As summer quickly approaches, many of New York City’s beloved attractions resume their annual festivities. From the reopening of the city’s outdoor pools to concerts and theaters in the park, here’s what you need to know when making summer plans.
Public pools
The city’s outdoor pools reopen on June 28. Be sure to bring your mask as it’s a requirement to wear when entering the facilities, including inside locker rooms, bathrooms and on the pool deck.
If you want to check out one of the city’s “cool pools,” one of the 16 outdoor pools that have been renovated in recent years and include amenities like lounge chairs for sunbathing, cabana-style shade structures and free poolside activities, like games, arts and crafts, and sports, check out the list below.
Bronx
- Claremont Pool
- Haffen Pool
- Mapes Pool
- Mullaly Pool
- Van Cortlandt Pool
Brooklyn
- Bushwick Pool
- Commodore Barry Pool
- Douglass and DeGraw Pool
- Howard Pool
Manhattan
- Dry Dock Pool
- Sheltering Arms Pool
- Wagner Pool
Queens
- Liberty Pool
- Fisher Pool
Staten Island
- Tottenville Pool
- West Brighton Pool
Beaches
The city maintains 14 miles of beaches. They will reopen for swimming on Saturday, May 28, and will remain open through Sept. 11.
That means lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty, as well as in closed sections, which are marked.
All city beaches are free and open to the public.
Bronx Night Market
This open-air food and drink festival takes place on the last Saturday of every month from April to November at Fordham Plaza. This weekend, May 28, is a special one, though, as the market celebrates turning five years old.
While organizers recommend RSVP’ing to participate in raffles and giveaways, it is free to enter the market, and no ticket is required.
The event runs from 1to 7 p.m.
Queens Night Market
Like the Bronx Night Market, this open-air festival is family-friendly and full of art, food and fun. It features up to 100 vendors selling merchandise, art and food options. There’s also cultural performances honoring the cultural diversity and heritage of Queens.
This market takes place every Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight from April 16 to Aug. 20 outside the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Free summer movies
The city is hosting free movie screenings in parks across the five boroughs. The movies will span a variety of genres, including romance, action, sci-fi and comedy. This Memorial Day weekend, scheduled movies include “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Dog” and “Shrek.”
New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks
This iconic New York experience, which began in 1965, returns in June after a two-year hiatus. From June 14 to 19, parks in all five boroughs will be transformed by the classical sounds of the world-renowned symphony.
All performances start at 8 p.m., except the indoor concert on Staten Island, which begins at 4 p.m.
Fireworks will take place after performances in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Harlem Week
This annual celebration takes place in August and promotes the rich cultural histories, art, cuisine and more of the various communities that make up Harlem’s rich history. The event began in 1974 as “Harlem Day” and expanded throughout the years as it gained popularity.
This year, it takes place from Aug. 12 to 21.
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade
On June 18, the annual mermaid parade will be back on Coney Island’s Surf Avenue after a two-year hiatus. The procession, which began in 1983, “brings mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune,” according to the parade’s website. Paradegoers frequently dress up in mermaid and/or sea-themed costumes.
(Note: NY1 is one of the parade’s sponsors.)
Shakespeare in the Park
A staple event in the city every summer, Shakespeare in the Park this year celebrates its 60th anniversary of bringing free Shakespeare to The Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
This summer’s shows include “Richard III” directed by Tony nominee Robert O’Hara and featuring Danai Gurira in the title role, and “As You Like It” adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery.
The program is returning to in-person distributions for free tickets this summer, and TodayTix is back as the official digital lottery provider.
Museum Mile Festival
Enjoy some of the country’s finest museums for free during this annual block party celebration on the Upper East Side. On June 14 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., revelers get free admission to institutions like the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the Jewish Museum and more. Musicians, food vendors and art activities will be available.
No cars are allowed.
SummerStage
This outdoor performing arts festival brings nearly 90 free shows to Central Park and 12 neighborhood parks across the five boroughs. Opening night takes place on Saturday, June 11, with the legendary jazz musician Herbie Hancock.
This summer’s season showcases both emerging and established artists from an array of musical genres, including salsa, jazz, hip-hop, reggae and more. It’s the first time in two years that the concert series features a full lineup of shows across the five boroughs.
Venues hosting this season’s SummerStage include Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Von King Park and The Coney Island Amphitheater in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, Crotona Park in the Bronx, Corporal Thompson Park in Staten Island, and a newly refurbished SummerStage flagship venue at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
All performances will be free and open to the public, except for benefit concerts. Select shows will also be live-streamed on SummerStageAnywhere.org.
Puerto Rican Day Parade
On Sunday, June 12, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade will celebrate 65 years of highlighting the rich array of Puerto Rican culture after a two-year hiatus. The procession that takes place along Fifth Avenue will feature U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona as Grand Marshall. Nicky Jam will also help lead the procession and will be honored as “2022 King.” Other honorees include rapper Fat Joe & radio host Angie Martinez.
West Indian American Day Carnival
The sounds of reggaeton and calypso will play during this day-long party and parade along Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway. The carnival celebrates the rich culture and history of the city’s Caribbean community. After a two-year hiatus, the festival is back on Sunday, Sept. 5.
Pride March
The 53rd annual Pride March will take place on June 26, beginning at noon from 25th Street and Fifth Avenue and proceeding to Chelsea at 16th Street and Seventh Avenue. Grand marshals this year are Ts Madison, Punkie Johnson, Schuyler Bailar, Dominique Morgan and Chase Strangio, with Angelica Ross returning for a second year as co-host.
But the annual celebration of LBTQIA+ communities is more than just the march. A number of events take place the week prior to the march, including the Hester Street Fair, a family movie night and garden party on Pier 84.