SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS IN BROOKLYN

When it comes to summer and live music, Brooklyn’s got you covered with enough variety to please even the fussiest concert goer–not to mention that many shows are free! Here are three festivals that’ll give you a good taste of what New York’s coolest borough has to offer.

R&B Festival at MetroTech

George Clinton on the BAM R&B Festival.

When? Thursdays through August 4 at noon
Where? MetroTech Commons
Cost? Free

You can’t talk about the arts in Brooklyn without talking about Brooklyn Academy of Music. This 150-year-old downtown cultural center brings Brooklynites a can’t-miss mix of film, theater, dance, music and so much more. Come summer, BAM, as the locals call it, expands its reach with a cool lunchtime concert series at nearby MetroTech Commons, a public space featuring a small lawn. That small lawn is part of the concerts’ allure, giving fans a close view of the performers.

Tips & Reminders:

MetroTech offers many options for lunch, such as Chipotle, Hale & Hearty, and Au Bon Pain. Food trucks may also be on the scene, or pack your own lunch and take it to one of the park’s tables. There aren’t many, though, so arrive 45 minutes to an hour before the show to give yourself a fighting chance of getting a spot.

At some point, you’ll be convinced you’re seeing a very still and very well-behaved dog, but it’s actually a statue. See if you can fool your friends by taking a picture of it and posting on social media.

When the concert’s over, snag discounted Broadway or off-Broadway show tickets at MetroTech’s TKTS center, a less crowded option than the one in Times Square. If that’s not your jam, indulge in a little retail therapy at Macy’s on Fulton Street.

Celebrate Brooklyn!

Celebrate Brooklyn!

When? June – August 2016
Where? Prospect Park
Cost? Free with a $3 suggested contribution

Celebrate Brooklyn! was created in 1979 to revive a then down-at-its-heels Prospect Park. It has since become one of Brooklyn’s most popular summertime events, featuring not only music but film, theater and dance. The line may be long, but it’s totally worth it, as quality is always on the menu and the huge park is something to behold.

Tips & Reminders:

Celebrate Brooklyn! usually happens rain or shine. Take your umbrella.

Some stuff you can’t bring in: cans, glass bottles, video cameras.

If you purchase wine or beer, you can’t drink it once you’re out of the park.

Take the F or G train to 15th Street-Prospect Park. It’ll drop you right near the entrance.

Wear comfy shoes: It’s quite a walk from the park entrance to the concert.

Address

All Venues

Europe

THE LONDON EYE

The London Eye – This giant Ferris wheel on the bank of the Thames, was one of a handful of attractions built in commemoration of ...
Read More →
Eat

BIG RED PIZZA BUS

Big Red Pizza Bus; they’ve found a novel use for the old route master bus, turning it into a double decker restaurant! The freshly made ...
Read More →
Europe

THE CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS

Opened to the public in 1984, these are the original Cabinet War Rooms, where Churchill and his government hunkered down whilst London was being bombed ...
Read More →
Europe

SPEAKERS’ CORNER, HYDE PARK

Since 1872 people have been taking their place at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park when they’ve had something to say. You can pretty much talk ...
Read More →
Europe

BOATING ON THE SERPENTINE

In the warmer months, London’s boating lakes open to the public, and in my humble opinion, Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake is the best of them. ...
Read More →
Europe

HAMPSTEAD HEATH

Sunshine or Stargazing? This countryside in the city, Hampstead Heath is 320 acres of green space and London’s highest point. In the summer it’s an ...
Read More →
Canada

UBC MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY

A hidden gem that often gets overlooked is the UBC Museum of Anthropology. The architecture of the building itself embodies the West Coast vibe but ...
Read More →
Canada

THE FLYING PIG

The Flying Pig located in Yaletown (or a second location in Gastown) is a favourite when you’re looking for gourmet food in a casual yet hip ...
Read More →
Canada

LUPO RESTAURANT AND VINOTECA

Lupo Restaurant and Vinoteca, also located in Yaletown, is a charming Italian restaurant held within a turn of the century heritage house, one of the ...
Read More →
Canada

LE CROCODILE

Le Crocodile French restaurant is like stepping back in time where the bar looks fit for 1920s Hemingway, and you expect the Fitzgeralds to come ...
Read More →
Scroll to Top