Events & Things To Do

July 11, 2025

Life-size Edward Hopper paintings pop up in the Meatpacking District

In a fluorescent-lit diner on a dark city street, film noir-type characters look aloof at the counter while a waiter tends to them. It’s 1942, and the scene is called "Nighthawks." This painting by artist Edward Hopper is regarded as one of the most famous American paintings. Although it depicts a fictional street corner, the artwork was inspired "by a restaurant Hopper had seen on Greenwich Avenue in New York," according to the Art Institute of Chicago, where the painting resides. The largest collection of Hopper’s works, including "A Woman in the Sun," however, can be found at the Whitney Museum. If you have your hearts set on seeing "Nighthawks," though, the Whitney and the Meatpacking District have leveled up the experience by allowing art lovers to step inside the iconic painting.
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July 10, 2025

Central Park’s new public pool is now open

Swimming is back in Central Park. The Gottesman Pool opened last month as part of the new $160 million Davis Center at the Harlem Meer. Located on the northern end of the park, the elongated oval pool measures 285 feet by 120 feet, making it bigger than an Olympic-size pool and one of the largest public pools in New York City.
dive in
July 3, 2025

Largest fleet of tall ships to sail into NYC next summer to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary

Next year, the largest fleet of tall ships ever to sail into New York Harbor will arrive to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. From July 3 through July 8, 2026, the once-in-a-generation "Sail4th 250" will bring six days of festivities across the five boroughs, including the arrival of 30 tall ships and 40 gray-hull vessels from around the world on July 4. The celebration is expected to draw more than eight million visitors to the city and generate a record-breaking $2.85 billion in economic impact. Highlights include a special U.S. Navy Fleet Week, a Blue Angels air show, displays of rare historical documents, and more.
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July 2, 2025

This year’s ‘Summer Streets’ will run length of Manhattan, with car-free corridor from Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood

More than 22 miles of car-free streets will open to New Yorkers for outdoor recreation and summer fun starting this month. On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams announced the city's largest ever "Summer Streets" program, which will dedicate select roadways across all five boroughs to pedestrians and cyclists from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on five consecutive Saturdays, from July 26 through August 23. Notably, for the first time, Summer Streets will run the length of Manhattan, offering car-free streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Dyckman Street in Inwood.
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July 2, 2025

Best spots to see Macy’s 4th of July fireworks for free

The spectacular Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show returns to the East River this Friday for its 49th year. The annual Independence Day tradition rings in the nation's birthday in bombastic style, with more than 80,000 shells launched from four barges surrounding the Brooklyn Bridge. While plenty of ticketed fireworks watch parties take place across the city, there are a few viewing areas along the Lower Manhattan waterfront that offer the best views and do not require a ticket or cover.
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June 30, 2025

New sleeper cabin hotel in Noho brings trendy, affordable lodging to downtown Manhattan

New York isn’t known for being a bargain, but a new hotel that opened this spring is bringing affordable lodging to one of Manhattan’s most desirable downtown neighborhoods. A unique concept hotel called Now Now NoHo offers sleeper-cabin-style rooms designed for solo travelers, "inspired by the efficiency of Japanese capsule hotels, the romance of European train cars, and the communal vibe of boutique hostels." The single-occupancy cabins start at $125/night.
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June 30, 2025

NYC is giving out free tickets for front-row views of Macy’s 4th of July fireworks

The 49th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks return to the East River on Friday, setting the sky ablaze with a mesmerizing display of color. This year’s show will feature over 80,000 shells launched from four barges surrounding the Brooklyn Bridge near the South Street Seaport, with many public viewing spots available for a prime view. To help New Yorkers secure a front-row seat to the show, Mayor Eric Adams announced this week that the city will give away 100,000 tickets to designated sections of Pier 16 and Pier 17 and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The tickets will be available online starting at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, on a first-come, first-served basis.
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June 26, 2025

4th of July in NYC: 18 places for fun and fireworks

This year, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show will return to the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. For its 49th annual show, Macy's will launch fireworks from four barges positioned near the Brooklyn Bridge and South Street Seaport. Those celebrating closer to the west side of Manhattan can also enjoy Jersey City's show over the Hudson River. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best ticketed Independence Day celebrations across the five boroughs, from prime waterfront views atop rooftops to front-row seats along the East River.
where to watch
June 26, 2025

The spirit of Wimbledon comes to Brooklyn Bridge Park

New Yorkers can experience the thrill of Wimbledon in full floral fashion at Brooklyn Bridge Park this July. "The Hill in New York" returns from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13, offering a chance to watch the tennis tournament in an English garden–inspired setting, with the Brooklyn Bridge and NYC skyline as iconic backdrops. Presented by the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club and Brooklyn Bridge Park, the event kicks off on July 11 with a free opening concert by Rita Ora, followed by screenings of the ladies’ singles and gentlemen’s doubles finals on July 12, and the ladies’ doubles and gentlemen’s singles finals on July 13. Admission is free via an online ballot, which is open through July 1.
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June 18, 2025

12 spots to watch outdoor movies in NYC this summer

Grab a blanket and your favorite snacks—outdoor movie season is back. One of the best ways to end a summer day is by watching acclaimed films alongside fellow New Yorkers in a scenic public space. Ahead, 6sqft has put together a list of the best spots to catch outdoor movies this summer, from the historic flight deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid to iconic green spaces like Bryant Park and Union Square.
Movie nights await
June 16, 2025

Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade returns to the boardwalk on Saturday

The colorful, sea-inspired Mermaid Parade splashes back onto the Coney Island boardwalk this weekend for its 43rd year. Hosted by the nonprofit Coney Island USA, the beloved event is the nation's largest art parade, drawing around 5,000 participants in hand-crafted, sea-themed costumes and elaborate floats. This year’s celebration takes place on Saturday, June 21, at 1 p.m., rain or shine.
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June 10, 2025

Manhattan Park’s pool deck is bursting with color and patterns

Roosevelt Island luxury rental Manhattan Park unveiled the design for its 11th annual outdoor pool art installation this week. Titled "Waves of Joy," this year’s design comes from Parisian artist Meri Karapetyan, who spent 14 days and used 26 gallons of paint to transform the waterfront pool deck with vibrant hues inspired by water, leaves, and the summer sun. The mural is part of the community’s annual Pop-Up Pool Party, which debuts each summer to beautify the outdoor space ahead of pool season.
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June 10, 2025

How to celebrate Juneteenth 2025 in NYC

More than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freedom finally reached the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. Celebrated by Black Americans for over 100 years and only recently made a public holiday, Juneteenth commemorates that historic moment, seen as an occasion to honor resilience, uplift communities, and spotlight Black culture. This year, the festivities take on added significance as the holiday marks its 160th anniversary. Ahead, discover ways to celebrate Juneteenth in NYC, from free festivals in public parks to programming at some of the city's top museums.
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June 6, 2025

Christie’s opens free exhibition of Maurice Sendak’s personal collection ahead of auction

Christie’s is presenting a free exhibition and special auction featuring the personal collection of beloved children’s book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. On view at 20 Rockefeller Plaza through June 10, the exhibition includes Sendak’s drawings, works by other children’s book artists, first printings of books by William Blake, Disney memorabilia, and more. The auction will be held in person and online on June 10, what would have been Sendak’s 97th birthday, and will feature art, rare books, and artifacts that inspired him, with proceeds supporting the Sendak Fellowship to nurture the next generation of children’s book artists.
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June 6, 2025

City unveils new public art on medians, sidewalks, and streets across NYC

New York City has commissioned five vibrant pieces of art, one in each borough, to enliven public spaces. On Wednesday, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced plans for temporary, site-specific pieces through the agency’s Community Commissions initiative. The projects range from sculptures to asphalt murals, including "Public Access" on Staten Island, "Aunties" in Manhattan, "Limes" in Brooklyn, "Weaving the Future: A Vessel of Water, Roots, and Community" in the Bronx, and "About a Living Culture" in Queens.
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June 6, 2025

Hop on and off vintage NYC subway trains in Brooklyn this weekend

The New York Transit Museum’s beloved Parade of Trains returns this weekend, giving New Yorkers a rare chance to ride the rails in vintage style. Rolling out on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, the event features three iconic trains from the museum’s collection, offering a glimpse into what it was like to ride the New York City subway more than a century ago. The vintage trains will run from Brighton Beach’s B and Q platforms and the Manhattan-bound B and Q platform at Kings Highway, operating from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is free with subway fare.
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June 4, 2025

Fifth Avenue Blooms celebrates the corridor’s 200th anniversary with a custom rose variety and floral displays

Fifth Avenue will soon bloom with thousands of vibrant roses, including a unique new variety created to celebrate the iconic retail corridor’s 200th anniversary. On June 11, the Fifth Avenue Association will kick off Fifth Avenue Blooms, a month-long floral makeover of the avenue between 51st and 58th Streets, running through July 6. The display will feature 16 planters with 400 rose plants, totaling roughly 2,500 to 4,000 individual stems, including the one-of-a-kind variety created specifically for the avenue’s birthday, all beautifying the streetscape and providing a perfect backdrop for photos.
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June 4, 2025

Macy’s 4th of July fireworks back to the Brooklyn Bridge and East River this year

After lighting up the Hudson River last year for the first time in over a decade, Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will return to the East River. Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday announced the 49th annual show will launch from four barges surrounding the Brooklyn Bridge, near the South Street Seaport, lighting up the night sky with a spectacular display of thousands of fireworks. Prime viewing spots will be in parts of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, with the city expected to launch a lottery for free public viewing tickets in the coming weeks.
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June 2, 2025

The Rubin’s Tibetan shrine room finds new home at the Brooklyn Museum

After closing its Chelsea home last fall, where it had operated for 20 years, the Rubin Museum is relocating one of its most beloved installations to the Brooklyn Museum. Opening on June 11 in a custom-designed space within the museum’s Arts of Asia galleries, the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room features over 100 artworks and ritual objects from the Rubin's collection, presented as they would be in a private household shrine. The installation will be on view for six years, with rotating objects highlighting different Tibetan traditions.
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May 30, 2025

10 tranquil spots in NYC for some peace and quiet

When the sun comes out, so do the people. The energy of New York City is palpable on the warm days of late spring and early summer. After a long winter spent inside apartments, museums, and restaurants, New Yorkers crave sunshine and nature this time of year. And while that’s a beautiful thing, it can make it difficult to escape crowds. If you’re looking for a little relaxation in the great outdoors, we’ve rounded up 10 tranquil spots perfect for an afternoon with a book, a picnic, or just your thoughts.
find your moment of zen
May 29, 2025

Brooklyn Public Library to release special New York Liberty library cards

Reigning WNBA champions the New York Liberty are teaming up with the Brooklyn Public Library for a new special edition library card. Starting on Monday, June 2, all BPL branches will begin issuing 100,000 limited-edition cards featuring the 2024 champs and the team’s beloved mascot, Ellie the Elephant. The partnership will continue through the summer as the Liberty and BPL team up through Brooklyn Basketball to support the library’s summer reading program.
how to get yours
May 27, 2025

How to celebrate Pride Month in NYC

Every June, people around the world honor the vibrant contributions and lasting impact of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities. In a year marked by mounting political attacks and harmful rhetoric, Pride is more vital than ever. And in the United States, nowhere celebrates Pride quite like New York City. From the iconic Pride March to high-energy parties, performances, and cultural events, here's your guide to celebrating Pride Month across the five boroughs.
Find ways to show your pride, ahead
May 27, 2025

Manhattanhenge returns this week: When and where to see the spellbinding sunset

Manhattanhenge, one of New York City's most iconic natural phenomena, returns this week. The beloved event occurs just twice a year, when the sun aligns precisely with Manhattan’s street grid, creating a glowing spectacle perfectly framed by skyscrapers. This year, the full sun will be visible on the grid on May 29 and July 11, with a half sun appearing on May 28 and July 12.
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May 23, 2025

NYC to host first ticker-tape parade honoring post-9/11 veterans next July

New York City will host the nation’s first-ever ticker-tape parade honoring post-9/11 veterans next summer. On Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) Commissioner James Hendon announced that the parade, “Homecoming of Heroes,” will take place on July 6, 2025, as a tribute to the service and sacrifices of American servicemembers who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The event will mark the first time NYC—or any major U.S. city—has formally recognized these veterans with a celebration of this kind. The parade will take place along the "Canyon of Heroes" in Lower Manhattan between Bowling Green and City Hall.
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May 23, 2025

The Met to reopen Rockefeller Wing with free, all-day festival

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will celebrate the long-awaited reopening of its Michael C. Rockefeller Wing this month with a free festival. Taking place on May 31, the all-day event will celebrate the unveiling of newly reimagined galleries for the Arts of Africa, ancient Americas, and Oceania following a four-year, $70 million renovation. Visitors can enjoy live music, interactive art-making, gallery chats, and more at the Met, all inspired by the stunning art and cultures showcased in the updated wing.
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