Every NYC Summer Festival You Need to Go To

EDC New york
Handout/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Handout/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Summer is all about celebrating, and whether you’re looking to dance to live music, catch an indie film, or eat your face off, New York has a festival for you. We rounded up 40+ festivals happening across NYC this summer, all conveniently organized by date for your party-going pleasure.

Editor’s Note: We’ll be updating this over time, so keep checking back for new festivals!

Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)

New York Guitar Festival

Jam out to guitar-led music at this week-long event.

Bayou 'n Brooklyn Music Festival

Enjoy Cajun music, food, and dance over the course of three days.

Electric Daisy Carnival

Get lost in techno heaven.

NYC Popfest

Check out musical performances from Indie-pop bands from around the world.

Harlem EatUp!

Celebrating the diverse food, entertainment, and art of Harlem with dinners from classic spots like Sylvia's and a walk-around tasting from favorites like Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and The Cecil. 

Brooklyn Crush Wine & Artisan Food Festival

Sample over 200 wines, plus hors d’oeuvres.

Vulture Festival

This year's lineup features a Happy Endings reunion; talks with Shonda Rhimes, Rachel Bloom, and Amy Poehler; comedy from Sarah Silverman and friends; and a tour of the MET Breuer with senior art critic Jerry Saltz (among other events). 

Puerto Rican Festival

A family-friend event celebrating Puerto Rican culture with performances, arts & crafts, live music, and food.
NYC gay pride
NYC Pride (The Official NYC LGBT Pride Organizer)

Blue Note Jazz Festival

A month-long Jazz celebration featuring 150 concerts across 15 venues.

Shakespeare in the Park

Enjoy performances of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and Troilus and Cressida.

Taste of Asia

Gorge on Asian food and drink from some of the city’s leading Asian restaurants.

Governors Ball

Featuring The Strokes, The Killers, and a hopefully uninhibited Kanye.

Brooklyn Film Festival

Check out over 100 films from filmmakers in 20 different countries.

Northside Festival

A week-long event promoting food, art, and fashion in Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival

Free outdoor performances from Dr. Dog, Violent Femmes, and more inside Prospect Park's bandshell. Check out the full Celebrate Brooklyn lineup for more details.

Red Hook Fest

A weekend-long event featuring live DJs, barbecues, and happy hour specials.

SoHo Film Fest

Watch dramas and comedies from around the world.

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party

Enjoy award-winning barbecue, cooking seminars, live music, and more barbecue.

Dance Week

Take free dance and fitness classes at participating studios across the city.

Solstice in Times Square

Enjoy free yoga at this annual event attended by hundreds of yogis.

Summer Solstice Celebration

Do some arts & crafts, get your face painted, and enjoy live music among sculptures in the park.

Pride Week

Celebrate and support the LGBT community at this week-long event featuring a variety of fun, inspiring events.

Generation Bridge Summer White Party

Mix and mingle at this annual event with live music, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails. Must wear white!
Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest NYC
Flickr/Michael Tapp

Summergarden at the MoMa

Attend free weekly concerts featuring jazz and classical music.

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

Enjoy the annual patriotic display of fireworks, this year over the East River.

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

Lose your appetite watching competitive eaters slam an unthinkable amount of hot dogs.

Broadway in Bryant Park

Watch popular shows on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits.

Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Embrace hip-hop culture at this fest featuring discussion panels, films, live music, and food.

Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival

Expect a packed event, featuring live music and loads of Caribbean food.

Poetry Festival

See 250 poets across three stages, plus food and beverages.
Tiesto dj
Flickr/tricks ware

New York Spectacular

A family-fun musical with a performance featuring the Rockettes.

Mostly Mozart Festival

Concerts, operas, and world premieres featuring the music of Mozart.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

Watch 170 dragon boats compete in this annual race, plus enjoy loads of food & drink.

The Giglio Feast of Saint Antonio

An annual festival honoring Italian food, drink, music, and culture.

Fringe Film Festival

Check out over 1,000 stage performances across 20 venues.

Full Moon Festival

Two days of live music from Santigold, Pusha T, Lolawolf, and more.

Brooklyn Comedy Festival

Established comedians and newcomers alike will perform a variety of sketch, standup, and improv comedy.

Brighton Beach Jubilee Festival

Celebrate diversity at this annual event with food, live music, and kiddie rides.

Electric Zoo

Blasting techno, epic food trucks, and lots of neon.

Brazilian Day

Honor Brazilian culture at this day-long event featuring live music, dancing, and food.