The first official weekend of summer has arrived, and New York City is celebrating in full force! For those seeking exciting NYC weekend events June 21-22, prepare for an incredible array of activities.
What to Do in NYC This Weekend: June 21–22, 2025
From iconic parades and vibrant cultural festivities to live music, outdoor fitness, family-friendly fun, and can’t-miss pop culture moments, this guide covers the best happenings. Get ready to explore, engage, and make the most of the summer sun with our top picks for NYC weekend events across all five boroughs.
Parades & Cultural Celebrations
Kick off summer with a bang at these lively street celebrations! These NYC weekend events are perfect for vibrant cultural immersion.
Mermaid Parade Returns to Coney Island
Dive into the wild and whimsical at the 43rd Annual Mermaid Parade, an iconic Brooklyn tradition taking place Saturday, June 21, from 1–5 PM. Head to West 21st Street & Surf Avenue in Coney Island to witness fantastical costumes, glittering floats, and enchanting ocean-inspired pageantry. It’s one of the city’s most colorful and creative expressions of art and individuality, offering a perfect way to celebrate summer in true NYC style with one of the country’s largest art parades. This is a quintessential NYC weekend event not to miss.
Desfile Y Festival Latinos De NY Parade
Brooklyn’s Graham Avenue will pulse with rhythm, color, and culture all day Sunday, June 22, as the Latino community unites for a day of energetic dance, live music, and traditional celebration. Find the festivities stretching along Graham Avenue between Ainslie Street and Cook Street. This beloved neighborhood festival offers an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrancy of Latino culture, making it a key NYC weekend event for cultural exploration.
Queens Dominican Parade
Flags will fly and beats will drop at this spirited celebration of Dominican pride and heritage in Queens on Sunday, June 22, from 12–3 PM. Marching bands, dazzling floats, and community groups will transform the streets around 69th Street between 34th and 37th Avenues into a sea of blue, red, and white. Don’t miss this joyful explosion of culture and community spirit, one of the most vibrant NYC weekend events on offer.
Midwood Mardi Gras
Brooklyn brings the Big Easy to Avenue M with this lively Mardi Gras-style block party, featuring live music, engaging performances, and delicious festive street food. Join the fun all day Sunday, June 22, on Avenue M between Ocean Avenue and 13th Street. Expect beads, brass bands, and Brooklyn flavor to collide for a day of family-friendly fun! It’s another fantastic NYC weekend event option.
Corpus Christi Procession
A solemn yet celebratory procession will wind through the Bronx on Sunday, June 22, from 4–7 PM, beginning at 3021 Grand Concourse. This event highlights spiritual unity and neighborhood pride among several West Bronx parishes, offering a moving display of faith and cultural tradition in the heart of the Bronx. Consider this for unique NYC weekend events.
Swedish Midsummer Festival
Celebrate the summer solstice Swedish-style at this free festival in Manhattan’s Battery Park City on Saturday, June 21. Head to Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park to enjoy traditional music, folk dancing, charming flower crowns, and delectable Scandinavian treats. It’s the perfect opportunity to party like a Swede and welcome the new season with joyful, cross-cultural traditions perfect for all ages. Add this to your list of must-attend NYC weekend events.
Music & Performance
From jazz legends to Shakespeare under the stars, NYC’s stages and parks are alive with sound and drama. These NYC weekend events hit all the right notes.
Blue Note Jazz Festival Continues
This citywide celebration of jazz and its diverse musical cousins returns with performances from both legendary artists and exciting emerging talents. Throughout Saturday & Sunday, June 21–22, find the groove never stopping at iconic venues like the Blue Note Jazz Club, SummerStage, and other locations citywide. This festival offers a genre-bending, star-studded lineup across some of NYC’s most iconic music venues, making it a premier choice among NYC weekend events for music lovers.
Bryant Park Emerging Music Festival
Kick back on the lawn at Bryant Park and discover the next wave of NYC musicians during this free evening showcase on Saturday, June 21, from 6–10 PM. Bring a blanket and some snacks, and simply soak in the sounds of live music in one of NYC’s most picturesque outdoor settings. This is a delightful addition to your NYC weekend events itinerary.
Hudson Classical Theater: Julius Caesar
Shakespeare comes to Riverside Park with a gripping, modern take on political ambition and betrayal this weekend, with performances on Saturday & Sunday, June 21–22, from 6:30–8:30 PM. Settle in near the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument for an unforgettable theatrical evening. Pack a chair or picnic blanket to enjoy classic drama, beautiful city views, and fresh air—a perfect summer evening out. Look for this among the top NYC weekend events for outdoor theater.
Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison
Enjoy smooth jazz sounds under the Harlem sky on Sunday, June 22, from 2–5 PM, as local musicians bring Ralph Ellison Plaza to life. This event offers a laid-back vibe with serious musical chops in a vibrant neighborhood setting, ideal for relaxed NYC weekend events.
Maputi Performance
Zimbabwean musical traditions meet NYC energy at this unique garden performance on Sunday, June 22, from 4–6 PM, taking place at 11 BC Serenity Garden in Manhattan. Experience a global sound journey featuring spirited rhythms and captivating cultural storytelling in a cozy, intimate local venue. This is a unique one among NYC weekend events.
Let’s Dance: Summer on the Hudson
Salsa, cha-cha, and bachata light up the night with free lessons and dancing right on the waterfront at Pier I, Riverside Park South, on Sunday, June 22, from 6–9:30 PM. Come solo or with a partner and move to the rhythm, learning new moves and dancing the evening away under the sunset with stunning river views. These dancing NYC weekend events are a fun way to get active.
Much Ado About Nothing – Public Theater Mobile Unit
The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit brings Shakespeare to Queens with this beloved romantic comedy performed in an open-air setting. Catch the performance on Sunday, June 22, from 6:30–8 PM, at the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy high-quality theater, completely free, right in your local park, and a great choice for free NYC weekend events.
BRESH at Pier 17
One of the world’s biggest Latin parties lands on the Rooftop at Pier 17, South Street Seaport, for a high-energy night of dancing, incredible music, and breathtaking NYC skyline views on Saturday, June 21 (Evening). Sunset vibes and global beats make this one of the hottest tickets of the weekend for an unforgettable night out! For vibrant party NYC weekend events, this is it.
Pride & Community Events
Celebrate Pride Month and community spirit with these inclusive and engaging NYC weekend events.
It’s Giving Brunch: NYC Pride Drag Brunch Fundraiser
Join the fabulous celebration at Stella 34 Trattoria inside Macy’s Herald Square on Saturday, June 21, with seatings from 11 AM–1 PM & 2–4 PM. This special drag brunch fundraiser features 2025 Grand Marshal Marti Gould Cummings. Expect fierce performances, exciting raffle prizes, and optional bottomless mimosas, offering a delicious brunch and a chance to celebrate community spirit while supporting a great cause. This is a must-attend among Pride-focused NYC weekend events.
Walk With Pride: LGBTQ+ Pride Walk
Celebrate inclusivity on Staten Island with a guided walk and discussion through Allison Pond Park on Saturday, June 21, from 11 AM–12:30 PM. This event offers a beautiful way to connect with nature, honor Pride Month, and share space in solidarity and reflection. It’s a wonderful addition to the NYC weekend events celebrating Pride.
Will They Kiss? Queer Variety Wrestling Show
Prepare for an electrifying night of queer expression featuring drag, comedy, and thrilling homoerotic wrestling on Saturday, June 21. Expect laughs, high-flying thrills, and some serious sparkle at this uniquely NYC mix of camp, incredible talent, and exhilarating chaos.
Born to Slay Dinner Dance Party at Joanne Trattoria
Lady Gaga fans and Pride revelers unite for a night of dancing, dining, and dazzling drag hosted by Jupiter Genesis at Joanne Trattoria in Manhattan on Saturday, June 21, from 6:30–9 PM. With DJ E-Mood spinning Pride anthems and performances that truly slay, this celebration is one of the most energetic NYC weekend events for Pride.
LGBT Notables Trolley Tour
Pay tribute to LGBTQ+ icons with a guided trolley tour of Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx on Saturday, June 21. This tour highlights the lives and legacies of notable queer New Yorkers who made significant contributions, offering a powerful and poignant way to reflect and learn about LGBTQ+ history during Pride Month. It’s a thoughtful option for NYC weekend events.
Festivals & Conventions
Beyond the parades and performances, immerse yourself in captivating stories, unique experiences, and major pop culture NYC weekend events.
New York Indian Film Festival
North America’s longest-running Indian film festival returns with a stellar lineup of independent cinema from the vibrant global Indian community. Screenings will be held at various venues throughout the weekend. Check the festival website for the full schedule and locations to celebrate vibrant, boundary-pushing South Asian storytelling and discover compelling new films. Film buffs will love these NYC weekend events.
Fanatics Fest 2025 at the Javits Center
Immerse yourself in the thrilling worlds of sports, collectibles, and fandom with exciting athlete meet-and-greets, exclusive merchandise drops, and engaging interactive panels at the Javits Center in Manhattan. This massive event runs all day Saturday & Sunday, June 21–22. It’s like Comic-Con meets ESPN—a must-attend event for any sports enthusiast or collector, and a highlight among NYC weekend events for pop culture.
What will you discover among these incredible NYC weekend events June 21-22?
No matter your interests—be it theater, music, wellness, sports, or art—New York City this weekend is buzzing with opportunity. Get out there, explore something new, and make the most of the summer sun!
