Throughout the entire summer season, Hudson Yards hosts free outdoor events: concerts, live sports screenings, theatrical performances, fitness classes, and much more. This is part of a strategic development to position Hudson Yards as a meeting place, proving it is not just a business hub but a lively neighborhood with open spaces and a thriving social life. Read on newyorkski.info for more about this action-packed summer festival in New York City.
Hudson Yards: The New Heart of the West Side
Just a few decades ago, this part of Manhattan was an industrial zone—a place where trains rumbled, dockworkers labored, and warehouses stood by the Hudson River. Then, Hudson Yards emerged—New York’s youngest and most ambitious district, which has become a symbol of the city’s future.
It is a true “city within a city”: home to over a hundred shops, restaurants by celebrity chefs, offices of leading global companies, and cultural centers. Shining glass and steel towers rise above it all, and between them, 14 acres of green space—where the sound of fountains and the scent of gardens create an oasis of calm amidst the urban hustle.
Hudson Yards is home to the world’s first Equinox Hotel, the highest outdoor observation deck, Edge, and the iconic honeycomb-like sculpture, Vessel, which every visitor aspires to climb. All of this makes the district a place where luxury, technology, and architecture converge into a new lifestyle.
Located between 10th and 12th Avenues, from 30th to 34th Streets, Hudson Yards is easily accessible via the No. 7 Subway extension, which opened in 2015. Nearby is the High Line—a raised green promenade that leads directly to the district’s central plaza, where residents and tourists relax on terraces and listen to street musicians.
But Hudson Yards is not just architectural grandeur. It is a continuation of the history of neighboring Chelseaand Hell’s Kitchen, which were once centers of working-class culture and are now cultural hotspots for art and gastronomy. Here, New York’s past and future meet in one space—a place that embodies the idea of a city that never stands still. Hudson Yards is 21st-century New York: vertical, gleaming, and bold.
Summer Under the Sky: Entertainment at The Backyard at Hudson Yards
In the summer, Hudson Yards transforms into a real outdoor urban backyard, where life is buzzing from morning till night. The The Backyard at Hudson Yards program is a mix of sports, music, film, art, and family adventures, uniting residents and visitors in one rhythm. Tickets are not needed—just a desire to enjoy the atmosphere. The main attractions include:
- The Big Screen: Sports Live.
A 30-foot screen is installed in the heart of Hudson Yards, broadcasting the world’s biggest sports events: Grand Slam championships, NBA playoffs, hockey games, cycling races, and even the Preakness Stakes horse race. Spectators grab comfortable spots right on the plaza—free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s a place where you can cheer, laugh, discuss the game with strangers, and feel the true spirit of the big city.
- Summer Concerts: The Music of Evening Manhattan.
Every Wednesday, from June to August, talented artists of various genres—from indie-pop to jazz—perform on the outdoor stage. The free concerts draw crowds of listeners who relax on the grass under the evening sky.
- Power Hour: Move, Breathe, Restore.
In the mornings and afternoons, Hudson Yards turns into a sports arena. Free classes in yoga, cardio, dance, and even pickleball are offered—for beginners and pros alike.
- Family Fun: Entertainment for the Whole Family.
Hudson Yards becomes a playground of children’s joy. Kids can listen to music, participate in shows, dance, sing, and simply be themselves.
- Movie Nights: Cinema Under the Stars.
Every Friday until the end of October, classic and beloved films are shown on the big screen. The atmosphere resembles old American drive-in theaters—only here, instead of cars, there are cozy blankets, ice cream, and evening lights on the plaza.
- Paw Play Days: A Day for Four-Legged Friends.
Once a month, dog owners gather in the gardens. There are photo zones, gifts, and good vibes. It’s a day when even pets become part of the large urban family.
The Backyard at Hudson Yards is not just about events; it’s a new philosophy of urban space. Here, the business district transforms into a vibrant, welcoming location where you can relax after work, meet friends, or simply enjoy a summer evening. Everything is free, open, and for everyone.
The Taste of Summer: Cuisine at The Backyard at Hudson Yards
Between events, you can relax in the food zone—gelato, boba tea, seafood, refreshing cocktails, and desserts that smell of sun and sea. This culinary journey makes a walk through Hudson Yards even more delicious. The most popular food spots include:
- Sailor’s Choice.
For those dreaming of a trip to the New England coast, Hudson Yards offers Sailor’s Choice—a seafood restaurant from the creators of New York’s most popular floating bars. They serve eco-friendly oysters, local wild fish, and classic seafood dishes, with tropical rum cocktails and the signature “Sailor’s Choice Frozen” (with lime and ice) in the glasses. The atmosphere is like being aboard a yacht anchored on the Hudson waves.
- Xing Fu Tang.
The Taiwanese brand Xing Fu Tang, famous for its caramelized boba tea, adds an Asian touch to the New York summer. Its food cart near the Vessel is a place where you can watch the tea being crafted right before your eyes and refresh yourself with a drink that smells of warmth and sugar.
- Van Leeuwen.
In the crowd, you’ll always find a line at the Van Leeuwen cart—ice cream that has long become a part of New York culture. Its flavor is a combination of simplicity, like childhood, and sophistication, like the city’s best restaurants.
At The Backyard at Hudson Yards, food is not just a snack; it’s part of a shared summer experience. Here, every taste is reminiscent of a journey, every sip of adventure. All treats are available at food carts, which operate daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, weather permitting. It’s a place to pause, refresh, and simply feel that summer in New York is here to stay.
How the Backyard at Hudson Yards 2025 Festival Went
The opening of the 2025 season, presented by Wells Fargo, took place on May 2nd. In the very first weekend, Hudson Yards was aglow with colors, children’s laughter, and the sounds of live music.
Every Wednesday from late June to August, free outdoor concerts—a favorite New Yorker tradition—took place on the stage. In 2025, the program was curated by Overland Entertainment, featuring artists from various genres, from mellow pop to energetic soul. The audience applauded The Knocks, sang along with Cian Ducrot, and danced to Paul Russell.
Favorite movies and sports matches were screened on the 30-foot screen installed in the Hudson Yards plaza. Spectators gathered with blankets, popcorn, and good cheer to collectively relive old stories in a new way.
The 2025 program again featured Power Hour—a series of fitness classes from leading brands Alo Yoga, Rhone, and lululemon. The green pathways also hosted the RUNNERs Club, Wellness Walks, and Dance Cardio. Every Saturday morning, the courts turned into an arena for pickleball.
Hudson Yards didn’t forget its four-legged guests either. During Paw Play Days, Dog City, Rescue City, and Animal Haven organized meet-and-greets with puppies from shelters, photo sessions, and treat tastings. The Dylan’s Candy BarN team joined the event, hosting charitable activities to support animals.
The most anticipated events of the season were the Family Days, when the Public Square and gardens of Hudson Yards transformed into a giant world for children. Kids participated in performances by Hopalong Andrew, danced with musicians from the “Mozart for Munchkins” project, laughed at the WonderSpark Puppets show, and enjoyed magic tricks and juggling. Balloon artists, face painters, and interactive games were also on site.
Children under 12 received free admission to attractions like the Vessel and Edge—a real celebration for little explorers.
Another big announcement during the festival season was the opening of a new Eataly store at Hudson Yards—the fourth in New York. The global brand that brought Italian gastronomic culture to the metropolis opened its newest doors. Visitors could look forward to restaurants, a premium food market, wine bars, and a relaxed atmosphere of dolce vita right amidst the skyscrapers.
The Backyard 2025 festival proved once again that Hudson Yards is not just an architectural marvel but the living heart of New York, where art, sports, music, and culinary delights meet in one space. Here, every summer day becomes a story—from the first chord of a concert to the last ray of sunset over the Hudson.