Last Gasps of Summer: Enjoy These NYC Festivities While You Can

NEW YORK CITY — Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, is coming to a close but the hottest season of the year doesn't officially end until Sept. 22. Still, there are still a few fun-filled activities people can enjoy before the fall solstice.

BROOKLYN

Fireworks at Luna Park

At Luna Park in Coney Island, located at 1,000 Surf Ave., guests can get an early start to the Labor Day weekend with a free firework show at the boardwalk starting on Sept. 2 and bursting through the air through Sept. 9 (times vary).

There will be a number of can't miss thrills at the amusement park throughout the week.

For more information for hours visit lunaparknyc.com/plan/hours. To learn about ticket offerings go to LunaParkNYC.com.

Salsa Dance Party

Looking to hit the dance floor?

From now until Dec. 28, 2023, guests of the Time Out Market in DUMBO can get free salsa lessons on the fifth floor every Thursday from instructor Marlene Veras, with beats by percussionist Ronnie Roc, reported Times Out New York.

Once people have a solid foundation of the steps, a dance party hosted by DJ Ray Suave will break out on the rooftop or they can rest their feet as they have some cocktails at 55 Waters St.

The events are from 6 to 9 p.m.

To learn more call the waterfront hangout at (917) 810-4855.

QUEENS

Queens Underground Summer Film Festival

The free short film series will conclude Sept. 10. Sponsored by Flushing Town Hall and The New York State Council on the Arts, the locations for series will vary throughout the World's Borough as the summer concludes.

For more details about the summer film series call event organizers (718) 658-3881 or email them at QueensUnderground718@gmail.com.

Reggae on the Boardwalk: Rockaways Edition

The free Far Rockaway reggae sound system event is at O'Donohue Park on Beach 17 St. on Sept. 4. It will run from 3 to 7 p.m.

The family-friendly event will feature Jamaica emcees, deejays and performances by Jah Wise Tippertone, Carlton Livingstone and Friends, according to Borough President Donovan Richards, who is presenting the event.

The tunes will be blasted from a massive, 10-foot tall sound system — a wall of speakers, the kind of which constitute an important aspect of Jamaican music history.

To learn more visit queensbp.org.

MANHATTAN

Serena Williams' Wax Figure

Tennis enthusiasts and fans of Serena Williams, who is having her swan song at the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, can get a chance to take a picture with the G.O.A.T.'s wax figure at the InterContinental New York Times Square from now through Sept. 12, courtesy of Madame Tussauds.

Even Carlos Alcaraz, a world-famous tennis player in his own right, has had a pic with the Olympic-winning star's wax figure, according to the hotel.

After snapping a photo, guests can watch live streams of the U.S Open at the hotel’s cocktail lounge and restaurant, The Stinger, and sip on the signature “Honey Deuce” cocktail.

The hotel is located at 300 West 44 St. and guests can learn more by calling1 (866) 875-1978.

Summer HD Festival

Lincoln Center will conclude its free outdoor Summer HD Festival of modern opera showcases at the Met Opera House, reported Time Out New York.

On Sept. 4, there will be a showcase of Puccini's "Turandot" at 8 p.m. On Sept. 5, Terrence Blanchard's "Fire Shut Up in My Bones" will have its showcase at 7:30 p.m.

Each showing is presented on a massive screen located on the opera house's facade, with seats across the plaza and around the fountain. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, at 30 Lincoln Center Plaza. There are no rain dates, according to Time Out.

To learn more call (212) 362-6000.