Every NYC Summer Festival You Need to Go To
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.