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In New York City, June is a month-long celebration of all things summer. As the sun comes out to stay a while, the city becomes one big party — and everyone’s invited. Rooftops are buzzing, parks are packed, corn hole games are unfolding, there’s outdoor dining during Summer at The Rink, and parades and festivals are taking over the streets. This month brings a feverish energy that is hard to match, and the reasons to get outside are endless, from outdoor art exhibits and music festivals to inclusive marches and passionate performances. Better yet? Much of the fun is free.
June is Pride Month, kicking off with NewFest Pride film festival and wrapping with the annual NYC Pride March down Fifth Avenue. In between, there’s sunset revelry for a good cause on Governors Island, free photo exhibits, and Olivia Rodrigo taking the stage at GovBall in Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
So slather on some SPF, grab your sunglasses, and read on for the best of what to do in New York City in June.
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1. NewFest Pride
May 29-June 2
More than 10,000 viewers celebrated NewFest Pride last year, and New York’s ultimate LGBTQ+ film festival is back to kick off Pride Month 2025. Expect five days of celebrating queer filmmakers and the stories they tell. This means movie premieres, artist Q&As and meet and greets, parties, and outdoor screenings. The opening night film is the multigenerational tale “Jimpa,” about a woman who takes her transgender, nonbinary teenager to meet their gay grandfather. Other highlights include “Black Queer Pride Mixtape,” a series of short films about the Black LGBTQ+ experience; and Sundance Award-winning “Plainclothes,” about an undercover police officer who falls for a man he is supposed to arrest. Both in-person and virtual passes are available.
2. Sunset Soirée on Governors Island
June 4
“What other party can you take a ferry to?” the Governors Island Foundation asks while inviting New Yorkers to the Sunset Soirée on Governors Island. After all, nothing says summer quite like sipping a cocktail on Governors Island while admiring the glowing Lower Manhattan skyline across the water. The Sunset Soirée is a celebration of the season — and of all Governors Island has to offer to New Yorkers. The party will take over summertime hot spot Island Oyster, with sustainable seafood, tropical drinks, tram tours, and music via a live DJ. Ticket sales will benefit the island’s dedication to providing accessible open space, art, and culture to New York residents and visitors, and support climate research.
3. GovBall
June 6-8
New York’s self-proclaimed “biggest party,” GovBall music festival is taking over Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens this month with headliners including Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, Benson Boone, Feid, Glass Animals, and Tyler, The Creator. The three-day event features more than 60 artists across multiple stages, with VIP areas and NYC-favorite food and beverage vendors slinging everything from Cuban and Japanese cuisine to pizza, nachos, and lobster rolls. For access to more intimate nighttime events and performances, you can purchase an “After Dark” ticket in addition to your regular festival pass — or for daytime luxury, splurge on a cabana, which comes with incredible views of the main stage, food and beverage service, and dedicated staff.
4. Photoville Festival
June 7-22
Opening with a weekend-long celebration in Brooklyn Bridge Park featuring artists, activations, and Smorgasburg eats, the 14th-annual Photoville Festival will bring more than 80 free photo exhibits to the city, spread throughout all five boroughs. There will be an educational field trip day for young creators, professional development workshops, portfolio review sessions, walking photography tours, community happy hours, crafts for kids, and more. The exhibits will give viewers a look through the lens at topics ranging from immigration and Indigenous heritage to climate change and the deep connection between humans and animals, creating a moving, city-wide tribute to the power of photography.
5. Museum Mile Festival
June 10
One of summer’s biggest and best block parties will take place along Upper Fifth Avenue on June 10. The Museum Mile Festival not only includes free admission to some of the city’s best cultural institutions, but it also offers musical performances, outdoor activities, and, of course, world-class art exhibitions. Take advantage of the opportunity to own the streets, as Fifth Avenue between 82nd and 105th streets will be a traffic-free haven from 6 to 9 p.m. Participants in the annual event include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, and El Museo del Barrio, among several others. Soak in views from The Met’s rooftop, create a sidewalk chalk masterpiece, or join a free gallery tour. Seek out the Kids’ Activity Guides to find extra fun for the little ones. The festivities happen rain or shine, so plan accordingly.
6. Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City
June 11-August 9
Celebrate summer with more than 200 free or pay-what-you-can events at the fourth annual — and already hugely popular — Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City. Events include musical storytimes for kids, silent discos, comedy shows, dance parties, jazz and opera performances, and Brazil Week, celebrating Brazilian culture, music, and dance. When you’re not singing and grooving, you’ll have the chance to taste foods from all over the world and destress at New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s The Art of Wellbeing wellness studio. Aiming to strengthen community bonds and support mental health through the arts, the fun-loving series will keep the good times rolling all the way into August.
7. Prospect Park Soiree
June 21
Tickets are selling fast for the Prospect Park Soiree, undeniably one of the best ways to kick off summer in Brooklyn. Thousands will gather by the park’s scenic lakeside Peninsula to celebrate this magical time of year with dining, dancing, and mingling. Guests are instructed to “wear festive attire” and “prepare a delicious feast,” and bringing your own stand-out table decor is key. Wine can be preordered from City Winery, and seating is first-come, first-served from the moment gates open at 5pm. Live music will set the vibe, and a DJ will take the reins at 8pm. All guests must be 21 years of age or older.
8. NYC Pride March
June 29
The NYC Pride March started in 1970, but its momentum is as powerful as ever thanks to non-profit Heritage of Pride, the group responsible for the city’s biggest Pride events. NYC Pride has grown through the years into a massive show of solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community and a vibrant celebration of individuality and acceptance. This year’s event — themed “Rise up: Pride in Protest” — begins at 12pm along Fifth Avenue. Spectators can expect to see festive attire and inspiring performances as well as powerful messages from activists, advocates, and thought leaders. The parade is free to all, and if you would like to volunteer, you can sign up here.
The First-ever Eataly Caffè Opens at Rockefeller Center — Here’s a Look Inside
The Story Behind Pebble Bar and Its Legendary New York City Address
The Rockefeller Center Guide to Wedding Season in New York
Rough Trade Debuts a New 4,000-Square-Foot Underground Location at Rink Level
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