Best Things to Do This Week in NYC (June 30 – July 6)
The Big Apple has something for everyone, and then some. Best things to do this week in NYC include rooftop shows, pop-up festivals, late-night comedy, and a few Broadway heavy-hitters taking their final bow. Add in the 4th of July and the city’s dialed all the way up: fireworks on the river, packed ballparks, wild hot dog contests, and more excuses to stay out way past your bedtime.
Now’s the time to make space in your calendar. Here’s what not to miss.
Event details and schedules can change. Please check the official website or contact the organisers for the most up-to-date info.
Best Things to Do This Week in New York City – June 30th to July 6th | 4th of July Celebrations, Concerts & More
New York Sings Yiddish: Zalmen Mlotek, Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All Stars & More (June 30)
Join a celebration of Yiddish music featuring skilled musicians and vocalists. This klezmer concert brings heart and history to Central Park.
- Location: Rumsey Playfield, Central Park (East 72nd Street entrance, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://cityparksfoundation.org
- Best for: Lovers of traditional music and Jewish cultural heritage.
Killer Queen (July 1)
Relive the music of Queen with Killer Queen, a tribute band known for their energetic performances and faithful renditions of classic hits. Sing along to songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You” on a rooftop stage.
- Location: Sony Hall (235 W 46th St, New York)
- Admission: Get tickets here.
- Website: https://www.killerqueenonline.com/
- Best for: Die-hard Queen fans and those seeking a high-energy musical experience.
Jessie Reyez (July 1–2)
Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez brings her “Paid In Memories” tour to Brooklyn, delivering powerful vocals and raw, emotional storytelling. Expect a mix of R&B, soul, and pop.
- Location: Brooklyn Paramount (385 Flatbush Avenue Extension, Brooklyn)
- Admission: Get tickets here.
- Website: https://www.jessiereyez.com/
- Best for: Fans of bold, emotional vocals and honest lyricism.
Charlotte Day Wilson / The Weather Station (July 2)
Charlotte Day Wilson’s alt-R&B voice pairs with The Weather Station’s folk melodies in this free SummerStage concert. An outdoor evening with reflective music in Central Park.
- Location: Rumsey Playfield, Central Park (East 72nd Street entrance, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://cityparksfoundation.org/
- Best for: Fans of intimate outdoor performances.
Zarabanda Variations (July 2)
Presented by the American Modern Opera Company, this performance reimagines the zarabanda dance through contemporary music and choreography.
- Location: David Rubenstein Atrium, Lincoln Center (61 W 62nd St, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.lincolncenter.org
- Best for: Lovers of Latin music and fusion choreography.
Jungle Cat Comedy (July 2)
Prepare for a night of sharp wit and unfiltered humor as NYC comedians take the stage. Expect unexpected themes and big laughs in a close-up venue.
- Location: David Rubenstein Atrium, Lincoln Center (61 W 62nd St, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.lincolncenter.org/
- Best for: Comedy fans craving something edgier than your average set.
Xito Lovell & Que Xopa Collective (July 3)
Grammy-winning artist Xito Lovell leads a performance blending Latin jazz, Afro-Panamanian rhythms, hip-hop, and R&B in his Lincoln Center debut.
- Location: The Dance Floor at Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center (10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.lincolncenter.org/
- Best for: Fans of reggaetón, activism through music, and Panamanian culture.
Edinburgh Rollick (July 3)
A preview of the Edinburgh Festival. This event brings Scottish dance tunes to life with Ruckus and AMOC* member Keir GoGwilt’s dynamic folk-baroque performance, honoring 18th-century composer Niel Gow.
- Location: The Underground at Jaffe Drive, Lincoln Center (Jaffe Drive, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: lincolncenter.org
- Best for: Theater enthusiasts and festival lovers.
hellotones “El Hijo de PueblaYork” (July 3)
DJ hellotones presents “El Hijo de PueblaYork,” an experimental performance fusing Puebla (Mexico) folklore with New York street energy. Expect a unique musical and visual hybrid that celebrates diasporic art.
- Location: The Dance Floor at Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center (10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.lincolncenter.org/
- Best for: Curious audiences and fans of diasporic art.
New York Guitar Festival (July 3–4)
A two-day festival with guitar performances across genres: flamenco, folk, blues, experimental. Shows include Pedro Cortes, Big Lazy, and Marel Hidalgo. Bring a picnic and enjoy the music in Bryant Park.
- Location: Bryant Park (Between 40th and 42nd Streets & 5th and 6th Avenues, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://bryantpark.org/
- Best for: Guitar lovers and those seeking a relaxing green-space experience.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks (July 4)
More than 60,000 shells light up the sky in the country’s largest Independence Day show. Arrive early to secure a spot along the Hudson.
- Location: Hudson River (viewing between W. 14th & W. 34th St, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.macys.com/
- Best for: Families, tourists, and anyone seeking classic NYC spectacle.
Circle Line 4th of July Fireworks Cruise (July 4)
A night on the water with DJs, a buffet, and fireworks over the Hudson. Celebrate with a full view of the show and the Statue of Liberty from the river.
- Location: Pier 83 (West 42nd St & 12th Ave, New York)
- Admission: Get tickets here.
- Website: circleline.co
- Best for: Couples and groups seeking a scenic celebration.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest (July 4)
A Coney Island classic, this annual contest brings thousands to see how many hot dogs can be eaten in 10 minutes. Come for the spectacle, stay for the beach boardwalk vibes.
- Location: Nathan’s Famous (1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://nathansfranks.sfdbrands.com/
- Best for: Fans of quirky contests and high-energy crowds.
Mets vs. Yankees: Subway Series (July 4–6)
Baseball’s top local rivalry returns for a three-game series. Expect a packed stadium, some of the season’s loudest cheers, and a truly New York atmosphere.
- Location: Citi Field (123-01 Roosevelt Ave, Queens)
- Admission: Tickets available via MLB.com
- Website: https://www.mlb.com/mets/
- Best for: Baseball and sports enthusiasts.
Duck Down 30th Anniversary Show (July 5)
Independent hip-hop label Duck Down Records marks 30 years with a lineup of NYC rap legends, rare tracks, and live DJ sets. This event is a must for hip-hop aficionados.
- Location: Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center (Amsterdam Ave & W 62nd St, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.lincolncenter.org/
- Best for: Old-school hip-hop heads and music history buffs.
John Proctor Is the Villain (Ongoing, Final Show July 6)
A modern take on The Crucible, this dark comedy unfolds in a Georgia high school as students confront themes of power, consent, and systemic injustice. Featuring Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink
- Location: Booth Theatre (222 W 45th St, New York)
- Admission: Get tickets here.
- Website: https://johnproctoristhevillain.com/
- Best for: Fans of modern reinterpretations of classic literature and thought-provoking drama.
Purpose (Ongoing, Final Show July 6)
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play follows a political family wrestling with ambition and legacy in Washington, D.C. Directed by Phylicia Rashad and featuring LaTanya Richardson Jackson.
- Location: Hayes Theater (240 W 44th St, New York)
- Admission: Get tickets here.
- Website: purposeonbroadway.com
- Best for: Audiences interested in stories about power, family, and Black identity in America.
Rosa Barba: The Ocean of One’s Pause (Ongoing, Until July 6)
An immersive installation combining sound, film, and sculpture to evoke ecological reflection and poetic tension. This multisensory piece blurs the line between art and science.
- Location: MoMA (11 W 53rd St, New York)
- Admission: Included with museum entry
- Website: https://www.moma.org/
- Best for: Fans of conceptual and contemporary installations.
Japan Fes – Midtown East (July 6)
Explore Japanese street food stalls offering everything from okonomiyaki to matcha treats. Japanese vendors line Midtown with snacks, crafts, J-pop, and cosplay.
- Location: 47th St between Lexington & 2nd Ave, New York
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.japanfes.com/newyork
- Best for: Foodies and fans of Japanese culture.
Sunset Boulevard (Ongoing, Until July 13)
Nicole Scherzinger dazzles as Norma Desmond in this revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic. This stylized, high-drama production dives into the price of fame and fading stardom.
- Location: St. James Theatre (246 W 44th St, New York)
- Admission: Get tickets here.
- Website: https://sunsetblvdbroadway.com/
- Best for: Fans of classic musicals and theatrical spectacle.
Nancy Elizabeth Prophet: I Will Not Bend an Inch (Ongoing, Until July 13)
Discover the bold sculptures and life story of Afro-Indigenous artist Nancy Elizabeth Prophet. Her work addresses race, gender, and resistance.
- Location: Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn)
- Admission: Included with museum entry
- Website: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/
- Best for: Those interested in social justice through sculpture.
A Billion Dollar Dream: The 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair (Ongoing, Until July 13)
This 60th anniversary exhibit showcases the innovation, optimism, and contradictions of the mid-century World’s Fair. Includes artifacts, photographs, and original architecture plans.
- Location: Queens Museum (New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens)
- Admission: Suggested donation
- Website: https://queensmuseum.org/
- Best for: Lovers of futurism, retro design, and NYC history.
Ilé Oriaku – Toyin Ojih Odutola (Ongoing, Until July 18)
Nigerian-American artist Toyin Ojih Odutola uses drawing and installation to reflect on memory, ancestral ties, and interiority.
- Location: Jack Shainman Gallery (46 Lafayette St, New York)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://ocula.com/art-galleries/jack-shainman/
- Best for: Fans of narrative illustration and contemporary diasporic voices.
The New Art: American Photography, 1839–1910 (Ongoing, Until July 20)
This exhibition explores the birth of American photography through rare images that shaped how the country saw itself. Includes work by early pioneers of the medium.
- Location: The Met (1000 5th Ave, New York)
- Admission: Included with museum entry
- Website: https://www.metmuseum.org/
- Best for: Photography buffs and American history fans.
Video After Video: The Critical Media of CAMP (Ongoing, Until July 20)
This exhibit examines how contemporary video art challenges the boundaries of surveillance, propaganda, and global media. Works span decades and continents.
- Location: MoMA (11 W 53rd St, New York)
- Admission: Included with entry
- Website: https://www.moma.org/
- Best for: Media theorists and fans of political art.
Baseball Cards from the Collection of Jefferson R. Burdick (Ongoing, Until July 22)
Browse over 130 vintage cards from Jefferson R. Burdick’s renowned collection, celebrating the nostalgia and iconography of America’s favorite pastime.
- Location: The Met (1000 5th Ave, New York)
- Admission: Included with museum entry
- Website: https://www.metmuseum.org/
- Best for: Sports fans and collectors.
Beatriz Milhazes: Rigor and Beauty (Ongoing, Until September 7)
Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes brings color, pattern, and abstraction to the Guggenheim in this solo exhibit. A rare chance to see her layered works up close.
- Location: Guggenheim Museum (1071 5th Ave, New York)
- Admission: Included with museum entry
- Website: https://www.guggenheim.org/
- Best for: Abstract art lovers and Latin American art enthusiasts.
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