Date and venue: September 17-27 on Mulberry Street in Little Italy

The 2026 Feast of San Gennaro in NYC’s Little Italy marks the 100th celebration, filling Mulberry Street with food vendors, carnival games, eating competitions, and more. Expect traditional Italian food, desserts, and drinks, plus parades, music, and more — it's an NYC tradition.

Date and venue: August 30 to September 5 at Hudson Yards

The US Open kicks off August 23, and there are tons of events popping up around NYC to celebrate. One exciting offering is Hudson Yards’ US Open Experience, a free, week-long event where fans can play tennis (and tennis-themed video games!), sip on the Grey Goose Honey Deuce cocktail, listen to DJs, shop merch, watch coverage, and more.

Date and venue: September 2-26 at 25 Little West 12th Street

Fans of the Peanuts universe will want to check out the free exhibition Snoopy in Style, curated by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. See a collection of items, archival pieces, and more that highlight the famous character’s impact on fashion, sports, music, and pop culture. You can even shop at the exhibition’s exclusive gift shop for a trinket or plush to take home.

Date and venue: September 25 to October 12 at various venues near Lincoln Center

For its 64th year, the New York Film Festival returns with a selection of films from around the world. The festival highlights works from acclaimed and emerging filmmakers alike, as well as screenings of digitally restored or preserved movies. There will also be a series of conversations between filmmakers, critics, and more. Find the full lineup and tickets online.

Date and venue: September 2 to 7 at Lincoln Center Plaza

This free outdoor event brings the Met Opera to the big screen with five performances streamed nightly during the festival in Lincoln Center. Recent productions at the Met, like Puccini’s La Bohème and Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, will be screened during the six-day event. Seating is first-come, first-served, and the plaza will hold a total of 2,500 people nightly. Find the full schedule online.

Date and venue: September 29 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre

For the fourth time, Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway will hold a special dance-along performance, this time hosted by Olivier Award-winning actress Rachel Zegler. The dance-along allows audience members to stand up where they’re seated and dance to the show's infectious Cuban music. Previous sold-out dance-along performances were hosted by Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Leguizamo, and Lupita Nyong’o.

Get Buena Vista Social Club tickets now.

Date and venue: September 13 along Sixth Avenue between 31st and 32nd Streets

Head over to Koreatown for the Kopino Vol. 4 food fest, blending Filipino and Korean food and culture. The event is free to attend and filled with food stalls, music, and more from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for one day only.

Date and venue: September 17-19 at Wagner Park in Battery Park City

The three-day art and music festival Illumination NYC is free to attend and showcases a variety of light installations on the waterfront in lower Manhattan. Visitors can enjoy immersive light installations, live music, food trucks, and a silent disco.

Date and venue: September 1 to 6 at New World Stages

Big fun is happening at Heathers the first week of September! Each performance during Big Fun Week will have a special theme, with giveaways, guest appearances, activities, and more. Join for night one and enjoy treats from Schmackery’s and drinks from Cool Sips, arrive decked out in your favorite college apparel on September 3 for College Night, take part in trivia on September 5 with a special guest, and much more. Visit the Heathers Instagram page for the full rundown of events.

Get Heathers tickets now.

Date and venue: September 9 at Times Square

The annual Taste of Times Square returns on September 9, bringing together more than 30 restaurants in the area for an offering of bites and sips, plus special activities and performances. Happening from 4 to 8 p.m. in the heart of the Theatre District, the festival is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some delectable snacks after a matinee or before an evening Broadway show. Most dishes are only $5, so you can eat your way through some of the best restaurants in the area, from New York City staples like Junior’s and Carmine’s to pre-show favorites like Becco and Bond 45. Plus, there will be live Broadway performances during the event. Visit the Times Square Alliance website for the full line-up of participating restaurants.

Date and venue: July 13 to September 14 on the Bryant Park Lawn

Bryant Park is chock-full of amazing community events this summer, including its series of free movie nights on the lawn. Taking place every Monday from July 13 to September 14, the film series includes popular movies of all genres, from The Truman Show to Shakespeare in Love. The lawn opens at 5 p.m. for visitors to grab their spots and buy snacks and beverages before the movie starts at 8 p.m.

Date and venue: Friday nights through September 11 at Bryant Park

Another summer-long series at Bryant Park is the picnic performances, which offer a free outdoor concert every Friday night through September 11. Enjoy live orchestras, opera singers, and choirs, as well as guitarists, Broadway singers, and more. Concerts start at 7 p.m., but arrive early to get your spot on the lawn. Blankets are available to use on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the Bryant Park website for the full line-up.

Date and venue: May 27 to September 16 at Bryant Park

Bring your mat and head to Bryant Park for free yoga classes throughout the summer. Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m. there will be an instructor-led yoga class on the lawn, open to all levels. You’ll need to register in advance and complete a waiver, and you should arrive about 15 minutes early to check in and set up. Register and find more info online.

Date and venue: May 22 to September 25 at Rockefeller Place

The Today Show’s annual concert series kicks off on May 22, with free morning concerts throughout the summer. The 2026 lineup includes artists like Bleachers, Maren Morris, Tyla, KATSEYE, and Brandi Carlile. Attendees should show up by 5:15 a.m. on the day of the concert, but you can also register in advance for your chance to win up to four Fan Passes for guaranteed entry. Find the full lineup and more info online.

Date and venue: May 30 to October 1 at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield

Central Park’s annual Summerstage festival kicks off this month, offering dozens of free performances across the five boroughs, with the main Central Park series happening at Rumsey Playfield. Some of the free concerts include summer recitals from The Metropolitan Opera and musicians and bands like Mavis Staples, Spoon, and more, plus paid benefit concerts from Yellowcard, Simple Plan, Myles Smith, and more. Find the full lineup online.

Date and venue: September 23 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park

Join Lin-Manuel Miranda and Gustavo Dudamel, the new Tang Music and Artistic Director of the New York Philharmonic, for an evening of conversation and music. The free event involves discussions about theatre and the arts, as well as live musical performances.

Public Theater members can reserve seats in advance, and non-members can get free tickets by waiting at the theatre day-of, entering the TodayTix digital lottery, or participating in an in-person lottery at the Public's downtown venue at 425 Lafayette St.

Date and venue: April 21 through fall at Wollman Rink in Central Park

Trade your ice skates in for sneakers, because the Wollman Rink in Central Park is transforming into a huge spread of outdoor pickleball courts. Opening April 21, the Wollman Rink pickleball courts will be bookable from 8 a.m to 9 p.m. daily, and reservations start at $80 an hour. If you’re new to the sport, you can book time with a coach to teach you the ropes. Get more info and tickets online.

Date and venue: W New York through September 30, Knickerbocker ongoing

Planning an NYC trip this summer? Get your stay, show, and sips sorted out all in one go with one of two hotel packages available throughout the summer.

At the W New York, use the code LVU at checkout for stays between now and September 30 and choose the Broadway Insider Package to get two tickets to see Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), one drink voucher per person for the hotel’s Living Room Bar, and a special amenity based on the musical.

At The Knickerbocker, check out the Theater Night at the Knick package, which includes 20% off your stay and $170 orchestra or front mezzanine tickets to Six, Operation Mincemeat, or Two Strangers. Guests can also claim a pre-theatre dinner for two at Akoya or Charlie Palmer Steak IV, both located in the hotel, for $65.

Date and venue: July 24, August 7, and August 21 at the Lake Bar

Even if you don’t have tickets to Masquerade, the Phantom of the Opera-inspired immersive show, you can visit the venue’s Lake Bar for the late-night After the Curtain series. Offering intimate musical performances inspired by the show, this series features jazz and classical music in a cozy setting. Find the lineup and tickets for After the Curtain online.

Get Masquerade tickets now.

Date and venue: Saturdays and Sundays at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop in Long Island City

Previously closed to the public, the Jim Henson Creature Shop is opening its doors this summer to limited tours. The workshop is behind some of the most famous puppets in history, from The Muppets to the residents of Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock.

Guests will learn about the history of the Creature Shop, experience a demonstration with a Henson puppeteer, meet a puppet builder, and get photo ops with some of these well-known characters. More information and tickets are available online.

Date and venue: Through October 31 at the Museum of Broadway

The current special exhibit at the Museum of Broadway will focus on the 2023 play The Life of Pi, displaying many of the animal puppets used in the production, along with puppets from other shows, like Avenue Q's Trekkie Monster and Frozen's Olaf. Visitors can look at concept drawings, prototypes, and videos, and explore a recreated puppet workshop to see every step of the design process.

Get Museum of Broadway tickets now.

Date and venue: Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday near Columbus Circle through September 19

For the first time, the popular Smorgasburg food fair heads to upper Manhattan with its newest Central Park location. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this summer, starting May 14, over 25 vendors will set up shop near the Columbus Circle park entrance from 12-8 p.m.

The vendors are yet to be confirmed. However, based on the other Smorgasburg locations, you can expect everything from sweet treats to savory bites — and definitely some viral food moments.

Date and venue: September 18-20 at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center

Mulan's name usually brings to mind the Disney movie, but you can experience the Chinese heroine's story in a new way through this moving dance drama. Mulan’s journey of self-discovery and inner strength takes center stage in this show that blends classical Chinese dance, martial arts, and theatre.

Get Mulan tickets now.

Date and venue: Through February 6 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Now on display at Lincoln Center's New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is a limited-time exhibit highlighting the furry friends of talented artists from the last century. The exhibit explores the role pets have played in artists’ lives, whether it’s providing emotional support or inspiring their work. "Unleashed: Pets of the Performing Arts" is free to the public.

Date and venue: Through September 6 at Poster House

The Act Black: Posters from Black American Stage & Screen Exhibit showcases a variety of posters used in Black storytelling, stretching back to the late 19th century. Because the only evidence of many Black plays from the late 1800s and early 1900s exists in posters, the exhibit highlights the historic significance of these posters and how Black creators transitioned from the stage to film. Find more info and tickets online.

Date and venue: Sundays through October 25 at Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Mamma mia, here we go again — to brunch! The famous Ellen’s Stardust Diner, featuring singing waitstaff, is kicking off a ticketed brunch event inspired by the hit musical. Hear your favorite Mamma Mia! tunes while enjoying themed dishes liked “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme Chicken + Waffles” and “Chiquitita Chilaquilies.” Tickets are available online.

Date and venue: May 23 to October 18 at the New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is getting groovy. The Flower Power exhibition channels the hippie culture of the of the ‘60s and connection with the natural world. Concurrently, an Art of the Era exhibit showcases paintings, photographs, screen prints, and collages by artists from the '60s and '70s that celebrate peace and love.

On select nights, you can catch the Liquid Light Shows, a colorful light display. Find more info and tickets online.

Date and venue: Ongoing at Shy Shy NYC

While Heated Rivalry made a huge splash when it landed on HBO late last year, it’s now making a similar impact on theatre lovers thanks to Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody. If you’re planning on seeing the acclaimed show, head to cocktail bar Shy Shy NYC to sip on its Heated Rivalry cocktail. Made with habanero tequila, passionfruit, pink peppercorns, and lime, this is the perfect pre-or post-show drink (aside from a ginger ale or blueberry-banana smoothie, of course).

Get Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody tickets now.

Date and venue: September 15 to November 7 at The Ruby Theatre

What happens when an actor takes five shots before a performance? Chaos—and that’s the point. In the same vein as Drunk Shakespeare, Drunk Dracula is an Off-Broadway show that sees one drunk actor have to perform alongside their fellow actors and try to keep up. Loosely based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this hilarious, drunken Halloween-ready show is perfect for a night out with friends to celebrate the season.

Get Drunk Dracula tickets soon.

Date and venue: Through October at Grand Central Transit Museum

Although the MetroCard has been phased out, it lives on at Grand Central’s Transit Museum — but probably not in the way you expect. The free Inspired by MetroCard exhibit at Grand Central features art inspired by and created with MetroCards. Sculptors, painters, collage artists, fashion designers, and more turned this once ordinary part of NYC daily life into gorgeous works of art. Learn more online.

Date and venue: Now through 2028 at MoMA PS1

For the first time, all visitors, not just New Yorkers, can go to the MoMA PS1 for free. Just a short 7 train ride from Times Square, the Queens art museum, an offshoot of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Midtown, highlights rotating exhibits throughout the year.