It may have taken a whole extra month for some semblance of spring to start in the city, but it finally feels like us New York City residents can safely leave home without a jacket.
Brooklyn is never a more beautiful place to be than in the summer, when everything’s green, dining happens outdoors and activities are popping up all over the borough that’ll make you remember why you love to live here. Or why you want to live here.
So whether it’s a summer Friday or the time in between your out-of-town jaunts, here are five things worth doing in Brooklyn this summer, in order of when they’re happening.
1. PopUp Dinner
So this is one of those things that’s so quintessentially New York cool, that of course it’s hard to get into. But the PopUp Dinner in Brooklyn is one of summer’s most magical eves. So named because it pops up in random parks around the city with no location announced until hours before the event, the PopUp Dinner turns parks into a dreamy scene thanks to its all white dress code. And the style is always about putting your creative foot forward, so people come adorned in all manner of hats and accessories that play of the fun of the event. Guests set up their own table decor and bring meals to share with people you may or may not know, since the idea is to celebrate community. See here to sign up for the waitlist to get tickets.
2. Hear Common at the Park
One of my favorite things to do in Brooklyn over the summer is to pack a blanket and plop myself down in Prospect Park for the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Summer Concert Series, also known as free concerts in the park. All summer. Starting things off right, Common will headline the first event of the season on June 5 at the Prospect Park Bandshell. You’ll be able to get drinks and snacks, find a seat on the grass and enjoy the tunes under the stars. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for an 8:00 p.m. show, and you’ll probably want to get there by 6:30 at the latest since the line will start snaking around the park and you don’t want to be the person right behind the last person they decide to let in (not a good look, it’s happened to me before). See here for the full season line up.
3. Prospect Park Soiree
Kicking it up a notch on the fancy scale, there’s the Prospect Park Soiree. Back in the hub of summertime Brooklyn, the Prospect Park Soiree is BYO-everything, from swanky attire, to your table decor and dinner feast to your favorite bottle of wine. The only thing provided is the ambience, but I gather it’s good enough for people to count this among one of the summer’s most celebrated parties. It’s also the party to pull out your best fascinator for, which will give you a chance to channel those royal wedding vibes. See all the details here.
4. A Summer Movie Under the Stars
Everything is a little bit better when you can do it outside. Especially for those of us who have been hibernating for the last six months. Adding to the summer’s highs, Prospect Park also puts on movies when there’s not a concert on the agenda. This summer’s movie under the stars is The Wizard of Oz, which will play in the park’s Long Meadow North after sundown on July 18 (from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) and Highline Chamber Ensemble’s jazz trio will play songs from the soundtrack live. See the details here.
5. Hit up the Botanic Garden
The cherry blossoms may have come late and disappeared faster than most people could notice thanks to this very weird weather year, but the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is still one of the prettiest places in the city. If you feel like having a leisurely day, grab a bagel on your walk over to the garden (but you’ll have to finish eating it before you enter since there’s no food allowed) and take a slow stroll once you’re inside. There’s something about walking through the rose garden or sitting to read under the row of trees at Cherry Esplanade that pauses any stress. It’s a good reset in a city that can still be crazy, even in the summertime. If you’re lucky enough to have a Friday off, entry is free until noon.