Events Calendar
BAM, 150 years
bam.org Founded in 1861 as the
home of the Philharmonic Society
of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Academy of
Music has since become a nonprofit
performing-arts complex for theater,
dance, music and film; it celebrates its
150th anniversary with special events,
screenings and performances.
***
Anniversaries &
Other Big Events
9/11, 10 years
national911memorial.org
The opening of the National
September 11 Memorial marks the
10th anniversary of the tragic attacks.
Opens Sept. 11 to victims’ families;
opens Sept. 12 to the public. F
Feast of San Gennaro, 85 years
sangennaro.org One of the City’s most
famous street festivals salutes the
patron saint of Naples with 11 days of
food and fun, downtown in Little Italy.
FE
Jazz at Lincoln Center, 25 years
jalc.org The sleek jazz venue
celebrates its 25th season with special
shows, events and a blues series.
MCC, 25 years
mcctheater.org The esteemed OffBroadway company’s season runs
at The Lucille Lortel Theatre. Through
June 2011.
Museum for African Art, new location
africanart.org Slated opening
November 2011. The museum’s move
to upper Fifth Avenue makes it the
newest addition to Museum Mile and
extends the district—beyond a mile—
to 110th Street.
National Academy Museum
& School
nationalacademy.org Reopens
in September.
BAM, 150 years
bam.org Founded in 1861 as the
home of the Philharmonic Society
of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Academy of
Music has since become a nonprofit
performing-arts complex for theater,
dance, music and film; it celebrates its
150th anniversary with special events,
screenings and performances.
New Galleries for the Arts of the
Arab Lands, opening November
metmuseum.org More than 1,000
works from the Metropolitan Museum’s
Islamic art collection is given a suite of
15 galleries.
New York Botanical Garden, 120
nybg.org One of New York’s most
gorgeous garden spaces celebrates a
milestone with grand openings, new
collections and events. E
New York Public Library, 100 years
nypl.org Then public library’s landmark
main building at Fifth Avenue and
42nd Street opened its doors on May
23, 1911, the main entrance flanked
by marble lions Patience and Fortitude.
The centennial celebration includes
special events, exhibitions and a
grand gala.
NYC Restaurant Week, 20 years
nycgo.com/restaurantweek Hundreds
of the City’s best restaurants offer
three-course, prix-fixe lunches and
dinners at bargain prices.
River to River Festival, 10 years
rivertorivernyc.com The downtown
arts festival, which organizes hundreds
of free performances and events each
summer, looks forward to its 10th
season. Last year’s lineup included
concerts by Sonic Youth and Ted Leo
and the Pharmacists, dance, film and
more. F
Staten Island, 350 years si350.org
or statenislandusa.com In 1661, the
last of New Amsterdam’s Dutch
governors, Peter Stuyvesant, granted
a petition authorizing land grants to
immigrant families on what we now
know as Staten Island.
***
Statue of Liberty, 125 years
nps.gov/stli One of the nation’s most
iconic symbols of freedom turns
125 years young in October 2011.
Tony Awards, 65 years
tonys.org Gear up for the biggest night
in theater. The 65th annual awards
ceremony, held June 12, honors
Broadway’s best productions and
performances. Broadcast live from
NYC’s Beacon Theatre.
Ongoing
Through June 12
Brooklyn Film Festival
wbff.org This indie film festival, held
at indieScreen and the Brooklyn
Heights Cinema, seeks out and promotes independent filmmakers while
drawing worldwide attention to
Brooklyn as a center for cinema.
Through June 18
TeatroStageFest
teatrostagefest.org Sample
groundbreaking Latino theater from
Latin America, Spain, the Caribbean
and NYC at the fifth annual festival.
Through July 30
Shakespeare in the Park
publictheater.org This summer, the
Public marks its 50th season at
the Delacorte in Central Park with
All’s Well That Ends Well and Measure
for Measure, eight weeks of free
Shakespeare under the stars. F
Through August 8
SummerStage in Central Park
summerstage.org Enjoy free live
music of every genre at this annual
outdoor concert series, held at
Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
The lawn fills quickly, so arrive early.
Rain or shine. EF
Through September 18
Otherworldly: Optical Illusions
and Small Realities
madmuseum.org This exhibition
at the Museum of Arts and Design
explores the natural backlash against
the digital age and the return to
handmade, tangible art. Artworks fit
into one of four themes: “Unnatural
Nature,” “Apocalyptic Archaeology,”
“Dreams and Memories,” “Voyeur/
Provocateur.”
Through September 23
Bike and Roll Free Bike Fridays
govisland.com Ferry over to Governors Island and borrow a bike for free
to explore the historic island and take
in stunning Manhattan views. EF
June
June–August
Free outdoor cinema at Bryant Park
every Monday night, June 20–August 22.
June 10–August
Celebrate Brooklyn!
prospectpark.org/celebrate Revel in
Prospect Park with one of New York
City’s longest-running outdoor art
festivals, featuring music, dance,
theater, film and specially commissioned
projects. Andrew Bird opens the series
with a gala fund-raiser on June 10. F
June 11
The Belmont Stakes
belmontstakes.com Get in on the
excitement of Triple Crown horse racing
at the third and final leg of the famed
competition held at Belmont Park in
Nassau County, just east of Queens.
On-site dining available.
June 11–12
Big Apple Barbecue Block Party
bigapplebbq.org Enjoy the best in
barbecue, cooked on the spot by local
chefs and BBQ legends from across the
country at Madison Square Park. Live
music includes country, blues,
bluegrass and R&B. E
June 12
Egg Rolls & Egg Creams Festival
eldridgestreet.org The Museum at
Eldridge Street’s annual crosscultural block party celebrates the
neighborhood’s Jewish and Chinese
communities. Festivities include Chinese
opera and acrobatics, klezmer music,
mah-jongg, Yiddish and Mandarin
language lessons, challah making
and folk art demos. EF
National Puerto Rican Day Parade
nationalpuertoricandayparade.org
The parade marches up Fifth Avenue
from 44th Street to 79th Street, attracting tens of thousands of participants
and spectators in the millions. EF
June 14
Museum Mile Festival
museummilefestival.org Visit some of
the City’s most celebrated museums at
a great price—free. Nine museums
along Fifth Avenue from 82nd Street to
105th Street participate. There is also
live music, street performers and art
activities for kids. Rain or shine. EF
June 17
Staten Island Yankees Home Opener
minorleaguebaseball.com Enjoy minor
league baseball and harbor views as
the Staten Island Yankees, an affiliate of
the New York Yankees, take on their
arch-nemesis Brooklyn Cyclones at
Richmond County Bank Ballpark. E
June 18
Brooklyn Cyclones Home Opener
minorleaguebaseball.com
See tomorrow’s major league stars
today at the Cyclones’ home opener
against the Staten Island Yankees
at MCU Park in Coney Island. The
Cyclones are a minor-league affiliate
of the New York Mets. E
Mermaid Parade
coneyisland.com/mermaid.shtml
Each year, the Mermaid Parade pays
homage to Coney Island’s Mardi Gras
celebration, which took place from
1903 to 1954. Come see the festive
floats and costumes while celebrating
the sand, sea and beginning of summer.
EF
June 18–26
Pride Week
nycpride.org The annual series of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
pride events commemorates the
Stonewall Riots of 1969. Celebrations
around the City include rallies, parties,
a 5-mile race and parades. The week
culminates with a grand parade from
Midtown to Greenwich Village. EF
June 19
Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic
rockstargames.com/skyscraperclassic
Spend Father’s Day outdoors at the
38th annual Harlem Skyscraper Cycling
Classic. The series of races is open to
NYC residents ages 7 and up, as well
as to members of the US Cycling
Federation. The event also functions as
the New York State Cycling Championship, attracting world-class cyclists and
former Olympic competitors. EF
June 19–September 4
Harlem Meer Performance Festival
centralparknyc.org Enjoy jazz, salsa,
gospel and more in Central Park. The
family-friendly festival takes place every
summer Sunday through Labor Day
on the lakefront plaza of the Dana
Discovery Center. EF
June 20–August 22
HBO Bryant Park
Summer Film Festival
bryantpark.org Watch a movie under
the stars at this free, outdoor summer
film fest in Midtown’s Bryant Park.
Movies play every Monday night. The
lawn opens at 5pm, and the movie
begins at sunset (usually around 8pm).
The event draws a big crowd, so arrive
early. Bring snacks and a blanket for
a fun spin on dinner and a show. F
July
Try Benoit New York during NYC
Restaurant Week, July 11–24.
TBA
New York Philharmonic Concerts
in the Parks
nyphil.org Lounge on a lawn blanket
and relax to the sweet sound of free
music, courtesy of the New York
Philharmonic. Concerts are held in
parks across all five boroughs.
July–August
Summerfest in Harlem
nycgo.com Free concert series takes
place in neighborhoods and parks
citywide, providing direct exposure to
professional jazz artists. Performances
held in Harlem are every Wednesday
at Grant’s Tomb and every Friday at
Marcus Garvey Park. See website for
additional details.
July 4
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July
International Hot Dog Eating Contest
nathansfamous.com See competitive
eaters down as many dogs as they
can in 10 minutes at this famous
eating contest. EF
Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks
Spectacular macys.com Awe-inspiring
fireworks celebrate America’s
independence. EF
July 5–8
Harlem International Jazz Festival
jazzmobile.org This annual event
features jazz musicians from around
the world, plus workshops and
exhibitions, held in historic Harlem.
July 11–24
NYC Restaurant Week
Summer 2011
nycgo.com/restaurantweek Hundreds
of the City’s best restaurants offer
three-course, prix-fixe lunches and
dinners at bargain prices.
July 12–August 2
Washington Square Music
Festival
washingtonsquaremusicfestival
org This free outdoor concert series.
showcases classical music and jazz,
performed by musicians who regularly
play at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center
and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Concerts are held on Tuesdays,
starting at 8pm. EF
July 14-October 23
Studio Museum in Harlem
studiomuseum.org This summer
features Spiral: Perspectives on an
African-American Art Collective and
the annual Artists-in-Residence
exhibit. Also, the museum’s popular
Uptown Fridays series returns with
music, cocktails and culture on
summer evenings.
July 24–November 7
Talk to Me moma.org This new
exhibit explores the communication
between people and objects from
all over the world, from gadgets of
the 1960s to science’s most modern
creations.
July 25–August 7
Queens Theatre in the Park
Latino Cultural Festival
queenstheatre.org Queens, America’s
most diverse county, serves as the
perfect venue for this Latino culture
fest, featuring live music, dance,
theater, film and food. E
July 27–August 14
Alfresco entertainment at Lincoln Center.
Lincoln Center Out of Doors
lincolncenter.org This free summer
music fest boasts dozens of live
performances, perfect for the whole
family, with children’s entertainment
and activities. Events are held on
Lincoln Center’s outdoor plazas. EF
July 31–August 31
Harlem Week
harlemweek.com This festival, which
began in 1974 as Harlem Day, now
spans an entire month, honoring
one of the City’s most celebrated
neighborhoods. E
August
August 6, 13, 20
Summer Streets
nyc.gov/summerstreets Certain streets
go car-free for three consecutive
Saturdays, giving pedestrians the
chance to play, bike, walk and breathe
easy. EF
August 13–14
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
hkdbf-ny.org Competitors race
elaborately decorated dragon boats
in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park’s
Meadow Lake while spectators
enjoy music, dance and international
foods, like the traditional rice
dumpling. EF
August 27 and 28
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
summerstage.org This two-day
festival features some of the world’s
finest musicians and reflects Parker’s
spirit and musical genius. Held in
Harlem and the East Village, where
Parker lived and worked.
August 29–September 11
US Open Tennis Championships
usopen.org America’s foremost tennis
tournament takes place at New York’s
own USTA Billie Jean King National
Tennis Center. E
August 31–September 5
New York Salsa Congress Music
and Dance Festival
nycsalsacongress.com This
multicultural dance event, held at the
Hilton in Midtown, includes a dance
competition, workshops taught by
local dance instructors, performances
by professional dancers and a live
concert series.
September
TBA
Broadway on Broadway
broadwayonbroadway.com This free
outdoor event in Times Square kicks
off the new Broadway season with
musical numbers from new shows
and old favorites, as well as special
celebrity appearances. EF
Howl! Festival
howlfestival.com Annual performing
arts festival commemorates the spirit
of American poet Allen Ginsberg and
his beat generation, fittingly held in
Tompkins Square Park in the East
Village.
New York Surf Film Festival
nysurffilm.com Devoted solely to the
cinema of surfing, the festival screens
features, shorts, cult classics and new
surf movies by filmmakers from around
the world. The schedule includes panel
discussions, meet-and-greets, surf
history lectures and Q&As with stars
of surf and screen.
September 5
The West Indian American Day Carnival
in Brooklyn.
West Indian American Day
Carnival
wiadca.com Steel drums, calypso and
colorfully costumed dancers highlight
the largest Caribbean carnival in the
US. Activities span the Labor Day
weekend, with music, dance and a
lively parade. Held annually. EF
September 8
Fashion’s Night Out
fashionsnightout.com The world’s
biggest fashion and shopping
extravaganza returns. Fashion retailers
across the City’s five boroughs offer
live music, hip DJs, refreshments and
deals in honor of this glamorous event.
September 8–15
New York Fashion Week Spring/
Summer 2012
mbfashionweek.com Feel the
excitement of New York Fashion Week
, now in its third season at Lincoln
Center’s Damrosch Park.
September 10
Labor Day Parade
nycclc.org Give summer a proper
send-off at the City’s annual Labor Day
parade, a New York tradition since
1882. Spectators gather on Fifth
Avenue, from 44th Street to 72nd
Street to watch the procession of
bands, politicians, police and firemen
and colorful floats. The parade starts
at 10am. EF
September 11
9/11 Memorial Opens
national911memorial.org The National
September 11 Memorial will open on
the 10th anniversary of the tragic
attacks. Construction began in 2006
and a preview site has been open to
the public since 2009. Opens Sept. 11
to victims’ families and on Sept. 12 to
the public. F
September 15–25
Feast of San Gennaro
sangennaro.org Little Italy’s annual
salute to the patron saint of Naples
offers up a colorful parade, mouthwatering treats, live music, carnival
booths, rides and a cannoli-eating
contest. EF
September 18
Brooklyn Book Festival
brooklynbookfestival.org Come to
Brooklyn Borough Hall’s Plaza for a
free book fest. Meet favorite authors,
hear them speak and, of course,
browse and buy at a literary marketplace of more than 150 booksellers
and publishers. An entire weekend
of “bookend events” is scheduled all
around the borough. F
September 23–25
DUMBO Arts Festival
dumboartsfestival.com Immerse
yourself in some of the most innovative
and experimental art being created
today. The three-day festival spans
more than 30 blocks of the DUMBO
neighborhood in Brooklyn, serving up
music, dance, art and more. F
September 30–October 16
New York Film Festival
filmlinc.org/nyff The Film Society
of Lincoln Center celebrates its 47th
film festival this year, with repertory,
masterworks, special events, works
by new directors, and cinematography.
October
October 10
Columbus Day Parade
columbuscitizensfd.org Join nearly a
million spectators along Fifth Avenue
for the famed Columbus Day Parade,
a tradition since 1929. Watch marching
bands and floats make their way from
44th street to 72nd Street in a celebration of Christopher Columbus and
the contributions Italian-Americans
have made to their country.
October 13–16
New York Comic Con & New York
Anime Festival
newyorkcomiccon.com and newyork
animefestival.com Comic Con brings
together the latest in American and
Japanese pop culture, showcasing the
finest comic books, anime, manga,
video games, live-action Japanese
cinema, fashions and foods.
October 15–16
openhousenewyork ohny.org Get a
rare insider’s look at some of the most
celebrated buildings throughout the
five boroughs. The annual openhousenewyork weekend provides access to
nearly 200 sites of architectural and
design significance, including many
that are normally closed to the public.
The weekend features talks, tours,
performances and family-friendly
workshops—all for free. F
October 18–22
CMJ Music Marathon and Film
Festival
cmj.com For five days and nights,
more than 1,300 artists and 120,000
fans will take over more than 80 of the
City’s greatest nightclubs and theaters.
Don’t miss your chance to participate
in New York City’s largest music
festival.
October 31
Floats at the Village Halloween Parade.
Village Halloween Parade
halloween-nyc.com Greenwich Village
hosts one of the biggest Halloween
bashes in the country. Nearly 60,000
participants go all out in a frightinducing display of creativity—anyone
in costume is welcome to join. The
parade marches up Sixth Avenue, from
Spring Street to 21st Street, starting
at 7pm. EF
November
TBA
Margaret Mead Film and Video
Festival
amnh.org/programs/mead The
nation’s largest showcase for international documentaries presents wideranging works, from indigenous
community media to experimental
nonfiction.
Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square
nycgo.com Welcome the change
of season with an evening of free
entertainment, live music, food
tastings and more. The night kicks off
at 5:30pm in Dante Park (Broadway
and 63rd Street) with a neighborhood
tree lighting. EF
New York City Horror Film Festival
nychorrorfest.com The weeklong
fright fest, the biggest of its kind in the
US, draws fans to see new horror and
sci-fi works by filmmakers from around
the world.
November 6
ING New York City Marathon
nycmarathon.org Millions of New
Yorkers cheer on 40,000 athletes,
first-timers and world-class amateurs
and pros alike, as they race the
grueling 26.2-mile course through all
five boroughs, ending in Central Park.
EF
November 10–13
Chocolate Show New York
chocolateshow.com Indulge at this
decadent and delicious weekend. See
live demonstrations and chocolate art,
taste samples and purchase some of
the most amazing chocolate in the
world.
November 10–13 & 17–20
One of a Kind Show and Sale NY
oneofakindshowny.com Meet
hundreds of talented American artists
and artisans as they sell their original
work to national buyers and the
general public. Expect home decor,
ceramics, jewelry and more.
November 11–January 2
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
radiocitychristmas.com Get in the
holiday spirit as the Rockettes wow
you with their kicks. With music,
dancing and lights, it’s a fun time for
the whole family, and a chance for
the kids to see Santa Claus in all his
glory. E
November 18–January 8
Holiday Train Show at the
New York Botanical Garden
nybg.org Model trains and trolleys
zip along over bridges and on winding
tracks, past scale replicas of New
York City landmarks handcrafted by
award-winning designers from natural
elements such as orange slices,
cinnamon sticks, poppy pods and
pinecones. E
November 24
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
nycgo.com There’s nothing like seeing
the country’s greatest Thanksgiving
Day procession in person. The giant
helium balloons of Snoopy, Kermit the
Frog and other kids’ favorites are just the
beginning; there are also floats, celebrity
performers, marching bands, Broadway
musical numbers and more. EF
November 30
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
nycgo.com Mark the start of the
holiday season with the celebrated
tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. The
lighting ceremony features celebrity
guests, musical performances and
more.
