New York events
Expert guide to New York
An insider's guide to the best festivals and events in New York, including The US Open, Shakespeare in the Park and where to celebrate Independence Day. By Dougals Rogers and Tyler Wetherall, Telegraph Travel's New York experts.
Calendar of events and festivals 2018
Shakespeare in the Park
May-August
This long-running series of free open-air plays in the amphitheater at the Central Park’s Delacorte is a New York institution. The likes of Meryl Streep, Al Pacino and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman have all performed here, and despite the name, the plays are not restricted to Shakespeare.
Prices: tickets are free via digital lottery or if you queue to secure them;
Contact: 001 212 967 7555; shakespeareinthepark.org/about
Summer Stage
June-August
A summer-long series of plays, concerts and performances, many of them free, in some 75 parks across all five boroughs of the city. Past performers have included Femi Kuti, Joan Baez, PJ Harvey and Sonic Youth, and there have also been readings by literary giants such as George Plimpton and Toni Morrison. There are festivals within the main festival, such as The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.
Prices: vary, some free
Contact: 001 212 360 2789; cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage
Celebrate Brooklyn
June-September
Hosted by Brooklyn Information & Culture (BRIC), this free arts and music festival has been going strong since 1979, and has been a key player in revitalising Prospect Park Bandshell, where most of the events are based. Previous performers include Leonard Cohen, Chaka Khan and the mesmerizing Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds.
Prices: prices vary, most concerts free
Contact: bricartsmedia.org for listings and ticket information
Independence Day
July 4
Out on Coney Island, Brooklyn Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest draws thousands of visitors to the Brooklyn beach town. The evening brings the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks display which are easily the most spectacular fireworks in the country. For the best viewing point, head to points on the Hudson River in Manhattan.
Prices: free
Contact: nycgo.com for other July 4 events
The US Open
August 29-September 11
Catch the No. 7 train out to Flushing Meadows in Queens, host of the gala sporting event of every New York summer. Even Wimbledon can’t compare with the electric atmosphere of an evening match under the lights at The Open, with some games going on close to midnight. In 2017, Sloane Stephens made an astonishing comeback from injury entering the tournament at world number 957 and finishing as the Grand Slam winner.
Prices: vary, see website
Contact: usopen.org for game times and tickets
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 24
Bring the kids to the spectacular Macy’s-sponsored street parade televised nationally on NBC. Watch 50-foot balloons of superheroes and cartoon characters tethered to mobile floats make their way through the canyons of Manhattan, from Central Park down Broadway. The streets along the route get very crowded, so try to base yourself in a hotel on the route with a good view of the parade – somewhere like the Mandarin Oriental at Columbus Circle. Just don’t be surprised to find a giant inflatable Superman staring at you through your window.
Prices: free
Contact: nycgo.com for details on the parade route
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