This and That: Events, Parties, and Things To Do in NYC in August 2025 (with Free Events!)
Get ready for a thrilling August, from the final days of museum exhibitions, limited-edition cocktails on rooftops, helicopters to the Hamptons, and lots of US Open festivities. These are the best events in NYC for August 2025. One more thing: this is our biggest list of FREE events in NYC ever.
WIN: Via Carota Craft Cocktails and Blade Summer Giveaway at EHP Resort
Via Carota Craft Cocktails and Blade collaboration. Image: Provided.
What’s happening: Call it unpredictable; we’ll call it iconic: two New York brands—Via Carota Craft Cocktails and urban air mobility provider Blade—have formally joined forces to redefine the luxury travel experience. Celebrating seamless movement and elevated hospitality, the collaboration will come in the form of cocktail service to Blade lounges, curated pre-flight tastings, and bespoke in-flight experiences. To celebrate the visionary partnership, the brands are offering a giveaway weekend in East Hampton, August 22–24, 2025, in partnership with the luxe EHP Resort & Marina.
Why go: One winner (and a guest) will enjoy a chef-led dinner at Via Carota, a cocktail tasting before embarking on a round-trip flight to the Hamptons via Blade, landing with two nights in a private waterfront cottage at a perpetually sold-out EHP. The weekend includes brunch at Sí Sí, sunset drinks by the marina, and curated gift sets from Via Carota Craft Cocktails. From James Beard-awarded chefs to Mediterranean mornings and aviation in style, it’s an unforgettable taste of summer in New York—beautifully crafted from start to finish.
What’s involved: Pre-flight cocktail tasting, Blade helicopter transport, fine dining, luxe overnight accommodations, curated gifts.
Giveaway runs through Saturday, August 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Winner announced Sunday, August 11, 2025. Full details and entry form here.
How to enter the Via Carota Craft Cocktails and Blade giveaway:
Follow @viacarotacraftcocktails, @flyblade, and @ehpresort on Instagram
Complete the entry form here.
Like and tag your friends on the Instagram giveaway post for additional chances to win – each tag is an additional entry!
While You’re Out East…
FREE EVENT: Final Weeks of Torn Time at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Art
Torn Time. Image: Institute of Arab and Islamic Art.
What’s happening: In a quiet corner of the West Village, the Institute of Arab and Islamic Art presents Torn Time, the first institutional solo exhibition of Bilgé (1934–2000) in the United States. This meditative show traces two decades of the Turkish-American artist’s work, exploring the metaphysical, poetic, and geometric through drawing, artist books, and minimalist abstraction. Bilgé’s signature visual language—tear, string, square, line—channels both spiritual rigor and natural intimacy, departing from American minimalism toward something altogether transcendent.
Why go: Curated by Mohammed Rashid Al-Thani, this is a rare chance to encounter Bilgé’s quietly radical work in depth. Her journey from Istanbul to NYU in 1958, her feminist and ecological interventions, and her paper-based metaphysics mark her as a critical voice within the overlooked lineage of spiritual minimalism. Exhibited internationally but still under-recognized, Bilgé’s work speaks to themes of displacement, ritual, nature, and interiority—all in the intimate space of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Art. Free and deeply affecting.
What’s involved: Quiet contemplation, minimalist abstraction, free public gallery experience
Now until Sunday, August 31, 2025 at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Art, 22 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014. Information here.
Institute of Arab and Islamic Art Opening Hours:
Monday-Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday-Sunday: 12:00PM-6:00PM
FREE EVENT: MAD Open House
What’s happening: MAD—the Museum of Arts and Design—opens its doors for a free day of art, play, and hands-on inspiration. Known for championing contemporary creators who blur the lines between art, craft, and design, MAD invites visitors of all ages to explore its exhibitions, cool off with a film in The Theater at MAD, and engage with interactive art stations throughout the building. Artist educators will guide activities inspired by current shows, while Brooklyn-based toy brand Clixo hosts a special play zone just for kids.
Why go: This is a rare chance to experience the full offerings of MAD without an admission fee. You’ll engage directly with the museum’s mission—to connect people to the creative process—and get to make your own mini masterpieces in the process. With something for adults, kids, and teens alike, it’s the perfect cultural outing to beat the August heat and get inspired by the world of material innovation and design.
What’s involved: Free museum access, exhibition tours, hands-on projects, artist educators, films, and a Clixo creative station for kids.
Saturday, August, 9, 2025 from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM at Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019. Information and RSVP here.
FREE EVENT: Treta Festa at g Lounge
Treta Festa NYC. Image: g Lounge.
What’s happening: Treta Festa—Brazil’s most beloved queer dance party—lands in New York City for a single night of electric energy at the newly reopened g Lounge in Chelsea. Born in Rio and now a global celebration of LGBTQ+ joy, Treta merges Brazilian funk, pop, and Latin beats with drag and dancefloor mayhem. Expect wild performances, fierce visuals, and a headlining set by international drag star Pietra Parker. This free event is open to all and promises an unforgettable night of rhythm and resistance.
Why go: With a legacy that spans from Rio’s Museum of Modern Art to New Year’s Eve mega-parties and stops in London and Miami, Treta is more than a party—it’s a global movement of queer expression. Now hosted in the reborn g Lounge—an iconic LGBTQ+ venue restored under the original founder’s care—this one-night extravaganza pairs legacy with liberation. The return of g Lounge marks a new chapter of inclusive, community-driven nightlife in NYC, and Treta is its opening statement.
What’s involved: Dancefloor takeover, fierce drag by Pietra Parker, Brazilian beats, and queer celebration.
Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 10:00 PM until late at the newly reopened g Lounge, 225 West 19th Street, New York, NY. Information here.
Speakeasy, Die Softly Dinner Performances at Carmine’s Time Square
A recent Speakeasy, Die Softly dinner performance. Image: American Immersion Theater.
What’s happening: In the heart of Times Square, American Immersion Theater and Carmine’s Italian Restaurant mark the first anniversary of Speakeasy, Die Softly—a prohibition-era comedic murder mystery drenched in drama and marinara. Set in 1927, guests dine inside a “legitimate” Italian joint with an illicit past, where seedy characters roam and anyone could be the killer—or the detective. This immersive performance plays out in three lively acts, centered around a legendary three-course meal served family-style by Carmine’s.
Why go: Whether you're a first-time sleuth or a seasoned gumshoe, the experience offers surprise at every turn. Guests may be tapped to become suspects or detectives in this interactive show, with no script and no spoilers—just quick wit and improvisation. With a full cast of actors and guests in character, each night promises a fresh mystery, robust flavors, and contagious laughter. It’s theater, dinner, and a true social game wrapped in one.
What’s involved: Immersive theater, comedic performance, three-course Italian dinner, interactive clue-solving
Performances take place Fridays through Mondays at various times at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant Times Square, 200 W 44th St, New York, NY. Information and tickets here.
Experience the Grand Slamberry at The Times Square EDITION
The Terrace at The Times Square EDITION. Image: The Times Square EDITION.
What’s happening: To celebrate the electric spirit of the US Open, The Times Square EDITION is offering The Grand Slamberry, a limited-edition cocktail served exclusively from August 18th until September 7th, 2025. Available at both The Terrace and the Lobby Bar, this courtside-inspired creation blends Grey Goose vodka, Chambord, grapefruit, and lemon juice, crowned with a whimsical melon foam and garnished with a single blackberry. It's a toast to summer tennis, New York elegance, and playful indulgence.
Why go: This isn’t just a cocktail—it’s a celebration of New York’s most glamorous sporting season. Whether you're heading to the Arthur Ashe Stadium or just soaking up the city’s tennis buzz, The Grand Slamberry offers a vibrant, upscale refreshment in one of Midtown’s most sophisticated hideaways. Settle in for a pre-match aperitif or post-match unwind, surrounded by skyline views, curated playlists, and the EDITION’s signature blend of high design and laid-back luxury. Don’t forget to step out on the balcony with jaw-dropping views of Times Square.
What’s involved: Seasonal cocktail, chic lounge seating, post-match ambiance.
Monday, August 18, 2025 through Thursday, September 7, 2025 daily at The Terrace and Lobby Bar at The Times Square EDITION, 701 7th Avenue, New York, NY. Information and reservations here.
FREE EVENT: US Open Fan Week 2025
US Open Fan Week. Image: US Open.
What’s happening: US Open Fan Week returns to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with six packed days of free public programming leading up to the US Open. Fans can enjoy access to top player practices, cultural performances, food pop-ups, sponsor activations, and family-friendly activities across the grounds. The week also includes special moments like a Chinese Lion Dance opener, a Silent Disco, and surprise appearances at the Fountain Plaza stage.
Why go: From world-class tennis stars to live DJs, traditional dance, and $10 kids' meals, this is the most immersive US Open pre-week experience yet. Fans can explore Arthur Ashe Stadium, catch featured practices in Louis Armstrong and Grandstand, take part in a family festival, or relax with Heineken Happy Hour and roaming entertainers. The week culminates in a festive atmosphere that blends sport, art, and food—all under the NYC summer sky.
What’s involved: Top player practices, cultural showcases, live DJ sets, kids’ meals, silent disco, giveaways, and sponsor booths.
Monday, August 18th through Saturday August 23rd, 2025 from 10:00 AM until evening each day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, NY. Information and RSVP with Fan Access Pass here.
Experience the US Open with the Park Terrace Hotel
Love means nothing to those who play tennis! With Park Terrace Hotel, guests staying in the hotel with the US Open Experience Package will get access to an exclusive Top-Seed Player Event on Thursday, August 21st, 2025 plus the opportunity to enjoy tennis-inspired juices and mocktails throughout our stay at Branch, the private club on the hotel’s sixth floor with open-air views in the heart of the city and mellow bar. With artful Stonehill Taylor interior design and a prime Bryant Park location, Park Terrace offers a serene retreat right on the mid-court of NYC. More details and reservations here.
FREE EVENT: Open Call: Portals at The Shed
Open Call: Portals. Image: The Shed.
What’s happening: The Shed’s latest exhibition, Open Call: Portals, showcases new works by twelve early-career, NYC-based artists and collectives exploring themes of passage, transformation, and resistance. Through painting, film, performance, and sculpture, the show delves into colonial legacies, migration, and environmental crises while celebrating generational memory and spiritual resilience. Located in The Shed’s Level 2 Gallery and Plaza, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on identity, healing, and belonging.
Why go: This free exhibition highlights artists redefining contemporary art in New York, selected through The Shed’s celebrated Open Call program. Expect live performances, panel discussions, and community events—including clothing swaps and foraging workshops—alongside powerful visual work. With interactive elements, free weekly tours, and multilingual accessibility, Portals is both deeply personal and globally resonant, offering a rare glimpse into emerging voices shaping the city’s cultural future.
What’s involved: Paintings, films, live performances, panel talks, community events, and interactive workshops
Now through September 2025, during opening hours at The Shed, 545 West 30th Street, New York, NY 10001. Information and tickets here.
The Shed Opening Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 2:00PM – 7:00PM
Friday: 2:00PM – 8:00PM
Saturday-Sunday: 12:00PM - 8:00PM
Monday: Closed.
From an wildlife galas, jazz cabaret by the sea, to boutique shopping and $100M worth of vintage Ferraris—this is your guide to the best Hamptons events in August 2025, sure to pair high style with heartfelt causes.