Top Festivals and Street Fairs in 2023
Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, a night of dance, or simply a way to celebrate the season with family, there’s something for everyone in 2023. We’ve rounded up the best festivals and street fairs happening in New York City in April, May, and June.
Music & Dance
For four weeks, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will electrify the City Center stage with Company premieres of Paul Taylor’s romantic DUET and Twyla Tharp’s carefree Roy’s Joys, as well as the world premiere of Alvin Ailey’s stirring Survivors. Other highlights include a brand-new production of Kenneth MacMillan’s 1966 Concerto, and David Dawson’s Anima Animus and Angels’ Atlas.
Film & Documentaries
While this year’s edition of the Tribeca Festival will focus on films directed by Chelsea Peretti, Michael Shannon, and Randall Park, it also features the world premiere of a Marvel documentary about Stan Lee, along with other films that explore topics like race, gender, and class. It’s a lineup that shows the fest continues to grow, as it remains one of New York City’s most venerated events and has become a destination for some of the most notable filmmakers in the world.
Campouts & Hikes
At this three-day camping trip, participants can choose between a quiet retreat in the mountains or a raucous festival based around fire and food. There are tons of traditional recreation activities, including a ski run and a polar bear float that involves donning wacky costumes, then settling in on an inflatable for a brisk quarter-mile cruise down the Portneuf River.
If you’re a yogi, there are workshops on mindfulness and self-care. There’s also a meditation workshop with Tibetan monks, as well as yoga with local instructors.
Besides the yoga, there are plenty of other opportunities for a little R&R. The Snoqualmie Valley is known for its awe-inspiring views, and the festival’s schedule of hikes, yoga classes, and meditation sessions aims to tap into that sense of enchantment.
The event focuses on diversity, too; there are a number of events and workshops focused on Black and Indigenous peoples’ experiences in the outdoors, as well as an emphasis on non-binary identities. And if you’re in the mood for a little action, there are mountain bike and hiking races to take part in.
In addition to the concerts, there’s also a series of talks and panels that dig deeper into some of the issues at the heart of this fest. A number of these are free, so you can get the whole family involved in some of the discussion.
Don’t forget to check out the festival’s official website for a full list of events. This will help you plan your schedule, so you can make the most of every minute in this exciting new venue.
There are a lot of things to love about this festival, but perhaps none more than the way it embraces its diverse audience and creates a space where everyone can find their voice. It’s a place where people of all races, cultures, and abilities can come together to enjoy music, art, and community.
