10 Best Things to Do in New York City This Week (Aug 17–23)
Your group chat went quiet, your saved TikToks are full of “NYC summer bucket list” videos, and mid-August already showed up. This list of things to do in New York City this week (August 17–23) includes Bruno Mars at MetLife Stadium, free concerts at SummerStage, late-night food runs at Queens Night Market, flower-filled gardens at NYBG, and even a few fun picks outside NYC if you feel like escaping Manhattan for a bit. Your couch already got enough time with you this week anyway.
Do a quick scroll of the official event pages in case anything changes at the last minute. A few free spots still require an RSVP, so it’s worth securing your spot early. Also, having some cash on hand makes those snack and drink stops a lot easier.
Still Making Plans? The 10 Best Things to Do in NYC This Week
Best Free Events & No-Cost Fun
Central Park SummerStage Festival
August 19 (Benefit concert)丨August 22 (Free concert)丨Rumsey Playfield
SummerStage keeps New Yorkers outside all summer, and this week’s lineup looks unfairly good. August 19 brings Simple Plan, 3OH!3, and Bowling for Soup together, which may trigger a full pop-punk flashback the second someone screams “I’m just a kid…” Then, August 23 shifts into global sounds with Angélique Kidjo and DJ Freshy K bringing huge energy to the park.
Picnic Performances at Bryant Park
Choir Festival (August 21)丨Emerging Music Festival (August 22)丨Free to attend
Picnic Performances turns Bryant Park into one of those rare Manhattan nights where people slow down a little. August 21 brings a Choir Festival with NYC groups performing classic and modern arrangements, while August 22 offers indie, folk, soul, and pop during the Emerging Music Festival. Grab snacks, stretch out on the lawn, and enjoy nights with these free shows NYC this August.
We Love NYC Bazaar
August 23, 2026丨100 West 77th St., New York丨Free admission
This market in New York City pulls you in fast with candles, earrings, tote bags, art, and home finds that somehow end up feeling very necessary. Local artists and small businesses fill the space with pieces that look way more interesting than anything sitting in a big department store. It’s one of the top New York things to do in August if your ideal Sunday includes iced coffee and pretending you have self-control.
Harlem Summer Nights
Fridays until August 21, 2026丨Under the Arches丨Free entry
Harlem Summer Nights wraps up this Friday, and the neighborhood is finishing strong. Food vendors, DJs, and live music turn the whole space into a fun Friday night story you’ll retell next month. Show up hungry because the food lines move fast for a reason. It’s one of the better free NYC events in August if your current Friday idea involves staring at delivery apps.
Queens Night Market
Saturdays, Until August 22, 2026丨Flushing Meadows Corona Park丨Free to attend
Your “I’ll go next weekend” excuse officially expired. Queens Night Market closes out for a while this week with more than 100 vendors serving global street food, desserts, and snacks that can convince you to walk laps around the park for hours. Someone nearby holds Brazilian churrasco that makes you regret your current food choice. It’s one of the best August events in New York City that foodies can’t ignore.
Backyard at Hudson Yards
Until October 2026丨Public Square and Gardens丨Free (Please check each event’s schedule as dates and days vary)
Backyard at Hudson Yards packs the Public Square and Gardens with outdoor movies, giant sports screenings, dance cardio, pickleball clinics, concerts, wellness sessions, and family activities all week long. You can bounce between workouts, snacks, music, and movies without running out of things to do. So, good luck convincing your group to leave early.
Must-Book Experiences & Ticketed Shows
RnB Mimosa Festival: New York Session 1
August 22, 2026丨740 5th Avenue, Brooklyn丨Ticketed
Brooklyn gets extra messy during the RnB Mimosa Festival. Multiple mimosa flavors, food vendors, local businesses, DJs, and nonstop R&B tracks fill the space all afternoon. General admission comes with two complimentary mimosas, which explains why strangers suddenly become best friends by sunset. If early-2000s R&B starts playing, just accept that nobody is leaving quietly.
Flower Power
Until October 18, 2026丨New York Botanical Garden丨Ticketed
Flower Power at the New York Botanical Garden turns the Bronx into one giant 1960s mood board. Massive blooms, retro-inspired art, and peace-and-love themes fill the gardens with pure summer serotonin. It’s one of the prettiest picks under what’s on New York in August, giving your brain a break after subway delays and overheated sidewalks all week.
Top Concerts & Performances This Week
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving Tour
August 17–18, 2026丨Madison Square Garden
Missed her earlier shows? Olivia Dean is back at MSG this week, which works out nicely for anyone currently overthinking life during subway rides home. She brings warm neo-soul vocals and honest lyrics that pull people in fast, particularly with tracks from The Art of Loving.
Bruno Mars – The Romantic Tour
August 21, 22, 25 & 26, 2026丨MetLife Stadium
Yep, MetLife Stadium means crossing into New Jersey, but I know you’ll survive it for Bruno Mars. Songs like Uptown Funk, Locked Out of Heaven, and That’s What I Like still turn crowds into full dance floors, and the new The Romantic tracks slide right in. These concerts in New York in August turn into full-body workouts once the crowd starts moving.
Mon Laferte – Femme Fatale Tour
August 22, 2026丨Radio City Music Hall
Mon Laferte takes the stage at Radio City Music Hall with glamour, intensity, and powerful vocals. Her mix of Latin alternative rock and emotional storytelling makes every song feel cinematic. The visuals catch your attention first, then the heartbreak lyrics take over, even if they have nothing to do with your life. And that’s what events in NYC do best.
Ready to find the city’s best-hidden secrets?
Standard bars work for some, but finding a cocktail behind a secret door makes the night feel like a real discovery. I’ve rounded up the Best Speakeasies in New York City (and How to Get In) to help you navigate the coolest unmarked spots across town. It adds a unique twist to your itinerary if you want to see a side of the city that most people walk right past.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Central Park SummerStage, Bryant Park’s Picnic Performances, Harlem Summer Nights, and Backyard at Hudson Yards all offer free events this week. You’ll find live music, outdoor movies, food vendors, wellness activities, and family-friendly programming across the city.
Queens Night Market remains one of the best food events in the city with a huge lineup of international vendors. Harlem Summer Nights also serves strong food options alongside music and community events, while the RnB Mimosa Festival mixes drinks, food, and early-2000s R&B into one loud afternoon.
Bruno Mars at MetLife Stadium stands out if you want huge production and nonstop crowd energy. Olivia Dean fills MSG with a more soulful night, while Mon Laferte delivers dramatic Latin alternative rock at Radio City Music Hall.
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