This and That: Events, Parties, and Things To Do in NYC in June 2025 (with Free Events!)
NYC turns up for June 2025 with Caribbean carnivals, Black Tie galas, rooftop cocktails, and underground dance celebrations and more. By the way: this is our biggest list ever, packed with more free events than ever.
FREE EVENT: Roku Gin Botanical Tour, NYC
Roku Gin Botanical Tour, NYC. Image: Roku Gin.
What’s happening: Roku Gin invites you to an immersive seasonal celebration spotlighting its six Japanese botanicals, harvested at their peak. Enjoy a guided tasting and bespoke cocktails inspired by the delicate beauty of sakura.
Why go: It’s more than a cocktail event—it’s a curated introduction to the artistry of Japanese gin. Discover the harmonious balance of Roku’s botanicals, including sakura flower, yuzu peel, and sencha tea, in an intimate setting. Expect refined flavors, elegant presentation, and a multisensory tribute to cherry blossom season.
What’s involved: Guided tasting and seasonal cocktails
Sunday, June 1st, 2025 from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Pier 17. 21+ only. Information and free RSVP here.
World Monuments Fund Summer Soirée 2025
A Recent Summer Soirée. Image: World Monuments Fund.
What’s happening: World Monuments Fund’s Junior Board is hosting its annual rooftop celebration at Carnegie Hall to mark the start of summer and honor cultural heritage advocates. Enjoy cocktails, live music, and sweeping city views while supporting a meaningful cause. Past soirées have drawn museum leaders, young philanthropists, architects, and heritage professionals from institutions like The Met, MoMA, and the Getty.
Why go: A chance to mingle with New York’s preservation-minded crowd while celebrating global efforts to protect cultural sites. The event honors 2025 Watch Award recipient Andrew Potts and supports a nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding the world’s most treasured cultural heritage sites. WMF has led restoration and advocacy efforts across more than 100 countries, from ancient Syrian souks to modernist icons in India and Indigenous landscapes in Peru.
What’s involved: Music, cocktails, and summer ambience.
Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Terrace Room, 881 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10019. Information and tickets here.
FREE EVENT: Fenty Beauty x Barbados
Fenty Beauty x Barbados. Image: Visit Barbados.
What’s happening: In celebration of Caribbean Week in New York, the spirit of Barbados’ legendary Crop Over festival bursts into midtown Manhattan with a vibrant, one-day-only takeover of Ulta Beauty. This pop-up experience, powered by the bold glamour of Fenty Beauty and the island’s unapologetic joy, offers a chance to revel in radiant self-expression. Step into a world of carnival color, soca shimmer, and sun-drenched style as the island’s energy takes center stage in the heart of the city.
Why go: This is your passport to island glam. From exclusive Fenty Beauty Crop Over-inspired makeovers to JetBlue’s round-trip flight giveaways to Barbados—announced live every hour—this experience merges beauty, travel, and Caribbean celebration in an immersive, editorial-style event. Whether you're planning your next escape or just soaking up the vibe, this is a dazzling encounter with the modern Caribbean.
What’s involved: Live DJ, makeovers powered by Fenty, JetBlue flight giveaways, beauty samples, and Crop Over carnival vibes.
Thursday June 5, 2025 from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Ulta Beauty, 51 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001. Information and RSVP here.
Oistins in BK: A Taste of Barbados in the Heart of Brooklyn
Oistins in BK. Image: Visit Barbados.
What’s happening: The soul of Barbados is washing over Industry City as the island’s iconic Oistins Fish Fry is lovingly reimagined in Brooklyn for a one-night celebration. Dive into the vibrant coastal energy of Bajan Friday nights—where the scent of sizzling fish mingles with music, storytelling, and spirited community. With the legendary Pat’s Place brought in directly from Barbados, alongside local Caribbean chefs, artisans, and cultural tastemakers, the event evokes the feeling of a street-side celebration at the edge of the sea.
Why go: This is a rare cultural immersion with a culinary institution in Barbados, serving fresh-off-the-grill dishes that are typically only found on the island. Internationally renowned DJ Puffy, Barbados’ musical ambassador to the world, sets the night’s tempo with a soundscape of soca, calypso, and island soul. With NYC’s own Caribbean food scene joining in, Oistins in BK is an irresistible tribute to heritage, flavor, and rhythm.
What’s involved: Grilled Bajan classics, rum cocktails, artisan vendors, and a live DJ set under open skies.
Friday, June 6, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM at Industry City Courtyard, Brooklyn, NY. Enter from 220 36th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Information and RSVP here.
Party 011 at Night Club 101
A recent event at Night Club 101. Image: sitcom__stupid.
What’s happening: Under the saturated hum of flashing lights and shadowed faces, Party 011 convenes New York’s most untamed after-hours faithful for a collective release at Night Club 101. Driven by pulsing rhythms and a curated sense of chaos, this isn’t merely a DJ night—it’s a ritual of movement, a moment of freedom, and a fiercely local gathering of deep selectors and emergent legends. Hosted by oneoneone and the ever-evolving community engines Sound Gallery and Girls Night, this installment carries forward their sacred promise: no pretense, just sweat, sound, and solidarity.
Why go: With a stacked DJ lineup including AYEGY, EQ, Heartbreaker, ZZZPLZ, and DJ Brandy Melville, the night promises wall-to-wall energy and rare back-to-back sets that don’t reappear. Party 011 isn’t a party—it’s a happening and fingerprint on the city’s underground dance floor history, a stamp of presence in the late-night archive. Come for the sets, stay for the scene that birthed them.
What’s involved: Seven DJs, one room, eight hours of unrelenting sound and sweat.
Friday, June 6th 2025 from 10:00 PM until 4:00 AM at Night Club 101, 101 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009.
Tickets at the door:
Before 12:00 AM: $5.00
After 12:00 AM: $10.00
El Museo Del Barrio Gala Honoring Tony Bechara (1942-2025)
Tony Bechara (1942-2025). Image: Via Azureazure.
What’s happening: An evening of remembrance and renewal, El Museo del Barrio’s Annual Gala gathers artists, patrons, and cultural leaders to honor the late Tony Bechara—whose decades of service, vision, and artistry helped shape the museum’s mission. Hosted at The Pool + The Grill, this celebration affirms El Museo’s commitment to preserving and promoting Latino art through heartfelt tribute, community, and joyful gathering.
Why go: This year’s gala pays heartfelt tribute to Tony Bechara (1942–2025), whose five-decade legacy as an artist and cultural visionary shaped the very fabric of El Museo del Barrio. As a former Board Chair and tireless advocate, his leadership left a permanent imprint on the institution and the broader arts world. Guests will honor his memory through an inspired evening of celebration—with a live performance by soprano Larisa Martínez, creative black tie attire, and support from Dobel Tequila and a distinguished roster of patrons. All proceeds sustain the museum’s exhibitions, education programs, and the collection Tony so dearly nurtured.
What's involved: Cocktails, seated dinner and performances, dancing and dessert
Dress code: Black tie.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 from 6:30 PM onward at The Pool + The Grill at the Seagram Building, 99 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. Information and tickets here.
Young Lions Fiction Award 2025 After Party
19th Annual Young Lions Fiction Award. Zach Hilty via BFA.
What’s happening: An intimate literary celebration hosted by The New York Public Library’s Young Lions, marking the conclusion of the prestigious Young Lions Fiction Award ceremony. The after party brings together emerging writers, cultural tastemakers, and devoted supporters of the literary arts for an evening of connection and celebration in honor of today’s most promising young voices in fiction.
Why go: It’s an opportunity to join New York’s literary vanguard for a spirited night that uplifts rising talent. The $10,000 Young Lions Fiction Award honors a writer aged 35 or under for outstanding achievement in fiction—highlighting voices that are shaping the future of literature. Past winners have gone on to become defining figures of a generation. Your presence supports the Library’s broader mission to nurture emerging talent and keep literary culture vibrant and public-facing.
What’s involved: After party with authors, cocktails, and literary camaraderie.
Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 8:00 PM onward at The New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Information and tickets here.
FREE EVENT: Curated by Lexus Pop-Up
2026 Lexus GX and 2026 Lexus LX on NYC streets. Image: Lexus.
What’s happening: In a bold tribute to innovation and artistry in the city, Lexus unveils Curated by Lexus, a dynamic sensory experience that fuses automotive excellence with contemporary design in New York City’s most exciting neighborhood. Explore the latest Lexus models in an immersive setting that blurs the line between car gallery and art installation, including a bamboo forest-inspired scentscape and exhibitions by artists Alana Tsui and Sam Horine. Lexus’ renowned craftsmanship is on full display—inside and out.
Why go: This is Lexus reimagined—not just a showroom, but a space for curated discovery. From the electrified luxury of the LX 700h to the daring, golden-flare IS 500 Special Appearance Package, each vehicle is presented as sculpture, surrounded by custom murals, photography, and immersive elements that celebrate movement, beauty, and city energy. Ideal for design lovers, car aficionados, or anyone craving a calm, cool moment in the middle of Manhattan.
What’s involved: Immersive design installations and works by NYC-based muralists and photographers.
Now through Sunday, July 6th, 2025, open daily 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM at 401 W 14th St, New York, NY 10014. Hours may vary on holidays. Follow Lexus on Instagram here.
Full Bloom at Magic Hour Rooftop
Full Bloom at Magic Hour Rooftop. Image: Magic Hour.
What’s happening: Magic Hour, New York City’s largest rooftop bar perched on the Moxy Times Square, reveals Full Bloom—a dreamlike seasonal transformation of its west terrace. Created in collaboration with Design House Decor and Geo Events, the installation reimagines the space as a floral escape in the sky, complete with vine-draped walls, ceilings, and a dramatic 12-foot sculptural bloom. The immersive setting invites guests to explore playful design details, enjoy cocktails, and bask in sweeping city views.
Why go: An over-the-top sensory experience blending rooftop nightlife with immersive floral art, Full Bloom turns a night out into something enchanting. Whether it’s your first visit or a seasonal tradition, you’ll sip cocktails and snack on bites under a canopy of blooms—backed by live DJs and a front-row view of the Empire State Building. With walk-in access and a Midtown location near the city’s most iconic venues, this is a must for rooftop lovers and design chasers alike.
What’s involved: Seasonal floral takeover with cocktails, DJs, and skyline views
Now through September 2025 daily on the 18th floor of the Moxy Times Square, 485 7th Ave, New York NY 10018. Information and reservations here.
Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge Opening Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 5:00PM – 12:00AM
Thursday: 5:00PM – 2:00AM
Friday: 5:00PM - 4:00AM
Saturday: 11:30AM– 4:00AM
Sunday 11:30AM – 12AM
30th Anniversary Chashama Gala
A performer at a recent Chashama Gala. Image: Chashama.
What’s happening: More immersive art party than traditional gala, Chashama’s annual benefit returns with its signature brand of maximalist magic. Expect a night teeming with avant-garde performances, installations, and interactive works from New York’s underground and emerging creative scenes. Founded in 1995 by Anita Durst, Chashama transforms unused real estate into vital space for artists, performers, and small businesses—supporting over 200 free art classes in under-resourced neighborhoods, 180 affordable studios, and 150+ cultural events each year.
Why go: There’s no event quite like this. Think wall-to-wall installations, surreal performance encounters, and a dance floor that just goes. This is where you’ll sip craft drinks, snack late into the night, and mingle with artists, patrons, and provocateurs—all in support of one of NYC’s most radical and impactful arts nonprofits. Past sponsors include Curious Elixirs, Cooper’s, Golden Bay Vodka, and Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.—and don’t be surprised if you spot founder Anita Durst in a living, candlelit gown or donning a leaf.
What’s involved: 300+ performers, immersive installations, open bar, and late-night bites.
Dress code: “Dreamy”
Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 6:00pm onward at 205 East 42nd Street. Information and tickets here. Tickets for the Art Party only here.
FREE EVENT: Machine Dazzle: JOYWRIDE and Silent Disco at Lincoln Center
Machine Dazzle. Image: Gregory Kramer.
What’s happening: As part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City event series, downtown legend and Emmy-winning maximalist Machine Dazzle joins forces with composer-performer Gerard Kouwenhoven for a luminous visual concert. Through original music, theatrical flair, and unapologetic sincerity, they explore themes of identity, human rights, and the everyday philosophies that shape our lives. Following the live performance, the duo will spin their favorite tracks at a Silent Disco beneath the city’s largest outdoor dance floor and the now-iconic 10-foot disco ball—a beacon for joy, community, and unfiltered self-expression.
Why go: Part concert, part confession, part euphoric escape—this is not a night to spectate, but to immerse. Machine Dazzle’s genre-defying creativity and Gerard Kouwenhoven’s stirring compositions come together for an unforgettable celebration of individuality and unity. And when the disco ball drops, let loose on Josie Robertson Plaza’s electric dance floor—designed once again by visionary Clint Ramos. It’s free, it’s fabulous, and it’s the essence of New York summer.
What’s involved: Live musical spectacle, outdoor silent disco, and dancing under the disco ball
Saturday, June 21, 2025 with Concert at 7:00 PM, Silent Disco from 8:00 PM onward at The Dance Floor at Josie Robertson Plaza, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023. Information here.
The ZOO: NYC Pride with Heidi Montag at Webster Hall
Heidi Montag performing at Camp Poosh. Image: Poosh via Heidi Montag.
What’s happening: For one electric night during Pride Month in NYC, Webster Hall becomes a sanctuary of pop spectacle and queer euphoria. The ZOO roars to life with a high-glam, high-volume takeover led by none other than pop culture icon Heidi Montag, making her long-awaited New York City performance debut. This is not just a party—it’s a pilgrimage for the fabulously free.
Why go: A rare live performance by Heidi Montag anchors this bold, fashion-forward night, supported by alt-pop diva Mel4Ever, rising star Aston, and an elite lineup of DJs including Luis Fernando, Arra, P_A_T, and Jon Ali. With appearances from legendary drag queens and nightlife royalty, The ZOO is poised to be the weekend’s crown jewel of queer celebration.
What’s involved: Live shows, major DJ sets, drag icons, and six hours of unstoppable dancefloor heat.
Friday, June 27, 2025 from 10:00 PM until 4:00 AM at Webster Hall, 125 E 11th St., New York, NY 10003. Information and tickets here.
Curiously suspended yet completely present, a new installation at the University of Michigan Museum of Art is Machine Dazzle at his most progressive, aware, and fun.