Date and venue: Through August 24 at Greenwich House Theater

There's a brand-new theatre festival at the Greenwich House Theater right now, showcasing theatre, music, and comedy. The five-week Matchbook Fest has something for everyone, such as Steve Burns Alive, a one-man show from beloved Blues Clues host Steve Burns, and March Madness, a hilarious spin on Little Women. Find the full lineup and tickets on TodayTix.

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: 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, Paramount Times Square through September 2, 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 Paramount Times Square, opt for the Broadway Show Package, which includes two weekday (Monday to Thursday) tickets to Two Strangers, Six, or Operation Mincemeat and two post-show cocktails at the lobby bar along with your stay through September 2. Bookings must be made by August 30.

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: 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: 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: Sundays through September 6 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: 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: July 25 to August 23 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park

With over 60 years of delivering free Shakespeare shows to New York City, The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park is back for its summer season. Romeo & Juliet will run from May 22 to June 28, followed by The Winter’s Tale from July 25 to August 23. There are several ways to get your hands on free tickets, including at in-person distribution stations in all five boroughs and through a TodayTix digital lottery.

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: 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: May 20 to December 6 in Madison Square Park

Madison Square Park’s latest art installation comes from Philadelphia-based artist Roberto Lugo, known for his ceramic sculptures, often inspired by the history of ceramics and Puerto Rican culture, hip-hop, and graffiti.

The two sculptures he’s created for the park are a 20-foot-tall urn that nods to traditional ceramics and a 15-foot-tall fire hydrant, a nod to urban environments. There are also hand-painted planters filled with plants native to Puerto Rico and domino tables that anyone can use.

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.

Date and venue: August 6-23 at Frigid New York

Frigid New York is hosting its annual Little Shakespeare Festival, this year with a theme of ShakesPUNK, encouraging creators to shake things up and rethink the way the Bard’s plays are normally performed. The three-week-long festival will showcase 16 performances, transforming popular Shakespeare plays like Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night, and more. Find the full schedule and tickets online.

Date and venue: August 19 to 23 at The Amph at Little Island

Former bandleader of The Late Show, Louis Cato, is coming to Little Island for a residency, along with some of the best jazz musicians in the city. Along with his band and Grammy Award-winning singer Catherine Russell, Cato will transport guests to the music of the Harlem Renaissance, which completely transformed jazz music. Stick around after the show on August 22 for a free swing dance party with Louis Cato and his band. Find tickets online.

Date and venue: August 27 at the St. James Theatre

Fans of Titanique won’t want to miss the special upcoming fan night, aptly named “Ti-stan-ique Fan Night,” offering guests a night chock-full of exciting opportunities. Expect surprise guest appearances, prize giveaways, sing-alongs, and even a special treat for those who dress in a costume inspired by the show.

Get Titanique tickets now.

Date and venue: August 28 at The Intrepid Museum

There is no shortage of outdoor movies in NYC this summer, and the Intrepid Museum is another spot to add to your list. It’s wrapping up its summer movie series with a screening of the family-friendly animated classic, An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and grab a spot on the flight deck for an epic movie viewing location.

Date and venue: August 28 to 30 at Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park

Enjoy a weekend of jazz with the 34th annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, which takes place across both Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park and the Lower East Side’s Tompkins Square Park, both places where the famous saxophonist lived and worked. The weekend offers several free concerts from contemporary jazz artists, as well as a slew of ancillary programming like film screenings, performances, and exhibits. Visit the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival website for the full schedule.

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: 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: August 26 to 30 at Times Square

Whether you’re already on board the pickleball train or you’re curious to learn, you’ll want to head to Times Square’s CityPickle Palooza event. An entire pickleball court will be in the middle of Times Square for five days, offering visitors a chance to play for free—or just sit and spectate if that’s more your speed. You’ll need to sign up 24 hours in advance of the day you want to play, so keep an eye on the CityPickle Palooza website for when they open.