Can’t Miss Summer Cultural Events in NYC

New York City is, without question, the most culturally diverse city in the world and no trip to the Big Apple is complete without taking in some of this amazing diversity for yourself. These are a few cultural festivals celebrating people from all around the world that are set to take place in the city this summer. We’ve placed these in chronological order as opposed to any personal preference, if only because it’s impossible to pick a favorite.

Jamaica Arts & Music Summer Festival

The Jamaica Arts and Music Summer (JAMS) Festival is an annual event taking place on the first weekend of August on Jamaica Avenue in Queens, N.Y. During the festival, 10 blocks of the avenue are closed to cars as the community transforms into one of largest tourist destinations in the borough. Go2CCJ.com says the festival sees upwards of 185,000 residents and tourists coming to the area to experience the food, crafts, music, and culture of the island nation. JAMS is a terrific event for families or friends with plenty to see and do for everyone.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

The Chinese dragon boat festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, has been a traditional holiday for hundreds of years, taking place annually during the early summer. This year, New York’s Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is held at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on August 8 and 9. BritishAirways.com reports that the race will feature over 170 different teams from around the world, which should make for an exciting clash of culture and competition.

India Day Parade

The India Day Parade is an international annual celebration of India’s independence day. This year marks the 69th anniversary of the historic event and the 35th anniversary of the parade, which goes down August 16 along world famous Madison Avenue. Organizers will attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest India Parade, according to the event’s official website, FIANYNJCT.com.

West Indian-American Day Carnival

Every Labour Day, Brooklyn puts on a massive celebration of the Caribbean with the annual West Indian-American Day Carnival. This event revels in the art and culture of incredible countries like Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and many more. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience seven hours of calypso and Caribbean cuisine and loads more in one of the biggest celebrations of West Indian culture in the world.

Steuben Parade

This annual festival of German-American culture takes place September 19 and marches right down the middle of Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The first parade was held in 1957 and continues today as a celebration of the rich heritage of one of the largest ancestral groups living in the United States. The parade itself is named for Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a general who served with George Washington during the American Revolution. Drink some fine German beer from one of the event’s beverage sponsors or dig into classic cuisine while you take in some live tunes.