Image via Complex Original
Summer in New York City means bike rides across Brooklyn Bridge, tanning on Brighton Beach, and, most importantly, taking advantage of as many free events as humanly possible.
From concert shows to movies in the park, NYC offers an array of events for you to enjoy when the weather gets steamy that are as awesome as they are free. The only money you'll be spending this summer is on the MetroCard that will you get to these events. Here are 25 Free Things To Do in NYC This Summer.
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4Knots Music Festival
Date: Wednesday, June 29
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: South Street Seaport
Perfect for: Discovering the next best musicians before they go mainstream
Website: villagevoice.com
Back at the South Street Seaport for the third consecutive year, the 4 Knots Music Festival brings together emerging artists in the music scene. This year's festival will feature acts such as The Men, White Lung, and Hunters.
Brooklyn Bridge Boathouse Kayaking
Date: June 6 through July 20
Time: Varies
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park
Perfect for: Escaping the madness of rush-hour traffic
Website: bbpboathouse.org
The NYC non-profit organization, Brooklyn Bride Boathouse Kayaking, helps to promote and education people about human-powered boating. During the summer, the organization offers free kayaks (and gear) and even lessons on kayaking.
Celebrate Brooklyn!
Date: June 5 through August 10
Time: Varies
Location: Prospect Park Bandshell
Perfect for: Enjoying good music in the open air
Website: bricartsmedia.org
Celebrate Brooklyn! is one of NYC's longest running outdoor music festivals. Since its inception, the festival has showcased over 2,000 artists on their stages. These artists, both renowned and emerging, include musicians, actors, and dancers. This year will feature performances from Big Boi and Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal.
Central Park Conservancy Film Festival
Date: August 22 through August 26
Time: Varies
Location: Central Park
Perfect for: Watching a film and the sunset simultaneously
Website: centralparknyc.org
Unlike the events that offer free film screening outdoors, the Central Park Conservancy Film Festival allows participants to vote for the movie they wish to view. Genres include classic, horror, and family-friendly flicks with titles such as West Side Story, Psycho, and Annie.
Central Park Summerstage
Date: June 1 through August 29
Time: Varies
Location: NYC Parks
Perfect for: Watching a free performance from your favorite artist
Website: cityparksfoundation.org
Central Park Summerstage is one of the most highly anticipated free events of the summer. The event occupies over 750 NYC parks to bring guests live musical performances, indie films screenings, and dance performances. This year's guest will include Fat Joe and Bilal.
City of Water Day
Date: Saturday, July 20
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Governor's Island
Perfect for: Learning about environmental issues while being entertained
Website: cityofwaterday.org
With the help of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, City of Water Day has been established. City of Water Day aims to promote environmental education and will feature live performances as well as on-the-water activities.
Coney Island Flicks on the Beach
Date: July 1 through August 19
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Coney Island
Perfect for: A romantic first date
Website: coneyislandfunguide.com
Impress your next date with a trip to Coney Island that involves more than a Nathan's hot dog. The beach will be hosting film screenings on a giant 40-foot inflatable screen. Titles include The Avengers and The Hunger Games.
Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Date: Saturday, June 22
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Coney Island
Perfect for: Believers of the mythical sea creatures
Website: coneyisland.com
Labeled as the largest art parade in the nation, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade includes more than 1,500 people expressing their unique style. With last year's event exceeding over 75,000 spectators, this year's parade is sure to be an exciting experience.
Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series
Date: May 24 through August 30
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Location: Central Park
Perfect for: Music lovers that don't mind camping out all night
Website: abclocal.go.com
The Good Morning America Summer Concert Series brings some of the best musicians in today's industry to perform a free mini concert for fans. This year's event will include Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, and Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis. The only catch is that guests are expected to line up at 6:00 a.m. but if that isn't a problem for you, this concert is definitely a great bet.
Harlem Week
Date: July 27 through August 24
Time: Varies
Location: Harlem
Perfect for: Celebrating the Harlem culture
Website: harlemweek.com
Harlem Week consists of over 100 events that promote and celebrate the unique flavor of the Harlem neighborhood. This year's events include the International Cultural Showcase and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Date: June 17 through August 19
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Bryant Park
Perfect for: Re-watching your favorite movie
Website: bryantpark.org
HBO and Bryant Park partner for another summer to bring guests a variety of films that are screened on the lawn of Bryant Park. The films featured this year will include classics like Norma Rae and all-time favorites like E.T.
Hudson River Park's RiverFlicks
Date: July 10 through August 21
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Hudson River Park, Pier 63
Perfect for: Enjoying a movie with a view
Website: riverflicks.com
RiverFlicks host film screenings for both children and adults this summer. The screenings take place Pier 63, which features an amazing view of the water. Free popcorn is also served.
Hudson River Park's RiverRocks
Date: July 11 through August 8
Time: Varies
Location: Hudson River Park, Pier 84
Perfect for: Rocking out against views of the Hudson
Website: riverrocksnyc.com
RiverRocks celebrates its fifth year of their music festival this summer with emerging artists that include Ducktails and The Aves. Past acts have included Yeasayer and Matt & Kim.
Lincoln Center Out of Doors
Date: July 24 through August 11
Time: Varies
Location: Lincoln Center
Perfect for: Hearing music from around the world
Website: lcoutofdoors.org
The Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival offers three weeks of musical and dance performances from artists all over the globe. This year's event will include a tribute to Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and a performance of a classical Chinese musical theatre piece.
Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks
Date: Thursday, July 4
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Location: Varies
Perfect for: A romantic date
Website: macys.com
There's no better place to spend the Fourth of July than attending the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks. The light show features some of the coolest pyrotechnics to ever grace a night's sky.
Mad. Sq. Music: Oval Lawn Series
Date: June 19 through August 7
Time: Varies
Location: Madison Square Park
Perfect for: Madison Square Garden quality performances at no charge
Website: madisonsquarepark.org
Like many of the other free summer concert series on this list, the Mad. Sq. Music: Oval Lawn Series features several up and coming musicians that perform hour and a half long events. This year's series will include artists Suzanne Vega and Ben Sollee.
Make Music New York
Date: Friday, June 21
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Varies
Perfect for: Celebrating the art of music
Website: makemusicny.org
The Make Music New York is an all-day event that includes over 1,000 impromptu performances from local musicians of all genres. The event will take place all over New York City with musicians using sidewalks, cemeteries, and gardens as their stage. This event also encourages everyone to express themselves through music, placing over 80 pianos all around the city for public use.
Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
Date: Thursday. July 4
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Coney Island
Perfect for: Being awed and disgusted simultaneously
Website: nathansfamous.com
On July 4th, many people travel down to Coney Island. Some go to see the firework show, but most go to witness one of the world's most famous eating competitions. The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Competition will feature returning champ, 100-pound Sonya Thomas, and five-time champ, Joey Chestnut.
NY Metropolitan Summer Recital Series
Date: July 16 through August 1
Time: Varies
Location: Varies
Perfect For: Feeling like you've got class.
Website: metoperafamily.org
Sit back and be amazed by some of the rising performers in opera. The NY Metropolitan Summer Recital Series includes six performances all over New York City and will feature rising performers such as Erin Morley and Isabel Leonard.
New York Philharmonic: Concerts in the Parks
Date: July 10 through July 16
Time: Varies
Location: Varies
Perfect for: Experiencing the sounds of classic music
Website: nyphil.org
The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks provides music lovers a chance to hear some of the best classical music in the world. The Philharmonic orchestra will perform at parks within all five boroughs, making this an event you don't want to miss.
NYC Pride March
Date: Sunday, June 30
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Fifth Avenue (36th St.)
Perfect for: Supporting equal rights
Website: nycpride.org
The NYC Pride March celebrates and encourages the culture of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. It is undoubtedly the largest event in the nation that does so. This year's event will feature Edith Windsor, Harry Belafonte and Earl Fowlkes as Grand Marshals that will be leading the parade.
Rumble on the River
Date: Thursday, August 1
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Pier 84
Perfect for: Seeing a fighting match without paying pay-per-view prices
Website: hudsonriverpark.org
Rumble on the River features amateur Muay Thai boxers from all over New York battling it out to become champion. Muay Thai boxing is similar to MMA style fighting with a specialization in striking and kicking.
Shakespeare in the Park
Date: July 23 through August 18
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Central Park
Perfect for: Fans of the English poet
Website: shakespeareinthepark.org
Shakespeare in the Park is one of New York City's most appreciated events. In the past, this free event has enlisted A-plus actors like Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. This year, Shakespeare's play The Comedy of Errors will be performed and will star actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
Summer Streets
Date: August 3 through August 17
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Location: Park Avenue (72nd St.)
Perfect for: Active New Yorkers looking for a place to let loose
Website: nyc.gov
For three consecutive Saturdays this summer, seven miles of New York City's streets will transform into a car-free playground. In celebration of New York City's public space, Summer Streets offers New Yorkers a route extending from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park (along Park Ave.) that is designed for bikers, runners, and everyone else. The event will also include free activities for people to enjoy including wall climbing and zip lining.
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
Date: May 25 through August 31
Time: Varies
Location: Washington Square Park
Perfect for: Adding a new artist to your list of favorites
Website: wsoae.org
The Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit gathers local artists from all over New York City to a place where they can showcase their work to thousands. The exhibit not only allows these artists to receive recognition, but also offers monetary prizes.