What to Do in New York City This Summer Semester
While summers in New York can sometimes be hot and humid, with so many exciting things to do and places to see that celebrate the arts, culture, sports, food, and vibrant life of the City, there’s hardly a cooler place to be. For students at Columbia University who may be overwhelmed by the abundance of choice, we’ve compiled an outline of some of the best summer activities, categorized by month and proximity. We’ve also included tips from those of us who have lived in the Big Apple for decades. Do yourself a favor and peruse each month in advance. Bring your appetite for adventure and some of the best cuisine in the world.
June kicks off Columbia’s Summer Series, withfaculty-led lectures and Sounds of Summer (current CUID card holders only). Keep an eye on the Student Life page at the School of Professional Studies’ summer website for Summer 2025 updates.
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is a feast for the eyes with bedazzled merpeople waving from hundreds of nautical-themed floats. The 44th annual Mermaid Parade’s tentative date is June 21st at 1pm, rain or shine, on West 21st and Surf Avenue. Uniquely New York, specifically Coney Island, there’s no other parade like it in the world. While you’re there, brave the Coney Island Cyclone at Luna Park, take in a minor league baseball game with the Mets’ farm team, the Brooklyn Cyclones, and, if you’re an omnivore, try an infamous Nathan’s hot dog, which you can also see consumed in record quantities at the annual Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4.
June is the month for celebrating who we are. Start the month with the Puerto Rican Day parade. Reputedly America’s largest annual cultural celebration, the 2025 parade is scheduled for June 8. Mid-month, Juneteenth celebrations will be held throughout the city, including music and food at Seneca Village—the predominantly African-American community that was dislocated with the creation of Central Park—or head to Brooklyn for BRIC’s annual concert series at Prospect Park’s bandshell (concerts begin June 7 and run until August 16) and Brooklyn’s Greenwood Cemetery (where you can also visit the graves of famous NYC artists such as Leonard Bernstein and Jean-Michel Basquiat) Close out the month by celebrating Pride with the Village Pride Parade on June 29. Anyone seeking to learn more about NYC’s LGBTQ+ rights movement can grab a friend for a tour with Christopher Street Tours or follow a self-guided Village Pride Tour. There are innumerable ways to explore identity, culture, and history in New York City. The Native Land app and website enable users to identify some of the area’s indigenous territories. The United Nations headquarters is open to the public for in-person guided tours, which are available at a discounted student rate. The New York Public Library—which includes the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture—regularly offers special exhibitions that are free and open to the public.
TheClassical Theater of Harlem is New York’s “Uptown Shakespeare in the Park” held in Marcus Garvey Park. On a breezy summer evening, experience Shakespeare with a modern, Harlemesque twist among trees and tree frogs. It’s as magical as it sounds. Reserve free tickets online or just show up. The amphitheater is outdoors, so weather-beware! Also, be sure to bring a bench cushion and feel free to pack some snacks and drinks.
Shakespeare in the Park returns! After a 2024 hiatus required for the renovation of the Delacorte Theatre—making it truly accessible to all audience members—The Public is planning its summer 2025 season. In past years (and we expect it to be largely the same for 2025), you could score tickets through the digital lottery hosted by TodayTix or stand in line for same-day tickets at the Delacorte Theater or downtown at The Public. Should you choose to line up for same-day tickets, arrive early and pack water and snacks. Tickets are free, so expect a long line!
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, you can find pop-up summer events all around the city. Dance the night away at Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City or enjoy myriad performing arts (e.g., music, dance, theater) at Bryant Park’s Picnic Performances or Little Island,. There’s no shortage of free performances. Where tickets are required, like at Central Park’s Summerstage, you can always listen to a live concert from a free patch of grass just outside the amphitheater.
Going strong since 1964, Jazzmobile brings free jazz music to nearby Grant’s Tomb every Wednesday evening of the summer. Bring a picnic dinner and your lawn chair or blanket to sit on, 7:00–8:30 p.m. Also this month, catch the 51st Harlem Week, which will host bands, art shows, film screenings, and more, all throughout the neighborhood.
For a free and easy boat ride that comes with a close-up of the Statue of Liberty and stunning views of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, head to Battery Park and board the Staten Island Ferry, which runs every 15–20 minutes during weekday rush hours and every half hour on weekends. For a longer day out, there’s so much to do on Governors Island. Rent a bike or surrey and pedal your way to hammock gardens, shoreline taquerias, and public art exhibitions. You could also splurge on a spa day or glamping!
Broadly speaking: There’s no shortage of ways to cool off in the City. Check out NYC Parks and Recreation site for a list of free swimming pools by borough, and be sure to pay attention to the rules (swimsuits and locks required for entry). Want to dig your toes in the sand? You can ride city transportation to several beaches in Queens, such as Rockaway Beach or The People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park, or venture via commuter train or car to the Long Island coastline, where you’ll find the popular Jones Beach, Robert Moses State Park or the town of Long Beach, NY. Want to feel like you’ve gone on vacation in just one day? Consider driving or taking the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Sayville, NY and then hop on the ferry to the stunning and less crowded Fire Island.
From exploring historic ethnic enclaves to visiting the City’s countless world-famous museums, there’s an endless supply of activities to keep you occupied during your time here. Even in the City That Never Sleeps, you may find yourself wishing there were more hours in a day.
