Summer is the perfect season for festivals – and of course, New York is no exception! What’s better than enjoying the warm temperatures outside while listening to live music or watching an open air movie? New York City hosts multiple festivals during the summer, and one of them is the Summer On The Hudson festival!

Many different events take place along the Hudson River over a period of five months. From live music to sports activities and extra programs for kids and families, there’s something for everyone. And the best part? All of the events are free! To make your summer vacation in New York unforgettable, we have summarized all the important information about the Summer On The Hudson for you in this article.

What is Summer on the Hudson?

Summer on the Hudson is a free arts and culture festival held every summer in New York. From May to September, there are various events along the Hudson River from 59th Street to 181st Street. The diverse program includes performances, outdoor movies, special wellness activities, dance parties with live DJ and a variety of shows for children. In total, the program consists of more than 280 different activities and events for all ages.

Seating is limited at the events and reservations are not possible. So be there early if you want good seats. If there is heavy rain during the day, events may be canceled.

In addition to the diverse entertainment program, there will of course be a variety of food offerings. There are cafés on 70th and 105th Street in the park, where you can get something to eat in between. You’ll also find a few food trucks scattered throughout the park, so you don’t have to worry about food and drinks. Of course, you can also bring your own snacks and drinks.

When does Summer on the Hudson take place?

Summer on the Hudson starts in May and ran through the end of September. Events and shows will take place every day of the week at various venues. Because Summer on the Hudson is an outdoor festival, events are dependent on the weather. In the event of heavy rain, events may be canceled and not all will have an alternate date. To stay up to date, check the Summer on the Hudson Instagram page regularly.

Where does Summer on the Hudson take place?

As the name suggests, Summer on the Hudson takes place along the Hudson River. You’ll find the numerous events, activities and shows at several locations in Riverside Park and West Harlem Piers Park. The venues stretch from 59th Street to 181st Street. Both parks close at 1 a.m. each night.

What kind of events are there?

Summer on the Hudson is a festival with a variety of events spread over five months. It would take too long to list them all here, so we’ve picked out a few highlights for you.

Special Events:

New York City Irish Dance Festival

• May 5 | 12-6 pm Pier 1

Trivia!

• June 7 | 7-9 pm Pier 1
• July 5 | 7-9 pm Pier 1
• August 2 | 7-9 pm Pier 1
• September 6 | 7-9 pm Pier 1

FlyNYC

• August 17 | 12-5 pm Pier 1

West Side County Fair

• September 8| 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Pier 1

Birding Walks

• May 10 | 5:30-7 pm – 120th St & Riverside Drive
• July 12 | 5:30-7 pm – 120th St & Riverside Drive
• September 13 | 5:30-7 pm – 120th St & Riverside Drive

Music & Dance

Silent Disco

• June 1 | 6 pm – 10 pm Pier 1
• July 6 | 6 pm – 10 pm Pier 1
• August 3 | 6 pm – 10 pm Pier 1

Let’s Dance

• Sundays in June 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Pier 1

Wellness

Spring Yoga in the Field House

• Tuesdays until May 28 | 9:30 am | 102nd St. Field House

Pilates in the Park

• Tuesdays, June 4 – August 13 | 6:30 pm | Plaza 66th St

For Families and Children

Children’s Performance Series

• Thursdays, Juli 11 – August 1 | 10:00 am Pier 1

Tots Soccer

• Thursdays, August 8-29 | 9:30-10:30 am | 71st St. Soccer Field

Movies

Pier 1 Picture Show (starting 8:30 pm, Pier 1)

• July 10: The Outsiders
• July 17: Clueless
• July 24: The Princess Bride
• August 7: The Bad Guys
• August 14: The Big Sleep
• August 21: Little Women

Movies on the Waterfront (starting 8:00 pm – 145th St. Lawn)

• August 8: Hidden Figures
• August 15: Encanto
• August 22: Creed
• August 29: public choice

The list of events is very long! If you want to know what else is happening along the Hudson River during the summer months, check out the official Summer on the Hudson calendar here.