Date and venue: Through May 17 at The Shed in Hudson Yards

The international art fair Frieze New York showcases up to 70 galleries with work from contemporary artists across the globe. This year, the fair has a focus on Latin American art, with support from two new gallery committee members from Mexico and Colombia and representation from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and more artists in the galleries.

Get Frieze New York tickets now.

Date and venue: May 16 to 17 on Ninth Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets

Enjoy some delicious food this month by visiting the city’s oldest and longest-running food festival. The Ninth Avenue foodie fair offers a wide range of cuisines, including Greek, Peruvian, Mexican, and much more. Spanning 15 blocks, this massive festival is perfect if you're looking for a pre- or post-Broadway show snack that weekend.

Date and venue: May 17 at 280 Broome Street

The Lower East Side’s 11th annual Greek Jewish Festival brings tons of food, music, and family-friendly activities to Broome Street. The festival celebrates the unique Romaniote and Sephardic heritage of Greek Jewish people and will offer kosher Greek food, traditional dances with Greek and Sephardic music, and hands-on activities for kids. Find more information online.

Date and venue: May 13 to June 3 at Hudson Yards

‘Tis the season for free outdoor performances. Every Wednesday evening from May 13 to June 3, Hudson Yards will host a free concert: Aly & AJ on May 13, Warren G on May 20, Busta Rhymes on May 27, and Jordin Sparks on June 3. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the music starts at 6 p.m. Learn more online.

Date and venue: May 22 to June 28; July 25 to August 23 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park

With over 60 years of delivering free Shakespeare shows to New York City, The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park is back for its summer season. Romeo & Juliet will run from May 22 to June 28, followed by The Winter’s Tale from July 25 to August 23. There are several ways to get your hands on free tickets, including at in-person distribution stations in all five boroughs and through a TodayTix digital lottery.

Date and venue: Ongoing through May at Rooftop Cinema Club Midtown Manhattan

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with some of your favorite films at Rooftop Cinema Club. The Midtown outdoor movie theatre is showing a range of films, like animated favorites Big Hero 6 and popular movies Crazy Rich Asians and Past Lives. Find the full schedule and tickets online.

Date and venue: Saturdays in May at Time Out Market Union Square

The Grand Bazaar NYC and the Time Out Market are teaming up for a special weekend event throughout May. Taste of Grand Bazaar NYC features fashion, home décor, art, and handmade goods from the Grand Bazaar at the Time Out Market in Union Square, so visitors can shop and enjoy delicious food and drinks. Find more information online.

Date and venue: May 30 at Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards has numerous free public events this summer, including an ongoing movie series in partnership with Carnegie Hall Citywide. Each screening of an animated movie will start with an interactive concert by Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, inspired by the music from the film.

The next one is Beauty and the Beast, happening on May 30 at 11 a.m. Find more information about future screenings online.

Date and venue: Through September 6 at Poster House

The Act Black: Posters from Black American Stage & Screen Exhibit showcases a variety of posters used in Black storytelling, stretching back to the late 19th century. Because the only evidence of many Black plays from the late 1800s and early 1900s exists in posters, the exhibit highlights the historic significance of these posters and how Black creators transitioned from the stage to film. Find more info and tickets online.

Date and venue: May 22 to September 25 at Rockefeller Place

The Today Show’s annual concert series kicks off on May 22, with free morning concerts throughout the summer. The 2026 lineup includes artists like Bleachers, Maren Morris, Tyla, KATSEYE, and Brandi Carlile. Attendees should show up by 5:15 a.m. on the day of the concert, but you can also register in advance for your chance to win up to four Fan Passes for guaranteed entry. Find the full lineup and more info online.

Date and venue: May 27 to September 16 at Bryant Park

Bring your mat and head to Bryant Park for free yoga classes throughout the summer. Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m. there will be an instructor-led yoga class on the lawn, open to all levels. You’ll need to register in advance and complete a waiver, and you should arrive about 15 minutes early to check in and set up. Register and find more info online.

Date and venue: May 23 to October 18 at the New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is getting groovy. The Flower Power exhibition channels the hippie culture of the of the ‘60s and connection with the natural world. Concurrently, an Art of the Era exhibit showcases paintings, photographs, screen prints, and collages by artists from the '60s and '70s that celebrate peace and love.

On select nights, you can catch the Liquid Light Shows, a colorful light display. Find more info and tickets online.

Date and venue: May 20 to December 6 in Madison Square Park

Madison Square Park’s latest art installation comes from Philadelphia-based artist Roberto Lugo, known for his ceramic sculptures, often inspired by the history of ceramics and Puerto Rican culture, hip-hop, and graffiti.

The two sculptures he’s created for the park are a 20-foot-tall urn that nods to traditional ceramics and a 15-foot-tall fire hydrant, a nod to urban environments. There are also hand-painted planters filled with plants native to Puerto Rico and domino tables that anyone can use.

Date and venue: May 14 to June 6 at the Rockefeller Center Rink

The famous Rockefeller Center ice skating rink transforms into a Broadway bonanza this spring with Road to Broadway, a free lunchtime concert series. Stars from Broadway musicals will perform every Thursday at 12 p.m., starting with Wicked, Chicago, and Hadestown on May 14.

While the event is free to the public, you can guarantee a front-row view by making a dining reservation at Jupiter or Naro or getting to-go food from one of the restaurants at Under 30 Rock and showing your receipt to access a standing room area. Learn more online.

Date and venue: Starting May 21 at the Museum of Broadway

The newest exhibit at the Museum of Broadway will focus on the 2023 play The Life of Pi, displaying many of the animal puppets used in the production, along with puppets from other shows, like Avenue Q's Trekkie Monster and Frozen's Olaf. Visitors can look at concept drawings, prototypes, and videos, and explore a recreated puppet workshop to see every step of the design process.

Get Museum of Broadway tickets now.

Date and venue: Through June 30 at the Marriott Marquis Broadway Lounge

If you're a Stranger Things fan, head to the Marriott Marquis in Times Square for a special opportunity. When you order the new “The First Shadow” cocktail, you’ll have a chance to find one of five hidden coasters, which grant you two tickets to Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway, playing right there in the building. Even if you don’t win, you’ll still enjoy the delicious fig-infused vodka and pomegranate drink.

Get Stranger Things: The First Shadow tickets now.

Date and venue: Ongoing at Redeye Grill

One of NYC’s hottest theatre experiences is Masquerade, an immersive retelling of The Phantom of the Opera. Before heading into the opera house, visit the Redeye Grill for a special prix fixe menu inspired by Masquerade. Choose an appetizer, entree, and dessert in this three-course meal, and enjoy a complimentary glass of prosecco. For an even more immersive experience, sip on The Phantom: a smoky, sweet, and bold bourbon and Campari cocktail. Reservations are available online.

Get Masquerade tickets now.

Date and venue: April 21 through fall at Wollman Rink in Central Park

Trade your ice skates in for sneakers, because the Wollman Rink in Central Park is transforming into a huge spread of outdoor pickleball courts. Opening April 21, the Wollman Rink pickleball courts will be bookable from 8 a.m to 9 p.m. daily, and reservations start at $80 an hour. If you’re new to the sport, you can book time with a coach to teach you the ropes. Get more info and tickets online.

Date and venue: Sundays through July 19 at Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Mamma mia, here we go again — to brunch! The famous Ellen’s Stardust Diner, featuring singing waitstaff, is kicking off a ticketed brunch event inspired by the hit musical. Hear your favorite Mamma Mia! tunes while enjoying themed dishes liked “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme Chicken + Waffles” and “Chiquitita Chilaquilies.” Tickets are available online.

Date and venue: Ongoing at Lotte New York Palace

To celebrate the popularity of Masquerade, the immersive Phantom of the Opera experience, the Lotte New York Palace hotel is offering two packages inspired by the show.

The Masquerade package provides guests with custom-made masks and a note from a mysterious host, inviting them to drinks in the Gold Room hotel bar. The Royal Masquerade package includes a stay in the hotel’s Towers Suites, complete with a dozen red roses and other surprises.

For locals who want in on the fun, the hotel offers bespoke Phantom-inspired cocktails in The Gold Room, perfect for a pre- or post-show outing.

Get Masquerade tickets now.

Date and venue: Through October at Grand Central Transit Museum

Although the MetroCard has been phased out, it lives on at Grand Central’s Transit Museum — but probably not in the way you expect. The free Inspired by MetroCard exhibit at Grand Central features art inspired by and created with MetroCards. Sculptors, painters, collage artists, fashion designers, and more turned this once ordinary part of NYC daily life into gorgeous works of art. Learn more online.

Date and venue: Now through 2028 at MoMA PS1

For the first time, all visitors, not just New Yorkers, can go to the MoMA PS1 for free. Just a short 7 train ride from Times Square, the Queens art museum, an offshoot of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Midtown, highlights rotating exhibits throughout the year.

Date and venue: Nightly at 11 p.m. following Broadway shows

This unique late-night crawl kicks off the minute you leave your Broadway theatre, where you’ll be met by a fabulous drag queen as your guide. The 2-hour private tour meanders through Hell’s Kitchen and is filled with surprises at every turn, including live performances.

Broadway After Dark: The Curtain Call Crawl promises Broadway stories and “insider tea” in addition to cocktails and plenty of glam. Tickets start at $69 per person, and you must book as a group.

Date and venue: Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday near Columbus Circle

For the first time, the popular Smorgasburg food fair heads to upper Manhattan with its newest Central Park location. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this summer, starting May 14, over 25 vendors will set up shop near the Columbus Circle park entrance from 12-8 p.m.

The vendors are yet to be confirmed. However, based on the other Smorgasburg locations, you can expect everything from sweet treats to savory bites — and definitely some viral food moments.