Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland
Celebrate your heritage, or learn about another, with these fun cultural events and festivals in the NYC area!
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Cultural Events in July
Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC
Bastille Day
SummerStage at Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
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Celebrate French culture in NYC with the whole family. Bastille Day (July 14), aka the national day of France, is a long-standing tradition!
Arab-American & North African Cultural Street Festival
Great Jones Street between Lafayette Street and Broadway, Noho
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This one-day festival features live music, Lebanese, Moroccan and Egyptian cuisines, exhibitions, and more on Great Jones Street between Lafayette and Broadway.
Cultural Events & Festivals in Brooklyn
International African Arts Festival
Commodore Barry Park, Navy Street between Park and Flushing avenues, Brooklyn
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Formerly called the African Street Festival, this event began in 1971 as a small block party. It’s now a huge celebration for African culture. There will be vendor booths for crafts, clothing, art, books, and more, as well as food and entertainment for the whole family.
Global Ubuntu Festival
Commodore Barry Park, Flushing Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn
Celebrate African and Black culture through food, dancing, music, storytelling, and much more!
Cultural Events & Festivals in Queens
Thunderbird American Indian Powwow
Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks
Thunderbird is NYC’s oldest and largest powwow! More than 40 Indian nations are represented, along with traditional clothing, dancing, bon fires, music, and more. There are also arts and crafts, jewelry, and delicious food to eat.
Cultural Events & Festivals on Long Island
The Feast of St. Rocco
July 28-Aug. 1: Wednesday-Friday, 6-11pm; Saturday, 3-11pm; Sunday, 3-10pm
The Church of Saint Rocco, 18 3rd St., Glen Cove
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St. Rocco’s Feast is one of the largest celebrations of Italian culture on Long Island! The “Best Feast in the East” offers all the Italian food your family can eat, rides, live music, and more.
Cultural Events in August
Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC
Harlem Week
Aug. 6-15
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Harlem Week, which began as Harlem Day in 1974, is a celebration of African-American, African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European history, arts, culture, religion, business, entertainment, and sports. This year’s festival will be a mix of virtual and in-person events.
Cultural Events & Festivals in Queens
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, Aug. 7; schedule TBA
Flushing Meadows Park, Flushing
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This is a great opportunity to experience Chinese culture! Watch as teams from around the world compete in this traditional Chinese summer event. Along with the racing boats, families can enjoy multicultural artists and traditional music and dance from around the globe, plus a food court with traditional treats.
Cultural Events & Festivals in Brooklyn
41st Annual Brighton Jubilee
Sunday, Aug. 29
Brighton Beach
A Brooklyn tradition that celebrates the borough's diversity, this multi-block festival features entertainment, live music, rides for kids, delicious food booths, and local merchandise.
Living Earth Family Day
Saturday, Aug. 28
Virtual
Join the National Museum of the American Indian for a day of on-demand online activities, including painting and bracelet making, and the opportunity to learn more about Indigenous food, plants, and summer fun.
Cultural Events & Festivals in Orange County
New York Renaissance Faire
Aug. 21-Oct. 3
600 Route. 17A, Tuxedo Park, NY
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Take a step back in time to Elizabethan England for 16th century-style games, rides, crafts, music, dance, and tasty food. See knights in shining armor and old time costumes. Shop in the artisan market to take some of the fun home with you. Special themed weekends include a Time Travelers’ Weekend and Pirate Weekend—and kids can join the Kid Quest to uncover the magic of the Enchanted Forest anytime!
Cultural Events in September
Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC
Brazilian Day
Sunday, Sept. 5
West 46th Street, Little Brazil, Manhattan
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The festival and outdoor concert celebrating Brazil’s Independence Day started as a small group of Brazilians who wanted to celebrate the holiday. It now spans 25 blocks. There will be traditional food to eat along with lively dancing, music, and celebration for all ages. The costumes will delight and the festivities will go on all day long.
The Annual Feast of San Gennaro
Sept. 16-26, see website for schedule
Grand and Mott streets, Little Italy
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This huge annual celebration includes colorful parades, live musical performances, and all the Italian food you can eat.
German-American Steuben Parade
Saturday, Sept. 18
Fifth Avenue, between 65th and 86th streets, Upper East Side
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Cheer for the marchers while enjoying music, dance groups, and people in Karneval costumes and historic Tracht.
Autumn Moon Cultural Festival
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St.,Chinatown
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Take in various stage performances, cultural arts and crafts, calligraphy, moon cake tastings, and gift vendors.
Medieval Festival
Fort Tryon Park, Broadway to the Hudson River, Manhattan
Go back to the Middle Ages at this annual festival sure to delight kids and adults of all ages. Wander through the medieval market town and see performers in period dress, along with magic acts, dancing, juggling, and even jousting on horseback. There will be medieval food, drinks, and crafts to enjoy. Don’t forget to dress in your medieval best!
Cultural Events & Festivals in Brooklyn
The Great Irish Fair
Saturday, Sept. 25
Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk, 3052 W. 21st St., Brooklyn
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Celebrate Irish-American culture and heritage with traditional and contemporary Irish music, food and pubs, Irish dancing, Irish goods, and activities for children. This year’s performers include Gaelic Storm and the Canny Brothers Band.
Cultural Events & Festivals on Staten Island
1776 Peace Conference House Celebration
Saturday, Sept. 18
Conference House Museum, 7455 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island
Celebrate American history and culture with the family on Staten Island. Kids can enjoy interactive museum displays and demonstrations outside, and past festivals have included colonial-style dancing and food.
Cultural Events in October
Cultural Events & Festivals in NYC
Columbus Day Parade
Monday, Oct. 11
Fifth Avenue, from 47th to 72nd streets, Manhattan
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Honor Italian Americans’ contributions to NYC with thousands of visitors and parade participants. There will be more than 100 bands and floats, including high-school bands, professional groups, and traditional dances. This parade is the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American and Italian culture.
Main photo: Dancers at the French Institute Alliance Francaise's Bastille Day celebration
Photo by Sasha Arutyunova
