Events & Things To Do

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

Credit: Dan Nguyen on Flickr

June 30, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Events & Things To Do

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

South Street Seaport. 2019 fireworks. Photo credit: Jane Kratochvil

June 26, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Events & Things To Do

The spirit of Wimbledon comes to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Photo courtesy of AELTC/Mike Lawrence

June 26, 2025

The spirit of Wimbledon comes to Brooklyn Bridge Park

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Events & Things To Do

12 spots to watch outdoor movies in NYC this summer

June 18, 2025

12 spots to watch outdoor movies in NYC this summer

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Events & Things To Do

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

Photos courtesy of Eliza Rinn, unless noted otherwise

June 16, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Events & Things To Do

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

All photos courtesy of Allyson Lubow Photography

June 10, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Events & Things To Do

How to celebrate Juneteenth 2025 in NYC

June 10, 2025

How to celebrate Juneteenth 2025 in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Events & Things To Do

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

All photos courtesy of Christie’s

June 6, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Events & Things To Do

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

“Aunties” by Fitgi Saint-Louis. Courtesy of NYC DOT

June 6, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Credit: NY Transit Museum

June 6, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Images courtesy of the Fifth Avenue Association

June 4, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Events & Things To Do

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

Fireworks at the Brooklyn Bridge in 2014, view from Pier 17. Photo by Jason Zhang on Wikimedia

June 4, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Events & Things To Do

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

Photos by Dave De Armas, courtesy of the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art

June 2, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Events & Things To Do

10 tranquil spots in NYC for some peace and quiet

The Pergola at Wave Hill in the Bronx frames stunning views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. Photo courtesy of Wave Hill

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

Brooklyn Public Library to release special New York Liberty library cards

Credit: New York Liberty

May 29, 2025

Brooklyn Public Library to release special New York Liberty library cards

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Events & Things To Do

How to celebrate Pride Month in NYC

Photo by Debbie S on Flickr

May 27, 2025

How to celebrate Pride Month in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Events & Things To Do

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

Photo by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr.

May 27, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

May 23, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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, 2026, 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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Events & Things To Do

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

Arts of the Ancient Americas collection. Photo by Brigit Beyer

May 23, 2025

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

By Aaron Ginsburg

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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Manhattan streets renamed after New York Knicks players for playoff run

Photos courtesy of NY Knicks/MSG Sports

May 21, 2025

Manhattan streets renamed after New York Knicks players for playoff run

By Devin Gannon

While fans took over Manhattan streets after the New York Knicks won game six against the Celtics last week, it's the players' turn now. Streets across the borough have been temporarily co-named after Knicks players ahead of the first Eastern Conference finals game on Wednesday. Mayor Eric Adams and the city's Department of Transportation, along with Madison Square Garden and the Knicks, unveiled 15 blue and orange street signs featuring the name and jersey number of current players.
go new york go new york

Events & Things To Do

CityPickle unveils plan for huge pickleball hub under the Brooklyn Bridge

Renderings courtesy of CityPickle

May 16, 2025

CityPickle unveils plan for huge pickleball hub under the Brooklyn Bridge

By Aaron Ginsburg

CityPickle on Friday released its plan to transform two parking lots beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo into a pickleball hub. The project, slated for Anchorage Plaza—an area under the bridge between Old Fulton and Washington Streets—takes up 60,000 square feet and features 11 pickleball courts, food trucks, green space with planters, games, seating, shaded areas, bike racks, and space for community programming. CityPickle was selected by the city’s Parks Department last June to revitalize the underused space, which will operate from March through November.
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High Line to host festival celebrating NYC pigeons

Iván Argote, Dinosaur, 2024. A High Line Plinth commission. On view October 2024 – Spring 2026. Photo by Timothy Schenck. Courtesy of the High Line.

May 16, 2025

High Line to host festival celebrating NYC pigeons

By Aaron Ginsburg

Celebrate the winged icon of New York City’s gritty streets at the High Line next month. On Saturday, June 14—also National Pigeon Day—Pigeon Fest will take over the elevated park along 30th Street and the Spur with a day of free programming, including games, art workshops, a pigeon impersonation pageant, and more. The festival centers around Iván Argote’s "Dinosaur," a 16-foot-tall hyper-realistic pigeon sculpture installed at the park in October above the intersection of 10th Avenue and 30th Street.
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World Trade Center to host free watch parties for Yankees-Mets series

Photo courtesy of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

May 15, 2025

World Trade Center to host free watch parties for Yankees-Mets series

By Devin Gannon

It's a big weekend for New York baseball fans. The first Subway Series of the season kicks off on Friday, with the Yankees and Mets facing off as part of Major League Baseball's inaugural "Rivalry Weekend." With both teams currently taking the top spot in their division, and Juan Soto returning to the Bronx for the first time since signing with the crosstown foe for $765 million, the games promise to be can't-miss television. To revel in the rivalry, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will broadcast all three games on giant screens (with sound) at the North Oculus Plaza on the World Trade Center campus.
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Events & Things To Do

Egg rolls, egg creams, and empanadas: Lower East Side street festival returns for 24th year

Photos courtesy of Museum at Eldridge Street

May 14, 2025

Egg rolls, egg creams, and empanadas: Lower East Side street festival returns for 24th year

By Devin Gannon

A street festival celebrating the diverse cultures of the Lower East Side takes place next month. Hosted by the Museum at Eldridge Street, the 24th annual Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival brings together Jewish, Chinese, and Puerto Rican heritage with a day of food, music, crafts, and more. The block party takes place on Sunday, June 15.
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Events & Things To Do

New public art exhibition in Midtown East explores what it means to be American

All photos courtesy of The Soloviev Group, unless noted otherwise

May 13, 2025

New public art exhibition in Midtown East explores what it means to be American

By Aaron Ginsburg

A new public art installation in Midtown East celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States with stories of veterans, farmers, activists, and other everyday heroes. Designed by C&G Partners, the nearly 7-acre exhibition, "Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US," immerses visitors in 55 personal stories brought to life through striking visuals and interactive elements. Opening on May 15, the installation is located at the site of the Soloviev Group's proposed Freedom Plaza casino on First Avenue between 38th and 41st Streets.
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