Things To Do in NYC in May 2023 include art auctions, Dance Parade and Frieze Week art fairs.
May is one of our favorite months in New York City. It’s still cultural season (the end). Late spring weather is mild with average temperatures of 54-72°. Fluffy clouds make the most beautiful backdrops.
The May holiday is Memorial Day on Monday, May 29, 2023.
May is:
- National Salsa Month. 🇵🇷
- Haitian Heritage Month. 🇭🇹
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 🇺🇸
Monday, May 1, 2023
Much of the world celebrates May Day or International Workers Day on May 1.
The Met Gala 2023 is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Central Park on Monday, May 1, 2023.
Dance salsa, bachata, merengue, and more at Talia Castro-Pozo’s Latin Mondays at Taj, one of NYC’s most popular Latin dance parties, at Taj II in the Flatiron District, Mondays at 7pm (5pm doors). From $15. 🇨🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇵🇷🇵🇦🇵🇪🇻🇪
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Remember the Dos de Mayo uprising (Second of May uprising) when the Spanish people spontaneously rebelled against French occupation on May 2, 1808. This ultimately led to the independence of the Americas. 🇪🇸
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Dance traditional Argentine tango at Tango La Nacional at La Nacional in Chelsea, NYC. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Dancing until around 2am. $20 🇦🇷
Friday, May 5, 2023
(Cinco de Mayo)
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the celebration of Mexican American culture that actually celebrates the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. (It’s not Mexican Independence day). 🇲🇽
Remember Osvaldo Fresedo. The Argentine tango composer was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on May 5, 1897. 🇦🇷
NEW PRODUCTION PREMIERE
The Metropolitan Opera opens Ivo van Hove’s new production of Mozart’s Italian opera “Don Giovanni,” at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 7pm. From $39.50. 🇮🇹
Bárbara Martínez joins Danza España Flamenco Co for Spanish flamenco at the Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside, Queens; weekends from May 4-21, 2023. 🇪🇸🇦🇷🇻🇪
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Remember Rudolph Valentino. The first Latin film idol was born in Castellaneta, Apulia, Italy on May 6, 1895. 🇮🇹
Westminster Week (Agility and Obedience championships, and the Westminster Dog Show) is at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, Saturday-Tuesday, May 6-9, 2023.
[RIVALRY]
New York Red Bulls vs Philadelphia Union is Major League Soccer at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey; on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 7:30pm. From $34. 🇺🇸 🇲🇽 | 🇯🇲 | 🇧🇷 🇨🇴 🇻🇪 | 🇮🇹 | 🇨🇲 🇺🇬
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Remember Eva Perón “Evita”, the legendary first lady of Argentina, who was born in Los Toldos, Argentina on May 7, 1919. 🇦🇷
Dance Argentine tango at the El Destino milonga at Solas bar in the East Village on Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 6-11pm. $20. 🇦🇷
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra play Latin jazz at Birdland in Hell’s Kitchen, on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 8:30pm & 10:30pm. From $36+ $20 per person minimum. 🇨🇺
Monday, May 8, 2023
Remember Louis Moreau Gottschalk, the Creole composer who notated the rhythms of the Caribbean at Congo Square, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 8, 1829. 🇺🇸
Happy Birthday Enrique Iglesias! The Spanish pop star was born in Madrid, Spain on May 8, 1976. 🇪🇸
Dance salsa, bachata, merengue, and more at Talia Castro-Pozo’s Latin Mondays at Taj, one of NYC’s most popular Latin dance parties, at Taj II in the Flatiron District, Mondays at 7pm (5pm doors). From $15. 🇨🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇵🇷🇵🇦🇵🇪🇻🇪
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Remember Roberto Firpo, the early Argentine Tango pianist, orchestra leader, and composer who was born in Flores, Buenos Aires on May 10, 1884. 🇦🇷
The Future Fair contemporary art fair is at Chelsea Industrial in Chelsea, NYC, Wednesday-Saturday, May 10-13, 2023.
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Happy birthday Prince Royce! The Dominican bachata star was born in The Bronx on May 11, 1989. 🇩🇴
Remember Salvador Dalí. The Spanish surrealist was born in Figueres, Spain on May 11, 1904. 🇪🇸
Dance traditional Argentine tango at Tango La Nacional at La Nacional in Chelsea, NYC. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Dancing until around 2am. $20 🇦🇷
Friday, May 12, 2023
TEFAF New York 2023, the New York edition of Europe’s biggest antiques fair, is at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Friday-Monday, May 12-16, 2023. tefaf.com
[HUDSON RIVER DERBY New Jersey]
New York Red Bulls vs New York City FC is the Major League Soccer Hudson River Derby at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey; on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 7:30pm. From $34. 🇺🇸 🇲🇽 | 🇯🇲 | 🇧🇷 🇨🇴 🇻🇪 | 🇮🇹 | 🇨🇲 🇺🇬
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Sunday, May 14, 2023
(Mother’s Day)
Happy Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, 2023.
Dance Argentine tango at the El Destino milonga at Solas bar in the East Village on Sunday, May 14, 2023 from 6-11pm. $20. 🇦🇷
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra play Latin jazz at Birdland in Hell’s Kitchen, on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 8:30pm & 10:30pm. From $36+ $20 per person minimum. 🇨🇺
Things To Do in NYC in May 15-21, 2023
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Frieze Week brings a cluster of contemporary art fairs.
Monday, May 15, 2023
Dance salsa, bachata, merengue, and more at Talia Castro-Pozo’s Latin Mondays at Taj, one of NYC’s most popular Latin dance parties, at Taj II in the Flatiron District, Mondays at 7pm (5pm doors). From $15. 🇨🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇵🇷🇵🇦🇵🇪🇻🇪
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
The Frieze New York 2023 contemporary art fair is at The Shed in Hudson Yards, Wednesday-Sunday, May 17-21, 2023.
The Volta New York contemporary art fair is at 125 West 18th St in Chelsea, NYC; from Wednesday-Sunday, May 17-21, 2023.
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Celebrate Haitian Flag Day, the day when the first Haitian flag was adopted in 1803, on Wednesday, May 18, 2023. 🇭🇹
The 18th Harlem International Film Festival is May 18-28, 2023.
Dance traditional Argentine tango at Tango La Nacional at La Nacional in Chelsea, NYC. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Dancing until around 2am. $20 🇦🇷
Friday, May 19, 2023
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Remember Toussaint Louverture. The Haitian Revolution leader was born in Cap-Haitien, Haiti on May 20, 1743. 🇭🇹
The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival is on Ninth Avenue between 42nd and 57th St in Hell’s Kitchen; on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 10am – 6pm.
The 17th Dance Parade marches from Sixth Avenue at 17th St in Chelsea, to 8th St in Greenwich Village, to the DanceFest at Tompkins Square Park in the East Village on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 12noon – 7pm. FREE!
New York Red Bulls vs Montréal is Major League Soccer at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey; on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 7:30pm. From $34. 🇺🇸 🇲🇽 | 🇯🇲 | 🇧🇷 🇨🇴 🇻🇪 | 🇮🇹 | 🇨🇲 🇺🇬
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Celebrate Ascension Day, when by tradition, Jesus ascended to heaven, on Thursday, May 21, 2023. ✝️
The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival is on Ninth Avenue between 42nd and 57th St in Hell’s Kitchen; on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 10am – 6pm.
Dance Argentine tango at the El Destino milonga at Solas bar in the East Village on Sunday, May 14, 2023 from 6-11pm. $20. 🇦🇷
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra play Latin jazz at Birdland in Hell’s Kitchen, on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 8:30pm & 10:30pm. From $36+ $20 per person minimum. 🇨🇺
Monday, May 22, 2023
Dance salsa, bachata, merengue, and more at Talia Castro-Pozo’s Latin Mondays at Taj, one of NYC’s most popular Latin dance parties, at Taj II in the Flatiron District, Mondays at 7pm (5pm doors). From $15. 🇨🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇵🇷🇵🇦🇵🇪🇻🇪
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Happy Birthday Héctor Acosta “El Torito”! The Dominican merengue singer and politician was born on May 23, 1967. 🇩🇴
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Remember George Floyd who was lynched by Minneapolis police led by Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2020. 🇺🇸
Remember the May Revolution of 1810 which launched the Argentine War of Independence on May 25, 1810. It was the first South American independence movement to succeed. 🇦🇷
[To be confirmed]
The BIG Salsa Festival New York is at the New York Hilton Midtown; from Thursday-Sunday, May 25-28, 2023. 🇵🇷
Dance traditional Argentine tango at Tango La Nacional at La Nacional in Chelsea, NYC. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Dancing until around 2am. $20 🇦🇷
Friday, May 26, 2023
Memorial Day Weekend marks the popular start of summer.
The 45th DanceAfrica 2023 festival celebrates Ghanian music and dance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM); from Friday-Monday, May 26-29, 2023.
Celebrate Guyanese Independence Day from the UK on May 26, 1966. 🇬🇾
Saturday, May 27, 2023
[To be confirmed]
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade’s 152nd Street Festival is on 152nd St between Jackson and Tinton in Longwood, The Bronx on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 11am – 6pm. FREE! 🇵🇷
Anuel AA “Legends Never Die” Tour brings Puerto Rican Rap to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 8pm. This makes good the cancelled October 13, 2022 concert. 🇵🇷
Sunday, May 28, 2023
[To be confirmed]
The 36th Loisaida Festival 2023 is on Avenue C, between 5th & 12th St) in Manhattan’s East Village on Sunday, May 28, 2023 from 11:20am – 5pm. FREE! 🇵🇷
OPENING DAY [To be confirmed]
Salsa Sundays at Orchard Beach reopens for the season in Orchard Beach Parking Section 5, in Orchard Beach, The Bronx from 12-5pm. FREE 🇵🇷
Dance Argentine tango at the El Destino milonga at Solas bar in the East Village on Sunday, May 28, 2023 from 6-11pm. $20. 🇦🇷
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra play Latin jazz at Birdland in Hell’s Kitchen, on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 8:30pm & 10:30pm. From $36+ $20 per person minimum. 🇨🇺
Monday, May 29, 2023
(Memorial Day)
Memorial Day on Monday, May 29, 2023, is an African Diaspora tradition started after our Civil War in 1865 to honor soldiers who gave their lives to end human slavery in our country. 🇺🇸
Happy Birthday Fonseca! The Latin pop singer was born in Bogotá, Colombia on May 29, 1979. 🇨🇴
The Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 29, 2023 at 11am. brooklynmemorialdayparade.com 🇺🇸
[To be confirmed]
The Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 29, 2023 at 2pm. lndmemorialday.org 🇺🇸
Watch Neil Tyson’s “Manhattanhenge” half sun solar alignment at 79th, 57th, 42nd, 34th, 23rd, or 14th St in Manhattan; on Monday, May 29, 2023 at 8:30pm. FREE!
Dance salsa, bachata, merengue, and more at Talia Castro-Pozo’s Latin Mondays at Taj, one of NYC’s most popular Latin dance parties, at Taj II in the Flatiron District, Mondays at 7pm (5pm doors). From $15. 🇨🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇵🇷🇵🇦🇵🇪🇻🇪
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Watch Neil Tyson’s “Manhattanhenge” full sun solar alignment at 79th, 57th, 42nd, 34th, 23rd, or 14th St in Manhattan; on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 8:14pm. FREE!
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Remember the Tulsa Race Massacre of May 31, 1921 when a prosperous Black community known as “Black Wall Street” was attacked by race mobs, bombed by private aircraft, and burned to the ground. 🇺🇸
The 52nd UEFA Europa League Final 2023 is at Puskás Aréna Park in Budapest, Hungary; on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.