Lets conquer the big city together one adventure at a time!

Man, it's been a hot one
Like seven inches from the midday sun...

- "Smooth" by Rob Thomas

Hi there

Yep, this past was definitely hot one… 

How was it for you… were you able to stay cool in your neck of the woods/hood?

No hope even for the ice cream trucks this past week!

I enjoyed the beginning of the week giving a tour in Brooklyn,

after I soaked in the cool breeze and shade on a patch of grass at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

In case you didn’t know I give tours ;) https://nyismybackyard.rezgo.com/ 

I considered catching a ferry to add to the cool waterfront experience,

but honestly I just wanted to stay planted and take a nap.

But before the summer is over,

I highly recommend hopping on the NYC Ferry especially the route to Far Rockaway.

Have you been?

Rockaway - Soundview - New York City Ferry Service 

One of the great things in a city with harbor spots is that they can surely help beat the heat!

But the plan for the rest of the week was to stay in…

So I finally cranked up the AC (which, if you know me I try to avoid, choosing to live on fans but not this week-end)

Me and one of my many fans!

and enjoyed summer heat from afar while enjoying my ginger tea and

watching movies with NYC winter settings  like The Day After Tommorrow (affiliate link) 

The Cold Vortex from the Day After Tommorrow

Thankfully next week will be a lot cooler-ish, either way please stay hydrated and safe out there… 

Now lets get into events...

Here's your what's happening guide in NYC for the

Week of July 6 - July 12, 2026

Featured Main Events 

• During the week of July 6 to July 12, 2026, NYC hosts an array of citywide, cultural events, including multi-venue music programming at SummerStage NYC

• World Cup Fan Village: Through July 19, Rockefeller Center hosts daily community watch parties, interactive games, and cultural activations. Spanning multiple institutions like the High Line, Whitney Museum, and Little Island, this event features neighborhood art-making, dancing, and gallery walks.

• West Side Fest: July 10-12, this collaborative arts celebration West Side Fest features free family-oriented workshops, gallery visits, and outdoor installations across participating West Side institutions. 

• Carnegie Hall Citywide: All month. Free live music residency performances held across city parks and

• Get Free tickets for the NYC Municipal Building's Centre 360  viewing sessions which began June 11. 

  • With eight daily viewing sessions offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations for the next available month open on the first day of the preceding month, but slots frequently sell out quickly. Let me know if you're able to book any tickets and how to tips…as I’ll be trying for a ticket & hope to get one.

🌻Ongoing Spring/July Events:

Summer on the Hudson

Free Summer Concerts : NYC Parks July 6 - July 12, 2026 

Free Summer Movies : NYC Parks July 6 - July 12, 2026   

Festivals : NYC Parks July 6 - July 12, 2026   

Dance Events NYC Parks July 6 - July 12, 2026   

Free Summer Theatre: NYC Parks July 6 - July 12, 2026  

Events by Borough, Neighborhood:

🏙️Manhattan

Midtown: Take advantage of the Bryant Park events series, which features daily cultural programming, including morning yoga and the daytime "Piano in Bryant Park".

Upper Manhattan / Harlem: Events - Historic Harlem Parks 

🌉Brooklyn

DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights: Enjoy outdoor, community-oriented waterfront films and music series, including family-friendly movie nights regularly programmed at Brooklyn Bridge Park .

Tall Ships Heritage Tour: (July 6-7). The Sail250 maritime celebration offers public ship tours and community viewing at Brooklyn Bridge Park piers.

Locals and visitors can head to Brooklyn Bridge Park for outdoor cinema events and free kayaking sessions along the waterfront.

Prospect Park: The BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! festival continues at the Lena Horne Bandshell, offering free and ticketed outdoor music and dance performances.

👑Queens

Long Island City: Visit Culture Lab LIC for avant-garde art exhibitions, outdoor art installations, and free grassroots live music performances throughout the weekend.

Flushing: Soak up summer vibes and local food vendors at community pop-ups held adjacent to Flushing Meadows Corona Park at  Queens Night Market Saturdays, 4PM - Midnight & Corona Greenmarket - GrowNYC 

Jackson Heights: Open Streets Cultural Activities: July 9-11. The 34th Avenue Open Streets Coalition hosts free outdoor classes, cumbia sessions, and Mexican folk dance events. 

Astoria

Waterfront Movies & Markets: Ongoing through the week. Check the NYC for FREE Events page for up-to-date food pop-ups and park gatherings.

🏟The Bronx

Riverdale: Participate in artist-led contemporary walkthroughs of museum exhibitions that highlight local sound and installation art pieces at the Van Cortlandt House Museum

Wave Hill Weekly Public Gallery Tour: features current exhibitions.

Bronx Park: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: Open daily through September. An interactive, bilingual exhibit at the Bronx Zoo bringing the PBS series to life for children. Free admission on Wednesdays

South Bronx: The Bronx Music Heritage Center features neighborhood-centric live music and oral history presentations.

Fordham: The New York Botanical Garden hosts extended summer hours for its exhibitions, floral displays, and outdoor walking trails. 

🏝️Staten Island

Snug Harbor: Trees Count at Snug Harbor - Jul 10, 2026 : NYC Parks

St. George: Must-See St. George  Enjoy free local music, artisan maker stalls, and community outdoor festivities, which regularly pop up on the waterfront near the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and St. George Theatre.

St. George: The St. George Theatre hosts musical events and local community arts programs.

Stapleton / North Shore: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden hosts outdoor summer markets, art exhibitions, and historical walking tours. 

NYisMyBackyard Offerings:

BOOK A Tour:

Enjoy,

"Helping You Conquer the Big City one Small Adventure at a time"

A little about me:

I’m a NYC Licensed Tour Guide and local explorer who builds self-guided walks, maps, and itineraries focused on helping you experience the city in a simple, budget-friendly way.

https://bio.link/nyismybackyard

P.S. Skipped to the end? In a hurry?

• Email contained links for NYC events Week of July 6 to July 12, 2026 and the month of July.

• Along with content for NY history, Art and Architecture

• NY Travel and Explore Ideas

• And invitations to check out the NYisMyBackyard shop or book a tour with NYisMyBackyard

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