Union Square Partnership’s 2026 summer programming. With a recently announced outdoor movie lineup for people of all ages, this free-to-attend series is a beloved summer event that I thought would be great to include in upcoming summer things to do stories. Do you have any NYC summer events story in progress that this might be a fit for? Sharing more details on the movies, along with the recently announced NY Laughs Festival and additional summer happenings in Union Square below:
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Movies in the Square: Presented in partnership with Council Member Harvey Epstein and NYC Parks, Union Square’s beloved outdoor movie series returns with fan-favorite films for all ages. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, grab takeout from neighborhood restaurants, and settle in for free movie nights under the stars in Union Square Park. Movies will be screened on Union Square Park’s North Plaza on select Thursdays in July at 8PM:
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July 9: Black Panther (2018)
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July 16: Shrek (2001)
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July 23: Adams Family Values (1993)
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NY Laughs Festival is back for a second year from June 4-7. Kicking off with the free-to-attend Comedy in the Square in Union Square Park’s North Plaza on June 4 at 6pm, attendees can expect lots of laughs with a stacked lineup of comedians. There will also be ticketed comedy shows throughout the weekend at The Stand, The Stand West, The Stand Upstairs, St. Mark’s Comedy Club, Irving Plaza and Joe’s Pub. Tickets are available for purchase at nylaughsfest.com.
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Sing for Hope Pianos will return to Triangle Plaza for three weeks, inviting people to play piano in the heart of Union Square. The piano is part of Sing for Hope Pianos’ global arts initiative that creates artist-designed pianos, places them in public spaces for everyone to enjoy, and then transports and activates them year-round in permanent homes in schools, hospitals, transit hubs, refugee camps, and community-based organizations.
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DATES: May 19 – June 7
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Lunchtime Jazz in the Square features students from The New School performing weekly jazz during peak lunch hour on Union Square Park’s Center Lawn. This free musical performance provides a lovely ambiance while park goers enjoy the warm weather in Union Square Park.
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DATES: Thursdays, from June 18 – August 20, from 12-2pm
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