5 fun things to do in NYC this month (June 2026) — World Cup watch parties to free live music

The FIFA World Cup 2026 officially kicks off on June 11 with the opening ceremony in Mexico — the first of three, with the others in Canada and the United States — before the Mexico vs. South Africa game. You can catch the action with fellow soccer fans at likely any bar with a TV across the boroughs, but there are also a slew of establishments with food and drink deals for the World Cup season (including the “$26 for 2026” dining specials at hundreds of restaurants that Mayor Zohran Mamdani helped launch), as well as watch parties at places like Hudson Yards, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

For those dying to see the excitement up close and personal, the first match taking place at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is on Saturday, June 13, between Brazil and Morocco. You can try for last-minute tickets, as well as the resale marketplace and hospitality packages. If this date doesn’t work, you’ll have more chances with other games being played at the venue throughout the month and up until the FIFA World Cup Final on July 19, which will feature performances from Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.

Mediterranean restaurant Theodora is located in Brooklyn, but on weekends throughout the summer, diners can enjoy their cooking on Governors Island as part of the Theodora Beach Club event series, presented by Resy. Guests can choose from sunset parties with light bites and a welcome beverage or a seated, tasting menu dinner. Either way, expect live-fire cooking, gorgeous views, and a unique experience. 

Certain dates will also feature various guest chefs taking over, including some you might’ve seen on TV, including Top Chef alum Lana Lagomarsini and Chef’s Table BBQ star Lennox Hastie. Tickets will release in multiple drops throughout the season, with Theodora sharing updates on Instagram on when those dates will occur.

Time: Begins 3pm

Location: Sadie’s Garden Bar

Tickets: Free, just show up!

Thanks to Sounds Australia and the Seaport, you don’t have to travel across the world to see a fabulous lineup of Australian artists performing live — they’re coming right to you on June 13. Well, right to Sadie’s Garden Bar in lower Manhattan’s Seaport. The full-day affair features a slew of free performances — from pop artists to singer-songwriters to DJs and more. Spend some time outside, sit down with a bite and a drink (or two), and enjoy live music from new-to-you artists — what could be a better way to spend a Saturday?

If you want to get a head-start on discovering your new favorite artists, an official playlist is available, offering up a taste of the artists on the lineup, for you to listen to ahead of the big day — as well as for your enjoyment long after the Aussie BBQ NYC music festival wraps up. Looking for an even more specific place to start? Might I suggest the catchy pop vibes of aleksia, especially her songs “Clothes Off” and “The Hit.” These alone will make you want to come out to vibe to the music in person.

To ensure you don’t miss a single moment of the fun, check out the set times below (subject to change):

• 3:20pm – Jack Botts
• 4:10pm – Betty Taylor
• 5pm – Velvet Trip
• 5:50pm – aleksia
• 6:40pm – BOY SODA
• 7:30pm – Mallrat
• 8:20pm – Shouse
• 9:10pm – BRUX

Time: 10am-1pm

Location: Bryant Park lawn

Tickets: Free, just show up!

Global Wellness Day arrives on Saturday, June 13, and Bryant Park is making it easy for you to celebrate with back-to-back free yoga classes. Instructors Tootsie Olan and Kristin McGee will each lead a class on the lawn, beginning at 10am and going until 1pm. Simply bring your yoga mat and a bottle of water — especially amid the heatwave — and find a spot on the Bryant Park lawn to enjoy a bit of movement and community alongside fellow yogis looking to do exactly the same. 

Along with the free classes, there will be other interactive moments, including mala bracelet making, henna body art, guided meditation, and an affirmation station.

Location: Central Park’s Wollman Rink

Wimbledon, one of the four tennis grand slam tournaments, might take place in London, but that doesn’t mean the fun from the event doesn’t reach all the way over to New York. Aside from watching the tournament at sports bars with fellow tennis fans, there’s also an official way to enjoy the weeks-long event. 

For the past few years, Brooklyn Bridge Park has hosted Wimbledon’s The Hill in New York event, which featured watch parties on a big screen for finals weekend. This year, Wimbledon is heading to Manhattan for The Wimbledon Court in Central Park the weekend before the start of the tournament and through the first day of the competition. Running June 26-29, the Wollman Rink will be transformed into a grass tennis court — like the ones used in the London-set event — and fans will be offered the chance to test it out themselves. Should they win the chance to do so via ballot, of course, as this is also how the chance to purchase tickets to Wimbledon proper are allotted, as well.

Those who prefer to watch tennis rather than play (or who want to see how it’s really done), can try for free tickets, via ballot, to watch the Wimbledon Court Invitational on Friday, June 26. Tennis icons Andre Agassi, Genie Bouchard, James Blake, and Caroline Wozniacki will hit the court to play a friendly match to kick off the four-day NYC experience.

Another highlight includes various fan activations set up around the venue, Wimbledon’s classic strawberries and cream treat to enjoy, and a large-screen watch party for day one of the tournament on Monday, June 29. While the Invitational and the chance to play on the pop-up grass court are ticketed, the fan activations and the watch party are open to the public.