cultural fests / street fairs / food events / markets / shopping events (free admission, unless noted otherwise):
► fri 8-11:30pm: the final chinatown night market: forsyth plaza. >>
► sat 12-5pm: the annual big aussie bbq: old stone house (park slope). >>
► sat 1-9pm: bomb‘s annual small press flea: amant (east williamsburg). >>
► sat 1-9pm: the annual blues bbq music + food festival: pier 76 (midtown west). >>
► sat 2-6pm: a tea party swap meet for kings, things, and in-betweens: free admission (suggested donation: $5-15). >>
► sat 4-7:30pm: 13th annual hindu lamp ceremony: brooklyn bridge park’s pebble beach. >>
► sat + sun: 65th annual jersey city puerto rican day festival + parade: festival on christopher columbus dr between marin blvd + warren st (sat + sun 12-9pm); parade kicks off at lincoln park (sun 12pm). >>
► sun 11am-6pm: 43rd india day parade and festival: parade: madison ave from e 38th to e 27th st; food fest, booths, and cultural programs: madison ave from e 25th to e 26th st, and e 26th st between madison ave + park ave. >>
► sun 12-7pm: pan-afro wisdom (p.o.w.) fest: herbert von king park (bed-stuy). >>
► sun 1-6pm: brooklyn bound vintage’s one-year anniversary: rein studios (east williamsburg). $5 early bird admission 1-2pm, free admission 2-6pm. >>
► sun 1-6pm: afrobeats vs dancehall takeover: barclays center plaza (prospect heights). free admission. >>
► sun 1-9pm (rescheduled from 7/27 due to weather): african pop-up festival: hillel plaza at flatbush/nostrand. >>
► thru sun (weds-fri 5-11pm, sat + sun 2-11pm): holy rosary church’s annual la festa italiana: 344 6th street in jersey city. >>
► thru 8/24: 51st feast of santa rosalia: 18th avenue from 68th to 75th street in bensonhurst, brooklyn. >>
five film fests / series:
thru 9/4: women in action: alien + aliens, cleopatra jones, gloria, irma vep, lady snowblood, johnny guitar, ghost in the shell, gun crazy, kill bill: volumes i + ii, set it off, terminator 2: judgement day, the furies, the heroic trio, the hunger games, and more. film forum (south village), $17. >>
thru 8/28: hong kong cinema classics: a better tomorrow 1-3, a chinese ghost story 1-3, city on fire, the killer, and more. ifc center (greenwich village), $18 general, $15 seniors. >>
thru 8/21: drenched: sweaty and sunkissed cinema: a streetcar named desire, american graffiti, crooklyn, dog day afternoon, knife in the water, the burning, wet hot american summer, and more. quad cinema (greenwich village), $16. >>
thru 8/21: scary movies xiii: chain reactions, daughters of darkness, good boy, it ends, the dark and the wicked, and more. $17 general, $14 seniors/students/persons with disabilities. >>
sponsored: thru 8/17: chain nyc film festival: chain theatre (garment district / hell’s kitchen), $13+. >>
friday
sponsored: thru 9/7: ★★★★ “the late great comedians brought to vivid life” – ny stage review: penguin rep theatre presents: gene + gilda at 59e59 theaters with jordan kai burnett and jonathan randell silver. comic geniuses gene wilder (willy wonka, young frankenstein) and gilda radner (saturday night live) had a love like no other. what started as a friendship on a movie set grew into an electric and enduring romance. in this heartfelt and hilarious new play, wilder and radner share their love and their laughter with us, even as they navigate some of life’s hardest challenges. use code ‘skint’ to snag $26 tickets* (incl. $6 fee – reg. $66-$86)! >>
thru 8/24: arborlogues: a botanical recital performed for one tree: staged in the backyard of the cell theatre (chelsea), arborlogues is an intimate, 15-minute one-person play created by dan daly and lee lebreton, and starring… you. you’ll receive a script, step behind a red curtain draped from a tree, and follow the pages through a series of stories, prompts, and actions that connect you to the tree, the park, and yourself. the cell theatre (chelsea), $15. >>
thru 8/21: teenage mutant ninja turtles 35th anniversary screenings: steve barron’s 1990 action/comedy, based on kevin eastman and peter laird’s comic book, returns to select theaters for a limited engagement. various prices. >>
sponsored: thru sun: new york adventure club: your weekend just got an upgrade, courtesy of new york adventure club! take a walking tour across the brooklyn bridge into dumbo; uncover the secrets of tribeca’s lofts, artists, and alleyways; and explore new york penn station’s hidden past and stunning new train hall. >>
thru sun (various times): summerstage: summerstage presents a series of free outdoor shows this weekend: jazzmobile presents terri lyne carrington and christie dashiell at marcus garvey park in east harlem (fri 7-10pm); the soapbox presents: ‘run it back: an ode to the art of the sample’ at marcus garvey park in east harlem (sat 6-9pm); blaktronika festival at central park’s rumsey playfield (sat 4-10pm) and marcus garvey park in east harlem (sun 5-9pm); funk flex r+b birthday celebration at coney island amphitheater (sat 6-10pm) and central park’s rumsey playfield (sun 7-10pm). >>
fri + sat (6pm doors): 47th annual bric celebrate brooklyn! festival: new york city’s longest-running, free, outdoor performing arts festival returns to prospect park’s lena horne bandshell. the festival wraps up this weekend with william parker presents: ‘ellington in mourning’ and nikara presents: ‘black wall street’ (fri); nick hakim and karriem riggins (sat). >>
fri + sat (7pm): 44th annual battery dance festival: new york city’s longest-running free public dance festival returns to nelson a. rockefeller park with waterfront performances by diverse dance companies from new york and around the world. >>
fri + sat (fri 7pm, sat 6pm): bryant park picnic performances: bryant park’s annual summer performance series is back with 25 evenings of free live music, theater, and dance in the heart of midtown. bring your own picnic or purchase food and drinks from on-site vendors. blankets and bistro chairs are provided for use. next up: world music institute presents sunny jain’s wild wild east + gamelan dharma swara (fri 7pm); new york city circus festival (sat 6pm). >>
fri + sat (fri 10pm, sat 10:30pm): madonna birthday parties: celebrate all things madonna at 3 dollar bill (bushwick) and c’mon everybody (bed-stuy). various prices.
fri various times (weather permitting): free outdoor movies:
a good person at highbridge park (washington heights) >>
dirty dancing at north oculus plaza (fidi) >>
wicked at irving square park (bushwick) >>
fri 4-10pm (fridays thru 8/22): warm up 2025: kick off your summer weekends at moma ps1’s warm up, the popular outdoor music series spotlighting underground and emerging electronic talent from around the world. dance in ps1’s open-air courtyard, featuring yto barrada’s installation le grand soir, and explore the museum’s exhibitions until late. tonight: special request, nguzunguzu, new york (gretchen lawrence and coumba samba), and authentically plastic. moma ps1 (lic) $25+ general, $20+ students. >>
fri 7pm (monthly): kweendom: come out for the kweendom lgbtq+ comedy and storytelling show, featuring performances by micaela fagan, chewy may, will morrison, sarah franco, and devante goolsby. hosted by bobby hankinson. pete’s candy store (williamsburg), free admission (donations are welcome and will benefit the here to pee tour). >>
fri 7pm: close friends comedy show: comedians share material they usually save for their besties. hosted by temi adeoye and chine ikoro, tonight’s all-female lineup features amelia ritthaler, le’ah sampson, and ena da. brooklyn comedy collective (williamsburg), $10 adv, $15 day of. >>
fri 7pm-midnight: jazz + gin: speakeasy soirée: hot jazz, dancing, and cocktails await at prohibition productions’ speakeasy soirée, held in a former 1920s brooklyn speakeasy—now an art nouveau salon. the evening features live music by danny jonokuchi + the revisionists and charlie roman hot club, dj sets by dj andrius, and burlesque performer tansy, plus a free swing dance lesson (at 8:30pm). the urbane arts club (ditmas park), $21.83 with promo code ‘skint’ (reg. $27.14-30). >>
fri 7:30pm doors (monthly): best night ever comedy show: audrey black and akshay sampath (cracked) host a night of stand-up at el santo taqueria (east williamsburg / bushwick). tonight’s lineup includes emmy blotnick (colbert), allie levitan (snl), tina friml (comedy central), adam gilbert (don’t tell comedy), danny sellers (funny or die), and ellelaminopee. $12.51 adv, $16+ day of. >>
fri 8:30pm: bitches brew comedy show: this women-produced and-hosted comedy show conjures up big laughs in the back room of halyards (gowanus). tonight’s performers include danish maqbool (ramy), jason burke (comedy central), chloe radcliffe (comedy central), christian escoto, and annam choudhry. free admission (a tip jar will be passed around at the end of the show). >>
fri 9pm (rescheduled from 8/8): drop up video: a panel of comedians riff on the music videos that we love to hate. featuring dan yang, max higgins, lizzie martinez, bob gurnett, annie lockwood, kevin o’brien, and justin thompson. pine box rock shop (bushwick), $5. >>
fri 10pm: str8 west coastin’: djs still life, mekdot, and teeburr bring west coast summer hip-hop vibes to brooklyn’s friends and lovers (crown heights). free-$5 admission before 11pm with rsvp, $10 otherwise. >>
saturday
sat + sun (sat 12-8pm, sun 12-6pm): 11th annual flame con: the world’s largest and longest-running lgbtqia+ comic and pop culture convention returns with a weekend of art, panels, workshops, cosplay, drag, and more. sheraton times square hotel, $35. >>
sat + sun (6-10pm): rise up nyc: the rise up nyc summer concert series returns with 10 free outdoor concerts across the five boroughs. the series ends this weekend at roy wilkins park (queens) with wayne wonder, luciano, bobby konders, and jabba (sat) and troy songz, mýa, and bobby v (sun). >>
sat various times (weather permitting): free outdoor movies:
despicable me 4 at carmansville playground (sugar hill) >>
how deep is your love at brooklyn army terminal (sunset park) >>
the parent trap and lilo + stitch at north oculus plaza (fidi) >>
mufasa: the lion king at play area in lawrence virgilio playground (woodside) >>
sonic the hedgehog 3 at msgr. mcgolrick park (greenpoint) >>
the rooftop at st. nicholas park (harlem) >>
sat 7am-3pm (saturdays thru 8/23): nyc summer streets festival:the annual summer streets festival turns nyc into a car-free playground, with over 400 blocks open for walking, running, biking, and exploring across five saturdays. enjoy free performances, fitness classes, kids’ activities, and more. today: manhattan (from the brooklyn bridge to broadway and dykman street). >>
sat 11am-4pm: 33rd annual coney island sand sculpting competition: budding beach builders take over coney for the annual sand sculpting competition. prizes will be awarded to the top winner in each category: solo artist, adult group, family group, and semi-professional. beach at west 12th street, free admission. >>
sat 12-4pm (+ 9/13, 10/4): north brooklyn community boathouse free community public paddle: hop into a 29-foot canoe with experienced guides for a short (20-30 min) trip on newton creek, where you’ll paddle out toward the east river and maybe even catch a glimpse of the manhattan skyline. no experience necessary. manhattan avenue street end park (greenpoint), free. >>
sat 12-5pm: flynyc: music and kites fill the air at this annual outdoor festival. free kite kits will be provided for children (while supplies last), or bring your own. open to all ages. pier i in riverside park south (uws), free admission. >>
sat 1-5pm: 15th annual washington square park folk festival: the jalopy theatre + school of music’s annual folk fest returns to washington square park’s garibaldi plaza with performances by four diverse solo acts and bands. free admission. >>
sat 6-10pm: big summer get down: herbert holler’s freedom party outside: get moving at brooklyn bridge park’s last outdoor dance party of the season. food and drinks will be available for purchase. brooklyn bridge park’s pier 3 plaza, free admission. >>
sat 8pm: 12th annual joe strummer birthday bash: the clash tribute band straight to hell (‘the only clash tribute band that matters’) celebrate the music and legacy of joe strummer with a concert featuring songs by the clash, the mescaleros, the 101ers, and more. tv eye (ridgewood). $15 adv, $18 door. >>
sat 9pm: the legend of you! the personalized improvised adventure: musical improv meets fantasy adventure meets your latest therapy session in ‘the legend of you: the personalized improvised adventure.’ each performance kicks off with an everyday problem shared by an audience member, which the cast transforms into an epic quest packed with bespoke monsters, magical treasures, and plenty of singing. the rat nyc (dumbo), $15 with promo code ‘catpics’ (reg. $30). >>
sunday
sun 10am-4pm: volkswagen gridlock car show on governors island: gridlock on governors island, the only vintage volkswagen car show in nyc, pulls into picnic point with 75 classic cars—from beetles and busses to karmann ghias and things. free admission. >>
sponsored: sun 12-4pm: family day at royal palms shuffleboard club: for the first time ever, the royal palms shuffleboard club in gowanus is opening its doors to rookies of all ages and planning a whole day of shuffleboard for the shorter set! meet us for a summery afternoon of free lessons, half-price shuffleboard (for parents and kids 8 years and up) and tropical fun for your whole cutie crew. we’ll have tiki-inspired mocktails, mini munchies, board games, plus giant jenga and connect four – there’s something for everyone! psst: in the name of safety, all littles must be at least 8-years-old to play on the courts, but all ages are welcome to spectate and join in on the rest of the fun! >>
sun 2-6pm (sundays thru 8/24): union pool’s 13th annual summer thunder concert series: williamsburg’s union pool hosts free afternoon concerts every sunday thru summer. today: the hard quartet with rat henry and dj fantasy man. note: according to union pool’s instagram, admission is first come first served and rsvp is not required for entry. >>
sun 3pm: infinite good times movie club: aliens: infinite good times movie club returns with an afternoon screening of aliens at gowanus metal bar lucky 13, where the popcorn is free and the beer is cheap. free admission with rsvp ($5 suggested donation). >>
sun 3-8pm: for the people: a substance-free dance party: third place bar and finding your niche team up fo a substance-free dance party in the backyard of bushwick’s crossroads cafe. food, coffees, and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase. >>
sun 5pm (+ 8/31, 9/14, 9/28): poetry at elizabeth street garden: poets muse on a chosen theme at this outdoor reading series at elizabeth street garden (nolita), where anyone can submit work in advance for a chance to read. today’s theme: ‘measure.’ presented by mcnally jackson bookstore with hosts yvonne brooks and joseph reiver. free admission. >>
sun 7pm: how was it? storytelling: the how was it? storytelling show, hosted by matt storrs, celebrates its fourth anniversary with a night of engaging and humorous true stories at at q.e.d. astoria. $5 admission. >>
sun 7pm: dollylujah! a dolly parton experience: make a pilgrimage to littlefield (gowanus) for dolly parton cover band doll parts’ annual celebration of all things dolly. a limited number of tickets are available for $12.56 with promo code ‘oddjobs50’ (reg. $25.39). >>
sun 7:30pm: make it good: noa osheroff and dan rosen host a night of short films and stand-up comedy at brooklyn art haus (williamsburg). tonight’s edition features comedy by chloe radcliffe, mia jackson, and luke mones, with films by emily everhard, alyssa lerner, and sara hennessey + danny hurwitz. $15 with promo code ‘sogood’ (reg. $20). >>
sun 7:30pm (monthly): good god comedy show: audience members can anonymously share their craziest, cringiest, most scandalous secrets for the hosts to read aloud at this stand-up comedy variety show. tonight’s lineup: gary gulman, joyelle johnson, aj holmes, and blake freeman. hosted by naomi karavani, brittany carney, and caitlin cook. union hall (park slope), $10 adv, $15 door. >>
sun 8pm (monthly): beanie babe comedy: the standups and the stuffed animals are full of beans at this comedy show, where a donation will get you a vintage beanie baby to take home. featuring kate willett, gary simons, marty cunnie, paulina breeze, and anne stesney. hosted by rebecca kaplan. young ethel’s (south slope), free admission (donations optional). >>
sun 8pm (monthly) disasterpiece movie night: chopping mall: from the weird to the wondrous, disasterpiece unearths bad movies for a watch party complete with drinking games, trivia, pizza, and more. tonight: cult-classic slasher flick chopping mall (1986). wonderville (bushwick), free admission. >>
sun 8:30pm: eric adams + andrew cuomo appealapalooza: eric adams and andrew cuomo (comedic actors tristan griffin and yoni lotan) face of in a battle for new yorker’s love and approval. ucb (east village), $15. >>
monday
mon thru 8/23: u.s. open fan week: leading up to the main tournament, the u.s. open’s annual fan week serves up six days of events at the usta billie jean king national tennis center (flushing meadows – corona park, queens): player practice sessions, the qualifying matches, a block party, arthur ashe kids’ day, and more. note: access to the grounds and most events are free, but some require paid tickets. >>
mon various times (weather permitting): free outdoor movies:
by design at gansevoort plaza (meatpacking district) >>
interstellar at bryant park (rescheduled from 7/14) >>
legally blonde at astoria park (queens) >>
the wild robot at cunningham park (fresh meadows) >>
mon 4pm, 7pm: classics in black + white: roman holiday: village east and cinema 123 by angelika host a series of classic black + white screenings, continuing tonight with william wyler’s roman holiday (1953), starring audrey hepburn, gregory peck, and eddie albert. $19-22.
mon 7pm (monthly): and scene: anything could happen when actors and improvisors share the stage at ‘and scene,’ where the actors know their lines ahead of time and the improvisers make up their parts with no prior knowledge of the scenes. featuring ego nwodim (snl), chloe troast (snl), connor ratliff (the george lucas talk show), johnathan fernandez (gossip girl), francesca faridany (black panther), and more. $18.76 with promo code ‘brick’ (reg. $24-25). >>
mon 7pm (various dates thru 10/20): vale cinema series: movies under the stars—or in the pool? the william vale hotel’s outdoor cinema series is back with rooftop screenings at the 23rd-floor turf club, and splashy ‘dive-in’ movies by the fourth-floor vale pool. tonight: clueless at the turf club. drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. $20+ admission. >>
mon 7pm doors: rooftop films presents: lurker: the popular rooftop films series, one of the word’s longest-running and largest outdoor showcases for indie film, returns for its 29th season. tonight: alex russell’s lurker, followed q+a with the filmmaker and stars théodore pellerin and archie madekwe. new design high school (les), $20. >>
ongoing
our roundup of 70+ ongoing events: free shakespeare in the park, snl ticket lottery, summer restaurant week, friday night fireworks in coney island, and more. >>
stay safe and healthy
– the skint
