Trust me; you are only one of many if you know where you can go or what you can do to enjoy this year’s N.Y.C. summer. I don’t even know either, haha! Do you want me to put some places on your radar? Keep reading for fun, yummy, and exciting ways to take advantage of these hot days.
Main events during June
While June 19 is the official holiday, Juneteenth is celebrated all month in New York City. The Staten Island Juneteenth Freedom celebration at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the Juneteenth in Queens celebration, Brooklyn’s Juneteenth NY Celebration, and activities and programming at the many branches of the New York Public Library are a few of the more significant commemorations. Attendance at many of these events is free.
The Tribeca Film Festival has been giving avant-garde filmmakers a stage to showcase their most recent works and some significant film debuts for over 20 years. The 2024 schedule will feature many movies, including upcoming blockbusters, thought-provoking documentaries, international films, shorts, and panel discussions and talks. Various forms of entertainment are welcome to submit works this year so that viewers may anticipate pieces from the T.V., video games, and audio storytelling genres. One noteworthy event is a tribute to festival founder Robert De Niro, who turned 80 last year. Entitled De Niro Con, it will highlight his numerous cinematic accomplishments.
Outdoor Concerts
Enjoy listening to music outside? You’re fortunate since every summer, New York City provides that opportunity in large quantities. While Governors Ball and Celebrate Brooklyn are the most well-known examples, numerous other festival events and concert series bring musical acts to outdoor sites around the five boroughs. With a mix of famous performers, up-and-comers, and cult favorites ready to perform in a picturesque setting, each year is unique but reliable. This season, you may catch performances by Kim Gordon, Earl Sweatshirt, Justin Vivian Bond, and Khruangbin, to name a few. Fans of jazz, theater, opera, soca, and almost every other musical genre are also well-served.
Honorable Mentions: Habibi Festival at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, on July 20; Chuck Chillout 4oth Anniversary Party at Crotona Park, The Bronx, on August 1; Terry Riley’s in C at the Upper West Side of Manhattan on June 30.
UPDATE: I went to the Governors Ball Festival for the first time on June 7 of this year, and I already wish it was 2025 so I could attend again. There were many different artists, genres, passionate fans, things in common, and much more. I loved it so much.
Queens Night Market
Every Saturday night throughout the summer (and even into the fall) offers free live music, locally sourced snacks, handcrafted goods, and the contentment of knowing you can get an empanada to-go and retire before 10 o’clock. Since each dish costs only $6, you can try many different ones.
NYC Beaches
People are frequently shocked to learn that N.Y.C. has beaches, yet there are many of them. Some weekdays and off-peak hours allow you to have a section of a place like Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn all to yourself. Take a weekend trip to witness the best people-watching in New York City. Cooling yourself in the breeze and ocean is ideal regardless of your preference.
Go out and SHAKE IT!!!
Pop-up dance parties in the CityCity are a way to celebrate with others during the summer. Initially held in Greenpoint Terminal in 2021, Hot Honey Sundays have expanded to include locations such as the Knockdown Center, Elsewhere, and even Circle Line Cruises (for those who prefer to dance on boats). Another option is the indoor-outdoor dancing club called ‘Mr. Sunday at Nowadays’ in Queens. Next up is Summer of Love, a Sunday outdoor festival series presented by House of Yes at Greenpoint’s Under The K Bridge Park, a skate park (2019 schedule still needs to be released). Remember to dress up or dress in costume.
