Seasonal · Summer · 2026
The best things to do in New York in June.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 21 places.
Summer in New York City is a vibrant time, especially in June. Longer days and warm sunshine create the perfect backdrop for a tons of exciting activities. The city buzzes with energy, drawing both locals and tourists before the weather gets too hot. From rooftop bars to lively festivals, June in NYC offers a fantastic array of experiences.
This article covers the top events, excluding typical year-round activities, serving as your ultimate guide to enjoying New York City in June.
- Brooklyn Film FestivalEvent · Brooklynthe Brooklyn Film Festival offers a unique experience and it won’t cost you your firstborn child (like the Tribeca Film Festival will).
- Five Points Festival in BrooklynEvent · GowanusThe eclectic bunch makes for one of the best festivals in it.
- Good Morning America Summer Concert SeriesEvent · Central ParkEvery summer at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, ABC’s Good Morning America holds its Friday Summer Concert Series.
- Governors Ball Music FestivalEvent · QueensOne of the best things to do in June in New York City is to swing by the Governors Ball Music Festival at Flushing-Meadows Corona Park Queens.
- Grand BanksRestaurant · TribecaGrand Banks earns acclaim from CNN Travel, The Observer, and New York Magazine.
- Hudson Yards Summer ConcertsEvent · Hudson Yards
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space MuseumMuseum · Hell's KitchenThe Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is considered one of the 10 best aviation museums in the world, reason alone to visit.
- Mermaid ParadeEvent · Coney IslandDress as creatively as you can and join fellow mermaids as you take part in one of the best things to do in it.
- Museum Mile FestivalEvent · Upper East SideThe area transforms into one large block party full of street musicians, artists, food vendors and live entertainment, it’s great fun for everyone in the family.
- National Donut DayEvent · New York CityOne of the best things to do in New York City this June is to get your hands on the city’s premier donuts.
- National Puerto Rican Day ParadeEvent · MidtownAnd since 1958 one of the best things to do in New York City in June has been to celebrate your Caribbean neighbors at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
- NY Philharmonic Concerts in the ParksEvent · Central Park
- Pride ParadeEvent · Manhattan
- Rooftop Bar HoppingBar · Lower East SideThe warm climate makes being at the top of a windy restaurant more manageable.
- Rooftop Cinema Club MidtownTheater · MidtownThis fun New York City June activity is hard to replicate elsewhere.
- Rum FestivalEvent · Chelseathe Rum Festival is one of the best things to do in it and is a respectable experience.
- Shakespeare in the ParkTheater · Central ParkShakespeare in the Park is one of the most popular things to do in it so you’re going to want to show up early.
- SmorgasburgMarket · World Trade Center, Williamsburg, Prospect ParkOne of the best things to do in it is meet up with friends and jump from vendor to vendor trying all the delicious food.
- SummerStage FestivalEvent · Central ParkThe event gets lively with people of all different generations and backgrounds.
- Sunset Salsa at Hudson River ParkEvent · ChelseaWith the talented and friendly instructor Talía Castro-Pozo, it’s one of the best things to do in NYC in June.
- Tribeca Film FestivalEvent · TribecaThis June in New York City will be the 20th anniversary of this beloved summer festival and I anticipate it’ll be a good one.
Brooklyn Film Festival
Event · Brooklyn
the Brooklyn Film Festival offers a unique experience and it won’t cost you your firstborn child (like the Tribeca Film Festival will).
Five Points Festival in Brooklyn
Event · Gowanus · 337 Butler St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
The eclectic bunch makes for one of the best festivals in it.
Good Morning America Summer Concert Series
Event · Central Park · E 71st St, New York, NY 10021
Every summer at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, ABC’s Good Morning America holds its Friday Summer Concert Series.
Governors Ball Music Festival
Event · Queens · Grand Central Parkway and, Van Wyck Expy, Queens, 11354
One of the best things to do in June in New York City is to swing by the Governors Ball Music Festival at Flushing-Meadows Corona Park Queens.
Grand Banks
Restaurant · Tribeca · Park, Pier 25 Hudson River, New York, NY 10013
Grand Banks earns acclaim from CNN Travel, The Observer, and New York Magazine.
Hudson Yards Summer Concerts
Event · Hudson Yards
What makes the concerts one of the best things to do in it is the fact that after the performances, a few restaurants and bars in The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards will hold “After Hours” events with a live DJ and specials.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Museum · Hell's Kitchen · Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is considered one of the 10 best aviation museums in the world, reason alone to visit.
Mermaid Parade
Event · Coney Island
Dress as creatively as you can and join fellow mermaids as you take part in one of the best things to do in it.
Museum Mile Festival
Event · Upper East Side
The area transforms into one large block party full of street musicians, artists, food vendors and live entertainment, it’s great fun for everyone in the family.
National Donut Day
Event · New York City
One of the best things to do in New York City this June is to get your hands on the city’s premier donuts.
National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Event · Midtown · Fifth Avenue, from 43rd to 79th Streets
And since 1958 one of the best things to do in New York City in June has been to celebrate your Caribbean neighbors at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
Rooftop Bar Hopping
Bar · Lower East Side
The warm climate makes being at the top of a windy restaurant more manageable.
Rooftop Cinema Club Midtown
Theater · Midtown · 60 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
This fun New York City June activity is hard to replicate elsewhere.
Rum Festival
Event · Chelsea · Metropolitan Pavilion – 125 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
the Rum Festival is one of the best things to do in it and is a respectable experience.
Shakespeare in the Park
Theater · Central Park · 81 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024
Shakespeare in the Park is one of the most popular things to do in it so you’re going to want to show up early.
Smorgasburg
Market · World Trade Center, Williamsburg, Prospect Park
One of the best things to do in it is meet up with friends and jump from vendor to vendor trying all the delicious food.
SummerStage Festival
Event · Central Park
The event gets lively with people of all different generations and backgrounds.
Sunset Salsa at Hudson River Park
Event · Chelsea · 408 12th Ave West, New York, NY 10018
With the talented and friendly instructor Talía Castro-Pozo, it’s one of the best things to do in NYC in June.
Tribeca Film Festival
Event · Tribeca
This June in New York City will be the 20th anniversary of this beloved summer festival and I anticipate it’ll be a good one.
Best things to do in New York in June, 2026
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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 23 Things to Do in New York City in June (2026).
