Summer is quickly approaching and that means more time spent outside. Whether you enjoy music, food, fitness, or anything in between, there is sure to be something in Queens for you to enjoy in the months ahead.
Here are 10 upcoming outdoor events in Queens that are sure to keep you entertained during the warmer months:
1. Paint the Rainbow Mural with Friends of Forest Park, 82-99 89th St., Ridgewood
This free, family-friendly event will be hosted by the Friends of Forest Park organization in conjunction with artists from the Greenhouse Playground. Join artists Amanda Long and Tommy Hartung to paint the Rainbow Mural, a pixelated rainbow pattern that they describe as a “colorful reclamation of the well-worn concrete barrier at the Forest Park Greenhouse Playground near the historical carousel.” The event takes place on Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All participants will receive free food and T-shirts.
For more information and to RSVP, email friendsofforestpark@yahoo.com or amandalongstudio@gmail.com or click here.
2. Movies Under the Stars: Coco, 78-08 Broadway, Flushing
On Friday, May 25, at 8 p.m. join Queens Councilman Daniel Dromm and the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in an outdoor viewing of the movie “Coco.” The movie follows the the story of a young boy who visits the Land of the Dead to seek forgiveness from his ancestors and lift a curse. This event is located at the Frank D. O’Connor Playground and is free to all. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To get the best viewing spot, come before 8 p.m. There are a limited amount of seats available, but attendees are free to bring their own blankets to sit on. For more information, call 718-393-7370.
3. Yoga on the Beach, 163 Beach 108th St., Far Rockaway
Start your day with a relaxing Hatha Yoga class on the beach. Helen Kilgallen from Ocean Bliss yoga will lead the morning class on the sand. Classes are free and take place from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. every Saturday from May 26 to Sept. 1. Call 718-318-4000 or email antina.johnson@parks.nyc.gov for more information.
4. Queens Book Festival, 52-10 Center Blvd., Long Island City
For all the book lovers out there, LIC Landing by Coffeed will be hosting its annual outdoor book festival at the scenic LIC Landing. The event organizers describe it as a “one-of-a-kind literary experience” where attendees can “read, experience and share.” The free event is on June 9 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days. Find out more about the festival on Facebook and Twitter.
5. Jazz Series: Clifton Anderson, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Astoria
Enjoy a free jazz concert at Socrates Sculpture Park on Thursday, June 14. Renowned Jazz trombonist Clifton Anderson and his quintet will perform swinging originals, high-energy straight-ahead, calypso, funk and American songbook standards. This outdoor concert takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The event is free and no RSVP is required. Call 718-956-1819 or email info@socratessculpturepark.org for more information.
6. Queens Night Market, behind the New York Hall of Science at 47-01 111th St., Corona
Hit up the Queens Night Market, where food, music and art collide. Enjoy food from dozens of local vendors and buy art works or enjoy several live music performances at this open-air night market. This event runs every Saturday from April 28 to Aug. 18 and again from Sept. 29 to Oct. 27. The night market is open from 6 p.m. to midnight and is located behind the New York Hall of Science. For more information, visit their website.
7. Fitness Walk, 100 Totten Ave., Bayside
Enjoy the great outdoors with a free fitness walk in Fort Totten Park. This self-guided fitness walking program is open to adults only. This event happens every Tuesday and Thursday from now through Nov. 11. The walk is from 9 to 10 a.m. Contact 718-352-4793 or mike.kuchinskas@parks.nyc.gov for more information.
8. Plants of the Arab World Walking Tour, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
Explore plants of the Arab world at the Queens Botanical Garden. This one-hour walking tour lets guest discover plants native to the Arab world, including papyrus and blue atlas cedar trees. In addition, attendees will be able to participate in Music in the Garden by Zikrayat and a “Teas of the Arab World” tasting table, which are both accompanying programs of this event. The event itself is free, but guests must purchase a ticket to be admitted to the gardens. This event is on June 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. Visit the garden’s website for pricing and more information. To register for the event, click here.
9. Jerry Costanzo and His Gotham City Swingers, Forest Park Dr., Woodhaven
Music lovers should join Jerry Costanzo in Forest Park on June 7. Jerry and his Swingin’ Pals will be performing music ranging from the swing era to the “Rat Pack” stylings from the ’50s and ’60s. The free event goes from 2 to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 718-235-4100 or email margaret.carrillo-rosas@parks.nyc.gov.
10. Astoria Park Pool, 24-02 19th St., Long Island City
When New York City public pools open on June 27, take a dip in the city’s oldest pool. This outdoor, Olympic-sized pool measures 330 feet long and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Admission to the pool is free.
