What to do in New York City on Memorial Day holiday weekend

With COVID-19 being quickly lifted, New Yorkers are ready to soak up the sun and get some fresh air. Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is just around the corner. For people who want to go out and take a walk these days, the edition NY Daily News made a selection of activities.

Friday, 28 May

Broadway at Radial Park

• Address: 27-50 1st St., Queens

A live version of John Belushi's classic "The Blues Brothers" will run every Friday and Saturday nights until June 26 at Radial Park.

“It will be a great experience and a wonderful evening,” said Jeremy Shepard, Executive Producer, Founder and CEO of Radial Park.

Radial Park will check the temperature and give guests different colored bracelets.

“We have green bracelets for people who are vaccinated and feel great and comfortable, yellow for people who have just received their first vaccination, and red for people who are still careful and follow all safety measures,” explains Shepard.

You can watch the show from your car or reserve a picnic table for up to four people. Snacks and drinks will also be available. Tickets are already on sale - by link.

LES Arts Festival

• Address: 155 First Ave. between 9th & 10th Sts., Manhattan

The Lower East Side Arts Festival is both indoor and outdoor this year. Topic: "LES is at home again." The festival will celebrate the opening of the city.

“This is an annual event. Theater, music, dance, cinema, poetry, puppet theater and much more await guests, ”said the executive director of the New City Theater and director of the LES Arts Festival Crystal Field.

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“Last year we ran the festival online and we had so many visitors that our site crashed. But we are very happy to open up again. I was worried that we might have problems performing, but that's okay, ”added Field.

The show starts at 18:00 and is free.

Saturday, 29 May

5 Boro PicNYC

• Address: 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island

Picnic 5 Boro PicNYC will be held from 12:00 to 16:00.

“We will have a lot of grilling and cooking. So think of a barbecue with great ingredients prepared by professional chefs and farmers, ”said Jimmy Carbone, producer and host of the event.

"There will be about 30 different eateries, it's like a food party, like a chef's party, and in a beautiful place," Carbone promised.

You can buy tickets online - by link.

Fireworks show at Hempstead Beach Park

• Address: 175 W. Shore Rd., Port Washington

All eyes will be on the sky at Hempstead Beach Park in North Hempstead.

“We look forward to seeing everyone come together on Memorial Day weekend as we begin summer and remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for others,” said Judy Bosworth.

The fireworks will start at 21:00.

Kayaking on the Hudson River

• Address: Pier 26 Boathouse at N. Moore St., Manhattan

Go for a walk along the historic Hudson River with a free kayaking program from the Downtown Boathouse. Each participant receives a kayak, a short lesson and the necessary equipment. All they ask is to be able to swim and put on a life jacket. Changing rooms and lockers are available for kayakers.

New York beaches

Eight public beaches will officially open across the city. Orchad Beach will open in the Bronx. Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn will allow swimming, as will Rockaway Beach in Queens. On Staten Island, sun lovers can visit Midland Beach, South Beach, Cedar Grove Beach and Wolfs Pond Park Beach.

Museum of the South Sea Port

• Address: 12 Fulton St., Manhattan

See the 1885 sailboat Wavertree in lower Manhattan from 11:00 to 17:00. If you are unable to arrive for Memorial Day, the boat will be open on weekends until October.

Sunday, May 29

Memorial Day Car Parade

• Address: 28th St. & College Point Blvd., Queens

The Memorial Day parade will continue at 14:00, this year - with a pandemic bias.

“We're going to celebrate Memorial Day by driving along College Point Boulevard with decorated cars,” Jennifer Shannon said.

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“We even have a poppy queen, she has poppies in her hair and a special belt, she was chosen by veterans,” Shannon said. "Poppies are a symbol of memory since the First World War."

The parade participants will line up on 28th Street and head down College Point Boulevard. The parade will end at McNeill Park.

Memorial Day, May 31

Brooklyn Memorial Day 154th Anniversary Parade

• Address: 75st St. between 3rd Ave. & Ridge Blvd., Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade is sponsored by the Kings County Military Veterans' Alliance.

“Last year we had a motorcade, so we were able to keep the spirit, and this year we will have what I call the Veteran Cortege Parade,” explained the organizer of the parade, Raymond Olbu. - We will have veteran service for vintage cars. Guests will see old military vehicles, vintage cars, old New York police cars. "

The parade starts on 3rd Avenue at 11:00 am and ends at Brooklyn Medical Center.

102nd Annual Staten Island Memorial Day Parade

• Address: Forest Ave. and Hart Blvd., Staten Island

This is the city's only full-fledged traditional Memorial Day this year because the United Staten Island Veterans Organization has moved mountains to achieve this.

“We will have the Patriot Brass Band and they will play veteran music in the parade,” said Lee Covino, treasurer of the United Staten Island Veterans Organization.

The parade will conclude near Forest Avenue, where a free veteran BBQ will be hosted at O'Neill's Staten Island from 13:00 pm until 16:00 pm.