Beautiful spring weather is here! ...Kind of. It's way too hot to be spring right now.
But now that its finally warm and sunny outside, it's time to whip out your shades and head out to this weekend's coolest cultural events.
No matter your interests, we have the perfect festivals for you to enjoy this weekend.
Apparently, food is the focus, but no one is complaining here. Who can say no to a feast of delicious eats and treats?
Add as many of these events to your schedule, and stuff your face with as much yummy food as possible.
Friday, May 19th
You might have to starve yourself a couple days for this one.
The epic Choice Eats Food Festival, hosted by The Village Voice, is celebrating its 10th annual run. With over 50 handpicked food and alcohol vendors, this fest is going to be one for the books. Grab tix here.
Saturday, May 20th
If you can't make it to Comic Con this year, try to snag some tickets to this fest to fulfill all of your comics needs.
Five Points combines all the cool aspects of counterculture into one designer toy, comics, street art and beer convention at Pier 36. The tickets are way cheaper than at Comic Con anyway (and you don't have to sell a limb to get one). Get yours here.
If entertainment is your life, the Vulture Festival is the perfect convention for you.
You can see some of your favorite movie, TV and music stars, editors and professionals, like Aziz Ansari, Vince Vaughn, Connie Britton, Stephen Colbert and Al Franken, discuss all about the entertainment industry in America's cultural landscape. You can see exclusive screenings and listen in to table reads and forums. Get your tickets on the Vulture Festival site.
4. 9th Avenue International Food Fest
I don't know about you, but nothing sounds like a more perfect day than walking around the streets of NYC with your hands full of delicious food from all over the world.
The 9th Ave International Food Fest is going down between 42nd and 57th street. Prepare yourself for the ultimate gluttonous feast of foreign flavors.
5. NYC Vegetarian Food Festival
Vegetarians and vegans alike should be adding this festival to their weekend schedules.
Enjoy healthy and conscious eats at this year's NYC Vegetarian Food Festival hosted by Awesome Events-NYC. Devour yummy and fresh vegan cuisine as you listen to experts in the vegan food industry. Bring your kids for fun activities for them, too. Pick up your tickets here.
6. 11th Annual Dance Parade and Festival
Upwards of 10,000 dancers will groove their way down Broadway from West 21st Street to Tompkins Square Park to the theme "dance for peace" on May 20th.
Dance Parade is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to inspire dance through the celebration of diversity. Following Dance Parade, DanceFest will come to life in Tompkins Square Park on 5 Stages with free performances and dance instruction. It's time to put your dancing shoes on!
Sunday, May 21st
7. Stay Hungry
https://www.instagram.com/p/BS_Xou2BSI7/
Here's some more food for you guys, but you can appreciate the hip hop culture and culinary arts along with it.
Stay Hungry is a culinary competition for rising high school chefs to create innovative dishes based on iconic hip hop lyrics. The competition, judged by leaders in culinary arts and the hip hop industry, is free and open to the public at St. John's Bread Life in Brooklyn from 2 until 4 p.m. Reserve your spot here.
8. Ready, Set, Summer - A Craft Market Pop-Up
All of your Etsy dreams have just come true.
Head to the Ready, Set, Summer - A Craft Market Pop-Up to spend all your cash on cute hand-made crafts from local artisans and designers. Catch it at the Grand Bazaar NYC from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Although it seems like the seasons completely skipped spring, you can celebrate the season we once knew at Astoria's family festival.
You can head to the outdoor market or take your kids on the kiddie rides–or go on yourself–at the 39th Annual Spring Street Fair. For a delicious lunch and free face painting, head to 31st Street between Ditmars Boulevard and 21st Avenue.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]