Governors Island offers free bike mornings from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and noon. Visitors can have a relaxed ride while exploring the island.
Get crafty at Etsy's kaleidoscope-themed craft party taking place at the Manhattan Bridge Archway (near the company's DUMBO headquarters) on June 5th. With music, a bar, food trucks, and paper crafting supplies provided by Etsy, what more could you want?
From April through October, the High Line offers star gazing on Tuesdays from dusk to 9 p.m. Experts are available to discuss any sights of interest, as well as food vendors offering tacos, gelato, ice pops, and seasonal treats.
The Egg Rolls, Egg Creams & Empanadas Festival honors the Lower East Side's diverse ethnic communities. The festival, which takes place on June 7th, is sponsored by the Museum at Eldridge street and features Chinese, Jewish, and Spanish food and art.
On June 9th, over one million visitors will descend on to "Museum Mile" to gain free entry to some of the city's best museums. The Museum Mile Festival gives open access to all of the museum on Fifth Avenue, from 82nd to 105th streets.
From April through November, Brooklyn offers free outdoor flea markets on Saturdays in Fort Greene and Sundays in Williamsburg from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll find around 150 vendors offering vintage clothing, furniture, handmade crafts, and food at what the New York Times describes as “one of the great urban experiences in New York."
Bubble Battle, created by the makers of Pillow Fight NYC, attracts thousands on June 13th for a massive bubble war in public spaces across New York including Astor Place, Times Square, the Coney Island Boardwalk, and Union Square.
The Downtown Boathouse offers free kayak rides on the Hudson River every Saturday and Sunday from May through October. Times vary based on the weekend, but the boathouse provides instructions and safety equipment so you can enjoy a smooth ride.
The largest free performance festival in New York, Summerstage is a series of concerts, readings, and dance shows that take place from May to October across 14 neighborhood parks. Admission is first come first served, so make sure to arrive early.
One of New York’s most iconic and largest parades, Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade, held on June 20th, showcases 1,500 artists who have been creating stunning floats, costumes, and performances for the event since 1983.
Every year on June 21st, over 11,000 people gather to celebrate the longest day of the year with a massive yoga celebration in Times Square.
Free outdoor movies are offered across the city every summer, and one of the best locations to watch films is in Bryant Park. Bring picnic food and a blanket and watch classic favorites every Monday at 5 p.m. from June 22nd through mid-August.
During Night at the Museums, 15 museums and historic locations across downtown New York — including the National September 11th Memorial and the Fraunces Tavern Museum — offer free admission and special programs from 4 to 8 p.m. on June 23rd.
Take part in the biggest gay pride celebration in the world on June 28th. During The March, thousands of revelers will march down Fifth Avenue in a lively celebration with over-the-top costumes, live music, and incredibly colorful floats.
Go for a swim in one of the city's free outdoor pools, which reopen for the summer on June 27th. The pools are open from 11 am to 7 pm.
Every year since 1976, Macy’s holds its massive fireworks display for the fourth of July. Fireworks are set off from the Brooklyn Bridge to create a stunning sight across the East River.
Looking to get down after work? Head to Bryant Park on Wednesday evenings to dance to live music with the help of instructors. Dancing in Bryant Park runs until June 24th and features everything from waltzing to west coast swing to samba.
Watch contestants stuff as many hot dogs as they can in their mouths at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island. This is serious competition: An estimated 40,000 fans show up every year to watch the ESPN-televised event.
The Brooklyn Bridge is open year-round, but the summer heat makes for a great walk along the East River. Head to the famous Grimaldi’s Pizza once you make your way to the end of the bridge.
Embrace your inner Francophile and celebrate Bastille Day on July 14th with a parade on 60th Street in Manhattan or head to Cobble Hill for a street party with petanque, absinthe, and French treats.
Head to Governors Island on July 18th for the City of Water Day Festival, which includes free events on the water, like boat tours, kayaking, and children's activities.
On the first and third Wednesday of every month from May thorough October, crowds gather at 6:30 p.m. to participate in Bryant Park’s ping pong tournaments. Pre-registration opens a month before each event, and you can even schedule to host a ping pong party.
Watch 2,000 racers compete in an exciting dragon boat race at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing Meadows Park on August 8th.
Travel back in time while watching a performance of William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park as part of The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park. Performances run throughout the summer.
Check out the wares at a New York street fair. There are fairs all over the city nearly every weekend.
Celebrate Indian culture and watch floats showcasing the country's traditions at the India Day Parade, which heads down Madison Avenue, from 38th Street to 23rd Street, on August 16th.
Savor some BBQ while enjoying blues music at the Hudson River Park's Blues BBQ on Saturday, August 22nd. The event pairs food from some of NYC's best BBQ restaurants with blues artists.
Catch free screenings of 10 productions from the Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD series. The HD productions are shown outside at the Lincoln Center Plaza on ten consecutive nights from August 28th till September 6th.
Stroll around Brooklyn's Brighton Beach neighborhood for the Brighton Beach Jubilee on August 30th, which has ethnically diverse performances, food, and rides.
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