The Bucket List • July 2017 • NYC Edition

Summertime in the city is in full bloom. Experience the Fourth of July with the one and only Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks or catch the amazing fireworks display atop the Empire State Building. Witness legendary rock band Iron Maiden or hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar at the Barclays Center. If food is what you are looking for, please your taste buds with NYC Restaurant Week or French Restaurant Week. Whatever you’re looking for, The Bucket List has you covered.

Midsummer Night Swing at the Lincoln Center | June 27 – July 15
The two-week festival features a combination of swing, Latin and blues music from acts including “The Binky Griptite Orchestra” (July 1), Body Language and French Horn Rebellion featuring guest vocalist Megan Vice (July 8), Texas Dance Hall Tour with Dale Watson and Ray Benson (July 14), and more.

SummerStage in Central Park | Seasonal 
Every Summer Central Park transforms into the perfect outdoor concert venue. Highlights this month include Bob Moses (Poolside) + DJ Premier and Friends (July 2), Slick Rick The Ruler w/ GrandWizzard Theodore (July 7), UCB All Stars feat. Sasheer Zamata (July 10), Mr. Cheeks w/ Large Professor (July 14), Yo La Tengo w/ Ultimate Painting (July 17), PJ Harvey (July 19), GZA (July 23), Muse (July 24), BalletX / YY Dance Company (July 26), and Regina Spektor (July 27).

Warm Up 2017 at MOMA | July 1 – Sept. 2
The summer music series is celebrating its 20th season with 10 Saturdays featuring the best in live and electronic music. WarmUp mixes genres and provides a lineup of emerging and established artists including ASAP Ferg, ACTRESS, RP Boo, John Maus, Mike Q, Jackmaster and more.

French Restaurant Week | July 3 – July 16
In honor of Bastille Week, chefs and restaurants prepare special menus to help you taste the best in French cuisine. The festival, which honors its sixth anniversary this year, takes place at dozens of restaurants across the city.

Independence Day in NYC | July 4
There are many ways to celebrate America’s independence in the city. The queen of all shows is, of course, the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. This year experience the fireworks spectacular alongside a lineup of musical performers including Jennifer Lopez, Brad Paisley, Hailee Steinfeld, Lady Antebellum, Sheryl Crow and others between 24th and 41st street. Also, catch the Macy’s firework show at the Brooklyn Grange or atop either the One World Observatory or the Empire State Building. If you want to be on a boat this year, hit the bay with Cirque at Sea, the premium Macy’s Fourth of July cruise. Or make it an all-day affair at the Coney Island Celebration.

Broadway in Bryant Park | July 6 – Aug. 10
Experience the best that Broadway has to offer outdoors. The biggest shows on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits from shows including “STOMP,” “Groundhog Day,” “Wicked,” “Phantom of the Opera” and more. Be sure to check the schedule as the daily routine switches up performances.

The Secret Garden Art Festival at Studio 7 Fort Tilden | July 8 + July 9 & July 15 + July 16
This collaborative experience features live performance, light installation, music, jam sessions, tattoo artists, lectures and lounges. The festival, presented by Arti NYC, is held atop an abandoned military base destroyed by a hurricane. The mission is to remind art collectors and creators of the building’s historical and personal significance.

Bastille Day on 60th Street | July 9
Enjoy NYC’s largest, oldest, and liveliest celebration of friendship between France and the United States. Celebrate France’s national holiday on East 60th Street between Fifth and Lexington Avenue with over three blocks of vendors, French food tastings, face painting and live performances.

The Beach Film Series at Coney Island | July 10 – Aug. 28
Grab your blanket and some popcorn. What better way to enjoy a summer movie than on a 40-foot screen right on the beach? Enjoy “Beauty and the Beast” starring Emma Watson on July 10. Also catch the Academy Award-winning film, “La La Land” on July 31.

Lincoln Center Festival | July 10 – July 30
Celebrate the best the art world has to offer with performances, screenings and musical acts. Highlights include the North American premiere of “Opening Skinner’s Box: Great Psychological Experiments of the Twentieth Century” (July 10 – July 12), “The Taming of the Shrew” by the Bolshoi Ballet (July 26 – July 30), and the electronic musical styling’s of Subotnick (July 20 – July 22).

Good Beer at 28 Liberty Street | July 20
Walk around as you sample a mix of cold brews and hearty food samplings from over 40 different restaurants and breweries. The event is selling out fast, so be sure to grab your tickets while supplies last. Come ready to feast.

Kendrick Lamar at the Barclays Center | July 20 + July 23
Following his sold out July 20 performance, Kendrick Lamar has recently added a second performance at the Barclays Center on “The Damn” tour. Joined by Travis Scott and D.R.A.M., the July 23 performance is expected to sell out quickly. Grab your tickets soon.

Iron Maiden at the Barclays Center | July 21 + July 22
Back by popular demand, be sure to experience the final dates of Iron Maiden’s epic two-year “The Book of Souls” world tour. Their Brooklyn performances includes special guest Ghost. The tour is sure to end in grand fashion.

NYC Restaurant Week | July 24 – Aug. 18
Treat your taste buds at the 25th anniversary of NYC Restaurant Week. Enjoy three-course lunches for just $29 and dinners for $42. Hot tip: be sure to sign up for the email alerts to learn of the latest open reservations and to make the best of your restaurant week.

Bryant Park’s Barefoot Ball | July 26 
Dance on the lawn under the night stars to the music of DJ Grandmaster Flash. Enjoy drinks, food and other activities in support of Bryant Park’s 1,000+ annual events. Oh, and be sure to dress to impress.

Panorama Fest at Randall’s Island | July 28 – July 30
Party in the sun for this three-day event that includes performances by Frank Ocean, Solange, MGMT, Future Islands, Tyler The Creator and Spoon on July 28. Tame Impala, Alt-J, Nick Murphy, Nicolas Jaar and Vince Staples bring the noise on July 29. Nine Inch Nails, A Tribe Called Quest, Justice, Glass Animals, and Angel Olden round out the three-day event on July 30.

NYC Poetry Festival on Governors Island | July 29 + July 30
Over 250 poets from five boroughs come together to celebrate the art of poetry. The two-day event includes special panels, vendors, and appearances by Taikeya J, Semaye, Ellen Rachlin, Tamra Chen, Gemma Weeks and others.

The Classic East Festival at Citi Field | July 29 + July 30
Rock out to performances by the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Journey and Earth, Wind & Fire. The summer classic rock concert is fresh off the heels of its west coast run. You won’t want to miss it.