Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

Get ready for a sensational summer stretch in and around NYC as we roll into July 4th weekend. From the Empire State Building’s brilliant Pride tribute to the sky-splitting fireworks that light up our Independence Day, there’s magic in the air—whether you’re soaking it in from atop Hudson Yards or feeling the sand between your toes on Long Island. Add in an art exhibition that channels the city’s rebellious soul, Broadway stars stepping up for furry friends, and the splashy, carefree spirit of Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade, captured by our roving photographer—and there’s only one thing left to say: let the season begin.

June 29. Empire State Building Celebrates Pride

Empire State Building Rainbow Lights

Make sure to look up on Sunday evening as the Empire State Building will shine in the colors of the Inclusive Pride Flag to celebrate NYC Pride and honor the LGBTQIA+ community. This dazzling display coincides with the city’s Pride March and caps off a month of events, activism, and celebration. The building’s LED system—capable of displaying over 16 million colors—has made it a beacon for causes and commemorations since 2012.

 July 4. Fun and Fireworks in NYC

The 2025 Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will light up the skies over the East River and Brooklyn Bridge, with more than 80,000 shells launched from four barges and the bridge itself. There are some spectacular places to watch, including The Edge at Hudson Yards, Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and One World Observatory. And then of course, there are many places to watch for Free. Check out 6SqFeet’s 18 fun places to watch, including more rooftops and cruises too!

July 4. Fun and Fireworks on Long Island  

There’s something truly special about the Fourth of July on Long Island—where small-town charm meets big-time celebration. From dazzling fireworks over the ocean to classic parades and waterfront concerts, our hometowns come alive with patriotic pride. Whether you’re in the mood for a lively street festival or a laid-back beach evening capped with fireworks, there’s no shortage of red, white, and blue fun happening across Nassau and Suffolk. GET THE DETAILS.

Save the Date!

The Three Tomatoes are heading to the vineyards of the North Fork this fall, for our annual fun-filled day visiting 3 vineyards, enjoying a picnic lunch and the company of other fabulous Tomatoes. Tickets go on sale August 4.

Now- Oct. 5. A Love Letter to New York City

You’re in for a treat, Tomatoes—“Above Ground: Art from the Martin Wong Graffiti Collection” at the Museum of the City of New York is a vibrant, deeply personal time capsule of NYC’s graffiti scene from the 1970s through the ’90s. It’s a love letter to a moment when New York’s walls spoke volumes. On view through October 5, 2025, the exhibit showcases over 300 works donated by artist and collector Martin Wong, who recognized the cultural power of graffiti long before the mainstream did.

Here’s what makes it special:

• Street to Studio: The show traces how artists like Rammellzee, Lady Pink, Lee Quiñones, and Futura 2000 transitioned from tagging subway cars to creating canvases for galleries.
• Unseen Treasures: Many of the works—done in aerosol, ink, and mixed media—are being shown publicly for the first time.
• Wong’s Vision: A queer Chinese American artist, Wong was a passionate advocate for graffiti as a legitimate art form. His collection captures the raw energy and ambition of a movement that reshaped visual culture.
• Cultural Crossroads: The exhibit also features rare ephemera—like flyers, sketchbooks, and photos by Martha Cooper—that document graffiti’s leap from underground rebellion to global influence.

Get the details.

July 12. Broadway Barks

Head to Shubert Alley for the star-studded dog and cat adoption event. Now in its 27^th year it is hosted by  Bernadette Peters and Beth Leavel. Co-founded by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, the event features adoptable animals from NYC area adoption agencies and rescue groups, along with Broadway’s biggest names who use their star power to help them find loving homes. Produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the adoption event takes place in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenues).

Over the past 26 years, more than 2,500 dogs and cats have grabbed Broadway’s spotlight and the hearts of all who come to the event. Approximately 85% of these furry friends have successfully found forever homes.

BARKS begins at 3 p.m. with a ‘meet and greet’ of all the adoptable pets; from 5-6:30 p.m. adoptees make their Broadway debut on stage alongside some of Broadway’s favorite stars for the celebrity presentations.

Roving at the Mermaid Parade

Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens, writes:

One way the summer in the city season kicks off is with the grand art parade in Coney Island, which is the infamous Mermaid Parade. Last Saturday, I attended the 43rd annual event, where the wooden boardwalk slats vibrated with the vivacity of the community that infuses the day with seaside vitality.

People of all ages and lifestyles dress up as mermaids and their aquatic cousins to commemorate Coney Island’s history of Mardi Gras, which ended in 1954. Today all all-inclusive enthusiasts march down Surf Avenue and up along the shore displaying their love of freedom, politics, and a really good time. Their spirit is contagious and a distinct and creative reminder of what New York City stands for.

With the overwhelming sense of chaos and dichotomy of causes currently permeating our atmosphere, this joyous celebration unifies New Yorkers coming together to honor the ocean and the sheer jubilation of letting go. Of course, with a history of freak shows and a world-famous amusement park nestled near the Atlantic Ocean, Coney Island is the perfect stage to host this long-standing, invigorating tradition.

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