What’s Going on in May in NYC
Right at the intersection of spring and summer, May is one of the best times of year to visit New York City. With warm—but not oppressive—temperatures and long days, travelers will love exploring the Big Apple this month.
From your room at Refinery Hotel, you’ll be perfectly positioned to experience the top events happening around the city in May, free of peak summer crowds (and humidity).
In addition to all of New York City’s year-round attractions (musicals in the theater district, ferry rides to the Statue of Liberty) travelers will have the opportunity to attend a number of major annual events and festivals. Discover fab fashion at the Met, hone your eye for art at the Frieze Art Fair, or sport your most spirited hat for an unforgettable Kentucky Derby bash. Consider one (or all) of these exciting events during your New York City vacation this May.
A massive art fair – May 2-5
New York’s arts epicenter moves to Randall’s Island this weekend, as the Frieze New York arts fair draws galleries to showcase works from more than 1,000 of the world’s leading contemporary artists. Expect a lot of Instagrammable moments, plus art so intriguing you won’t even remember to take out your phone. And don’t worry about going hungry: local favorites like Sant Ambroeus, Russ & Daughters, Marlow & Sons, and Roberta’s are just a few of the vendors that will be serving food during the weekend-long arts fair. For more info, visit the Frieze New York website.
A Kentucky Derby Party – May 4
Don your most flamboyant spectator and head to the Derby — at Refinery Hotel, that is. On Saturday, May 4, New Yorkers and hotel guests can participate in a lavish Kentucky Derby Party that spans three distinct venues at the property. This year’s grand affair includes four hours of premium open bar Refinery Hotel Hatbox, Winnie’s Jazz Bar and Refinery Rooftop, with specialty cocktails, mint juleps, Champagne and a rosé bar. Get your ticket for Derby Day in the city ($150 per person) and prepare to celebrate all day long with live music, a DJ, a photo-booth, passed hors d’oeuvres, a best-dressed contest and (of course) some lighthearted wagers.
A Showstopping Fashion Exhibition – Opens May 6
Opening on May 6, Camp: Notes on Fashion is an exuberant new exhibition from the Met Museum Costume Institute. Expect more than 250 objects, which date from the 1600s to now, that examine just how over-the-top fashion can get, including clothing’s (sometimes clichéd) reactions to irony, parody, artifice, and exaggeration. The exhibition opens with the Met Gala, so be prepared for some extraordinary looks this year.
Visit the Met Museum’s Costume Institute website for more information.
An epic food fest – May 18-19
In between talks at the Vulture Festival, head uptown to the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival, when 15 blocks of the busy thoroughfare transform into one of the largest food fairs. Amble between hundreds of local vendors, sampling every cuisine imaginable. For more information, visit the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival website.
A Week with the Troops – May 22-28
Celebrate the United States Marines, Navy Sailors, and Coast Guardsmen during Fleet Week, now in its 31st year. The week-long affair kicks off on May 22, as more than a dozen vessels enter the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships. This year, visitors can enjoy free, guided tours of missile cruisers, sail-training vessels and Coast Guard cutters. There will even be two ships from the Royal Canadian Navy. During the week-long event, people can also meet sailors, enjoy a concert by the Navy Band Northeast and enjoy a screening of Top Gun on the USS Intrepid. For more info, check out Fleet Week’s full events calendar.
