The sun is out, birds are singing, we think we can all agree that winter is finally over.
It's time to get into the sun and explore the city.
From a 5 Boro Bike Ride, Kendrick Lamar, to May staples Fleet Week and Memorial Day, and don't forget all food festivals.
May in the city is always a good time. Check our May guide below for the best way to spend your month.
Tuesday, May 1st
The Hum (House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn @ 7 PM)
LPR presents The Hum at House of Yes, an all-female gender queer concert series that celebrates and nourishes the community of female musicians in NYC.
Featuring Jessica Lea Mayfield, Emily Maxwell, Audrey Whisides, Ana Asnes Becker, OSHUN and many other amazing female and female identifying performers.
Thursday, May 3-6th
The Other Art Fair (72 Noble St, Brooklyn @ Times Vary)
The Other Art Fair is the leading artist fair presented exclusively by Saatchi Art, and it is back at Greenpoint’s Brooklyn Expo Center. It will showcase 130 talented independent artists who were handpicked by a committee of art world experts.
If you’re an art lover, this fair will wow you with a unique and immersive experience.
Friday, May 4th
King Krule (Hammerstein Ballroom, Manhattan @ 8 PM)
King Krule is an English singer and songwriter, and his music is mainly jazz derivatives such as punk, jazz, jazz fusion, and darkwave.
Recently, King Krule released his second full album, “The Ooz,” and has been receiving positive reviews. He was nominated for IMPALA’s European Album of the Year Award.
So, come out and dance along with the soothing vibes London sound.
Saturday, May 5th
Cinco de Mayo Boat Cruise (Skyport Marina, 240 FDR Service Road, Manhattan @ 7:30 PM)
Ready for the summer?
Let’s kick it off with an epic three-hour, Cinco De Mayo sunset cruise party on a 130-foot dual-floored luxury yacht that flows down the East River, under the Brooklyn Bridge, and right past the Statue of Liberty.
Dance the night away to live music by NvR Sleep & DJ Nick Zallo. Fuel up with an open NY Craft Pilsner & IPA beer bar by Bronx Beer Hall and an open Santera Tequila Bar. Plus nosh on a guacamole bar, and 7-layer dip tortilla cups.
Tickets are running out, make sure to grab yours now so you're not celebrating Cinco de Fomo.
Sunday, May 6th
5 Boro Bike Tour (Pier 12, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal)
Come transform lives and community at Bike New York.
32,000 fellow bikers will ride together as well as 100,000+ people who have attended the bike education program.
Tour rides will collect donations for the country’s largest charitable bike ride. It’s gonna be a fun way to make friends and stay healthy. There also will be a finish line festival with artists and DJs such as Dragonfly 13, DJ Kristava, The Rusty Guns, and more!
Don’t have a bike? That’s okay! The event will have other rental resources for you to join and cruise through the streets of NYC.
Monday, May 7th
New York Independent Film Festival (358 West 44th Street, Manhattan @ 6 PM)
The NYC Independent Film Festival is a showcase for the best independent cinemas from NYC and all around the world.
For the past few years, it has embraced fresh ideas, screening over 1200 movies from 61 countries; and the festival is back for its 9th time. Supporting and creating opportunities for true independent filmmakers to mingle and network with the press, supporters, and fans.
Advance Screening: Boom For Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michael Basquiat (308 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn @ 6:45 PM)
One of the most inspiring depictions of the Downton New York movie, Sara Driver’s “Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean Michel Basquiat”, is playing at Videology Bar & Cinema.
Delve into the teenage years of cultural icon Basquiat while exploring New York City arts culture of the late 70s and 80s.
Thursday, May 10th
The Secret of Agave Spirits (62 Bayard St, Brooklyn @ 6:30 PM)
Want to know more about tequila, mezcal, and raicilla?
The Museum of Food and Drink will be hosting Los Angeles botanist Rachel Meyer. Guests will have the opportunity to taste some of the distillates, as well as some scientific cocktails prepared by Don Lee of Booker and Dax.
This is one fiesta you won’t want to miss!
Saturday, May 12th
Holy Hai (Governor’s Island, 12pm-7pm)
Translated from Hindi, “Holy Hai” means “It’s Holi”! This festival celebrates the coming of Spring, fruit harvests, unity, and joy.
There will be tons of food, drink, music, and performances to keep you feeling the spirit all day long. Make sure to wear your dancing shoes, and, as always, your good mood!
Saturday, May 12th
New York Taco Takeover (Brooklyn EXPO Center, Brooklyn)
Taco Tuesdays are officially expanding through the weekend with this tasty “fiesta”val!
They’ll have tacos from the best local chefs, as well as an unlimited bar with tequila cocktails and beer. In between all the ingestion, take part in some of the fun activities they’ve got planned, like limbo, hula hooping, and bobbing for churros.
Monday, May 14th
More Life Monday (206 Avenue A, Manhattan, 6 PM)
If you’re looking for the happiest hour in Manhattan, look no further.
Gather at Garrett East to celebrate the end of Aries season and beginning of Spring with killer music, people, and drinks.
Need more incentive? Every Aries will get their first drink free to commemorate their new trip around the sun.
Wednesday, May 16th
The Edgar Allen Poe Festival (Radio Theater, NYC)
Coming upon its 14th season, Radiotheatre has racked up plenty of accolades for its innovative works and performances.
One of its niftiest upcoming endeavors is this tribute to famed poet Edgar Allen Poe. The festival will present 14 classic tales of horror and suspense through storytelling, orchestral music, and heart-pounding sound effects.
Friday, May 18th
New York Guitar Festival (Brookfield Place Winter Guardian, NYC)
Since 1999, the New York Guitar Festival has been a platform for some of the world’s most influential guitarists in the world.
Performing at various venues throughout Manhattan, from Carnegie Hall to the MoMA, the festival features Grammy winners as well as emerging artists in an effort to display a wide range of sounds.
Take your pick and jam during this musical extravaganza!
Saturday, May 19th
NYC Vegetarian Food Fest (Metropolitan Pavilion, NYC)
This 2-day food bonanza features some of the city’s yummiest and most unique vegetarian eating experiences.
Various speakers will give presentations throughout the weekend on their latest findings in the food world, along with tasty samplings for visitors to enjoy.
The 9th Avenue International Food Festival (Ninth Avenue between 42nd and 57th St, Manhattan, @ 10 AM)
From May 19th to 20th, the New York’s largest and oldest traditions, the 9th Avenue Food Festival is back! The festival will host food vendors, live music, and dance performances.
Taste the world through the merchants of Ninth Avenue and Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan. Including foods from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Morocco, and Ukraine.
The Harlem EatUp Festival (Harlem, NYC)
This week-long festival celebrates the food, arts, and culture of Harlem. Now in its 4th year, the fest gives you the opportunity to try one-night-only food collaborations between Harlem’s best chefs and some of the most acclaimed chefs around the nation.
Featuring food demonstrations, art, and live music, this opportunity is a must for foodies and Harlem fans alike.
Sunday, May 20th
BrunchCon (Brooklyn Expo Center @ 9 AM)
Ain't no party like a brunch party!
This food and drink festival focuses on everyone’s favorite Sunday afternoon meal, brunch.
A ticket to the event gets you a bite from over thirty food vendors and open access to the mimosa and bloody mary bar.
Get your brunch on while perusing the marketplace and playing lawn games!
Tuesday, May 22nd
Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon for Asian American Literature (Asian American Writers Workshop, Manhattan @ 12 PM)
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, this Edit-a-Thon will focus on addressing the gaps and deficiencies across pages related to Asian American culture found on Wikipedia.
The goal is to increase visibility and knowledge of Asian American writers and literary organizations. If this is your passion, bring your laptop and get ready to work -- training will be provided!
Wednesday, May 23rd
Parade of Ships (NY Harbor @ TBD)
The Parade of Ships officially kicks off Fleet Week in NYC, celebrating all of our soldiers in uniform both here and abroad.
The ships can be seen along the Hudson River from Battery Park to the George Washington Bridge and there will be various salutes as the ships sail through.
Saturday, May 26th
The 152nd Street Cultural Festival (Jackson Ave, Bronx @ 11 AM)
Hosted by the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, this family-friendly event is fun for people of all ages.
Enjoy live musical performances, dancing, comedy, celebrity appearances, and a children’s pavilion to keep your little ones busy. Come and celebrate Puerto Rican culture at this annual party!
Monday, May 28th
Washington Square Park Outdoor Art Exhibition (Washington Square Park, Manhattan @ 10 AM)
This exhibit takes places twice a year -- Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.
It showcases artists and craft artisans from New York as well as the entire world, giving them an opportunity to present their latest offerings.
If art is your bag, this is an exhibit you should definitely draw on your schedule.
Memorial Day Parade (Little Neck, Queens @ 9:30 AM)
One of New York’s fondest annual events is the Memorial Day parade.
Several parades take place throughout the day, each one commemorating the fallen soldiers who gave their lives to the United States of America. The Long Neck Douglaston Parade is the largest in the city.
Register to be a part of the parade in advance, or simply walk alongside on the sidewalk and be a part of this NYC mainstay.
Tuesday, May 29th
Kendrick Lamar with Sza and Schoolboy Q (Madison Square Garden, Manhattan @ 7:30 PM )
Kendrick Lamar is one of the biggest artists in the world right now, recently honored with the Pulitzer Prize for his album DAMN and producing the multi-platinum soundtrack for superhero blockbuster Black Panther.
Catch his New York tour stop with SZA and Schoolboy Q at Madison Square Garden.
Wednesday, May 30th
Cumbia & Vallenato: Gregorio Uribe (Bryant Park, NYC)
If you love dancing, Talia Castro-Pozo is hosting a dance party with great bands and dance instructors to help you with your steps.
Acclaimed Colombian musician Gregorio Uribe will be bringing his band to perform a show featuring Cumbia and Vallenato, two classics of Colombian folk music. Master other styles of motion through Bryant Park's Dance Party series, more information here.