NYC Under the Stars: The Best Open-Air Music Events for Summer 2025

When summer hits in New York City, it’s more than just hot weather it’s outside season. Rooftops open, warehouses breathe, and the city’s nightlife spills into the streets, parks, and patios. At the center of it all? Open-air music experiences that blur the line between party, ritual, and urban jungle dreamscape.

Whether you’re raving until sunrise at Brooklyn Mirage, vibing in a courtyard at Elsewhere, or catching a riverside DJ set at Secret Summer, NYC is packed with outdoor energy. Here’s your curated guide to the coolest open-air music events happening across the five boroughs this summer.

1. Brooklyn Mirage (East Williamsburg)

Season Opener: Already in full swing
Vibe: Massive, immersive, futuristic rave utopia

Let’s be real Brooklyn Mirage is the undisputed king of NYC summer nightlife. Towering LED walls, 3D visuals, jungle vibes, and a world-class lineup of DJs make it a destination all season long. Acts like Charlotte de Witte, Dom Dolla, Keinemusik, and Tale of Us are locked in and that’s just the beginning.

👉 Pro Tip: Hit up Roberta’s Pizza beforehand, or grab fire pre-rolls at Emerald Dispensary or NYC Bud if you want to elevate your experience.

2. Elsewhere Rooftop (Bushwick)

Opening Weekend: May 17
Vibe: Indie dance, house, disco, low-key bangers

Tucked above the Elsewhere complex, this rooftop is where the cool kids hang. Expect a rotating cast of DJs, rare B2Bs, and occasional surprise sets. The views are iconic, the drinks are strong, and the energy is always eclectic.

2025 Picks:

• TSHA – June 8

• DJ Seinfeld – July 19

• Brooklyn Soul Festival – August TBA

👉 Pro Tip: Day parties here go off. Show up early and dance through golden hour.

3. The Lot Radio x Summer Sessions (Greenpoint)

All Summer Long – Free Entry
Vibe: Chill, underground, community-driven

An NYC gem. Broadcasting from a shipping container in Greenpoint, The Lot Radio is a haven for selectors, weirdos, and audiophiles. In the summer, the surrounding outdoor lot transforms into a laid-back hangout with sets from NYC locals and visiting legends.

Think folding chairs, dogs, Modelo tallboys, and deep, funky sets. Always free, always good.

4. Le Bain Rooftop Parties (Meatpacking District)

Starts Memorial Day Weekend
Vibe: Fashion meets house, champagne meets underground

Atop The Standard Hotel, Le Bain gives you skyline views, a plunge pool, and a sunset party that often turns into a sweaty after-dark dance sesh. The crowd’s bougie but the music’s legit you’ll hear everything from Afro house to deep disco depending on the night.

Notable Nights:

• Club Sol x Le Bain – June 14

• Honey Dijon Takeover – August 2

5. Secret Summer & Pop-Up Raves (All Over NYC)

Various Dates & Locations
Vibe: Hidden locations, natural settings, elevated experience

From industrial gardens in Queens to candlelit courtyards in Chinatown, a wave of secret raves and underground pop-ups are popping off this summer. Some are ticketed with art installations and food trucks. Others? Text-a-number-the-day-of and show up ready to vibe.

Follow crews like:

• House of Yes Offsite

• TBA Brooklyn Secret Series

• Day Trip NYC

Final Word: This Is the Summer to Be Outside

If last summer was a soft launch, 2025 is the main event. Whether you're deep in a Mirage techno trip or two-stepping on a Bushwick rooftop, NYC’s open-air scene is firing on all cylinders. Don’t just go to the party be the energy.

Stay high. Stay outside. Stay lit.

Light Up Magazine