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Best Summer Festivals In New York City
The weather’s warming up a bit in New York City which means summer is almost here. Get ready for mid-day brunches, day parties and outdoor concert series in the park by some of your favorite artists from across the world.
Here are some of the best festivals in New York City to attend this summer.
April 27 & 28
Celebrate all things black beauty, hair, makeup, skincare and more at the first Essence Beauty Carnival three-city tour. Take an interactive journey through the Museum of Black Beauty exploring iconic black hairstyles and beauty trends. Special guests include Ciara, fashion model Iman, influencer Jackie Aina, fashion innovator Dapper Dan of Harlem and performances by Sevyn Streeter and Justine Skye. The tour also stops in NOLA during Essence Fest, with another destination to be announced later.
May 31 – June 2
The 2019 Governor’s Ball features an incredible lineup of street art, outdoor activities and games, and NYC food & drink vendors, and music artists Tyler, The Creator, Jorja Smith, Nas, Lil Wayne, The Internet and more. General Admission and VIP tickets are now available.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival
June – August
The remarkable queen Patti LaBelle kicks off opening night at this year’s BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival for a soulful performance of style and grace. The monthly concert series reflects its diverse community of music and culture. The full lineup will be released in May.
June 2, 2019
Dubbed as one of the hottest hip-hop events of the year, the annual bash showcases emerging artists in the industry. Meek Mill had over 50,000 fans screaming “Dreams and Nightmares” word for word at last year, followed by headliner Kendrick Lamar. Tune into Hot97 Monday, April 1st between 2pm-6pm for a special announcement about Summer Jam.
June-October
Get down to the funkadelic sounds of Funk guru George Clinton & P-Funk All Stars, Fishbone and Galactic and more in Central Park, as part of his farewell tour. This will be Clinton’s last performance in front of about 200,000 people in NYC at the largest outdoor performing arts festival. Throughout the summer season, the music festival supports the City Parks Foundation for free programs and workshops. The venue was recently renovated to include raised seats, more lighting, and new sound systems. Check their calendar for a full list of the artist lineup.
June 2019
NYC Pride is one of the biggest Pride celebrations to date, spanning over the entire month, and leading up the larger than life parade in lower Manhattan. Enjoy a variety of art, music, family, food, health and history workshops and events for everyone. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and a half-century of LGBTQIA+ liberation.
July 2019
Last year was my first time attending Curlfest in Brooklyn. What an amazing experience of vast shades of melanin, kinky curly hair, and natural beauty! You could smell the coconut oil from the subway station nearby. Vendors featured natural products and hair care essentials that make us glow, including Shea Moisture, Carol’s Daughter with a Brooklyn stoop-inspired set.
Save the date for the annual Afro-L
July 28 – August 24
For decades, the bustlin’ city of Harlem has been the focal point of jazz music, soul food
August 24 & 25
Feel the music. Free your mind and spirit. Be in the moment at Afropunk. It’s the only way to be. Aside from Jill Scott and Nao, Kari Faux, Goldlink, Tank and the Bangas, Masego, Kamasi Washington are a few of my favorites from this year’s lineup at Commodore Barry Park.
