Summer in New York means the return of street fairs and block parties! If you want to make the most out of this sizzling hot season, fill your long summer days with these exciting festivals and fairs. Whether you want to learn about art or science, try exotic foods, or groove to live music, look no further: our guide to street fairs and fests in the city this summer has got it all covered. [Editor’s note: Stay tuned for updates throughout the summer!]
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American Crafts Festival--June 13 & 14
Explore culture and discover crafts this summer at this annual fest in Lincoln Center. Peruse displays from all over the country that feature jewelry, home décor, and more, and check out live entertainment and craft demonstrations. The fair is open from 12-9pm on Saturday and 10am-7pm on Sunday. -
Museum Mile Festival--June 9
Craving a quick taste of the city's incredible array of museums? Get your fill at the 37th annual Museum Mile Art Festival! As you stroll walk down this strip of Fifth Avenue between 82nd and 105th Streets, catch interactive dance performances or take free drawing lessons as you’re serenaded by street performers nearby. View special exhibitions from The Africa Center, El Museo del Barrio, Museum of the City of New York, The Jewish Museum, Cooper-Hewitt, National Academy Museum, the Guggenheim, Neue Galerie New York, and the Met. -
Big Apple Barbecue Block Party--June 13 &14
Nothing is better than delicious barbecue and frozen confections on a hot summer day. Head to Madison Square Park from 11am-6pm to indulge in authentic pit barbecue food and jam out to live country music. It’s a day trip down south right here in the city. -
Jazz Age Lawn Party--June 13, 14 & August 16, 17
Go back in time and let your inner 1920s flapper shine as at this Governors Island lawn party. Put on an old-fashioned costume, dance to music on antique gramophones, snap vintage portraits, and take close looks at 1920s motorcars. Let your kids have fun at Kidland, a carnival full of prizes for “junior gents and flapperettes.” You won’t regret this blast to the past! -
River to River Festival--June 18-28
Experience art, dance performances, and new media projects at this 10-day cultural celebration throughout various public parks along the Lower Manhattan waterfront and on Governors Island. Bring your entire family to this fest, which includes an evening of free admission to 15 area museums (on June 23), and see performances by acclaimed groups such as Roomful of Teeth (June 24). -
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade--June 20
At this homage to seaside kitsch, more than 3,000 individuals from the five boroughs and beyond put on their best aquatic costumes march together to celebrate summer and the Coney Island community. Don your flippers and fins, and come take in the sights at the nation's' largest art parade! -
Adventures NYC--June 20
All ages are invited to join NYC Parks and Backpacker magazine for Adventures NYC, a day of outdoor sports and activities in the heart of the city. Come out to Central Park for rock climbing, biking, stand-up paddleboarding (for ages 8 and up), fitness classes with Shape Up NYC, log rolling, and more! This year will feature the 30th anniversary of the Stihl Timbersports lumberjack competition. 11am-5:30pm -
Summer Solstice Festival--June 21
This beautiful solstice festival at Long Island City’s Socrates Sculpture Park is worth the journey across the East River—especially for the sunset views of the Manhattan skyline! Get creative at Solstice art-making workshops, have your face painted by Agostino Arts, participate in a Solstice Ritual with Urban Shaman Mama Donna, settle down with a picnic, and take in the views. At 7:30pm, enjoy a concert by the Queens Symphony Orchestra. 5-9pm. -
Bastille Day--July 12
Get in touch with your French side and treat yourself to crepes, éclairs, and macarons in celebration of France’s Independence Day, on 60th Street between Lexington and Fifth Avenue. The whole family will enjoy performances by Can-Can dancers and your kids will love the craft activities, cooking lessons, face painting, and mime acts. 12-5pm -
Rubin Museum Block Party--July 19
Experience the culture and traditions of Tibet at the Rubin Museum's summer block party, inspired by the exhibit "Becoming Another: The Power of Masks." Take in Ajna dance performances, family yoga classes, and museum tours; participate in a costume contest; and enjoy arts activities such as mask making, prayer beads, origami, and more. Himalayan dishes as well as Van Leeuwen ice cream will be provided. 1-4pm -
Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day--July 25
During Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day’s fully packed schedule, you and your kids can attend one exciting musical performance after the other. Start off with a Baby Loves Disco dance party at 10am and continue on listening to catchy tunes, watching fun videos, and finally cheering on Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Randy Newman as he and Wycliffe Gordon close the program at 7pm. -
NYC Children's Poetry Festival--July 25 & 26
hildren ages 2-18 are invited to Governor’s Island for the NYC Children’s Poetry Festival, sponsored by Writopia Lab, an organization that runs creative writing workshops for kids and teens. During this weekend of inspiration, communication, and fun, kids are invited to share their original work on the kids-only stage. For younger children, there will also be book readings, a Poetree Forest (a land of balloons that children can illustrate and write poems on), in addition to a handmade teepee village to inspire young imaginations. Meanwhile, parents can check out readings on three different stages. 11am-6pm -
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival--August 8 & 9
Attend the colorful opening ceremonies for the 24th annual Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing, Queens and cheer on the participants in this ancient sport. Have fun watching live entertainment, including professional tap dancers, circus acts, martial arts performances, and traditional Chinese instruments and songs. -
Brighton Jubilee Festival--August 30
Thousands of residents will gather in Brighton Beach to munch on tasty carnival snacks, go on kiddie rides and browse an array of offerings from street vendors. Take a break to watch the live band or cool down with ice cream.
