padua High, where two sisters are navigating crushes, cliques, teenage rebellion and the eternal struggle of figuring out who you are when everyone else has an opinion about it. According to the production, this new take will focus on growing up, discovering yoursel

There's something so revealing about which airline you stay devoted to, something that speaks directly to what you value and appreciate. That's why AirlineRatings.com and its 2026 Flyers’ Choice Awards are so compelling: It's all based on passenger votes. Singapore Airlines was the biggest winner globally, taking home four awards: Preferred Economy Airline, Best Cabin Crew, Best Airline in Central and Southeast Asia and Airline That Gave the Greatest Peace of Mind. The awards drew approximately 40,000 verified votes from travelers around the world.  But for American travelers, the most relevant result is closer to home. Delta Air Lines has once again been named the preferred airline in the USA and Canada, beating United and American Airlines. (The three U.S. carriers took the top three spots in that order.)  RECOMMENDED: Here are the best and worst airports in the U.S. for summer 2026 travel That means Delta is officially the airline that travelers in the region would most like to fly. Or rather, it's the airline that the people who voted would most like to fly. And while these awards shouldn't be confused with a scientific ranking of airline performance, there's something telling about seeing what passengers prefer. The distinction matters. AirlineRatings says its other major awards, including World's Safest Airlines and World's Best Airline, are judged by its editorial team using specific criteria. The Flyers' Choice Awards, meanwhile, are based entirely on passenger feedb

Chicago has plenty of initiation rituals, but few are quite as punishing (or rewarding!) as your first shot of Malört. And good news for everyone putting it—and every other gustatory token of belonging: Today, August 13, Jeppson’s Malört is teaming up with The Wiener’s Circle for a one-day takeover that pairs the famously bitter spirit with two other Chicago staples. The $13 “JAGOFF COMBO” is, in the technical sense, a meal. It comes with a shot of Jeppson’s Malört, an Old Style beer and a mini Chicago hot dog, giving you everything you need to experience several of the city’s most recognizable flavors in one deeply questionable sitting, as well as more options than most fast-food chains.  The takeover is part of Malört’s new “My First Malört” campaign, which celebrates the singular experience of trying the Chicago spirit for the first time. (Pop star Hilary Duff recently took a stage shot of the divisive hooch and had a less-than-glowing reaction.) RECOMMENDED: This beloved West Loop brunch spot is closing after 36 years, but you still have time to dine The Wiener's Circle is known for its char-grilled dogs, burgers and fries, as well as the famously profane counter banter that has become as much a part of the experience as the food itself. It's casual, fast and particularly beloved as a late-night stop, which is exactly why a Malört event works there. For Malört virgins, the "JAGOFF COMBO" is a potently Chicago way to get initiated. And for those who already know and love

Hello fellow kids! Broadway is about to get a whole lot more accessible for us. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) announced a new program offering thousands of free and low-cost tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows through summer and into the fall. The biggest prize is a lottery for more than 2,000 free tickets to seven Broadway shows: Buena Vista Social Club, In the Heights at New York City Center, School Girls Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, The Lost Boys, The Great Gatsby and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). Lottery winners can claim up to two tickets. RECOMMENDED: The best Broadway shows for kids right now There is a deadline, though: The lottery is open through 10am on Monday, August 17, so eligible students will want to get their names in sooner rather than later. Students can enter at the city's Broadway lottery website. And even if Lady Luck doesn't come through with those free Broadway seats, entering the lottery comes with another pretty great consolation prize. Every student who enters automatically receives a free two-month TDF membership, which provides access to discounted tickets to Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway shows, as well as music, museums and dance. Those discounted tickets typically cost between $20 and $40. The membership also opens the door to some of the city's biggest cultural institutions. Participating organizations include the American Museum of Natural

The World Cup just ended, and somehow it's already almost time for football season. That means that while the Miami Dolphins are preparing to play football, the rest of us prepare to spend approximately four hours per home game in traffic or parking lot tangles. Fortunately, there’s a less painful option: Brightline is bringing back its End Zone Express for a fourth season, offering complimentary shuttle service between its Aventura station and Hard Rock Stadium for Dolphins home games throughout the 2026 season, beginning August 22 for the first preseason NFL game. “Game day is about the experience from start to finish, and Brightline is proud to make that journey easier for fans throughout the football season,” said Ashley Blasewitz, Brightline spokesperson, in a statement announcing the shuttle's return. “The return of End Zone Express gives guests a seamless connection between Brightline Aventura Station and Hard Rock Stadium, combining the convenience of rail travel with complimentary stadium shuttle service for a safe and more relaxed way to arrive, cheer and celebrate.” RECOMMENDED: I took the Brightline train from Miami to Orlando and discovered an entirely new side to the city Debuting in 2023, the End Zone Express has become one of Brightline's most popular services. Aventura Station is located at 19796 W. Dixie Highway, roughly 6 miles from Hard Rock Stadium, while the shuttle drops passengers off at NW 199th Street near the Gate 3 pedestrian bridge at the stadiu

This fall, you may want to ask yourself, "Do I really need to fly out of Logan?" Beginning August 31, Logan International Airport will close Runway 27 for roughly 75 days as crews begin the second phase of a major safety project. According to Massachusetts Port Authority, or Massport, construction is expected to wrap before Thanksgiving, but there's a lot of life happening in September and October from Labor Day trips to college visits. And no construction project ever falls behind schedule, right? RECOMMENDED: There's a new direct flight from Boston to this popular Caribbean city The closure is in order to install an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS), which uses lightweight, crushable material to help stop an aircraft if it overruns the runway. Logan already has EMAS installations at Runways 22R and 33L, in case you're an aficionado of airport runways. Phase 2 follows work completed last fall and will involve constructing a deck to support the new safety system, with part of that structure extending over the water. And no, the runway is not getting longer. The catch for travelers is capacity. With Runway 27 out of commission, Logan will have fewer options for moving planes around, particularly when bad weather or other operational restrictions come into play. Massport says travelers could see delays during periods of inclement weather, air traffic restrictions and other disruptions. The closure will also change routes around the region. Because flights will be shif

Chappell Roan is coming back to Los Angeles, but not for anything as mundane as a concert. Roan and her Midwest Princess Project have announced The Super Graphic Spectacular, a two-night fundraiser at the Shrine on October 21 and 22. The event will combine live music, drag, comedy, special guests and community activities, with "a special Chappell Roan performance" included. (How special and what kind of performance are not elaborated on.) More performers and guests will be announced later.  RECOMMENDED: EXCLUSIVE: Drunk Shakespeare is finally making its Los Angeles debut with boozy, bloodsucking fun The event is the flagship annual fundraiser for the Midwest Princess Project, the nonprofit Roan launched in 2025 to support trans youth and LGBTQ+ communities. But rather than just raising money via the two nights of concerts, the organization says the Super Graphic Spectacular will include hands-on volunteer opportunities supporting local LGBTQ+ organizations, providing a real sense of contributing rather than just donating. And the money goes where it needs to: All net proceeds from the event will support the Midwest Princess Project’s programs and partner organizations. The project says it has already raised $800,000, supporting more than 60 organizations, including the Ali Forney Center, the LGBT Center, TransLatin@ Coalition and Trans Wellness Center, while also supporting Backline, which provides mental-health resources to music-industry workers.  The event also arrives at

If you’re flying through Washington, D.C., on Sunday, August 23, you might want to check your itinerary: The FAA has announced they it will temporarily pause all flight operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) for three full hours on that date, starting at 10:15am and ending at 1:15pm. (However, the agency says that timing could change, so travelers should check directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.) RECOMMENDED: Here are the best and worst airports in the U.S. for summer 2026 travel The reason for all this airborne disruption? IndyCar is coming to the nation’s capital. Yes, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23, on a 1.7-mile street circuit around the National Mall, with the race itself scheduled for Sunday. The course will run along major stretches near the U.S. Capitol, including Pennsylvania and Independence avenues. Naturally, putting a racetrack next to some of the country’s most restricted airspace requires a little coordination. The FAA says it has been working with stakeholders on traffic-management measures designed to keep air traffic moving safely during the event. On race day, that means air traffic will just... stop.  The three-hour pause doesn’t necessarily mean every flight scheduled around that window will be canceled. Airlines will adjust schedules, and the FAA’s timing remains subject to change. But if your itinerary includes arriving at or departing from DCA aroun

One of the world's most celebrated tropical bars is offering drinkers the chance to experience their beloved drinks on the open water. What could be more tiki than that? On Thursday, August 27, Three Dots and a Dash is emerging from its subterranean River North home base to partner with Shoreline Sightseeing for a 90-minute cocktail cruise departing from Navy Pier at 7:30pm. The floating happy hour will offer a lineup of the bar's signature tropical cocktails, as well as light bites, music and sunset views of Chicago's skyline. For cocktail lovers, it's an opportunity to experience one of the city's best bars in an entirely new light (literally). RECOMMENDED: The Chicago Air and Water show will look different this year—here's what's changing Since opening in 2013, Three Dots and a Dash has helped redefine tiki culture in America. Named after the Morse code sequence for the letter "V" (the victory symbol during World War II), the subterranean bar has become a destination for tropical fanatics as well as casual fans who enjoy a flaming drink, elaborate garnishes and Polynesian-inspired vibes. But underpinning the playful presentation is one of the country's most respected beverage programs. The bar has earned multiple nominations from the James Beard Foundation, regularly appears on lists of North America's best bars and has been recognized by Tales of the Cocktail's Spirited Awards, among the industry's highest honors.  That reputation makes the collaboration with Shoreline Si

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but it at least leaves travelers with a smile, according to a new study.  A new report from Irish travel insurance company Just Cover analyzed more than a million online reviews of 155 popular international destinations to determine where visitors felt happiest. Rather than looking at hotel stars or bucket-list attractions, researchers measured the percentage of reviews that expressed positive emotions. And apparently, gamblers who lose don't review Las Vegas, because Sin City topped the U.S. destinations.  What could be so pleasurable about a city built around casinos, entertainment, all-you-can-eat buffets and pool time? Actually, that's probably exactly why Vegas ranks so highly on the happiest places on Earth. Add in world-class restaurants, blockbuster residencies, over-the-top resorts and mind-blowing offerings at The Sphere, and yeah, Vegas is probably a lot happier than NYC. RECOMMENDED: This Floridian destination was just named one of the most beautiful towns in the world, and it’s not the one you think Las Vegas ranked fourth overall globally, behind Tulum, Mexico; Soufrière, Saint Lucia; and Oaxaca, Mexico. The top 10 also includes three other U.S. destinations: Maui (No. 5), New York City (No. 6) and Chicago (No. 9). Other American cities that left travelers happy in the top 20 list were Austin, New Orleans, Miami, San Francisco, Nashville, Los Angeles and Boston. Some high-profile cities were left out entirely, including Pari