50+ Things To Do This Summer in Astoria & Long Island City

With Memorial Day over, we can’t help but think about all things summer! This year we’re bringing you our favorite things to do around town (and a few slightly outside of the neighborhood) before things heat up too much so you can be sure to work them into your busy social calendar. Did we leave off a favorite event? Let us know in the comments and we’ll gladly add it to our list!

1. Astoria Pool

Our much beloved public pool located in Astoria Park opens June 27th. Get all the info you need before you swim here.

2. Astoria Park Carnival

Get your carnival on in Astoria Park June 25th through the 28th.

3. LIC Bike Parade

Join other families as they parade around town! Free helmets, workshops, and bike repair, too.

4. Movies in Astoria Park

This July & August grab a blanket and a snack or two, and watch classic movies on the East River.

5. Taste of LIC

A WHA favorite, Taste of LIC, features tasty bites from dozens of area restaurants, plus stunning city views. (Here’s what we tasted last year.)

6. Waterfront Concert Series

Get your music on in Astoria park, between the Hellgate Bridge and the pool. More info here.

7. Summer Solstice Celebration

Enjoy the longest day of the year with a free concert, picnics, and arts & crafts projects. More here.

8. Shop Our Local Street Fairs

Our complete listing of street fairs in Astoria is here.

9. Hit Up Smorgasburg in Long Island City

Brooklyn staple Smorgasburg is finally making their way to Queens! Check out opening day on Saturday, July 11th.

 10. Check Out The Secret Garden at Lockwood

Lockwood is hosting a pop up coffee shop with Native Coffee Roasters every weekend in June. A curated selection of plants, pots, metaphysical objects, and fun surprises too. Lockwood, 32-15 33rd Street, Astoria

11. LIC-henge in Hunter’s Point

Sometimes referred to as the Manhattan Solstice — is an event during which the setting sun is aligned with the east–west streets of the main street grid of Manhattan. This occurs twice a year, on dates evenly spaced around the summer solstice. RSVP here. LIC Landing, 52-10 Center Blvd, Long Island City.

12. 11th Annual Saw Music Festival

Natalia ‘Saw Lady’ Paruz will showcase music composed for musical saw, plus an orchestra of over 50 musical saws! More info here.

13. American Folk Art Museum Block Party

Celebrate the museum’s new facility for research, education, and conservation, plus music and food vendors. Get tickets to the warehouse party here. Folk Art Museum, 47-51 33rd Street, Long Island City.

14. MoMA PS1’s Warm Up Dance Party

LIC’s most notorious outdoor daytime dance party, Warm Up,  is back on June 27th. Local residents get in free. MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City.

15. Shop Socrates Sculpture Park’s Green Market

This market serves the Long Island City and Astoria communities with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and family-friendly activities every Saturday. Shoppers will find a bountiful selection of seasonal produce, orchard fruit and juice, meat, poultry and eggs and multi-ethnic artisan breads. Read our full scoop, here.

16. Watch Movies on LIC’s Waterfront

Movies this year include King Kong (6/25), When Harry Met Sally (8/20), and ET (8/7).

17. Do Yoga in the Park

Saturdays through September, get your yoga on with city views. More info here.

18. Check out Burnside Biscuits Later This Summer

The newest addition from the Bareburger family is set to open late June/early July according to our sources. We can’t wait to check out their Southern inspired food & drink. (ps- outdoor seating, too!)

19. A Big BBQ at Studio Square

20 different BBQ items plus specialties from chef David Burke. It all happens May 30th at Studio Square.

 20. The Celebrate Astoria Fest

A celebration of food, song, and dance all in Astoria Park. More info here.

21. Gay Pride in Astoria

The ladies from Haus of Mimosa are back, Thursday June 4th at Studio Square! Join them for a special pre-pride party in Astoria- 2 for 1 drinks ’till 7, drink specials all night.

22. Pie vs. Cake Opens This Summer

One of the neighborhood’s most anticipated openings is only weeks away, from what we hear. Want to find out more about Pie vs. Cake? Click on… Pie vs. Cake, 30-03 36th Street, Astoria.

23. Lockwood’s Epic Clearance Sale

Lockwood’s twice-a-year Epic Clearance Sale features 100’s of items marked down 50-75% off. This year look for lots of Lockwood Style favorites, too. Kicks off June 6th. Lockwood & Lockwood Style, 32-15 33rd Street.

24. Crawfish Boil on the Brooklyn Grange Rooftop

Butcher Paper Dinners are back on the roof at Brooklyn Grange. June 7th enjoy your dinner on a rooftop farm with sweeping city views and an awesome crawfish boil. The Brooklyn Grange, 37-18 Northern Blvd, Astoria.

25. Check Out the Sparrow Film Festival

June 6 & 7th, check out the Sparrow Film Festival, now in it’s 12th year. Movies will be screened at Museum of The Moving Image. More info here.

26. The Grown Ass Carnival

Indulge in Mexican food and margarita snow cones while playing adult bingo, dart games, and watching some cool side show acts. There will be awesome prizes, fun activities and games, photo booths, and your favorite celebs- like Ally Sheedy! Grown Ass Carnival, June 14th at The Creek & The Cave, 10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City.

27. Go Kayaking on the East River

The LIC Community Boathouse has lots of opportunities to get out and paddle on the East River this summer. Get all the info you need here.

28. See the Mad Men Exhibition Before It’s Gone.

Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men closes June 14th, has been extended through September. be sure to stop by MoMI before it’s all over! Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Avenue, Astoria.

29. Take in the Changes at the Noguchi Museum

If you’ve never been to the Noguchi Museum, you must check out one of the area’s true cultural highlights. If you’ve been before, stop in to view some of the changes being made for their 30th anniversary. The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Road, LIC.

30. See How LIC’s New Library Was Designed

See how Stephen Holl Architects designed the new Hunter’s Point Library, which just broke ground. The exhibition runs through June 8th at Sculpture Center, 44-19 Purves St., LIC.

31. Cool Down With Coffee Pops

Tucked just around the corner off Ditmars, OK Café is an oasis of summer refreshment. Handcrafted ice cream sandwiches, cool fruit flavored “People’s Pops” and new this summer, Coffee & Cream Popsicles made with their popular Magic 8 Ball iced coffee recipe. Also not to be missed: the unique Kyoto Cold Brew coffee and refreshing Green Tea Lemonade. OK Cafe, 22-04 33rd St. Astoria

32. Go on a Picnic (and let someone else worry about packing the food)

Take an amazing picnic to one of our local waterfront parks without doing any of the hard work. BEAR’s menu looks like summer perfection.

33. Bring the Colors of Summer Indoors

Petals & Roots will be enjoying the summer by closing the shop the month of July. The week of June 22nd- June 30th, they’ll have big sales on plants, vases, pots and flowers. Call the shop at 718-267-1700.

34. Surf Sans Beach

Shake up your yoga practice…literally!! Open to all levels, class takes place on the RipSurfer X (simulated surfboard) this class will enhance your surfing performance and your yoga routine. Surfs Up! Tone Pilates 36-19 Broadway, Astoria.  347.730.6057

35. Drink a Caliente Michelada

It’s no secret that the WHA Team loves to eat and drink at Chela & Garnacha. The summer is the perfect time to drink this classic Mexican drink made with beer, lime juice, and assorted sauces, spices, and peppers, served in a chilled, salt-rimmed glass. Chela y Garnacha, 33-09 36th Ave, Astoria.

36. Attend the Pie Eating Contest at The Astor Bake Shop

Bring your eating (or just watching) game to the 5th annual pie eating contest on June 28t starting at 3:00 pm. Prizes include medals, ABS t-shirts, trophies, and gift certificates. Astor Bake Shop 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria 718.606.8439

37. Don’t Miss Frozen Hot Chocolate

Also from the Astor Bake Shop, try their iced hot chocolate, made with a 61% Belgium dark chocolate and a 35% Belgium milk chocolate. Blended with ice it’s like a rich chocolate smoothie, optionally topped off with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Astor Bake Shop 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria 718.606.8439

38. Retreat to AC With a Staycation

You don’t have to go far to enjoy the full blast of central AC, a giant comfy bed, and great views of the NYC skyline. Check out this guide to help you find a great place to stay to escape the heat and your tiny apartment. (PS- Mundo at The Paper Factory Hotel is packed with things to do, like their Sunday picnic series.)

39. Drink & Eat Healthy

Enjoy this new Rainforest Coconut Blend from Fusion Juice. Also their delicious Almond Butter Acai Bowl shouldn’t be missed. Fusion Juice Bar, 30-93 38th Street, Astoria 347.642.5351

40. Channel Tropical Vibes at the Uke Hut

Can’t play the ukulele? Don’t let that stop you from checking out this fun neighborhood addition. Uke Hut 36-01 36th Avenue Astoria 917-653-9944 or 212.469.2098

41. Cool Down with Dessert

If you dream of a fresh homemade ice cream, ices and sorbets that contain no high fructose corn syrup, you’ve found a home at Sweet Janes. They also specializes in dairy-free, gluten-free and Non-GMO fudgsicles. Sweet Janes 27-17 24th Avenue, Astoria.

42. Grab Some Oysters on the Half-Shell

Taste the ocean with a raw bar platter at Off the Hook. Their outdoor area is also a great place to hang outdoors on a cool summer evening. Off The Hook 28-08 34th St., Astoria

43. Get Your Fireworks on in LIC

This year the Macy’s July 4th Fireworks are back on the East River and will be easily viewed from Long Island City. Grab a blanket and some snacks and take in this awesome NYC tradition. (*BONUS– take in Astoria’s fireworks on June 30th on the Great Lawn. More info here.) 

44. Find Waldo in Astoria

He’s back! Our favorite literary character will be hiding in lots of Astoria & LIC spots again this year- don’t miss this month long hide-and-seek game. Details on their fb page- Where’s Waldo in Astoria.

45. Get Your Rooftop Drinking On

Wet your whistle at one of these awesome rooftop bars with killer city views: Vista Ballroom, Z Hotel, and Penthouse 808.

46. Take The 7 to Queens Night Market

Sure, it’s not exactly in LIC or Astoria, but the Queens Night Market is relatively easy to get to from Western Queens. This May, July, and August (yes, they’re taking June off) enjoy this family-friendly open-air night market in Queens, featuring over 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food. The best part? They’re open ’till midnight.

47. Drink Outside at The Bonnie

Have a beer, some fried pickles, or a botanically based cocktail outside at The Bonnie. Their new backyard is the perfect place to meet some friends and hang out with some awesome bar snacks. The Bonnie- 29-12 23rd Avenue, Astoria.

 48. Hop on The East River Ferry

In the heat of summer, we all know being on the water is the best. Why not hop on the East River Ferry and head to Williamsburg, Greenpoint, or Governor’s Island? All the info you need is here.

49. Get Your Bike Tuned Up

Don’t forget your bike just because it needs a little TLC. Visit one of these local places, and get riding again: Tony’s, Bike Repairman, and Spokesman Cycles.

50. Spend Some Time At Bohemian Beer Garden

If you’re new, or have never been, run, don’t walk to this beloved Astoria institution. Grab some friends, a pitcher, and some pierogies, and you’re set for the afternoon. It’s Astoria outdoor drinking at its finest. Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria.

51. First Annual Summer Party at the Brass Owl

What could be better than starting off summer with a little shopping? Discounts, giveaways, and a few surprises. The Brass Owl,  36-19 Ditmars, Astoria.

52. Check Out Live Music

Don’t miss Make Music NY, happening at venues all over NYC, including this fun event in Astoria.

53. Swap Some Old Stuff For New

On June 6th, you bring clothes (or books) and other people bring clothes (or books) and then you swap! It’s that easy. Details here.

54. Queens NYC Lit Fest

This August get your lit on, Queens style. More info on their events page.

55. Get Crafty at this Etsy Party

Get crafty on June 6th at this Astoria based studio. Light refreshments plus several projects to make. Get the details on their event page.

56. Support the Queens Council on the Arts

Our friends at Queens Council on the Arts are hosting an fundraising evening of live music featuring the Dennis Lichtman Trio celebrating Queens jazz history. Buy a ticket today!

9 Comments

A Conversation with Meg Cotner, author of Food Lovers’ Guide to® Queens about things to do in Astoria and nearby during the summer. June 11, 2015 | Just My Eyes June 11th, 2015

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JLa May 26th, 2015

Woot! Tons of excitement@

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GersonK May 26th, 2015

The Mad Men exhibit’s been extended to September 6th – http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matthew-weiners-mad-men-exhibition-783618?utm_source=twitter
Also, when was the schedule for the Hunters Point movies announced? I can’t seem to find it anywhere else, even http://www.cinemalic.com/

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mackenzi May 26th, 2015

The schedule is illusive, we agree. The link to the LIC Post was the best schedule we could find…for now!

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Natalia May 26th, 2015

Could you please revise the link for Yoga at the park, #17. I get directed to a larger image of the post and not information about the event

thank you

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mackenzi May 26th, 2015

Updated! Sorry about that.

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Nicole May 26th, 2015

Great list!
Also, check out The Brass Owl on June 28th for our first annual summer party (11am-9pm)! There will be complimentary sangria, ice pops, jewelry tattoo samples and SPECIALS and GIVE AWAYS!

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Mike May 26th, 2015

Do the hot dog eating challenge at New York Dog House on National Hot Dog Day (July 23rd).

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Liz May 26th, 2015

This is such a great list!

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