The Blankman List is a monthly curated list of things to do in New York City. It showcases the full range of what there is to do, for residents and tourists alike.
I especially seek out artistic and cultural events like concerts, plays, and art exhibits, along with anything that is high-quality, notable, and/or free. There is at least one event for every day of June 2025, and no borough or event type is off limits.
Creating this list is a lot of work for me! Thus, seeing events past the first week requires a paid subscription. All subscribers, however, will receive a free highlights post.
Disclaimer: Before going anywhere, please confirm the date, time, location, cost, and description using the listed website. Any event is at risk of being rescheduled, relocated, sold out, at capacity, or canceled. Costs are rounded to the nearest dollar and may change. I try to vet quality and describe accurately, but I may misjudge. All views are my own.
Sunday, June 1
Second largest pride parade in NYC, with multicultural festival; 12–6 pm
Free
Along 37th Ave
37th Ave, from 89th St to 75th St (Jackson Heights, Queens)
NYC Ballet performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, based on the Shakespeare play, choreographed by George Balanchine, and with music by Felix Mendelssohn; 3 pm; May 27–Jun 1
$77–$267
David H. Koch Theater
20 Lincoln Center Plaza (Lincoln Square, Manhattan)
Monday, June 2
Opening night of the Vision Festival, showcasing free jazz and experimental music; 7 pm; Jun 2–7
$100 general / $40 student / $60 senior
Roulette Intermedium
509 Atlantic Ave (Boerum Hill, Brooklyn)
Tuesday, June 3
Discounted sample products from Ramy Brook, a fashion brand offering a “day-to-night solution in a woman’s wardrobe”; 10 am–6 pm; Jun 3–5
Free entry (there may be a long queue)
Clothingline
261 W 36th St, 2nd floor (Midtown South, Manhattan)
Wednesday, June 4
Geek-themed trivia at a lively West Village gay bar; 7 pm (6:30 pm sign-ups begin); first Wednesday of every month
$6 to play
Rockbar NYC
185 Christopher St (West Village, Manhattan)
SciCafe: Living With Wildfires
Public talk by environmental expert Toddi Steelman on how wildfires, climate change, and humans interact; 7 pm
Free
American Museum of Natural History, Cullman Hall of the Universe
Enter at 81st Street (Upper West Side, Manhattan)
Thursday, June 5
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Performance of works by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a company that “shattered every boundary of American dance”; 7:30 pm; Jun 5–8
$44–$135
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
30 Lafayette Ave (Fort Greene, Brooklyn)
Studio Ghibli & Anime Hits with Akari Village
Live performances of music from Studio Ghibli and other anime by cover band Akari Village; 7–8:30 pm (6:30 pm doors)
$23–$60
The Red Pavilion
1241 Flushing Ave
Brooklyn Wine Club: Boards & Bottles
Workshop of charcuterie board building guided by cheese expert Marissa Mullen with wine flights selected by the Brooklyn Wine Club; 7 pm
$125 (includes charcuterie and wine)
Barclays Center, JetBlue at The Key
620 Atlantic Ave (Prospect Heights, Brooklyn)
Friday, June 6
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Drag contest, followed by a screening of the 1995 comedy film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo as three NYC drag queens on a road trip; 7:30 pm
$20
St. George Theatre
35 Hyatt St (St. George, Staten Island)
Tour stop for rapper Lil Wayne’s newest album Tha Carter VI; 8 pm
$115–$543+
Madison Square Garden
4 Pennsylvania Plaza (Midtown, Manhattan)
Music festival across multiple stages featuring headliners like Benson Boone and Tyler, The Creator; 12–10 pm
$179–$429+
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Arrive at Mets-Willets Point Station (Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens)
Saturday, June 7
“Entertaining tour through different aspects of New York” with history, trivia, and special guest law professor Olivier Sylvain; 7 pm (6:30 pm doors)
$15–$25
Caveat
21A Clinton St (Lower East Side, Manhattan)