Top 5 Things to Do in NYC This August
Top Things to Do in NYC This August
While the rest of the country is preparing for fall, summer in New York City is just heating up. Each August, New York prepares for one last hurrah before the days get shorter, our summer Fridays are over, and it’s back to school for kids and college students alike. Throughout the five boroughs, street fairs, festivals, performances, and a wide variety of other celebrations commemorate another amazing summer in the city, reminding us once again why it’s so easy to love this season, even when it’s a scorcher. If you’re in the city this August, make sure to take some time and check out these exciting festivities:
Jazz Age Lawn Party: Take a trip back in time on Governor’s Island this summer by popping into the Jazz Age Lawn Party. This fun summertime event celebrates the style, music, food, and drink of the 1920s on August 13th and 14th, with an earlier installment of the same party taking place in June. Wear your fascinator and flapper dress or your seersucker suit and enjoy cocktails like the St. Germain-based Americano de Robert from Flatiron Lounge co-owner Julie Reiner, the elderflower and juniper-infused Flapper’s Delight, and a strawberry and gin combo dubbed Strike Up the Band. Once you’ve got your dancing shoes on, Charleston the night away to the sweet sounds of Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra while enjoying bites from the Queens-based seasonal food specialists at An Artistic Taste, downtown comfort food Mecca Mom’s Cooking, and Melt Bakery, known for their creative ice cream sandwiches.
U.S. Open: When the temperature heats up, leave the sports to the professionals. This August, treat your family and friends to one of the world’s premier sporting events with tickets to the U.S. Open, taking place in Queens. Starting on August 29th, the best of the tennis world, from Venus and Serena Williams to Roger Federer, will descend on Flushing Meadows-Corona Park for the most prestigious tennis competition this side of Wimbledon. Tennis isn’t the only thing to enjoy at the arena, however — you can also taste treats from a variety of food vendors and rock out to live sets from musicians representing multiple genres. Families with young children can even start the celebration early by attending Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on August 27th, which provides free tennis clinics and demonstrations for little ones, as well as ticketed performances.
World Trade Center Block Party: Downtown Manhattan turns into celebration central on August 14th as the Financial District opens its streets for the second installment of the World Trade Center Block Party. This community event, which takes place on Liberty Street from Broadway to Trinity Place, combines food, performance, and vendors of all kinds for one of Manhattan’s biggest and most celebrated block parties. Whether you’re hoping to get your groove on to the live sounds of some of New York City’s hottest musical acts or just looking for an excuse to enjoy some fried dough and cotton candy, this energetic street fair is not to be missed.
Afropunk: As August winds down, get pumped up for one of the country’s most highly-anticipated festivals, Afropunk. While the festival has gotten some recent press, thanks to MIA recently being ousted from its lineup, Afropunk is about far more than just music and in-fighting among industry insiders. The event, which takes place on August 27th and 28th in Fort Greene’s Commodore Barry Park, will combine live music from acts including Ice Cube, Tyler the Creator, TV on the Radio, Janelle Monae, Earl Sweatshirt, Bad Brains, George Clinton, Living Colour, Angel Haze, and The Internet, in addition to a market with a wide array of vendors, art and live performance, and food trucks and pop-up stands from beloved restaurants like Hill Country BBQ, Kimchi Taco Truck, Nuchas, Sweet Chili, Phil’s Steaks, and Alchemy Creamery.
Shakespeare in the Park: Brush up on your Shakespeare this summer with a visit to a performance ofTroilus & Cressida in Central Park. Taking place at the park’s outdoor Delacorte Theater from Tuesdays through Sundays at 8 PM through August 14th, this celebrated event has become a major part of the city’s fabric, drawing huge crowds and world-renowned performers alike. Actors from Meryl Streep to Al Pacino have given some of their finest performances on the stage at the Delacorte, and this summer is no different — this year’s cast includes Midnight in Paris star Corey Stoll as Ulysses and relative newcomers Andrew Burnap and Ismenia Mendes in the show’s title roles.
As the summer comes to an end, make the most of all that New York City has to offer with the entertaining cultural activities taking place throughout the five boroughs this August. Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly fun or just looking to dance the night away with a cocktail in hand, there’s something for everyone in the city this summer.
