19 Things to Do in New York City This Week · May 14–17, 2026

Festivals & Special Events

Dance Parade New York 20th Anniversary

Over 10,000 dancers take over Sixth Avenue for a massive 20th anniversary parade ending with a 4-hour free festival in Tompkins Square Park.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 · Sixth Avenue to Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan

2026 Harlem Culture Crawl

A weekend celebration of art, music, history and community in the newly designated Harlem Renaissance Cultural District.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 11:00 AM · Harlem, New York

Arts & Culture

Indian Princesses at Atlantic Theater Company

Eliana Theologides Rodriguez's funny, feminist Off-Broadway debut — a tender satire about five girls of color and their white fathers in a father-daughter bonding program, now at the Linda Gross Theater.

Friday, May 15, 2026 · Linda Gross Theater, 336 West 20th Street, New York

Tribeca Gallery Night

Over 80 galleries across Tribeca stay open late for an evening of gallery hopping during New York's art fair week.

Friday, May 15, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM · Tribeca, Manhattan

Bernice Faegenburg 'Four Seasons' Opening at Viridian Artists

Curated by Lola Shepard, this free opening reception showcases Bernice Faegenburg's Four Seasons exhibition at Viridian Artists gallery.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM · Viridian Artists, 548 W 28th St, Suite 632, New York

Art Swap by Emerging Artist Connect

Artists and collectors come together for a fun community art swap event organized by the Emerging Artist Connect group.

Sunday, May 17, 2026 4:00 PM · New York

Music & Nightlife

Good Eggs ft. Mark Normand at New York Comedy Club

Time Out NY's 'one of the best weekly shows in the city' — presented by Mark Normand, Gary Vider, and Matt Ruby with frequent surprise drop-ins from comedy legends.

Thursday, May 14, 2026 8:15 PM · New York Comedy Club, East Village

ASCENSION at Virgo NYC

A high-energy Friday night dance party at Virgo NYC on the Lower East Side, presented by Easy Tiger and Recess in the Room.

Friday, May 15, 2026 · Virgo NYC, 324 Grand Street, New York

Shehzad Ghias Shaikh — Live In New York City

International comedian Shehzad Ghias Shaikh brings his acclaimed stand-up to Broadway Comedy Club for a headline show.

Friday, May 15, 2026 7:00 PM · Broadway Comedy Club, Midtown Manhattan

THE TRUANTS Live at The Triad Theater

A dynamic five-piece rock band performing British Invasion and American garage, psychedelic, and folk-rock covers at the intimate Triad Theater.

Friday, May 15, 2026 7:30 PM · Triad Theater, 158 W 72nd St, New York

Chantal Kreviazuk at City Winery

An intimate evening with Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk at City Winery's premier live music venue at Pier 57.

Sunday, May 17, 2026 · City Winery, Pier 57, New York City

Date Night

Decades Dance Party at 230 Fifth

A rooftop dance party spanning the best hits across the decades at 230 Fifth — free entry before 8PM for NYC singles.

Friday, May 15, 2026 6:00 PM · 230 Fifth, New York

Daddy Rabbit Underground Jazz Speakeasy

Forbes called it 'The Most Electrifying Party In Town' and Time Out named it 'the epitome of cool' — an underground jazz speakeasy at Adélaïde's Salon.

Friday, May 15, 2026 8:00 PM · Adélaïde's Salon, 176 8th Ave, New York

Family-Friendly

The Broadway Magic Hour with Jim Vines & Carl Mercurio

NYC's favorite family magic show — as seen on 'Penn & Teller: Fool Us' — for ages 5 to 105 in Midtown Manhattan.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 2:00 PM · 318 W 53rd St, New York

Free Events

Whitney Free Friday Nights: NY Liberty Edition

The Whitney Museum opens its doors for free on Friday nights in a special NY Liberty-themed edition — free admission to world-class contemporary art.

Friday, May 15, 2026 · Whitney Museum, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York

Bryant Park Outdoor Reading Room

Bryant Park's beloved free outdoor reading room returns for the 2026 season with books, quiet reading hours, poetry readings, and author talks throughout the spring and summer.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 · Bryant Park, Midtown Manhattan

Food & Drink

Home Barista Skills: Breville Edition

Learn professional espresso and coffee-making techniques using Breville equipment in a hands-on workshop at the Park Ave Lab.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 10:00 AM · Park Ave Lab, New York

Outdoors & Active

Intro to Self-Defense Jiu-Jitsu

An introductory self-defense Jiu-Jitsu class at Sei Shin Dojo for beginners looking to learn practical techniques in a supportive environment.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 1:30 PM · Sei Shin Dojo, New York

Free Interactive Workshop: Nature Studies Through Sketching

A free outdoor sketching workshop where participants learn to observe and draw nature in the Brooklyn area.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 2:00 PM · Brooklyn, New York