If you’re a New Yorker, or taking a trip to the Big Apple in May, check out our list of 20 best things to do in NYC in May.
No matter what your idea of a good time is, you are sure to find something to suit your fancy in New York City. It is one of the most diverse and entertaining places in the entire world, and has locals to match. If you have the fortune of visiting NYC during Spring time— widely regarded as the most beautiful time of year for our city— you will be sure to enjoy a marvelous selection of things to do and see. From the more flashy Broadway show type of night, to a casual afternoon sipping coffee on a park bench, there is no shortage of options. While you’re at it, you can also check out these best things to do in NYC in April.
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In looking for the best things to do in NYC in May, we consulted some reputable sources for cool events and outings in the New York City area. We sourced our information from City Guide NY, NYC Insider Guide, and Free Tours by Foot. We compiled a list of each attraction listed in each source, and then took different tastes into consideration when choosing which activities made the final list. It should be noted that this list is ranked in no particular order.
Continue reading to learn more about the best things to do in NYC in May.
20. Ninth Avenue Food Festival
Held in NYC every May, this fun food festival showcases some of the highly diverse cuisine available in the city. New York City is one of the most ethnically diverse cities on earth, so naturally there is no shortage of interesting and delicious food to explore. Stop by to sample the variety of the Big Apple.
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19. Dance Parade
Just as Spring starts to bloom in May, you can catch the entertaining and colorful Dance Parade. This is a must-see event, perfect for all age groups, that showcases a variety of different dances and elaborate costumes.
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18. Brooklyn Bridge Park Dance Parties
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a popular hangout place for locals around NYC. Spring is the perfect time to hang out in the park, because of the lovely weather and weekly fun events, including dance parties, basketball clinics, and so much more. The amazing view doesn’t hurt either!
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17. Vegetarian festival
The NYC Vegetarian Food Festival is one of the most interesting niche food festivals held in the entire state. Organic food and vegan diets have been on the rise over the past few years, which paved the way for festivals like this. Another great fringe benefit of attending, is that this event is also a fund-raising effort to benefit The Humane League, an animal protection organization.
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16. Steampunk festival
This venue is a stone’s throw away from Metro New York, but not far enough to pass up the interesting opportunity to enjoy Steampunk World’s Festival. This crowd is sure to keep you in touch with your sci-fi punk AU persona, all while enjoying great photo opportunities, good food, and good music.
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15. Fitness events
Who says exercise can’t be fun? The Hudson River Park Games is NYC’s homegrown version of the Olympics. Luckily, this event is all about friendly competition. Meet some fellow fitness-enthusiasts or sports junkies, and enjoy the amazing weather at this event.
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14. Pop culture festivals
There are tons of pop culture festivals held in NYC all year round. In May, the Vulture Festival is king. This event that ranks 14th in our list of best things to do in NYC in May features screenings and discussions about TV, music, and movie icons. There are also meet-and-greet sessions, plus other fun activities that are sure to be a big hit.
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13. Coffee Festival
Held at the Metropolitan Pavillion, this event is a must-attend if you love coffee. And what real New Yorker doesn’t love a good cup of coffee? CoffeeCon features exhibits and tasting sessions for craft coffee in NYC, which usually means you get to enjoy free samples of some of the finest brews in the city.
12. Wine tasting
What sets the Brooklyn Crush Wine & Artisanal Food Festival apart from other wine tasting events? This particular festival involves the fusion of both craft wine and artisan food. There is nothing more fun and fab than a really great quality wine pairing, especially in a city that loves to eat and drink as much as NYC.
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11. Family festivals
Bringing your kids along on your NYC trip? The whole family is sure to have loads of fun at the Kids Spring Fling event at Lincoln Center. This event features a ton of activities that kids and their parents can enjoy together, including free sing-alongs, dance parties, and workshops. And now, let’s see the top 10 entries in our list of best things to do in NYC in May.
10. Festival of Colors
NYC Holi Hai event is one of the most eagerly-awaited spring festivals in the city. It is a great event to attend if you want to bond with family and friends, as it is known as the happiest festival in New York. They do a fun run, dance parties, and free concerts. It is also encouraged that participants wear colorful clothing, which is a great excuse to put together some awesome rainbow outfits.
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9. Taste of Queens
Food tripping has never been so cool. This event showcases specialities from all 60 restaurants, which you will of course get to sample. This is a perfect way to taste some interesting new food options that you otherwise may have never thought to try. Queens is known for its wide variety of ethnically diverse food, so it is a perfect place to start exploring.
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8. SummerStage
Started by the City Parks Foundation, this event allows you to enjoy music and comedy at the same venue. These popular free concerts are known to draw huge crowds, and is immensely popular. If music and comedy aren’t your cup of tea, these events are also known for some great theater and lectures.
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7. Festival for the Arts
More popularly called the Lower East Side Festival, expect to rub elbows with some quintessential New York artsy folk, as well as tourists who just flew in from all over the world for this event. Featuring theater arts, visual arts, poetry, dance, and music, there is absolutely no shortage of material to take in and enjoy at this festival.
6. Japanese Festival
Japan Day at Central Park ranks 6th in our list of best things to do in NYC in May. It is a must-attend event, not only because of the lovely cherry blossoms, but also for the plethora of cultural activities. This event features a variety of Japanese customs and traditions, including dancing and singing. You can even see and partake in calligraphy and origami!
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5. Puerto Rican Festival
Also dubbed the 152nd St Cultural Festival, this event that’s up next in our list of best things to do in NYC in May features the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico. You’re sure to have a great time with the live music and dancing, as well as other activities including comedy shows, arts and crafts, and so much more.
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4. World Science Festival
Satisfy the geek in you at this entertaining and informative science festival. Known as one of the biggest and best science festivals in the world, this event includes over 50 lectures and workshops about science and technology. The exhibits are definitely worth dropping by as well.
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3. Bad Film Fest
At number three spot in our list of best things to do in NYC in May, we have this great event to attend, if you’re coming to NYC with a good group of friends. The Bad Film Fest features movies that are outrageously bad and weren’t even allowed to be shown in regular theaters. This event is great for movie buffs and film enthusiasts, as well as anyone who enjoys a good laugh.
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2. Bike tours
Happening in May is the Boro Bike Tour, which takes place all throughout NYC’s five boroughs. This is a great way to bond with family and friends, and will also enable you to enjoy the sights of the busy streets of New York. Not only is it fun, it also counts as your workout for the day!
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1. Multicultural festival
We all know of NYC as one of the most culturally-diverse cities in the US, where almost every nationality is represented and embraced. The NYC Multicultural Festival reminds us that even a huge, bustling city like New York is still a very small world. The event features diverse music, dance, and fashion from different parts of the world.
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We hope you enjoyed our list of best things to do in NYC in May. New York City offers a whole lot more than just these attractions, so be sure to explore all of your many options, and to visit during other times of year as well!
