Twice every year<\/a>, Manhattanhenge captivates New Yorkers and tourists alike as the sun matches up with Manhattan’s east-west street grid, casting rays along the city’s west-east streets.<\/p>\n The name was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who was inspired by Stonehenge, where the sun aligns with England\u2019s prehistoric stones during solstices.<\/p>\n This year’s first viewings, on May 28 and May 29, were obscured by cloudy skies, but skies are expected to be clear<\/a> for this weekend.<\/p>\n (AP Photo, File)<\/p>\n West Side Fest<\/p>\n West Side Fest is a celebration of arts and culture, including artmaking, workshops, dancing, crafts and other special programming, across participating organizations from the West Side Cultural Network.<\/p>\n Institutes like the Whitney Museum, Poster House, The Joyce Theater, The Shed and more will be hosting events during in this year\u2019s festival.<\/p>\n Jamaica Bay Festival<\/p>\n The eighth annual Jamaica Bay Festival will get underway on City of Water Day this Saturday, hosted by the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.<\/p>\n The event is free and offers kayaking, fishing, surfing, hiking, bird watching and more throughout various locations in Queens and Brooklyn.<\/p>\n Advanced registration is required for some events. Check the organization\u2019s website<\/a> for more details and a full list of events.<\/p>\n Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast<\/p>\n Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Williamsburg has been hosting its annual feast since 1887. Events this year kicked off on Wednesday, bringing food vendors, rides, games and nightly entertainment to the neighborhood to benefit the church.<\/p>\n Each year also features the iconic Dancing of the Giglio, which involves the lifting and parading of a 70-foot-tall structure called the “Giglio” (Italian for lily) and a boat, carried by 100 men through the streets.<\/p>\n This year, the Giglio will be lifted at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.<\/p>\n (Spectrum News NY1\/Louis Finley)<\/p>\n NYC Public Pools<\/p>\n The city’s outdoor pools are now open for the season. New Yorkers can take a swim every day from\u00a011 a.m.\u00a0through\u00a07 p.m., with a\u00a0break for pool cleaning between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.<\/p>\n A swimsuit is required to enter a pool area, and for those who want to wear a T-shirt, it needs to be white, according to the parks department.<\/a><\/p>\n The city provides free sunscreen and free swim programs.<\/a><\/p>\n How we’re feeling because POOL SEASON OFFICIALLY STARTS TOMORROW!!!! pic.twitter.com\/it6sKmBnD0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NYC Parks (@NYCParks) June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Encounters in the Milky Way<\/p>\n Encounters in the Milky Way is a new show at the Hayden Planetarium that gives visitors a “front-row seat to spectacular moments in our solar system’s past and future.”<\/p>\n Narrated by Pedro Pascal, the show takes viewers through the paths of stars, comets and other interstellar debris. It’s part of the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and Space celebrating 25 years since its opening.<\/p>\n \ud83d\ude80A new Hayden Planetarium Space Show, narrated by Pedro Pascal, is opening June 9! In Encounters in the Milky Way, you\u2019ll get a front-row seat to spectacular moments in our solar system’s past and future, including the paths of stars, comets, interstellar debris, and more. pic.twitter.com\/jZtZLeaHFq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 American Museum of Natural History (@AMNH) May 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 100 Years of Bonsai<\/p>\n To celebrate 100 years of its renowned Bonsai collection, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has opened an\u00a0expanded display of the tiny trees.<\/p>\n There will also be special tours, exhibits and workshops to honor the anniversary.\u00a0The collection features more than 400 Bonsai.<\/p>\n Movies Under the Stars<\/p>\n The city’s Parks Department is hosting more than 150 free film screenings throughout the five boroughs during the warmer months this year.<\/p>\n From new releases to classics, there’s a variety of options every weekend and some weeknights.<\/p>\n Rooftop Films<\/a>\u00a0and Bryant Park<\/a> also offer their own free movie nights.<\/p>\n Movies Under the Stars showings are back in full swing! Head to your local park, pull up a picnic chair, and enjoy classics, family friendly films, and great new movies. See all of our upcoming screenings: https:\/\/t.co\/7lac6k255V<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/brSwCX0rXo<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NYC Parks (@NYCParks) May 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n SummerStage concerts<\/p>\n SummerStage, the city’s annual free concert series, returns to the five boroughs this season with more than 70 shows across 13 parks. Many of the shows are free.<\/p>\n Perfomers this season include Marcus Miller, Tank and the Bangas, The Soul Rebels, The Roots and The Saw Doctors.<\/p>\n BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! also returns to Prospect Park<\/a> this summer with 18 shows, 14 of which are free.<\/p>\n Our FREE season starts this week! Read up on everything you need to know about coming to #SummerStage<\/a> this year. Visit our FAQ page for more info at https:\/\/t.co\/AHOTmovJB1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9N4MDMas3l<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SummerStage (@SummerStage) June 3, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Luna Park\u00a0<\/p>\n At the largest amusement park in the city, returning visitors may notice some new arcade games and renovated retail outlets.<\/p>\n The park is open every day, though hours vary<\/a>.<\/p>\n Queens Night Market<\/p>\n The Queens Night Market has returned for the warmer months, with up to 100 independent vendors selling everything from food to art and other merchandise.<\/p>\n Organizers say the open-air market is the city’s “first and most affordable” night market, with prices for all food at the event capped at $6. The variety of food available is said to reflect the diversity of Queens, known as “the world’s borough.”<\/p>\n (Spectrum News NY1)<\/p>\n Smorgasburg<\/p>\n Returning for its 15th year, Smorgasburg \u2014 an outdoor food bazaar with more than 60 vendors \u2014 is back for the season.<\/p>\n Offerings include tacos, cheesesteaks, barbecue, fish and chips, dumplings, coffee, snacks, desserts and more. For a full list of vendors, check here.<\/a><\/p>\n ‘Van Gogh’s Flowers’ at NYBG<\/p>\n “Van Gogh’s Flowers” at the New York Botanical Garden allows visitors to “revel in the beauty of the flowers that inspired his iconic paintings.”<\/p>\n Featuring botanical displays and\u00a03D sculptures from contemporary artists, the exhibit celebrates the legendary Dutch painter’s connection to the natural world.<\/p>\n (Spectrum News NY1\/Roger Clark)<\/p>\n Mission: Impossible \u2013 Story and Spectacle exhibit<\/p>\n A new exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image takes a look at the artistry behind the action of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise.<\/p>\n Each film in the series will have a section in the exhibition focused on its key stunt or action sequence. There’s also behind-the-scenes content including props, costumes and production materials.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udca5Mission: Impossible\u2014Story and Spectacle is now open.<\/p>\n Be among the first people to see the new exhibition at MoMI! h<\/a>ttps:\/\/t.co\/PtU18ritAT<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TRKKBLcEOQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Museum of the Moving Image (@MovingImageNYC) April 18, 2<\/a>025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/manhattanhenge_apfilephoto.jpeg\")
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