After months of shoveling snow, waddling down icy Brooklyn streets, and dressing in layers to escape the cold, temperatures are finally heating up! With the long-awaited arrival of the New York City summer season upon us, evenings are staying bright for longer and we are ready to make the most of it. From an afternoon spent cooling off at the pool to a relaxing night watching an outdoor flick, Brooklyn has endless options to fill your summer calendar. Check out some of our favorite Brooklyn summer activities below.
Fun For All Ages at Coney Island
Coney Island is a historical Brooklyn neighborhood offering scenic sea views and entertainment for all. The peninsular community has been a popular summer destination with New Yorkers since the 19th century and offers city slickers an escape from the concrete jungle. Coney Island’s Luna Park is one of NYC’s most iconic entertainment destinations. The site of America’s first ever roller coaster, today the park is home to the Cyclone and Thunderbolt roller coasters, numerous eateries, souvenir shops, and attractions for all ages. While the park itself is open year-round, Coney Island truly comes to life during the summer with a calendar full of exciting events.
What your Coney Island calendar could look like…
Mondays: Flicks on the Beach returns to the Riegelmann Boardwalk this June. Movies typically start at 7:30pm and run to 9pm, offering attendees the perfect way to spend a relaxing summer’s night.
Fridays: Every Friday you can feast your eyes on a fireworks bonanza at the Friday Night Fireworks show. Head to Riegelmann Boardwalk overlooking Coney Island Beach for the best view.
Weekdays and Weekends: Visit Maimonides Park to cheer on minor league baseball team the Brooklyn Cyclones who play games every week throughout the summer.
July 4th: The infamous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at Nathan’s Famous fast food restaurant will take place on July 4th. It promises to be a fun spectacle for all the family to enjoy.
Enjoy Some Retail Therapy at Brooklyn Flea
One of the most popular flea markets to have hit New York City, Brooklyn Flea describes itself as the city’s ‘coolest market for antiques, arts and crafts, fashion’ and more. The market has several locations throughout the city but Brooklynites can head to Brooklyn Flea DUMBO which is situated on the cobblestone streets of Pearl Plaza. Tucked away underneath the Manhattan Bridge, you will find over 40 vendors offering beautiful jewelry, a wide selection of records, funky homeware, and eye-catching antiques. You can sample some top-notch food too since the Brooklyn Flea creators, Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby, also operate one of the city’s best food markets: Smorgasburg.
Brooklyn’s biggest food market Smorgasburg is held on Saturdays in Williamsburg and Sundays in Prospect Park. Entry to the market is free and visitors can access sample menus from local restaurants and culinary delights from various food trucks. The incredible food scene at Smorgasburg includes Mao’s Bao, Big Mozz, Brooklyn Baked & Fried, Oyster Party, and Rosie’s Empanadas.
Check Out an Outdoor Movie in the Sun
Instead of spending a sunny evening indoors, why not take advantage of one of Brooklyn’s many outdoor theaters. The borough offers a wealth of options, many of which are free to attend and offer delicious food and drink options. There are typically screenings every day of the week running from May to October. On Monday nights we recommend Brooklynites take a trip to Coney Island for Flicks on the Beach. Viewers can take in free screenings of blockbuster movies along the boardwalk, just steps away from the legendary Wonder Wheel and Luna Park.
Movies With A View takes place every Thursday evening at the Pier 1 Harbor Lawn starting with Before Sunrise on July 7th. Running from July to August 25th, attendees can sample tasty food provided by Smorgasburg along the Pier 1 Promenade. You can also enjoy some pre-movie entertainment including a DJ set brought to you by Brooklyn Radio, and a short film by local filmmakers, selected by BAM Film. Finally, savor a pizza, wine, and movie night at Rooftop Reds wine bar in Brooklyn. Rooftop Films screens movies at various rooftops, parks, and other scenic spots throughout the city.
Cool Down at Brooklyn Public Pools and Beaches
Escape the summer heat by visiting one of New York City’s public pools or beaches. The pools are free to the general public and are located throughout the city with several options in Brooklyn. Public access will begin on June 28th for the summer season and will operate between 11am and 7pm with an hour break for cleaning between 3pm and 4pm. Recommended Brooklyn locations include; Betsy Head Pool at Boyland, Livonia, and Dumont Avenues, Douglass and DeGraw Pool at Third Avenue and Nevins Street, and McCarren Park Pool at McCarren Park, among others. If you’re in the mood for some sunbathing on the sand, Brooklyn also has two beaches, Coney Island Beach and Brighton Beach.
Dance the Night Away at Brooklyn Music Festivals
There are countless summer music festivals for you to attend, many of which offer free admittance. Celebrate Brooklyn is a festival located in Prospect Park and it features a range of music genres from jazz to indie. The Sounds at Sunset series takes place at Brooklyn Bridge Park every Thursday at 6pm. As part of the series attendees are treated to an eclectic lineup of jazz, folk, and classical. If you are looking for a reason to get out of the city then the Seaside Summer Concert Series is for you. The series is hosted at the Coney Island Amphitheater and the ticketed shows are either totally free of charge or free with special advance tickets.
Ready to explore the fun summer activities Brooklyn has to offer? Learn more about life in the borough by speaking with a reputable Brooklyn moving company like Gentle Giant. If you are planning a local Brooklyn move we have some great resources to get you started. Check out our moving checklist for information on how to prepare for your move and use our free move estimate tool to determine the cost of your move.