Events & Things To Do

May 23, 2024

What to know about visiting NYC beaches this summer

New York City's 14 miles of public beaches are set to open for swimming this Memorial Day weekend, welcoming in a summer season of fun in the sun. The city's public beaches are free and open for the season starting Saturday, May 25 through September 8. Swimming hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with swimming only permitted when lifeguards are on duty and not allowed in closed sections of the beach. Ahead, find everything you need to know about visiting a beach in the five boroughs this summer.
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May 23, 2024

Manhattanhenge 2024: NYC’s stunning sunset returns

New York City's most photographed sunset is back. Manhattanhenge, the cosmic phenomenon when the sun aligns perfectly with the Manhattan street grid and creates a magical, glowing spectacle among skyscrapers, takes place twice every year. This year, a full sun will be visible on the grid on May 29 and July 12, and a half sun seen on May 28 and July 13.
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May 22, 2024

Whitney Museum’s new project pairs art from 1932 with present-day scenes of NYC

The Whitney Museum on Wednesday launched "Putting Artists On The Map," a new project celebrating the museum's landmark Biennial exhibition that has been held regularly since 1932. The interactive digital map pairs paintings depicting New York City from the very first Biennial with photos of the same scenes in the present day. The map also provides a snapshot of Whitney Biennial moments across the city, including the locations where artists from past exhibitions had studios and the subway stations where works by Biennial artists were installed.
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May 21, 2024

How to spend Memorial Day weekend in NYC

While it marks the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day was created to honor the brave men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Fortunately, in New York City, there are plenty of ways to commemorate the holiday while also enjoying the long weekend, with activities including live music aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, a military history boat cruise in the New York Harbor, and the largest Memorial Day parade in the country.
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May 20, 2024

Fantastical flowers and peculiar plants: New York Botanical Garden opens ‘Wonderland’ exhibit

The New York Botanical Garden has fallen down the rabbit hole. The enchanting exhibition "Wonderland: Curious Nature" debuted on Saturday, transforming the garden's 250 acres into a whimsical paradise inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic children's tale "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and its sequel stories. On view through October 27, the exhibition includes a 12-foot White Rabbit made of plants, larger-than-life mushrooms, gardens of the Victorian era, a large-scale chess set designed by Yoko Ono, and more.
peer through the looking glass
May 20, 2024

Prospect Park to debut ‘Ancestral Whispers’ art installation, honoring Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family

The inaugural work of the Lefferts Historic House museum's first artist-in-residence debuts in Prospect Park next month. Artist Adama Delphine Fawundu's "Ancestral Whispers" is a site-specific installation honoring the heroism of the individuals enslaved by the Lefferts family from the farmhouse's construction in 1783 to the abolition of slavery in New York in 1827. Inspired by research conducted by the Prospect Park Alliance, Fawundu created 25 fabric banners to be displayed on the museum's Flatbush Avenue facade. The installation will be on view starting June 9.
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May 16, 2024

Enjoy free weekly movies at four outdoor spots in Brooklyn this summer

Catch free film screenings at four of Brooklyn's most popular outdoor spaces this summer. In partnership with Paramount+ and BSE Global, Brooklyn Magazine on Tuesday announced the return of "Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn," a free film screening series hosted in Prospect Park, McCarren Park, Fort Greene Park, and for the first time, Coney Island. The series will kick off June 7 in Williamsburg, with weekly screenings at the four locations throughout the summer.
plan a movie night
May 16, 2024

Prospect Park Zoo to reopen Memorial Day weekend after 8-month closure

After being closed for nearly eight months due to flood damage, the Prospect Park Zoo will reopen this month. The Wildlife Conservation Society on Tuesday announced the Brooklyn zoo will open on Saturday, May 25 following $6.5 million in repairs needed after Tropical Storm Ophelia in September 2023. The storm dumped over 7 inches of rainfall on the zoo and caused major issues for its boilers, HVAC, electrical, and other systems.
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May 15, 2024

Bryant Park to host 30+ free yoga classes this summer

Free yoga classes are returning to the lawn at Bryant Park this summer. Presented by performance apparel brand Calia, the classes kick off on May 29, with sessions hosted on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. on the park's upper terrace and on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. on the lawn. Running through September 25, the classes will be led by some of the city's most sought-after yoga instructors and open to participants of all experience levels.
NAMASTE THIS WAY
May 13, 2024

MTA releases Ice Spice MetroCards to celebrate Bronx rapper’s debut album

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has released a limited-edition MetroCard featuring rapper, and Bronx-native, Ice Spice to celebrate her debut album "Y2K." In collaboration with Capital Records, the MTA has loaded MetroCard machines at four select stations in the Bronx and Manhattan with 50,000 limited edition cards featuring the "Munch" artist.
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May 10, 2024

Luxury spa on Governors Island to undergo major expansion in July

The luxurious Italian wellness spa on Governors Island, QC New York, is gearing up for a major expansion this summer. QC NY on Thursday announced plans to open a 15,000-square-foot addition in July, featuring sensory saunas, waterfalls, a salt room, a lavender room, an ice room, a relaxation room with waterbeds, and a 142-seat restaurant. The new multi-million dollar expansion will be located in Building 111.
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May 9, 2024

NYCxDESIGN 2024: What to see and do at New York City’s annual deep dive into design

The design universe lands in New York City every spring for the NYCxDESIGN Festival. This major international design event, now in its 12th year, will be in full swing from May 16 to May 22. Expect an influx of visitors seeking the latest creative offerings, fresh ideas, and inspiration from the world of design. Anchored by the major industry fair ICFF and its satellites like WantedDesign, the city-wide festival is awash in new talent showcases, exciting retail launches, open studios, and exhibitions. The week-long-plus event is a great opportunity to source the best new visions and trends in furniture, lighting, textiles, and accessories before they appear in your favorite magazines, blogs, and stores. Read on for a short list of highlights.
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May 9, 2024

Japan Parade returns to NYC this weekend

A parade dedicated to Japanese culture is returning to New York City for its third year. On Saturday, May 11, the Japan Parade kicks off at 1 p.m. on Central Park West and West 81st Street and heads south to 68th Street. The parade will feature live music, martial arts, traditional dance and drum performances, appearances by prominent Japanese organizations, and more.
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May 9, 2024

A ‘portal’ to Dublin opens in New York City

The cultural bond between Ireland and New York got a little stronger this week. A new public art installation "The Portal" debuted in Dublin and Manhattan on Wednesday, with a 24/7 live stream connecting the two cities. The sculpture, on view in New York City's Flatiron District and on Dublin's O'Connell Street, allows residents and visitors of both places to interact in real-time, bringing together people on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.
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May 8, 2024

A giant, confetti-shooting hot dog is now on view in Times Square

A confetti-shooting, 65-foot-long hot dog now sits in the heart of Times Square. Created by artists Jen Carton and Paul Outlaw, the animatronic sausage sculpture "Hot Dog in the City" seeks to celebrate the American hot dog while delving into the interconnected themes of consumption, capitalism, class, and culture within the context of the iconic New York City fast food. Located in Duffy Square, the installation, accompanied by programs and talks, is on view to the public through June 13.
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May 3, 2024

Four years after start of Covid, Green-Wood Cemetery opens community art memorial honoring New Yorkers

Four years after the start of the pandemic, a new memorial at Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery remembers the lives lost to Covid-19 and those still affected by the pandemic. Created by Naming the Lost Memorials (NTLM) and City Lore, "A Big, Slow, Majestic Covid Memorial" features tributes created by 22 community groups from across New York City. The memorial, stretching 200 feet across the cemetery's historic wrought-iron fence near the main entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street, is on view through June 3.
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May 1, 2024

Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show will return to the Hudson River

The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks are returning to the Hudson River for the first time in over a decade. Hosted over the East River since 2014, the annual fireworks show will switch to the west side for the 2024 event, Macy's announced Tuesday. The best spots to take in the extravaganza will be between West 14th and West 34th Streets and along the north New Jersey waterfront.
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April 30, 2024

30+ Mother’s Day gifts New York City moms will love

April showers bring a bounty of Mother's Day brunches, blooms, and bling to dazzle deserving moms. New York City mothers are a sophisticated bunch, into music, art, design, or culinary excellence. Below, you'll find our hand-picked list of ideas–gifts, events, and experiences–to help make your favorite NYC mom's day.
Mother's day picks, this way
April 30, 2024

The Met’s rooftop installation features sculptures inspired by children’s desktop doodles

A sprawling series of sculptures inspired by the doodles and drawings of school children have been installed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's rooftop, as part of the annual Roof Garden commission. Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj this week unveiled his work "Abetare," an exhibition of three-dimensional metal sculptures depicting drawings he found on classroom desks at his former school in Kosovo, as well as in Albania and countries from the former Yugoslavia. While appearing whimsical, the sculptures provide a look at the imagination of children whose lives were upended by war. The installation is on view at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden through October 27.
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April 29, 2024

New ‘Legendary Yankees’ mural honors living Black baseball icons

The Bronx Children's Museum last week unveiled "Exhibiting Possibilities: Legendary Yankees," an outdoor mural featuring six living Black baseball legends and former Yankees, including Willie Randolph, Reggie Jackson, Dave Winfield, Derek Jeter, C.C. Sabathia, and Aaron Judge. Created by Bronx native André Trenier, the artwork is part of a larger project from the museum to inspire children in the neighborhood to dream big.
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April 24, 2024

The best spots for free outdoor music in NYC this summer

While there is an endless variety of ticketed shows throughout the five boroughs, it's nice not to empty your bank account to enjoy a live performance. We've put together a list of the best spots in NYC to catch outdoor music this summer for free, from stoops and schoolyards in Park Slope during the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music's Open Stages festival to Bryant Park's lawn to watch the New York City Opera.
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April 24, 2024

Sky-high yoga classes return to Hudson Yards’ 100th-floor observation deck Edge

Elevate your yoga skills to a new level of serenity with the New York City skyline as your backdrop. Starting next month, the "Sky-High Yoga" classes return to Edge, the 100th-floor sky deck at 30 Hudson Yards. This year, classes will be offered three days a week starting May 21. Tickets cost $75 and go on sale this Friday. Future ticket dates will be released on the first Friday of every month.
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April 23, 2024

Open Streets 2024 season kicks off across NYC

New York City's open streets season is in full swing. The car-free Earth Day celebration on Saturday marked the start of 2024's Open Streets program in the five boroughs, closing over 100 streets to vehicles and transforming them into safe public spaces for educational programs, recreation, and more. A list of participating locations can be found here, with additional ones to be announced throughout the summer.
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April 22, 2024

Pickleball is now a summer attraction at Central Park’s Wollman Rink through 2026

Central Park will be a summer pickleball hotspot for at least the next three years. Following last season's success, the park's iconic Wollman Rink will once again transform into CityPickle, a 14-court pickleball installation offering lessons, open-play sessions, and tournaments, starting May 1. Presented by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Related Companies, and Equinox, CityPickle signed a three-year agreement, securing pickleball in the park until 2026.
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April 18, 2024

Soar into spring with free kite flying and live music at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Celebrate the start of spring beneath hundreds of vibrant kites in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy is hosting its annual Sound & Color! Spring Festival on May 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., a free family-friendly event that celebrates the beginning of the season with kite flying, live music, food vendors, activities for kids, and more. Guests can craft their own kites in a workshop and send them off into the sky with help from expert flying instructors. The festival remains the only day of the year when kite flying is allowed at Pier 5.
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