Looking for the best NYC events this week? From rooftop openings to candlelit concerts and culinary celebrations, here is where to be and what to experience.
This week in New York City, the mood is soft emergence.
The air still carries a chill, but rooftops are reopening, and museums are buzzing with new exhibitions. And the calendar is packed with can’t-miss NYC events this week. From buzzy Broadway shows and hidden speakeasies to culinary celebrations and skyline sips. This is spring in NYC at its most inspired.
Whether you are indulging in Black culinary brilliance in Fort Greene or catching George Clooney’s long-awaited stage debut. Or raising a glass at one of the city’s chic new rooftop bars, there is something quietly thrilling about this season’s return to possibility.
Here are 7 standout things to do in NYC this week—from one-night-only pop-ups to newly opened cultural destinations you will want to bookmark now.
1. A Celebration of Black Culinary Brilliance
Queens of the Food & Beverage Scene
📅 Sunday, April 6 | 12 PM–5 PM |📍 Shell’s Loft, 11 Adelphi Street—Fort Greene
This Sunday in Fort Greene, step into a gathering that goes beyond food—it is a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. Queens of the Food & Beverage Scene, presented by She Did That and Madame Noire, highlights the visionary Black women reshaping NYC’s culinary landscape.
Inside the industrial-chic warmth of Shell’s Loft, you will discover a curated lineup of chefs, mixologists, and entrepreneurs serving up everything from bold bites to soulful sips. With live music, curated pop-ups, and the energy of a room full of talent, it is one of the most meaningful NYC food events of April 2025.
Tip: Arrive early—this event always fills quickly, and the first hour offers the best tastings with shorter lines.
🔗 Purchase Tickets →
2. A Broadway Debut That Hits the Headlines
“Good Night, and Good Luck”
📅 Now through June 8 | 📍 Winter Garden Theatre—Manhattan
This spring, one of the most anticipated Broadway shows of April 2025 has officially taken the stage—George Clooney’s Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck. Adapted from the acclaimed 2005 film, this political drama brings the gripping true story of journalist Edward R. Murrow’s battle against Senator Joseph McCarthy to life under the bright lights of the Winter Garden Theatre.
The production, directed with cinematic flair and backed by a stellar ensemble, explores themes of press freedom, integrity, and moral courage—making it feel as timely now as it did in the 1950s. With Clooney’s commanding presence and a script that crackles with tension, this is one of the best shows in NYC this spring.
Whether you are a theater lover, a history buff, or just curious to see Hollywood royalty on stage, this limited run is a must-book experience.
Tip: Matinee performances are less crowded—book early for the best seats.
🔗 Buy Tickets →
3. Ballet, Funk, and Legacy in Motion
Dance Theatre of Harlem’s NYC Season
📅 April 10–13 | 📍 New York City Center—Manhattan
For four nights only, Dance Theatre of Harlem brings its groundbreaking artistry to New York City Center in a dynamic spring season that blends tradition with boundary-pushing brilliance. As one of the nation’s most celebrated Black ballet companies, this ensemble continues to redefine what ballet in NYC can look and feel like.
This year’s lineup includes William Forsythe’s dazzling “The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude,” Balanchine’s timeless “Donizetti Variations,” and a world premiere by Artistic Director Robert Garland—titled “The Cookout,” it fuses classical ballet with neo-soul, funk, and joy-infused storytelling rooted in the Black cultural experience.
Whether you are a lifelong ballet lover or new to dance, this is one of the most exciting NYC dance events in April 2025, offering the kind of performance that moves both body and spirit. The venue’s intimate setting, historic stage, and incredible acoustics make this an immersive experience from the first step to the final bow.
Tip: Snag orchestra seats for the full emotional impact—you will feel every movement.
4. Gilded Age Glamour, Reopened
The Reimagined Frick Collection
📅 Daily | 10 AM–6 PM |📍 1 East 70th Street—Upper East Side
After a four-year, $300 million transformation, the Frick Collection has reopened. And it is more stunning than ever. Housed in a Gilded Age mansion on the Upper East Side, the museum has long been known for its intimate ambiance and impeccable European art collection. Now, visitors can experience a newly expanded layout, including the formerly private upstairs rooms of the Frick family, opened to the public for the first time.
Wander through elegant salons and sunlit corridors, now showcasing masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Goya in a thoughtfully reimagined setting. The renovation preserves the original charm while elevating the visitor experience with modern enhancements and fresh curation. If you are looking for museum exhibits in NYC that feel both timeless and quietly luxurious, this is it.
This cultural gem is one of the best things to do in NYC this week, especially for art lovers seeking a moment of calm amid the spring rush. And the Upper East Side setting? Just the cherry on top—excellent for pairing with a coffee at Ralph’s. Or a stroll through nearby Central Park.
Tip: Go on a weekday morning for a quieter visit. And do not miss the Fragonard Room, now more radiant than ever.
🔗 Plan Your Visit →
5. A Rooftop Aperitivo Worth Dressing Up For
Leonessa at the Conrad New York Downtown
📅 Opening Weekend: April 4–6 | 4 PM–11 PM |📍 102 North End Avenue [16th Floor]—Battery Park City
Spring rooftop season begins here. Leonessa, the newest addition to NYC’s high-rise social scene, makes its debut this weekend—just in time to toast the change in light. Perched atop the Conrad New York Downtown, this sleek rooftop bar in Battery Park City blends Italian aperitivo tradition with panoramic skyline views and a distinctly refined atmosphere.
Think golden hour cocktails, well-heeled guests, and aperitivo bites served beside marble tables under the open sky. Leonessa is the kind of rooftop where every detail feels intentional. From the perfectly balanced spritzes to the curated soundtrack that makes you linger a little longer. With panoramic views and a distinctly Italian rhythm, it is an experience designed for slow sips and long conversations.
Whether you are dressing up for date night or marking the start of rooftop season with friends, Leonessa is one of the most stylish things to do in NYC this week. And easily one of the most photogenic. It is also ideal if you are looking for outdoor spring events in NYC with a side of luxury.
Tip: Arrive right before sunset to claim a spot with prime views—and do not leave without trying the Kingston.
6. Hidden Bars and NYC’s Prohibition Past
Speakeasy Pub + Prohibition History Tour
📅 Saturday, April 5 | 5 PM–8 PM |📍 Meet: One Worldwide Plaza on 8th Avenue between 49th Street and 50th Street—Hell’s Kitchen
For an unforgettable twist on NYC nightlife, this immersive Prohibition-era speakeasy tour invites you to step back in time and walk the shadowy line between history and hedonism. Led by expert guides, you will slip through unmarked doors and descend into hidden bars that once served as sanctuaries for jazz, resistance, and carefully guarded cocktails.
Expect stories that reveal the grit behind the glamour. Bootleggers disguised as deliverymen, bartenders with hidden safes, and politicians sipping contraband gin just blocks from City Hall. You will visit preserved relics and active cocktail lounges where the speakeasy spirit still lingers in the lighting, the hush, and the glassware.
Whether you are a cocktail enthusiast, a history buff, or just searching for things to do in NYC this week that feel off the beaten path, this tour is a seamless blend of culture, storytelling, and spirited fun. And it is indoors—excellent for early April’s unpredictable weather.
Tip: Wear something with 1920s flair if you are feeling festive. The more you lean in, the more magical the experience becomes.
🔗 Book Your Spot →
7. A Candlelit Concert That Feels Like Magic
Candlelight Concert Series: Ed Sheeran Meets Coldplay
📅 Saturday, April 12 | 6:30 PM & 9 PM |📍 St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, 157 Montague Street—Brooklyn Heights
If you are seeking something genuinely transportive on your list of things to do in NYC this week, step into one of the city’s most atmospheric experiences. As spring evenings grow, this candlelit concert in Brooklyn offers the quiet drama that stays with you.
Held inside the Gothic Revival sanctuary of St. Ann & the Holy Trinity, the concert reimagines Coldplay’s most beloved hits—”Clocks,” “Fix You,” “Yellow,” and more—through the elegance of a live string quartet. The soaring ceilings and stained glass create a natural acoustic chamber, while hundreds of candles cast a golden, flickering glow that feels like stepping inside a dream.
Part of the global Candlelight Concert Series, this immersive performance invites you to slow down and be fully present. There are no phones or distractions, just the music and the moment. It is a romantic, reflective, and truly one-of-a-kind way to end the week, especially for those looking to explore more indoor concerts in NYC. Or add something unique to their Brooklyn events calendar.
Tip: Opt for the later showtime for a more intimate vibe, and arrive early to soak in the architecture and mood.
🔗 Get Tickets →
🌤️ Weather Advisory
Cool temps and a chance of rain are in the forecast—layers and umbrellas are encouraged, especially for outdoor events. Check local listings before heading out.
NYC Experiences This Week
The best part of spring in NYC? The city does not just bloom—it invites you in. It might be a rooftop cocktail under cherry blossoms or an unforgettable performance on Broadway. Or a quiet moment in a museum gallery that lingers with you long after. This week’s standout NYC events are more than things to do—they are invitations to experience the city’s soul.
From intimate speakeasies to landmark exhibitions and scenic rooftops that feel like private discoveries, spring in New York reveals the city in softer, slower, and somehow more vivid ways.
So choose your moment, dress in layers, and let something unexpected find you.
We will be doing the same.
🖤 For more curated NYC experiences, hidden gems, and neighborhood spotlights, explore brooklynslifestyle.com.
