Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

City summer is in full swing—and this weekend, it’s spectacular. West Side Fest 2025 brings art, movement, and imagination to life from the Whitney to the Hudson, with free exhibitions, wellness breaks, and immersive installations that invite you to stroll straight into an Edward Hopper painting. Whether you’re grooving at the River & Blues concert series in Battery Park City, sipping sunshine at a coastal day spa, or basking in fireworks memories from Brooklyn Bridge, July is shimmering with beauty and boldness.

July 12 &13. West Side Fest 2025

This is an extraordinary celebration of free arts, culture, and community connections. Stretching from the Whitney Museum to Hudson River Park, this dynamic festival invites New Yorkers and visitors alike to rediscover the city through immersive exhibitions, live performances, creative workshops, and interactive experiences tailored for all ages. With over a dozen cultural institutions joining forces—from cutting-edge contemporary galleries to storied theaters and lush outdoor spaces—West Side Fest transforms the neighborhood into a living canvas of imagination, wellness, and urban storytelling.

Here are some highlights:

 Whitney Museum Highlights

• Free Admission: Friday (5–10 pm) & Sunday (10:30 am–6 pm)
• Step Into Hopper: Life-size 3D recreations of Edward Hopper’s paintings—pose in Nighthawks, stroll through Early Sunday Morning, or sip café vibes in Soir Bleu
• Gallery Tours & Artmaking: All weekend, including teen open studios, figure drawing, and story time with NYPL librarians

 High Line Events

• Hidden Worlds Workshop (Sat): Art inspired by urban ecology for families
• Wellness Break (Sun): Sample Tai Chi, Zumba, and Fit & Lit in a celebration of movement

 Performances & Exhibits

• The Joyce Theater: Pilobolus’s Other Worlds Collection—grace meets acrobatics
• The Shed: Portals exhibition and live performances exploring transformation and resistance
• Dia Chelsea: Film screenings and interactive activities for kids, including Steve McQueen’s work

 Family-Friendly Fun

• Rubin Museum: Mandala-making inspired by Himalayan art
• Print Center NY: Zine-making workshops with local artists
• Poster House: Curatorial tours and gig poster art sessions

 Outdoor & Community Vibes

• Hudson River Park: Music by Sonido Costeño, painting workshops at Gansevoort Beach, and ecology tours
• Little Island: Bomba Festival with Latin soul remixes and a live radio show recording

Get all the details.

July 12 & 13. A Life-Size Edward Hopper Exhibit

If you’re a Hopper fan, you will love “Step Into Hopper” a captivating, immersive art experience happening this weekend in the Meatpacking District, in partnership with the Whitney Museum. It celebrates Edward Hopper’s 143rd birthday and is part of West Side Fest, transforming public spaces into life-size recreations of Hopper’s iconic paintings.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Nighthawks: Step inside Hopper’s famous diner scene and pose as if you’re part of the painting.
• Soir Bleu: Experience the quiet drama of a French café, complete with appearances by Tillie the Clown to set the mood.
• Early Sunday Morning: Walk into a serene 1930s Seventh Avenue streetscape, a stark contrast to today’s NYC bustle.

The installations are designed by Theresa Rivera Design and scattered across West 14th Street Promenade and Gansevoort Landing, encouraging visitors to “stumble upon” the art organically. It’s a blend of nostalgia, theatricality, and urban storytelling. Get more details.

Thursdays in July: Battery Park City’s River & Blues Concert Series

This is a beloved NYC summer tradition that transforms Rockefeller Park into a soulful, sunset-drenched stage every Thursday evening in July.

Here’s what makes it special:

Scenic Vibes & Soulful Sounds

• Held in Rockefeller Park, with stunning views of the Hudson River and picnic-friendly lawns.
• Each evening kicks off with a DJ set at 7:15 PM, followed by the main performance at 8:00 PM.
• Entry is free and open to all ages—just bring a blanket, snacks, and your best “evening park-chic” look.

 2025 Lineup Highlights

 Bonus Treats

• Concertgoers get free fries from Shake Shack with any sandwich purchase—just use the promo code CRINKLECRAVE on their app.

 Getting There

• Closest subway stops: Chambers Street, World Trade Center, and Fulton Street.
• CitiBike stations and nearby parking garages are also available.

If you’re thinking of weaving this into your lifestyle content or newsletter, it’s a perfect blend of culture, community, and summer magic. Want help crafting a post or visual for it?

Get the details. https://bpca.ny.gov/news/events/special-events/river-and-blues/

Sun kisses and Day Spas

Andrea Peponakis’ latest post in Spotlight on Long Island explores the sun-kissed joys and sun-stressed truths of summer skincare for women 55+. She shares practical advice with pure indulgence, including four standout day spas, where healing treatments meet coastal charm. It’s the ultimate self-care map for glowing through July and beyond. READ MORE.

A View from the Bridge

Our roving photograpgher Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

As a young child the explosive sounds of fireworks frightened me; now they represent the bold strokes of democracy and freedom. On July 4th, I was lucky enough to watch the Macy’s 49th annual fireworks display from a terrace overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. I was at eye level with the 80,000 shells launched up to 1000 feet in the air, in 30 different bold colors, lighting the night sky, forming spectacular crown jellyfish, rings, sunbursts, and comets. The grand celebratory event is produced by Grucci, a world-famous American pyrotechnic company, and truly the masters in their field.

This year in particular, I appreciated celebrating all that is good about our country as now is a time when the US is foremost on my mind. The booms and striking show reminded of the strength of our people and that America is still a beacon lighting the way for so many nations across world. We need to remain vocal, active, and inspired. Happy 249th Birthday to us!

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath.”