Get Ready for Summer!

Summer is finally here! (Well, almost.) We don’t have to bundle up for a short walk to the train station or pay for our coffee with freezing hands, and we can finally stop seeing people wearing Canada Goose jackets in school. Now that it’s warm out, we can enjoy the weather and spend some time outside. Although the weather gets unbearably hot in July and August, June is a great time to socialize and goof around with friends. I picked out a few of the best things to do this month. Make sure to mark these dates down in your calendars, because you definitely won’t want to miss them!

PRIDE MARCH - JUNE 30

June is pride month! There are parades all over the city to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, but the one I’ll mention is in West Village, starting on the corner of 26th Street and 5th Avenue. The parade begins at noon on June 30 (and you can stay as long as you want), which is perfect timing since school will have ended by then. This is a great way to show your support for the queer community. Anyone is welcome, whether you’re LGBTQ+ or an ally. These parades create tight-knit communities and can be interesting events to learn from. It’s great to meet other people like yourself or to help someone who may not be sure about their identity.

GOVERNORS BALL 2019 - MAY 31 - JUNE 2

Looking for something fun to do over Memorial Day Weekend? Governors Ball is the perfect event, where you can jam along to your favorite artists (Tyler the Creator, Lil Wayne, and many more) during their live concerts, or rest peacefully on a blanket in the sun listening to them. The concerts take place all weekend at Randall’s Island, between Manhattan and Queens. The price varies depending on who you want to see, but tickets should be no more than 100 or 200 bucks. These concerts are definitely worth it since they are outdoors, a nice switch up from a typical indoor concert. This year, there is a plethora of artists across different genres, including pop, country, hard rock, opera, and more. Soaking in the sun while listening to some tunes is definitely a great way to transition into summer.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK - ALL JUNE AND SUMMER LONG ON WEEKDAYS

What’s better than a nighttime performance on a Friday night after school? Shakespeare in the Park has been a tradition of Central Park since 1962, running from late May to August (June is the best time to go due to smaller crowds) with shows starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase, but with a little luck in the mobile lottery, it's not hard to get a free ticket. I’ve gotten free tickets at least five times before before using apps like TodayTix; just make sure to keep trying. Don’t give up! There’s just something magical about seeing a live performance of “Othello” or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” outdoors in New York City, and with an opportunity for free tickets, it can’t be passed up.

THE SCOOPER BOWL ICE CREAM FESTIVAL - JUNE 1-3

You know summer is right around the corner when you start hearing the ice cream trucks. But a cone from the truck is both overpriced and gone in a matter of minutes. Not at this festival! At the Scooper Bowl Ice Cream Festival, located in Bryant Park, you can pay $20 for unlimited ice cream from June 1-3. Ice cream outside is a true sign of summer, and this festival allows you to release your inner child and eat as much as you want. Ice cream shops like Baskin-Robbins, Ben & Jerry’s, Wafels and Dinges, and more will be there to offer you their finest flavors.

CONEY ISLAND MERMAID PARADE - JUNE 22

This festival is designed to celebrate the start of summer, since it occurs the day after the season’s official beginning. Finals should be over by then, so it’s a perfect time to attend. It is completely free (unless you want to ride some awesome roller coasters and other things afterward in Luna Park) and you get to witness thousands of people dress up in their mermaid, pirate, and fish costumes. Snap a picture or two with your favorite character and march down the street with them, or dress up yourself! You can relax on the beach and swim in the ocean since the boardwalk is right next to the festival. This is the perfect event to start the summer off right.