July is a lovely month.
Despite the fact that it's completely blazing hot-- with weird intermittent thunderstorms bookending the heat-- there are a lot of amazing July activities happening in New York City.
Whether it's the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest or Bastille Day, rest assured that NYC will be wild'n out for the entire month of July.
From events where you can shoot your fellow city dwellers with a water gun to events where you can hear actual Broadway cast members singing their most popular songs for free, we have a feeling that this July is going to be a great month.
Stick with us and it might even be the best July you've ever had.
1. Celebrate Independence at Monarch Rooftop (July 3rd – 71 West 35th Street)
We think we kinda throw the best party in town.
So if you're still looking for a nighttime party to celebrate America's Independence on Friday July 3rd, come celebrate with us and Privé Group at Monarch, located at 71 West 35th Street.
There's an indoor area-- plus an outdoor rooftop with a stunning view of the Empire State Building-- so it's bound to be a wild time.
But you have to RSVP here to get in for free. (Keep calm, it only takes thirty seconds.)
2. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest (July 4th)
perle75ny Nathan's Famous - 1229 Boardwalk W, Brooklyn, NY 11224 Nothing special but famous. Hot Dog since 1916 #NathansHotDog #NathansHotDogEatingContest
This celebration is the cumulative effect of a bunch of grown men and women shoving a lot of hot dogs down their throats.
They can't pause for relish. They can't pause for mustard. They can hardly pause for ketchup.
If this sounds like fun to you, head to 310 Surf Avenue in Coney Island on the 4th of July to watch the debauchery.
Check the schedule for the day here.
3. Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Show (July 4th)
loudstellar Happy 4th of July everyone! #macys4thofjulyfireworks #nyc #brooklyn #4thofjuly #fireworks #newyork #happy4thofjuly
Find a spot facing the East River on the night of July 4th around 9:20 p.m. to view this spectacular annual light show.
Whether you watch from a rooftop bar, a beachfront, or an apartment roof, you'll probably have a dope time regardless.
Find a spot facing the East River in Brooklyn or Queens for an even more spectacular view of the fireworks and the Manhattan skyline.
4. Lincoln Center Festival (July 6th - August 2nd)
Lincoln Center Festival has been known for twenty years as the showcase for the best performing arts around the world.
This includes theater, music, puppetry, opera, modern dance, ballet, and multidisciplinary performances.
The lineup for this year's Lincoln Festival will feature 58 performances from Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton to DruidShakespeare's presentation of The History Plays.
Check out the calendar here, and start getting your tickets.
5. Coney Island Flicks on the Beach (July 6th - July 27th)
getyoursocialfix Coney Island Flicks on The Beach - Mondays in June 30 to August 18 June 30th - Gravity July 7th - Frozen July 14th - E.T. July 21st - Iron Man 3 July 28th - The Lego Movie August 4th - American Hustle August 11th - Dirty Dancing August 18th - Audience Choice (Either Sandlot, Grease or The Goonies) #coneyislandflicksonthebeach #coneyislandflicks #coneyisland #freemovies #getyoursocialfix
Mondays are terrible, right?
Not at Coney Island in the summertime they're not! On Monday evenings throughout July, kick back with your feet in the sand and watch a floating movie screen on the water.
We're not kidding. At 7:30 p.m. on summertime Mondays, the beach at West 10th Street is turned into an outdoor theater on a giant 40-foot inflatable screen.
On July 6th come see The Terminator. On July 27th come see Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The best part about this event? It's completely free.
See the full lineup here.
6. Latin Alternative Music Conference (July 7th - July 11th)
mirellamusic #Repost from @weekonla with @repostapp --- #WNLA #WEEKONradio #WEEKONLatinoamerica #LATINALTERNATIVEMUSICCONFERENCE #LAMC #CODIGORADIO #AffiniaHotel #newyork #manhattan #mirellacesa #Ecuador
The Latin Alternative Music Conference brings free concerts to the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.
Taking place in venues like Prospect Park's Bandshell and Central Park's Rumsey Playfield, this year's conference will feature beats from DJ Afro, Helado, Compass, No Te Va Gustar, and much more.
It's going to be an amazing jam sesh, and you should not miss it.
7. Broadway in Bryant Park (July 9th - August 13th)
ann_grini Throwback to a lovely day in Bryant Park, New York. #TBS #NewYork #BryantPark #BroadwayInBryantPark #Broadway #LesMisérables #NikkiMJames #Éponine #OnMyOwn #July #2014 #Summer #love
Love music? Work near Bryant Park? Then Broadway in Bryant Park is a perfect way to set your workday lunch break on fire.
Pack your lunch and get to Bryant Park every Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:39 p.m. to hear cast members from Broadway's most wildly successful shows belting out your favorite songs.
Too bad you'll be too busy munching on the sandwich you packed to sing along.
,8. Bastille Day (July 12th)
From France? Love France? Want to learn more about France? If any of the preceding questions apply to you, you absolutely must be a part of NYC's Bastille Day, mon amour.
This amazing event will take place between 5th and Lexington Avenues and will include a champagne tasting, free film screenings, and the opportunity to indulge in French delicacies like crêpes, éclairs, and macarons from the booths along 60th Street.
There will also be face paintings, concerts by Ginkgoa, the Hungry March Band, and much more. Basically, you don't want to miss it.
9. BBQ Blowout (July 14th)
vineeth_k 8 courser at #ContraNYC last night 1: chicken fat bread, grilled celeriac butter 2: lettuce, tarragon, spruce, buttermilk ramp dressing 3: peas, burrata cheese, herbs 4: mackerel, sorrel, fennel, asparagus 5: scallops, sea beans, sorrel 6: waygu beef, treviso, pistachio 7: peach, honey, occhipinti olive oil, vanilla ice cream 8: preserved strawberrie granita, white bolita corn mousse #FineDining #TastingMenu #Foodie #FoodPorn #Foodgasm #Instafood #TheArtOfPlating #Dinner
This summer's edition of BBQ blowout will take place at the LES's Contra, located at 138 Orchard Street.
They'll be serving their delectable cuisine, with choices like beef rib eye, lardo scallop, and dill summer squash while Salt Cathedral DJs.
That's not even the best part. Guests will be treated to complimentary Brooklyn Brewery beer and Jameson Irish whiskey with every purchased plate of food.
It's only $10. Get your tickets here.
10. AVP Volleyball NYC Open (July 16th - July 19th)
christopher1971 Another shot from the AVP volleyball tournament. #Hartman #Nikon #NikonD700 #Nikon_photography #Nikonphotography_ #NikonPhotographer #NikonPhotographers #ocphotographer #huntingtonbeach #huntingtonbeachpier #surfcity #surfcityusa #sports #beachvolleyball #tamron150600mm
AVP's biggest volleyball stars, including three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings, April Ross, and Jennifer Kessy will compete in a pro beach volleyball tournament at Hudson River Park this summer.
They'll take the courts at Piers 25 and 26 and duke it out on the sand. If you love volleyball, you should definitely come watch or, better yet, volunteer.
11. City of Water Day (July 18th)
waterfrontalliance Thanks to everyone who came to #CityofWaterDay! #NYC #NJ #MWA #waterfront #kayaking #paddleboarding #rowing #summerinthecity
Taking place on Governor's Island, City of Water Day is put on by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, and will be a day of music, boat tours, and snacking on delicious food from food truck vendors.
Since we're made up of at least 55% water, and we need it to survive, plus the fact that NYC is an island, this seems like a pretty good idea for a celebration to us.
12. Shakespeare in the Park
This is one of the most glorious free summertime activities in NYC. The Tempest ends on July 5th, so if that's your favorite Shakespeare play you better hurry to the next performance.
If, however, your favorite Shakespeare play is Cymbeline, you're in luck, since it's being staged from July 23rd through August 23rd in the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
All performances begin at 8 p.m., and there are four ways you can acquire tickets: free distribution in Central Park, the free virtual ticketing lottery, free distribution at Astor Place, and simply buying a $7 tax deductible ticket, which would be super sweet of you, since these tickets help provide free Shakespeare for everyone else.
13. Waterfight NYC (July 25th)
original_musiq Just so y'all know on July 25th at Central Park it's the Annual Water fight. Bring you Super Soaker, water bottle or what ever else you wanna bring 😎 lol it's going down. Fun in the sun. And yes it's FREE!!! #AlreadyFamous #centralpark #summer2k15 Hit me up for info
#WaterFight2015 will take place on Central Park's Great Lawn from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., and is a lovely community event where everyone who shows up gets completely soaked.
To join, bring your friends and a full water gun (water balloons are not allowed). If you can hardly handle the hype, get your Statue of WaterFight NYC t-shirt here.
For more events around New York, check out SocialEyesNYC.
Check out Are You Ready for Free Outdoor Movies on the Hudson River? We So Are!
[Feature Image Courtesy: The New York Times]