Looking for what to do in NYC today, or this week, or this Weekend? There's tons of things to do in New York, like festivals, pop ups, photo ops, and more. We've got the full roundup of New York activities here.

• Things to do in NYC this weekend
• Cultural things to do in NYC
• Immersive things to do in NYC
• Even more things to do in NYC
• Live performances this week in NYC

THINGS TO DO IN NYC THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND

BROADWAY CELEBRATES EARTH DAY

Ali Mauzey. Photo by Katie Steinbacher.

On Saturday, April 20th, NYC is celebrating “Car-Free Earth Day.’’ Times Square has one of the signature events, the Broadway Celebrates Earth Day Concert! This star-studded concert features live performances from top Broadway talent and young performers from around the region, as well as interviews with environmental thought-leaders. Broadway performers joining the event include host Ben Cameron (Broadway Sessions), Tony Award Winner Ruthie Ann Miles (Sweeney Todd), Tony Award Nominee Anika Larsen (Almost Famous), Tony Award Nominee Emily Skeggs (Fun Home), John Cardoza (The Notebook), Lissa deGuzman (Wicked), John Michael Dias (Beautiful), Alex Gibson (Spongebob), Autumn Hurlbert (Legally Blonde), Casey Likes (Back to the Future), Michael Maliakel (Aladdin), Liam Pierce (How to Dance in Ohio), Courtney Reed (Moulin Rouge), Jelani Remy (Back to the Future), Nic Rouleau (The Book of Mormon), Alexandra Socha (Wicked), Nik Walker (Spamalot), and Teddy Yudain (Little Shop of Horrors). On Broadway, btw. 45th & 46th Sts.  

NEW ART + THE ART OF FLOWER ARRANGING

© Lori Nix & Kathleen Gerber, Library

Fotografiska New York is a museum experience for the modern world, with a vibrant atmosphere unlike any other NYC museum. Music is playing throughout, drinks from coffee to cocktails to champagne are served and allowed anywhere in the museum, and they’re open late every night. New exhibition Human / Nature: Encountering Ourselves in the Natural World draws on 14 prominent artists exploring our complex relationship with nature. In related programming, Sunday the 21st will feature Workshop: Ikebana, exploring the Japanese art of floral design. Instructor Paula Tam comes from the Ikenobo school, the largest and oldest school of ikebana (it’s been practiced for over 500 years). Fotografiska celebrates Earth Day on Monday the 22nd with a special all-day screening of filmmaker River Finlay and exhibiting artist Cig Harvey’s film “Eat Flowers.”

DRAGON FEST

The city's premier Chinese food and culture festival is back for an expanded run. The next Dragon Fests take place:

Saturday, April 20th, 865 Sixth Ave. near K-Town
Sunday, April 21st, 156 Second Ave., in the East Village

MUSEUM OF THE WEEK

Walton Ford (b. 1960), Study for “Ars Gratia Artis,” 2017. Watercolor, gouache, and ink over graphite. The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, gift of the artist; 2019.196. © 2024 Walton Ford. Photography by Janny Chiu.

American artist Walton Ford (b. 1960) established his reputation in the 1990s with monumental watercolor paintings of wild animals. Now open at the Morgan Library, Walton Ford: Birds and Beasts of the Studio celebrates the artist's recent gift of 63 studies and sketches, being shown publicly for the first time. The exhibition also features work that ranges from Rembrandt to Eugène Delacroix to John James Audubon, selected by Ford himself from the Morgan’s collection.

PICNIC PIER

Ginormous outdoor bar and restaurant Watermark transforms today into Picnic Pier. (There's free beer from 4-7pm to celebrate the opening.) Enjoy games, views, specialty cocktails, BBQ classics, and Curated Picnic Cooler packages. Daily through May 4th.

NEW IMMERSIVE

Lincoln Center hosts a labyrinth immersive starting on Saturday. Daedalum winds through a 19-dome maze filled with translucent colors. The main dome ceiling was inspired by Rome’s Pantheon. Bring the whole family! It's free, through April 21st.

SINGING WAITSTAFF

The upbeat retro vibes at Ellen’s Stardust Diner have kept it an NYC favorite since 1987 (founder Ellen Hart Sturm is a native New Yorker who was crowned Miss Subways in 1959). The famed singing waitstaff here add thrills to tasty comfort food dining. Catch intimate performances by staff on their way to joining a long line of Broadway actors who have made Ellen’s their launching pad. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Ellen’s is partnering with the Luv Michael organization. Based in NYC, the nonprofit crafts organic granola while championing employment activities for the neurodiverse community. Ellen’s has added three limited time specials for the month of April, the Made with “Luv” Parfait, the “Luv” Galore Shake, and the “Luv” Me Mocha Shake, with 20% of the proceeds donated to Luv Michael.

APOLLO: WHEN WE WENT TO THE MOON

Explore the history of human space flight in the Intrepid Museum’s new exhibition, Apollo: When We Went to the Moon. Interactive media, photos, and rarely seen artifacts from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center archives bring the Space Race to life.  

ZEN BUDDHIST ART

Explore four centuries of Zen Buddhist art at Japan Society’s new exhibition, None Whatsoever: Zen Paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection. An extraordinary selection of ink paintings and calligraphic works reflect the artform's mix of the playful and the profound.

ORCHID SHOW

Spring can't be far off now. Immerse yourself in a burst of color at The New York Botanical Garden for The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion. The 21st version of this spring tradition runs through April 21st. Thousands of diverse orchids have been done up in dramatic installations by three rising design stars.

SATIN DOLLZ

Photo by: Joshua Kessler.

Vintage pin-up-inspired performers The Satin Dollz are once again hosting enchanted evenings at the USA Brooklyn Delicatessen in Times Square. Drawing on the timeless classics of the ‘40s and ‘50s, the Satin Dollz give a high-energy performance as they weave their way through the aisles while you dig into first-rate comfort food. Expect plenty of sizzle and sass. Show nights are weekly, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, no cover charge.

GAME ON

There's a new recreation spot open in the Seaport. Lawn Club's indoor and outdoor games include Bocce, Cornhole, Croquet, Shuffleboard, Beersbee, Kan Jam, and its own exclusive Putting Pool. Dedicated "Lawncierges" facilitate the fun and there are also two bars for food and drink and big-screen TVs.

THE BEAM

Image courtesy of Rockefeller Center.

Top of the Rock has a new thrill, and a new way to memorialize a visit here. Re-create an iconic 1932 photo as you're strapped onto a modern version of The Beam and lifted 12 feet above the observation deck. (The Beam rotates for even better views.)

AṢẸ: AFRO FREQUENCIES

Credit: ARTECHOUSE.

Head to the historic boiler room of Chelsea Market to experience the immersive space ARTECHOUSE, NYC's original home for digital art. You’ve never seen art like this before, as room-sized digital projections merge with sound design to create a cinematic experience.  Starting Friday it's home to new exhibition Aṣẹ: Afro Frequencies, featuring the work of London-based Afro-Surrealist digital artist Vince Fraser. The visuals are accompanied by rhythmic drums and a stirring performance from Philadelphia-based poet and musician ursula rucker. 

NYC EARTH DAY BAZAAR

Every Sunday on the Upper West Side you can check out Grand Bazaar NYC, the city’s largest curated market—and most distinctive. This week you’ll also find the NYC Earth Day Bazaar. Embrace the spirt of spring and Earth Day while exploring sustainable artistry. Browse upcycled jewelry, fashion, furniture, art, and home accessories. Come hungry! There are great artisanal bites as well. 10am-5pm, both indoors and out. 

CULTURAL THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Photo: Sari Goodfriend.

The Climate Museum’s new exhibition, The End of Fossil Fuel, is now open. The show explores the roots of the current crisis while also sharing the stories of victories by climate justice communities. A 45-foot mural by award-winning artist R. Gregory Christie envisions a just future. There's also a sticker wall, where visitors  can commit to action. The exhibition and its related programming are all free. Extended through April 26th.

Forester's House in Weissenbach II (Garden), Gustav Klimt 1914 (detail).

The Neue Galerie expands perspectives on Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) with a special show of the artist's landscapes. Highlights from the museum's holdings are joined by important loans. Klimt Landscapes will be up through May 6th.

Photo by Linda Sheridan.

How do elephants “hear” with their feet, use the 16 muscles in their trunks, or reshape the forests and savannas they live in? The Secret World of Elephants, a new interactive exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History, explores the astounding minds, bodies, and interactions of the Earth's largest land mammals.

Beatrix Potter (1866–1943), Mrs. Rabbit pouring out the tea for Peter while her children look on, 1902-1907. Linder Bequest. Museum no. BP.468. ©Victoria and Albert Museum, London/courtesy of Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.

The Morgan Library & Museum is a showcase for both its rare books and its exquisite Italian Renaissance-style palazzo setting.  On view now, Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature tells the life story of Beatrix Potter, one of the 20th century’s best-loved authors. The exhibition brings together artwork, books, manuscripts, and artifacts. 

In a city where dogs seem to be prancing down every street corner, and napping by every outdoor table, it’s no surprise that there’s an entire museum dedicated to them. The permanent collection at the AKC Museum of the Dog includes a treasure trove of dog-related art and artifacts, from watercolors and prints to bronzes and ceramics (including some of the world’s finest porcelain makers, from Royal Doulton to Meissen).

Kite, still from Pahá kiŋ lená wakháŋ (These hills are sacred), 2017. Video, sound, color; 8:32 min. © Kite Studio.

This spring includes the launch of a New York cultural tradition. The Whitney Biennial is back with 71 innovators on display. Themed Even Better Than the Real Thing, contemporary artists and collectives share their stories across film, performance, painting, sculpture, digital art, and more. When you need a break, check out the newly revamped Studio Bar, with views from open-air terraces.

Sculptura Telephone from the Design Line Series circa 1974. Designed by Donald M. Genaro (American, born 1932), Office of Henry Dreyfuss Associates. Manufactured by Western Electric Manufacturing Company (New York, New York, USA) (housing) and Bell System Division, AT&T (Parsippany, New Jersey, USA) (works). Thermoplastic, electronic components. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Gift of Donald M. Genaro, 2018‑40‑1. Photo by Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution.

Objects don't look quite the same after a visit to Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Starting Saturday, new exhibition Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection provides an insider look at the ways the museum gets new work, reflecting current issues and design’s evolving roles. More than 150 works are on display.

Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858). Plum Estate, Kameido (Kameido Umeyashiki), no. 30 from 100 Famous Views of Edo, 11th month of 1857. Woodblock print, 14 3/16 × 9 1/4 in. (36 × 23.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum; Gift of Anna Ferris, 30.1478.30. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum.)

For the first time in more than two decades, 100 Famous Views of Edo—one of the Brooklyn Museum’s greatest treasures—returns to public display. The museum’s complete set is among the world’s finest, full of the vibrant colors of Japanese artist Hiroshige (1797–1858). Through August 4th.

The Museum of Food and Drink is back open, in a new home at Empire Stores in DUMBO. The latest exhibition, Flavor: The World to Your Brain, was designed by food scientists and culinary anthropologists.

Get out in the fresh air on Saturdays and Sundays for weekly walking tours of Sinister Secrets of the Seaport, hosted by the Seaport Museum. Learn the scandals lurking in the cobblestone streets across two centuries. There's also an “Ear for Crime” interactive game and a drink at the bar.

Ralph Coburn, Aux Bermudes, 1951–52. Oil on six painted panels, painted wood, 28 3/4 x 55 1/4 in. Private collection, New York. Courtesy David Hall Gallery, LLC.

There's a new location and an upgraded identity for an NYU gallery, with the launch of the Grey Art Museum. Americans in Paris: Artists Working in Postwar France, 1946–1962 features 130 paintings, sculptures, photos, films, textiles, and works on paper by nearly 70 artists, providing a fresh perspective on a vibrant era.

Shushank Shrestha; Male Guardian Lion Dog (one of a pair from Two Guardian Lion Dogs); 2023; ceramic, in glaze lustre; 52 × 27 × 44 in.; photo courtesy of Shuhank Shrestha, Massachusetts, USA.

The Rubin Museum of Art will be closing the doors to its building in October. But there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy a visit, including the final in-person show. Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now is a museum-wide group show of 32 contemporary artists whose work is presented in dialogue with objects from the Rubin’s permanent collection.

More on NYC museums can be found here.

IMMERSIVE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

New York City is famous for its gala culture. For the first time ever, you can immerse yourself in the scene right in Times Square. The Madame Tussauds flagship holds 19 celebrity figures, including new and never-before-seen wax figures of Ariana Grande and P. Diddy, at the Glow Gala.

(If your tastes are darker, don’t miss Madame Tussauds’s Warner Bros. Icons of Horror, displaying chillingly lifelike wax figures within four fully immersive scenes. Celebrate legends, including Pennywise and Regan from The Exorcist. If you dare.)

THINGS TO DO IN NYC: LIVE PERFORMANCES

LIVE BEATS & MORE DOWNTOWN

Downtown has one destination for eclectic, compelling music. The programming at the East Village’s Drom runs from jazz, rock, electronic, soul, and funk to international music.  Sample the world from within an authentic New York space this week. Friday night features a high-energy Disco Balkan celebration, with both a DJ and a live band. Sunday sees some risqué business as the New York School of Burlesque presents a student showcase. Tuesday, April 16th, brings the New York Choir Project: Britpop Choir & Metropop Choir, performing crowd-pleasing, roof-raising pop and alt rock harmonies. Wednesday night belongs to The Mingus Big Band, playing two sets celebrating the music of legendary composer/bassist Charles Mingus. Thursday, April 18th, Grammy-nominated percussionist and vocalist Pedrito Martinez presents a night of Afro-Cuban music with his groundbreaking quintet.  

JoAnna Ross and Dan Goodman, photo by Paul Park.

Drom is also your local choice for comedy and pole dancing. Schtick A Pole In It has for the past 9 years been NYC's best (and only) comedy and pole dancing show. Comics tell jokes and pole dancers pole dance. Laugh lines alternate with death-defying tricks. If you don't see shows like this, why are you even paying NYC rents? The show has just expanded to four dates a month as part of an open-ended run. Tickets and more information are here. 

LIVE JAZZ

Photo by Lawrence Sumulong.

For world-class musical experiences, head to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s intimate Dizzy’s Club. You’ll find a warm ambiance, a tasty seasonal menu, and panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. There are shows nightly, in addition to Late Night Sessions Thursdays through Saturdays, starting at 11pm. This Friday brings G. Thomas Allen, the first male artist to win the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Jazz Competition (the SASSY Awards), for a 7pm G. Thomas Allen Quintet: Sarah Vaughan Centennial Celebration set. Visionary curator Deborah Grace Winer hosts Songbook Sundays, this week presenting a roster of intergenerational talent celebrating Rodgers and Hammerstein. On Wednesday, the Brandon Goldberg Trio delivers a swinging repertoire of both beloved standards and original tunes. Thursday, April 25th will bring together top players and a trio of vocalists in a tribute to The Music of Nat King Cole. 

THE ORIGINAL NYC TALENT SHOW

For coming up on 15 years, The Original NYC Talent Show has stood out as a rare stage experience showing off the eccentric, unparalleled talent native to New York City. A relaunch sees it taking up residence at the Parkside Lounge on Monday nights. The weekly show features artists, musicians, dancers, comedians, and guests who defy classification.

CITY WINERY

Indulge your senses at City Winery's Hudson River Park flagship, with intimate concerts, locally made wine, great food, and unforgettable events all under one roof. Live music or comedy can be found on two stages most every night.

Strawberry Fields is the closest you can get to seeing the Beatles play live. Cast members from Beatlemania lead a tour through Beatles eras while guests enjoy an unlimited breakfast buffet, coffee, tea, and juice (children under 4 get in for free, brunch available for purchase).

EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash.

After a long Covid pause, the crown of Lady Liberty is once again open to visitors. This icon requires a 162-step climb (there is no elevator) but will reward you with an entirely unique perspective on the city. Along a double-helix spiral staircase you'll see the intricate structure that keeps the statue standing, capped by 25 windows overlooking New York Harbor.

BARCA CANTINA IS BACK

Everyone's favorite floating Mexican restaurant is back for the season. La Barca Cantina offers tacos, tequilas, and views, with Saturday and Sunday cruises for April, schedule expanding with Cinco de Mayo weekend.

BUCKET LIST

Ever since its 1931 completion, the Empire State Building has been the most famous skyscraper in the world. It remains a vital part of NYC and an inspiration to the millions who ascend to the ESB observation deck in every season. For a limited time, you can be among the first in the city to see the new day dawning from 86 stories up. The Starbucks Reserve Sunrise Experience, available on Saturday mornings, provides early bird access to the observatory deck. Tickets include Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building Microblend Coffee, artisanal pastries, and views of a lifetime. Perfect for bucket lists!

A PRE-THEATRE SPECIAL

A classic New York experience awaits at the Brooklyn Diner, which takes inspiration from “the old neighborhood.” Diner favorites like Reubens, burgers, chicken soup, and pot pies are joined by lighter fare like tacos, teriyaki salmon, and entree salads. Pre-theatre, the Times Square location is serving a juicy hanger steak, crisp salad, and bottomless fries special—all for just $33. Available daily 5-7pm.

NEW FROM DAVID BURKE

You’ve probably seen chef David Burke on television, where he’s done two seasons of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters and held a guest spot on Every Day with Rachael Ray. He’s just launched his latest New York City spot, Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke in Midtown East. It’s a two-for-one restaurant with a formal dine-in brasserie on one side and a more casual to-stay area with a take-out option on the other. Dishes reflect the technique and boundlessly creative approach Burke is famous for: think pretzel crabcake rafts, bison short ribs with coffee BBQ essence, Angry Alaskan King Crab Legs, and the Clothesline Bacon here.

Midtown’s happy hour landscape just got happier with the launch of Park Ave Kitchen’s version. Presented daily from 4 to 7pm, options range from Humpty Dumpty Deviled Eggs to steak frites with unlimited frites, with $9 wines, $12 cocktails and $15 martini flights. The casual cafe side offers a nightly three-course dinner special for $33.99, dine in or take out. (There's also a great $65 pre-theater prix fixe from 4 to 7pm nightly, including Chef Burke signatures like lobster dumplings and bison short ribs.)

A NEW INDO CHINESE MENU!

Woman-owned Utsav Indian Cuisine has been serving NYC fresh and flavorful Indian cuisine for more than twenty years. A recently introduced Indo Chinese menu brings new flavors to Times Square/the Theater District for the first time. You'll find fried rice, noodles, appetizers like chili prawn dry and chicken lollipops, and entrees like fish with hot garlic sauce and lamb with chili soya sauce. (Chefs are trained in the Calcutta style of Chinese food, where the cuisine has its home in India.) Don't miss the new Bengali selection!

HAVANA IN TIMES SQUARE HAPPY HOUR SPECIAL

Havana Central has introduced 1/2 price empanadas during Happy Hour at the bar! Diners must purchase a drink, 3 empanadas max per drink purchase. Available in the bar only, Monday-Friday from 3-7pm. Choose from a variety of homemade savory pockets including beef, chicken, cheese, shrimp, and ropa vieja! Havana Central also features Happy Hour drink specials including $7 classic mojitos, classic margaritas, and red sangria, in addition to other specials.

WHAT TO DO IN NYC

City Guide brings you “Everything to Do NYC,” a community of people helping each other get everything we can from the city. Looking for a restaurant? Ask ETD. Want to share a great find? Let us know about it. It’s your go-to group for how to get everything you can from everything in New York. facebook.com/groups/everythingtodonyc

TALKS, LECTURES, AND EVENTS

Thought Gallery has hundreds of livestream talks, lectures, performances, and more. Check out sessions with celebs, live concerts, and opportunities to learn the latest on everything from science to philosophy to social justice.

NEW YORK'S ACTIVITY AUTHORITY

Get editors’ curated recommendations and have more fun: