Returning fairs and festivals not to miss in New York this season
Participants march with balloon in the New York City Pride March in New York City. Credit: Charles Eckert
For those looking for a summer filled with live entertainment, you're in luck, because New York is back in action with concerts and festivals you won't want to miss. From the Coney Island Mermaid Parade to Governors Ball, here’s a list of some of the most-awaited events Long Island and the Big Apple have to offer.
Lincoln Center: “Summer for the City”
Lincoln Center is to host free events from May 14-Aug. 14. Among the many things to explore will be “The Oasis,” a dance floor installation where people can cut a rug (or take lessons) to a variety of music styles played by live bands and orchestras. Several one-off events are also part of the mix, including “Sing New York” (May 14), where all guests can be part of a massive singalong chorus that covers tunes ranging from soft rock to funk to opera. “An Orchestral Tribute to the Notorious B. I. G.” (June 10), starring composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, will put together an instrumental tribute to the iconic native Brooklyn MC, which will end in a silent Biggie disco at the Oasis.
INFO 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan; 212-875-5456, summerforthecity.org
Tribeca Festival
This cultural festival (June 8-19) will launch with the world premiere of “Halftime,” the new Netflix documentary film about Jennifer Lopez, her Super Bowl halftime show and career. More films to look forward to are “Somewhere in Queens” (directed by Ray Romano) and “American Dreamer” (Peter Dinklage, Shirley MacLaine, Matt Dillon, Danny Glover). Look for performances by Lil Baby, Machine Gun Kelly and Of Monsters and Men.
INFO lower Manhattan; 212-941-2400, tribecafilm.com
SummerStage
This annual program of concerts happens across the city (but mainly in Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield) after kicking off on June 4, and will include acts like indie group Modest Mouse (June 8), Trombone Shorty’s “Voodoo Threauxdown” (June 13), the legendary George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic (June 15) and indie trailblazers Belle and Sebastian (June 16), which then leads into several more shows throughout the summer before wrapping with a show from Grammy Award-nominated reggae artist Skip Marley on Sept. 26.
INFO cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage
The Governors Ball
People attend the 2019 Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City. Credit: AFP via Getty Images/ANGELA WEISS
This three-day music festival will take place at Citi Field on June 10-12. More than 60 acts will take part including Halsey, J. Cole, Kid Cudi, Jack Harlow, Lil Wayne, Japanese Breakfast and Glass Animals. Tickets start at $129 for 1-day general admission, $319 for 3-day general admission.
INFO 41 Seaver Way, Queens; governorsballmusicfestival.com
The Jazz Age Lawn Party
The annual Jazz Age lawn party on Governors Island. Credit: Getty Images/scarletsails
This al fresco affair is back on Governors Island for a 16th year on June 11-12. An opportunity to party like it’s 1929, Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra are back as the featured performers, and the Roarin' 20s are the theme. Attendees can look forward to both dance lessons and contests, plus retro cocktails, vintage clothing vendors and an era-related auto expo. There will also be carnival games and a children’s parade on the closing day for kids and families to enjoy.
INFO Governors Island (Manhattan); $45-$175; jazzagelawnparty.com
Juneteenth NY
This annual festival honoring the federal holiday will run over three days this summer (June 17-19) at various locations around Brooklyn. Also intended as an event that would help inspire economic and art scenes in underserved city communities and to support small black-owned businesses, the 2022 edition will be following a “Unity in the Black Family Unit” theme that kicks off with a “Virtual Friday,’ with several online experiences available for those unable to attend. The next day (June 18) goes in-person on Vermont Street near Linden Park (at Linden Blvd.) with live performances and activities before a red carpet awards ceremony takes place. The fest then closes June 19 at Prospect Park (Grand Army Plaza, Flatbush Ave.) with another day of live entertainment plus a community arts project, a fashion show and foods representing black culture.
INFO 646-522-9869, juneteenthny.com
'Brew at the Zoo’ at the Bronx Zoo
For one night this summer, the zoo becomes an adults-only spot to sample more than 100 types of beer, cider and wine on June 17. Guests may also explore zoo features like its Illuminated Playground and Dinosaur Safari, play new games in the Tournament Zone, sing karaoke, check out live music and food trucks.
INFO 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx; 718-220-5100, bronxzoo.com
Shakespeare in the Park
The Public Theater’s free Shakespeare in the Park production of OTHELLO, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson at the Delacorte in Central Park. Credit: Joseph Moran
Seeing Shakespeare's works brought to life at the park’s Delacorte Theater is an annual summer highlight. Returning for a 60th season, The Public Theater nonprofit group will begin its free performances with “Richard III” with actor Danai Gurira in the main role (June 17-July 17), followed by a musical adaptation of “As You Like It” (Aug. 10-Sept. 11).
INFO Enter the park at West 81st Street, head to West Drive then to the South Lawn; 212-539-8500, publictheater.org
Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Paraders perform at the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade on June 16, 2018. Credit: Alessandro Vecchi
This annual march starring folks in costumes will also see lots of colorful floats and other gussied-up vehicles. Taking place June 18, the 2022 “King Neptune” will be Dr. Dave Chokshi, the now-former commissioner at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
INFO The route starts on Surf Avenue at West 21st Street in Coney Island (Brooklyn), then turns at West 10th Street before heading to the boardwalk and wrapping at Steeplechase Plaza. No fee to attend. 718-372-5159, coneyisland.com
NYC Pride events
Participants in the NYC Pride March make their way down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in June 2019. Credit: Charles Eckert
The nonprofit organization Heritage of Pride has scheduled gatherings and happenings focused on the advocacy for — and the celebration of — all things connected and related to the LGBTQIA+ community. The main event is the NYC Pride March (June 26). Leading up to the day are several events starting June 15 that includes The Rally (June 24) and Pride Island (June 24-26), a three-day music fest at Play Lawn at Governors Island.
INFO 212-807-7433, nycpride.org
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
Joey Chestnut (C) competes in the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2018 in the Coney Island neighborhood of the Brooklyn. Credit: Getty Images/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez
The contest is heading back to the original Nathan’s restaurant at Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island on July 4, with those competing in the men’s and women's contests battling to eat the most hot dogs.
INFO Surf and Stillwell Aves., Brooklyn; nathansfranks.sfdbrands.com
Great South Bay Music Festival
Concert goers watch Brandon "Taz" Niederauer perform at the Great South Bay Music Festival in Patchogue on July 21, 2019. Credit: Corey Sipkin
Once a show focused on LI-based bands, this fest has grown into a happening that stars nationally and internationally known music stars, as well as a place to shop and snack via a variety of vendors on July 7-10. Among the bigger acts scheduled for 2022 are Grouplove, Bayside and Los Lobos.
INFO Shorefront Park: 49 Smith St., Patchogue; greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com
Forest Hills hip-hop Festival
A concept created by Queens-born MC, Grammy Award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells company, this new music fest is set to take place in his home borough on Aug. 6. A roll call of hip-hop royalty including Ice Cube, Jadakiss, Digable Planets, Fat Joe and Remy Ma, Scarface — and LL Cool J himself. The event will also include art exhibits, interactive installations and food vendors.
INFO Forest Hills Stadium: 1 Tennis Pl., Forest Hills; 888-929-7849, rockthebellsfestival.com
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