17 Fun NYC Summer Events for 2015

Looking for something fun to do this summer in NYC?  There are so many events, festivals, attractions, concerts, and shows set for summer 2015 in New York City.  It may be hard to narrow all of them down, but we have some must-do events and festivals that should definitely be on your radar.  Whether you are a fan of music, movies, food, drink, parties, festivals, or just staying cool in the summer sun, there is something here that will be an excellent experience for you.  Here is our list of some of the best NYC summer events 2015:

Shakespeare in the Park:  May 27 – August 23 at Delacorte Theater, Central Park.  Times vary, free.

Central Park’s tradition of performing Shakespeare returns this summer.  2015 performances at Delacorte Theater include The Tempest with Academy Award nominee Sam Waterston (Newsroom, Law & Order, The Public’s King Lear) & Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family) and Cymbeline with Tony nominee Lily Rabe & Hamish Linklater.

New York Philharmonic: Concerts in the Parks: June 17 and 18 at Great Lawn in Central Park. 8pm, free.

The Great lawn in Central Park, Manhattan hosts the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for free performances this week.  Don’t miss out on this treat for your ears while relaxing in the grass.  Their two nights of free concerts in Central Park include songs from Copland Gershwin, Sousa, Bernstein and Rodgers.

Mermaid Parade 2015: June 20 at Coney Island. 1pm, free.

The Mermaid Parade is the largest art parade in the USA.  Get dressed up yourself or enjoy the view of over 3,000 creatively-dressed marchers.  King Neptune and Queen Mermaid preside over this celebration of ancient mythology with motorized floats, antique cars, push-pull floats, and bedazzled mermaids.  Don’t go light on the glitter!

17^th Annual Del Close Marathon: June 26-28, times and locations vary. $10-$20.

Dedicated to Del Close, the grandfather of long-form improve comedy, the 17th Annual Del Close Marathon is an event to laugh at.  There will be over 630 shows spread out at 9 stages.  Hundreds of Upright Citizens Brigade comedians are performing and ready for this comedy marathon.  Are you?

Warm Up 2015 at MoMA PS1: Saturdays June 27 – September 5, MoMA PS1, 3-9pm. $18 advance / $20 day-of.

Now a staple of summer in New York City, the Warm Up at MoMA is now in its 18th year.  Listen and dance to the best in experimental sound from DJ’s and bands both local and international.   Ticket prices include admission to the museum.  All galleries close at 6:00pm.

Cheesemonger Invitational NYC:  June 27, Larkin Cold Storage, 5-8:30pm. $60 – $100.

If you love cheese and have a competitive spirit, this is the event of your life!  This “Fight Club meets WrestleMania of cheese” has the best cheeseheads in the country serving hundreds of perfect cheese concoctions.  Cheesemonger is all you can eat and drink.  Guts, Glory, Cheese!

NYC Pride Week:  June 23 – 28, times, locations and prices vary. Parade June 28th on Fifth Ave, free.

NYC Pride Week is an event that paints Fifth Avenue all the colors of the rainbow.  Hundreds of marching organizations, activists, businesses, sponsors, political candidates and thousands of spectators come together for a celebration of love, awareness, fun and equality.

Summer on the Hudson Picture Show: Jurassic Park: July 1 at Pier 1. 8pm, free.

Raptors, T-Rex and Brontosaurus oh my!  Re-watch the original Jurassic Park on the big screen at Pier 1 as the sun sets over the Hudson River.  You would think these scientists would have learned their lesson by the time Jurassic World opens.

Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks:  July 4th

This 4th of July, celebrate our Independence Day with 40,000 fireworks.  Gloria Estefan will debut her original song “America” featuring Brooklyn’s Park Place Community Middle School Choir.  Find a good spot by the East River and look toward the Brooklyn Bridge for an amazing 25-minute music and pyrotechnics show.

Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton: July 6, 8-12 at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. Times vary, $65 – $250.

Danny Elfman and Tim Burton have created a unique experience combining the music and visuals from some of Hollywood’s most memorable movies.  With an orchestra, choir, and Tim Burton art on the big screen, this is a unique experience not to miss.  Don’t forget to dress up as your favorite character!  This concert is approximately 2.5 hours with an intermission.

Penn and Teller:  July 7 – August 16 at Marquis Theatre, times and prices TBA.

Penn and Teller are leaving Las Vegas and coming to New York City for their first proper show here since 2000.  Expect some amazing Sin City material, large-scale magic tricks, and plenty of humor throughout the show.  Be amazed by some of the greatest entertainers of our generation!

Waterfight NYC 2015: July 25 at Central Park. 2-5pm, free.

Ready to get wet and bust out that Super Soaker from the 90′s?  Get out to Central Park with thousands of New Yorkers and bring your favorite squirt gun, water blasters, and buckets of water.  Leave the water balloons at home and wear goggles of you don’t want to get a blast in the eyes.  Let the H2O flow and get wet this summer at the Waterfight NYC 2015!

3rd Annual Brooklyn Beer & Wine Fest: August 14 and 15, Restoration Plaza, prices TBA.

Enjoy 20 beers, 20 wines, liquor, live music and food.  Let your pallet guide the way to some great craft brews!

Jazz Age Lawn Party: August 15 and 16 at Governors Island, $35- $95.

Travel back in time to 1920′s New York in the age of prohibition and flappers.  Stroll the lawn at Governors Island and enter the full experience with Antique Gramophones, Dance Lessons, Vintage Portraits, Bathing Beauties & Beaus Promenade, 1920′s Motorcar Exhibition, Charleston Dance Contest , and Kidland with carnival games.  Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra specializes in the Hot-Jazz of the 1920′s.

Afropunk Fest: August 22 and 23, Commodore Berry Park. Times TBA, $45 – $250.

Free your mind and feel the music at Afropunk Fest this summer.  This Brooklyn music festival is one to see and celebrates the city’s multicultural landscape.  This year’s lineup includes Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Danny Brown, Thundercat, Sam Dew, Lion Babe, Kaytranada and more!  Don’t miss out on this celebration of music, culture, dance and fun!

Electric Zoo Festival: September 4 – 6 at Randall’s Island. Times TBA, $69 – $799.

From the minds that brought your TomorrowWorld, this giant 150,000-person dance party on the last weekend of summer is a mind-blowing experience to see and hear.  Dozens of musicians, DJs and bands with genres across the board are sure to make a memorable end of the summer in New York City.

When you’re looking for transportation to or from any of these New York festivals, events, concerts, and shows, make sure to travel safely.  At Gotham Limousine, we make sure you will have a clean vehicle, a professional driver, and get you where you need to go in New York City safely.  Don’t worry about having too much fun.  Ride in style in a limousine, Escalade, or Lincoln MKT Stretch limo and know that your NYC limousine service is there for you.  We also have Sprinter vans and Travel Coaches available for larger groups going to NYC summer events 2015.  Call 212-729-7001 or book online with secure reservations at https://www.gothamlimo.com  Have a safe and fun summer 2015!

4th of July, Afropunk Fest, Avery Fisher Hall, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Beer & Wine Fest, Brooklyn Bridge, central park, Cheesemonger Invitational NYC, Commodore Berry Park, Concerts, Concerts in the Parks, Coney Island, Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton, Del Close Marathon, Delacorte Theater, Electric Zoo Festival, Events, Festivals, Fireworks, Free Events New York, Fun, Governors Island, Great Lawn in Central Park, Independence Day, Jazz Age Lawn Party, Jurassic Park, Larkin Cold Storage, Lincoln Center, Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, Marquis Theatre, Mermaid Parade, MoMA PS1, New York, New York City, New York Philharmonic, NYC, NYC Pride Parade, NYC Pride Week, Penn and Teller, Randall’s Island, Restoration Plaza, Shakespeare in the Park, Shows, Summer, Summer on the Hudson Picture Show, Things to do, Upright Citizens Brigade, Warm Up 2015, Waterfight NYC

By Frank McDonald