If you find yourself in New York City, Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta, or visiting the state of Wyoming, read ahead to see a small sampling of what’s happening in those areas this summer.

New York

In New York City, there is plenty to do all year round. As the weather warms up, the streets become crowded, full of markets and festivals that unite communities. In the summer months across several boroughs, you can stumble across neighborhoods leveraging New York City’s Open Streets, transforming the public space into a safe hub for community gatherings, shopping, and supporting local businesses.

The summer months also bring forth more formalized and recurring summer markets, including Queens Night Market each Saturday evening out in Corona Park, which features approximately 100 independent vendors who sell art, food, and other merchandise coupled with cultural performances that honor the diversity of the borough and New York City. Over in Manhattan, the third annual Uptown Night Market will be held in West Harlem, offering patrons the opportunity to indulge in food and community alongside family-friendly activities that celebrate diverse cultures on June 8, July 13, and August 10. For the foodies at heart, the Creole Food Festival is traveling across several cities this year, including Miami and Washington D.C., as well as Manhattan on August 5 and 6 and Brooklyn later in the year in November.

All summer long in Brooklyn, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! will provide an on-going free outdoor performing arts festival. 2023 marks its 45th anniversary, providing attendees various events, including art, dance, films, music, talks, theater, and other family-friendly options.

California

Though to outsiders, it may seem like summer every day in California, this year, the summer months bring residents – and visitors – a host of new exhibits and events to escape the heat or bask in its beauty. If you’re looking for a reprieve from the sunshine, from May 27 through October 8 this year, The Broad is presenting the first-ever museum exhibition in Los Angeles of Keith Haring’s work. Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody will feature over 120 artworks and archival materials from the late artist.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is hosting a series of on-site exhibitions celebrating art and history from around the world. From April 23 through September 24 this year, LACMA is hosting the Women Defining Women in Contemporary Art of the Middle East and Beyond exhibition, featuring work by women artists born or living in what the museum has dubbed Islamic societies. Through September 10 of this year, the exhibition Afro-Atlantic Histories will continue to run and feature artwork made in Africa, Europe, and America that depict the stories of enslavement and the history of liberation.

There are a host of festivals around the general Los Angeles area this summer, including Summer in the Garden, which runs until August 31, held at the Descanso Gardens in Flintridge, California. Over the summer months, guests can experience artwork installations, a summer music series, late-night DJ sets, and opera and theater performances. This year’s Lotus Festival, which marks the 42nd annual celebration, will celebrate Indonesian culture. On July 15 and July 16 at Echo Park Lake, this free event is set to provide handcrafted artwork, a wide range of food, dragon boat races, and a main stage for performances.

Colorado

If you find yourself in Denver this summer, there’s a wide variety of festivals to keep you occupied that celebrate culture, community, and creativity. 

To kick off the month of June, the 56th Annual Denver Greek Festival runs from June 9 to June 11. Guests will be treated to live Greek music and traditional dances performed by dance troupes, authentic Greek food, and boutiques featuring traditional Greek clothing, cookbooks, jewelry, literature, and more. To mark Juneteenth this year, the Juneteenth Music Festival will be held in the city’s historic Five Points neighborhood on June 17 and 18. The festival will, of course, include live performances as well as a parade and a vendor market for local businesses. 

July 1 through July 3 this year, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival brings over 250 emerging and renowned artists to Denver, providing guests with interactive art experiences, children’s activities, and food. The following week, the Colorado Black Arts Festival returns for its 37th annual celebration. In the City Park West neighborhood of Denver on July 7 through July 9, this free festival provides attendees with a wide range of rich cultural experiences, including live performances ranging from dance, spoken word, and music, artwork, and the Art Garden, a marketplace and food court, as well as a celebratory parade.

Georgia

Down in Atlanta, the city is kicking the month of June off with Virginia-Highland Summerfest to celebrate community and summer. On June 10, the festival will include live music, great food, and art, all located within the comfort of community. Then, before it hits New York City in August, the Creole Food Festival is headed down to Atlanta on June 25 to showcase Creole cuisine from across the globe, including  Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America. 

By the time August rolls around, the Piedmont Park Arts Festival can get its start on August 19 and 20. Piedmont Park is often considered home to an enthusiastic community of art buyers in the Atlanta metropolitan area, and the festival celebrates visual arts and fun for the whole family. Though it’s over an hour outside of Atlanta, this year, the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival has moved to Macon, Georgia August 31 to September 2 to celebrate the works made for and about the Black experience by artists (and art lovers), producers, and writers.

Wyoming

While it’s nice to enjoy the peace and quiet of the places we’re visiting or where we live, it’s great to get out of the house and experience the local community. For those visiting Wyoming this year, there are several festivals and events throughout the summertime to keep you occupied. If you find yourself in Jackson Hole this summer, you can experience the Jackson Hole Food and Wine Summer Festival from June 22 to June 24. This event brings attendees to some of the city’s most beautiful locations for a one-of-a-kind food and beverage experience from both local and guest chefs, beer and cocktail experts, and winemakers. From July 21 through July 23 and August 18 to August 20, you can also attend the 58th annual Art Fair Jackson Hole. The art fair features local and national artists selling their creations, including ceramics, furniture, painting, photography, and fine art.