The Best Outdoor Events in New York City in Summer

New York has so much to see and do that it can get a bit overwhelming. However, being outdoors can give you the chance to see the city in a different light. There are plenty of outdoor venues that are made for enthusiastic audiences and crowds to gather and enjoy the many events and festivals that take place. Plan your trip to New York in advance so you can fit in as many of these outdoor adventures as possible. 

Bryant Park Film Festival

Film buffs aren't limited to theaters to watch movies on the big screen during the summer in New York. Join the crowds that gather under the trees and stars at the Bryant Park Film Festival. It takes place every summer from mid-June to late August on Monday nights and features classic films that have endured the test of time.

Held on Bryant Park's lawn, the festival typically includes family-friendly films, such as "The Muppets Take Manhattan" and "King Kong," as well as those for more mature audiences, such as "Wall Street" and "Dirty Dancing". Each film kicks off with a classic Warner Brothers cartoon and a funny little dance performed by film festival devotees. You can buy food at the Fountain Terrace as well as blankets for sitting on the lawn.

Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanadas Festival

Food and fun are two staples every visitor to New York expects to find in large quantities. The annual Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanadas Festival more than delivers on that expectation and delivers more fun than you can throw an egg roll at. The magnificent melting pot that is NYC cooks up delicious dishes and delightful performances at this event that celebrates the Chinese, Jewish and Puerto Rican cultures that took root in the neighborhood now known as Chinatown. The buoyant block party typically takes place on a Sunday afternoon in June and is anchored by the Museum at Eldridge Street.

Lincoln Center Out of Doors

From late July through mid-August, Lincoln Center presents free music, spoken word and dance performances in Damrosch Park at the annual Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival. Past performers have included Angelique Kidjo, Bonnie Raitt and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Festivals within the festival, such as Roots of American Music: Americanafest NYC, are a hallmark of Lincoln Center Out of Doors.

The Mermaid Parade

As one of New York City's most colorful and creative summer events, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade encourages celebrants to don mythological, marine and, especially, mermaid-themed costumes for the celebration. It's a sea of colorful hair, glitter, fins, fish-shaped floats, scales, shells, sea creatures and imagination as the parade makes its way along Coney Island's Surf Avenue before turning south on West 17th Street to the boardwalk. After passing the judges' reviewing stands, the parade ends at the beach, which then officially opens for summer swimming. It's definitely one for the Instagram, so make sure you take plenty of photos as people won’t believe some of the costumes you’ll see!

SummerStage

Sixteen parks across New York City's five boroughs host more than 100 free performances every summer during SummerStage, the city's largest free outdoor performing arts festival. Relax and enjoy live music, theater and dance performances by world-class entertainers from early June through late August. Performers have ranged from George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic to the Metropolitan Opera.

Shakespeare in the Park

Every year, from late May through mid-August, Shakespeare in the Park offers two free productions of Shakespeare’s most popular plays at the Central Park's Delacorte Theater. The outdoor stage hosts performances featuring stars from Broadway and television in classics like "Julius Caesar" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Summer Streets

Thousands of cyclists, runners and walkers take to the streets of New York during three Saturdays in August, when nearly seven miles of streets are devoted to the annual Summer Streets event. From 7am a.m. to 1pm, Summer Streets stretches from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park via Park Avenue, which is closed to auto traffic. The event features dozens of attractions, including an inflatable water park and a zip line. A limited number of bikes are available for free use.

U.S. Open Tennis Championships

One of the world's most exciting sporting events takes place from late August through early September when the U.S. Open Tennis Championships comes to town. Watch upcoming tennis superstars take over from the legendary likes of the Williams sisters, Federer and Nadal as they swing into action at the annual battle of backhands and first serves. The U.S. Open is played on courts around the city, including Arthur Ashe Stadium – part of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park – in Queens.

Governor's Ball Music Festival

Held on Randall's Island in early June, the Governor's Ball Music Festival has attracted throngs of enthusiastic music fans since its debut in 2011. It has featured big name performers such as Chance the Rapper, Lorde, Wiz Khalifa, Beck, Lana Del Rey, The Black Keys and The Strokes. Randall's Island is accessible via car, shuttle, subway, bus, ferry and by foot and it’s always good to have a backup plan for transport just in case. Tickets range from general admission to luxury suites, cabanas and VIP access.

Which of New York City’s sizzling summer events will complete your vacation? Share your best experiences with us on Facebook.