The dog days of summer are unfortunately coming to an end, but before you swap out your bathing suits and rooftop frosés for fall flannels and pumpkin spice lattes, take advantage of YOTEL’s central location in the heart of NYC to soak up that last bit of warm weather. Here are six of the top things to do in NYC this August:
JAM TO LIVE MUSIC AND DJ BEATS AT MOMA PS1
Make your way to Long Island City for Warm Up, a live and electronic music series hosted and curated by MoMA PS1 that wraps up at the end of August. The diverse lineup includes both emerging and established artists, local and global talent, and covers a range of genres. Performances run on Saturdays from midday to 9pm and feature a lineup of six to eight different artists.
Tickets cost $18 ($9 for MoMA members) when purchased in advance, and $22 ($11 for MoMA members) the day of the performance. (A limited number of tickets are reserved and free for Long Island City residents with proof of residency.)
Photo credit: MoMA PS1
2. WATCH DANCE TROUPES FROM AROUND THE WORLD PERFORM AT A FREE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL
The Battery Dance Festival, New York City’s longest-running free public dance festival, takes place in Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park in Battery Park City from 11-17 August. The Festival draws a combined audience of more than 12,000 people, who sit on the grass and watch local and international dance companies present original works. Free performances run from Sunday to Friday, 7pm to 9pm, and each night concludes with a quick choreography lesson for the audience to get in on the action.
The week ends with a ticketed closing event at the Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University that requires an advance reservation. It costs $10 to attend and $65 for a VIP ticket with afterparty access.
3. INDULGE IN GLOBAL BITES AT SMORGASBURG
The weekly open-air food market is absolutely prime in the summertime, with 100 local vendors to choose from and a scenic spot on the Williamsburg waterfront on Saturdays and Prospect Park on Sundays. There’s something for everyone as food offerings cover snacks, mains and desserts from around the world, including dim sum, tacos, poutine, poke, Japanese fried chicken, bubble tea, kombucha popsicles and Thai rolled ice cream.
Photo credit: Smorgasburg
4. ENJOY A FREE CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT IN A LANDMARK SYNAGOGUE NEAR CENTRAL PARK
Now in its 114th season, the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts are a free outdoor classical music concert series aimed at exposing new audiences to classical music. While the program typically takes place in the Naumburg Bandshell, due to construction performances are being held in Temple Emanu-El this year.
The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra will perform a program of Spanish and South American music on 6 August. Admission is free, however, tickets are required and available for reservation online and at the door.
5. SEE A FIREWORKS SHOW AT CONEY ISLAND
Every Friday night until 25 August, Coney Island closes with a bang, lighting up the sky with a free fireworks show presented by the Alliance For Coney Island starting at 9:30pm. Head to the main area of Luna Park for some of the best views of the fireworks.
6. PARTY IT UP AT ELECTRIC ZOO
The electronic music festival is a Labor Day Weekend tradition that draws thousands of fans to Randall’s Island Park for three days of performances from various DJs on four stages. Main stage headliners this year include Diplo, Zedd, Afrojack, Benny Benassi, Armin van Buuren and Dog Blood (Skrillex and Boys Noize).
Single-day and 3-day weekend passes are available, with options for VIP and Platinum status plus add-ons like ferry and shuttle transport.
Photo credit: Electric Zoo Festival
