In addition to what is already offered on Comfort Tour’s bus tours to New York City, you have a chance to participate in exciting, public events holding in New York City this summer.
NYC Pride
When: Saturday, June 1 – Sunday, June 30
This month long celebration kicks off in Staten Island on June 1st, followed by Queens on June 2nd and Brooklyn on June 8th. The parade culminates in Manhattan during the last weekend in June with an array of official NYC Pride events including an opening rally (June 28th), the Rapture on the River women’s dance (June 29th) and the big event: the LGBT Pride March, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall riots. The massive Dance on the Pier closes the official celebration, but the party continues all over the city well into the night (June 30th).
Big Apple BBQ Block Party
When: Saturday, June 8 – Sunday, June 9
Head over to Madison Square Park for the 11th edition of this smoked and grilled meat blowout. Top pit masters from restaurants from all over the country, including Blue Smoke, Dinosaur Bard-B-Que, Texas’s famed Salt Lick and more, will dish out exceptional meals for only $9 a plate. Live music from bluesy songstress Marcia Ball (June 8) and rootsy rockers the Dirty Guv’nahs (June 9) will accompany the gluttony.
Jazz Age Lawn Party
When: Saturday, June 15 – Sunday, August 18
Bust out your flapper gear and brush up on The Great Gatsby: for this outdoor bash, part of Governors Island is transformed into a Prohibition-era soiree, complete with oldies like ’20s motorcars and functional antique gramophones. Over the two weekends, you can catch Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra playing jazz staples, as well as performances by dance group Dreamland Follies and musicians Gelber & Manning. Between sets, snag cool duds and goods from vintage collectors and artisans, and sip era-appropriate cocktails.
Coney Island Mermaid Parade
When: Saturday, June 22
Glitter-covered semi-nude revelers, aquatically adorned floats and classic cruisers fill Surf Avenue for this annual art parade. The party has grown quite a bit over the past three decades and now draws an audience of over half a million people, with well past a thousand marchers.
The Statue of Liberty reopens
When: Thursday, July 4
Poor Lady Liberty has been shuttered since October 2011, thanks to a $30 million, one-year renovation and damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy. The symbol of freedom makes its triumphant return this Fourth of July with upgrades like shallower steps inside the statue, a new air-conditioning system and more wheelchair accessibility.
Bastille Day
When: Saturday, July 20
Indulge your inner Francophile during this celebration of France’s independence. During this day, three avenue blocks are closed off to traffic and instead boasted with cafes, booths, and music. There you will find tasty treats like crêpes, cheeses, macaroons and other baked goods from local patisseries. Accordion players and other musicians will demonstrate the cultural dances like the can-can. Kids can enjoy kid-friendly activities such as face painting and more!
Harlem Week
When: Mid July – End of August
This annual uptown celebration began in the ’70s as Harlem Day, but don’t let this name mislead you—Harlem Week is one of the most exciting and lively events in NYC! It includes over a month of performances, films, fashion demonstrations and sports events. The centerpiece is the two-day street fair on the third weekend of August, which brings live music, art, activities for kids and educational booths.
Summer Streets
When: August 4 – Sunday, August 18
For this three-week event, nearly seven miles of NYC from the Brooklyn Bridge all the way to Central Park will be cleared of vehicles, creating a pedestrian paradise complete with food and entertainment. This edition’s offerings are still being finalized but previous years have included free bike rentals, a rock-climbing wall, a zip line and picnics along the route. Be sure to keep your eyes opened for outdoor art installations!
This is just a short list of what can be seen in New York City this summer, and we will help you get the most of your time in NYC while on our bus tours!
Recently we’ve posted an article where you can learn about a few things to do in New York City in May 2016