NYC FREE SUMMER FUN GUIDE
Check out the multitude of events for you to explore and enjoy this summer right here in NYC! The majority of these events and venues are FREE. Some require a small payment, donation, or a willingness to wait in a long line. For directions, use http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork
Governor’s Island is open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 30 through October 11 for the 2009 season. There are events, activities and performances planned for every weekend. The ferry ride and admission to Governors Island are FREE! With more than five miles of car-free biking, acres of green space for picnics, art exhibitions, performances, and much more, Governors Island has something for everyone to enjoy.
Stay informed about all that is happening on Governors Island and subscribe to the Governors Island blog. Come out to Governors Island this summer and experience all that is happening here. www.govisland.com
Broadway in Bryant Park
When: Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 PM
Where: Bryant Park (40th Street and 6th Avenue)
What: Experience the glamour of Broadway in the great outdoors.
Each week, several of this year’s biggest hits come to the park for a dazzling afternoon of song and dance.
Dumbo First Thursdays
When: First Thursdays of every month
Where: Front Street, Dumbo
What: The DUMBO 1st Thursday Gallery Walk on Thursday. DUMBO 1st Thursday features area galleries and artists’ studios, open from 5:30 to 8:30, on the first Thursday of each month. There is no admission fee; participating galleries are open to the public. Gallery receptions, neighborhood dining and bars, and live music add to the evening’s festivities.
www.dumbonyc.com
CELEBRATE BROOKLYN
Come on out to Prospect Park any time – it’s beautiful! But Celebrate Brooklyn is a fantastic time to visit. From the African Festival and Modern Dance to Classical Music, Funk and Rock- there’s always something cool happening! www.celebratebrooklyn.org
Rooftop Films Summer Series
When: May 15 through September 20
Where: Rooftops across Manhattan
What: More than 40 unique screenings in 15 venues all over New York City
www.rooftopfilms.com
Bryant Park “Good Morning America” Concert Series
When: Friday mornings at 7AM
Where: Bryant Park; 40th St. & 6th Avenue, Upper Terrace
What: The GMA concert series will showcase the hottest music, with a wide variety of artists:
Friday, June 26 — The cast of the musical “Hair” />
Friday, July 3 — Brad Paisley
Friday, July 10 — Queen Latifah
Friday, July 17 — Third Eye Blind
Friday, July 24 — Sean Paul
Friday, July 31 — Kelly Clarkson
August
Friday, Aug. 7 — David Cook, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert
Friday, Aug. 14 — Kenny Chesney
Friday, Aug. 21 — Reba McEntire
Directions to ‘GMA’ Summer Concerts in Central Park
The best and closest way to enter the park is at Fifth Avenue and E. 69th St., where you can follow a short path to the playfield. The closest subway is the N or R train.
NBC Rockefeller Plaza Concerts
When: 7:00 AM mostly Friday mornings
Where: 49th Street Between 5th and 6th Avenues
What: NBC’s Annual Today Show concert series at Rockefeller Plaza
JULY
3: Rob Thomas
10: Rascal Flatts
17: The All American Rejects
24: Katy Perry
31: Kings of Leon
AUGUST
7: Jason Mraz
14: Flo Rida
21: Natasha Bedingfield
28: TBA
Additional performances will be announced throughout the season on the website: www.msnbc.com
River to River Festival
When: Events start at the end of May
Where: Various venues downtown (Always good stuff!)
What: Founded in 2002, The River to River Festival is a partnership between the Alliance for Downtown NY, Arts World Financial Center, Battery Park City Authority, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and South Street Seaport.
The River to River Festival takes place each summer in a variety of public venues that canvas all of Downtown New York from Chambers Street to the southern tip of Manhattan and across the island from river to river. For complete scheduling, visit: www.rivertorivernyc.com
Hudson River Park “Take Me To The River” Celebration
What: For the 17th consecutive year, Hudson River Park will sponsor a free outdoor summer event series. The “Take Me to the River” celebration will include free concerts, movies, dancing, boxing, fishing, family workshops, and more! Some highlights are listed below, but for the full schedule of events, check out www.hudsonriverpark.org
Hudson River Rocks/Moondance
When: Various dates
Where: Pier 54 along West Side Highway at 14th Street
What: Concert Series
See Website for full schedule: www.riverrocksnyc.com
Hudson River Flicks
When: Wednesdays in July and August, films start around 8:30 PM at dusk
Where: Wednesday at Pier 54 on 14 Street, Fridays at Pier 46 on Charles Street
What: Enjoy great movies and free popcorn every Wednesday and Friday from July 8 – August 21st. www.hudsonriverpark.org
July 8: Iron Man (PG-13)
July 15: Vicky Christina Barcelona (PG-13)
July 22: Dark Knight (PG-13)
July 29: Hancock (PG-13)
August 5: Tropic Thunder (R)
August 12: Sex and the City (R)
August 19: Pineapple Express (R)
Hudson River Flicks KIDS
When: Fridays in July and August; films start around 8:30 PM
Where: Pier 45 at Christopher Street
What: Enjoy great movies for kids and free popcorn Friday in July, under the stars in Hudson River Park.
July 10: The Wizard of Oz (G)
July 17: Kung Fu Panda (PG)
July 24: Ghostbusters (PG)
July 31: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG)
August 7: The Muppet Movie (G)
August 14: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (PG)
August 21: Curious George (G)
Central Park Summer Stage
When: Various dates beginning Friday, June 5
Where: Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, 72nd St. & 5th Avenue
What: Summer Stage is one of New York’s greatest summer institutions, filling Central Park with music, theater, opera and dance for two months each summer. For the full schedule visit
www.summerstage.org
Shakespeare in the Park
What: For more than 50 years, The Public Theater has been proud to bring free performances to 100,000 people each summer at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This long-standing tradition has paired esteemed artists with audiences from all over the world to celebrate Shakespeare and other classic works. Free tickets are available both in person and online to the general public. Outreach initiatives, student programs, and borough ticket distribution help bring these productions to a broad cross-section of the community.
June 10–July 12: Twelfth Night
With Michael Cumpsty, Clifton Duncan, Raúl Esparza, Herb Foster, Leslie Harrison, Anne Hathaway, Slate Holmgren, Kevin Kelly, David Kenner, Hamish Linklater, Dorien Makhloghi, Audra McDonald, David Pittu, Ray Rizzo, Jay O. Sanders, Julie Sharbutt, Stark Sands, Baylen Thomas, Zach Villa, Jon Patrick Walker and Julie White.
Aug 11-Aug 30: Bacchae
JoAnne Akalaitis returns to The Public Theater to present Greek tragedy as it was always meant to be seen – in the open air of the city. This visionary interpretation, featuring a lush choral score by Philip Glass, re-imagines the classic story about what happens when a government attempts to outlaw desire.
For more information, visit www.publictheater.org
Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
When: Monday nights at 5 PM beginning June 15th
Where: The lawn of Bryant Park (40th Street and 6th Avenue)
What: This series of outdoor, classic movie screenings plays on Monday nights throughout the summer months in Bryant Park. Rain dates are at sunset the following night. For more information, visit www.bryantpark.org/calendar/film-festival.php
JULY
6: Dog Day Afternoon
13: How Green Was My Valley
20: Harold and Maude
27: The Defiant Ones
AUGUST
3: Kramer vs. Kramer
10: The Magnificent Seven
17: Close Encounters of the Third Kind
PS1 Warm Up
When: Saturdays from late June through early September, 2 PM – 9 PM
Where: MOMA, PS1, Long Island City
What: Warm Up is P.S.1’s critically acclaimed music series and has become one of the most anticipated summer events. Warm Up was conceived in 1997 as a summer-long dance party to attract crowds to P.S.1. and Long Island City, Queens. The series runs every Saturday and draws thousands of local and international visitors each day. (The bring sand for your to wiggle your toes in!) Schedule TBD. Visit www.psi.org/warmup
Summer in the Square
When: Thursdays, June 18 – August 13
Where: Union Square
What: Union Square will host lunchtime concerts, afternoon yoga classes and evening performances.
Metropolitan Opera In the Park
When: July 13; 8 PM
Where: Various NYC Parks, Manhattan
What: For 2009, Met in the Park has resumed performances in all five boroughs, but the Central Park performance will take place at the Central Park SummerStage (rather than the Great Lawn) and will require free tickets. For other boroughs, visit www.metoperafamily.org/metopera
New York Philharmonic Concerts in Central Park
When: July 14 and July 17: 8:00 PM
Where: The Great Lawn, Central Park
What: This beloved tradition, now in its 45th year features music under the stars, family and friends, and a fireworks finale that all make for a perfect summer evening. For more information, visit www.nyphil.org
Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center
Now in its 21st season, Midsummer Night Swing heats up Damrosch Park with the rhythms that keep New York dancing. This year brings out the very best of swing, salsa, soul, tango, rockabilly, and much more, showcasing some of the finest musicians and DJs from this country and abroad. For dance fanatics, enthusiastic beginners, and everyone in between, Midsummer Night Swing is the city’s hot spot for three weeks in July. www.lincolncenter.org
Rumble on the River
When: July 30, 7PM
Where: Pier 84, 44th Street
What: Ameteur Boxing on the river. V.I.P tickets on sale June 15 at www.fridaynightfightsnyc.com/tickets.php
Lincoln Center Out of Doors
When: August 5 -23
Where: Lincoln Plaza (64th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam)
What: Lincoln Center Out of Doors returns to Damrosch Park with free performances all month long. Music, dance, spoken word, and more from an array of cultures come to the open-air stage for a global celebration of the performing arts. For more information, visit
www.lincolncenter.org
Harlem Meer Performance Festival
When: Sundays from August 9 through September 6; 2PM – 4PM
Where: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
What: Join the Central Park Conservancy for the 2009 season of this popular free concert series that features the best in local emerging and established Latin, Jazz, World, and Gospel artists.
10th Annual Blues BBQ
When: Sunday, August 23; 2 PM -9 PM
Where: Pier 54, 14th Street
What: The hottest blues artists from across the country and New York’s best BBQ restaurants get together for an unforgettable night of music and good food.
FOR A FEE: Notable Summer Concerts (According to “Vanity Fair”)
7/8 Def Leppard/Poison Jones Beach
7/11 They Might Be Giants Prospect Park Bandshell
7/12 Judas Priest/Whitesnake Jones Beach
7/21-22 Dave Matthews Band Jones Beach
8/2-Bob James The Blue Note
8/3-4 Depeche Mode MSG
8/4-5 Incubus Radio City Music Hall
8/8 Boys Noize/Drop the Lime and Special Guests Central Park Summer Stage
8/14-15 Animal Collective Prospect Park Bandshell
8/15 Creed Jones Beach
8/26 Jimmy Buffett Jones Beach
8/27 The Allman Brothers/Widespread Panic Jones Beach
