COVID-19: Summer in the City
In order to maintain safe social distancing practicing, New York City is canceling many summer events, including concerts, festivals and parades, like the 2020 Pride march, through June. The city seeks to drive down its coronavirus infection rate, and so Mayor Bill de Blasio he has canceled nonessential events through May and June.
De Blasio already said large gatherings may not be allowed in the city until the fall. Extending the cancellations through June, de Blasio said, was a decision “we have to make.” Most of the events will be rescheduled, he said. He said that New Yorkers should “lower expectations just for everyone’s sanity” of a summer in the sun as the city tries to curb the transmission of coronavirus with restrictions on large gatherings. And he predicted large sporting events like baseball games at Yankee Stadium are unlikely to happen in New York City for months, too.
Gov. Cuomo's NY on Pause has shut down most events until the state lock down is lifted.
If this continues, June and July could be bleak. Wonder what else has been cancelled... here is list of what's not happening this summer.
No Parades
On April 20, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that permits for parades, marches, rallies, and other large gatherings are canceled for June events.
New York City won’t allow public events in June, including three of the city’s major annual celebrations: PR Day Parade, the Celebrate Israel parade and the Pride parade on its 50th anniversary are cancelled or postponed.
Mermaid Parade Coney Island’s risqué answer to Greenwich Village’s infamous Halloween parade with King Neptune and Queen Mermaid, wacky floats, marching bands, drill teams, vintage cars and a dazzling array of scantily clad seafaring sirens is postponed. It was supposed to take place on June 20 this year, but due to the shutdown, it will be moved to a later date, planners say.
Pools, Playgrounds and Parks
The has been closure of city pools for the summer.
NYC Parks Department says the following on it's website:
At this time, City parks are open. We ask that all park goers take extra precautions to stay healthy and safe. While solo exercise is okay, team sports (such as basketball, football, softball, and soccer) are not permitted in our parks at this time. Please maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others when outside and avoid congregating in groups.
Our park restrooms are open. We are cleaning our restrooms daily with appropriate cleaning products to ensure that they are being fully disinfected. Restrooms located within City playgrounds are closed until further notice.
Many events being held in parks by outside groups are being canceled or rescheduled.
- All City playgrounds are closed until further notice.
- All NYC Parks Recreation Centers are closed to the public until further notice. We will be extending all memberships to our recreation center members to cover the length of time we are closed.
- Basketball, handball, and tennis courts will be closed and locked. All basketball court rims and tennis nets will be removed.
- Bocce courts and volleyball courts are closed.
- Skate parks are closed.
- Barbecuing and gatherings are prohibited and grilling areas are closed.
- Dog runs are closed until further notice. Our parks remain open to dogs and pet owners to get fresh air and exercise; however, dogs must be kept on a leash according to park rules, and dog owners must keep social distance.
- All City nature centers are closed until further notice.
- The City's historic houses are closed.
- Roger Morris Park, Dyckman Farmhouse Park, and Queens Farm Park are closed.
- The Swedish Cottage is closed.
- As a precaution, the High Line is closed.
- To provide a staging area for first responders, Fort Totten Park is closed to the public.
- The Arsenal Gallery is closed until further notice.
- At this time, most concessions are closed, including ice skating rinks, amusement parks and carousels, golf courses, indoor tennis facilities, souvenir shops, and more.
- Farmers markets and gas stations remain open. Customers must practice social distancing.
- A few snack bars & restaurants remain open for takeout or delivery. Customers must practice social distancing.
- For the health and safety of the horses, stables will remain operational, but closed to the general public.
Programming Cancellations
In response to the State and City’s directive, all public gatherings in our parks are cancelled through June 30. In the interest of the health and safety of all of our patrons, NYC Parks is not accepting, nor reviewing, event applications for any Special Events or Field and Court Permits until further notice.
- All Shape Up NYC programs are cancelled until further notice. Please follow Shape Up NYC on Facebook for news on upcoming free online fitness opportunities.
- Adventures NYC is cancelled.
- Urban Park Ranger programs are cancelled.
- All tournaments and sports practices are cancelled.
- All special events held in recreation centers have been cancelled.
- NYC Parks Stewardship events have been postponed until further notice.
Programming Service Changes
- NYC's tennis season is delayed until further notice. Tennis permit sales have been suspended for the 2020 season. If you have already purchased a tennis permit, it will be valid through 2021.
- GreenThumb community gardens are closed to the general public until further notice. Gardens are open to garden members only at the discretion of each group, and only for absolutely necessary maintenance and season preparation.
- Marinas, boatyards, and boat launches are open for personal use of vessels only. Vessel charters, rentals, and group activities or social gatherings are prohibited. Patrons must practice social distancing at all times and wear a face covering where social distancing is not possible.
Playgrounds, Athletic Courts and Sporting Fields: All State Park playgrounds, athletic courts, and sporting fields are CLOSED. This measure is taken for the safety of all visitors and to stop the spread of COVID-19. Park visitors should maintain 6 feet of social distance and visit parks for solitary recreational activities only. Please avoid crowds and refrain from group activity.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the state would close down all city playgrounds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. New York City along with playgrounds, has also closed dog runs, and issued hefty fines for those caught gathering amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Now, Mayor Bill de Blasio says city officials “do not have a plan to open the beaches.” All of New York City’s outdoor public pools will be closed this year because of the coronavirus, and there are no plans to open the beaches. “No, right now we do not have a plan to open the beaches, just like we don’t have a plan to open the pools,” de Blasio said during a briefing this week. Mayor Bill de Blasio closed 10 out of the 2,067 playgrounds across the five boroughs.
Places, Concerts and Events
July 4th
New York City has already cancelled most of the summer's major attractions due to the coronavirus, but one thing is apparently still going to happen -- the city's annual 4th of July celebrations.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday he had spoken to the CEO of Macy's, the sponsor of the city's annual fireworks show, and they agreed to put on a show of some kind this year. "We don't know exactly what it's going to look like yet. There's a lot of things we're going to have to work through. But what we know for sure is, this wonderful show will go on," the mayor said in a video he tweeted Wednesday morning. "Summer’s going to be very different in our city this year, but I can promise you one thing: we’re working with Macy's to find a safe way to celebrate the Fourth of July. #AskMyMayor"
Frieze New York
Frieze Art Fair, set to take place at Randalls Island Park in May, is canceled.
Met Gala
One of the biggest nights in fashion, the Met Gala has been postponed. It was on May 4th this year, but organizers postpone the event until further notice.
Governors Ball
This year’s Gov Ball in New York City, scheduled for June 5–7, was canceled by organizers . Ticket holders can transfer their passes to next year’s festival or request a refund.
Carnegie Hall
All events at Carnegie Hall scheduled through May 10 have been canceled and refunded, per a release from the venue. All classes through Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute and free Carnegie Hall Citywide performances are also canceled.
Brooklyn Academy of Music
BAM has immediately suspended all live programming and events until Sunday, March 29. “We thank you for your support and understanding,” their website reads.
92Y
All upcoming talks and performances, including concerts and dance performances are postponed or cancelled at the New York’s 92nd Street Y.
Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center has suspended public performances and screenings. Concerts were being streamed online.
The Met Opera
The Metropolitan Opera in New York has canceled all performances scheduled, affecting all six operas currently showing. They will, however, offer a nightly livestream of a past performance, that began on March 16th.
Tribeca Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival will be postponed, according to Tribeca Enterprises CEO Jane Rosenthal.
Network Upfronts
ViacomCBS, WarnerMedia, Fox, Discovery, The CW and NBCUniversal have all pulled out of their live upfront presentations, opting to stream them instead.
GLAAD Media Awards
GLAAD canceled their 31st annual Media Awards in New York City.
Madison Square Garden
The Garden says it will abide by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s order barring gatherings of 500 or more people. “We support Governor Cuomo’s decision and starting tomorrow night, our New York venues will only host events that adhere to the Governor’s very clear parameters," according to a statement from The Madison Square Garden Company reads.
Museums
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City is closed, as well as sister institution MoMA PS1 and its MoMA Design Stores. But there are ways to visit online. Check out the Met. There are 26 online exhibits, many of them focused on fashion history and Vermeer.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is closed for a "temporary period of time."
The 92nd Street Y is suspending all upcoming talks and performances.
The American Folk Art Museum is closed.
The American Museum of Natural History is closed.
The Brooklyn Museum is closed to the public.
The Bronx Museum of the Arts is temporarily closed.
The Cooper Hewitt is temporarily closed.
El Museo del Barrio is temporarily closed.
The Frick Collection events are canceled.
The Guggenheim is temporarily closed "until further notice," and all events at the museum are canceled or postponed.
The Jewish Museum is closed and "will continue to monitor the situation and determine the need for continued closure." All events scheduled during this time are canceled.
The Morgan Library and Museum is closed and has canceled all events and programs scheduled.
The Museum at FIT is temporarily closed, and special programs scheduled for March and April are postponed until the fall.
The Museum of the City of New York is temporarily closed.
The Neue Galerie is closed "until further notice."
The New Museum is temporarily closed, and has stated that it will "monitor the situation and re-evaluate every two weeks."
The New-York Historical Society is closed.
The New York Philharmonic has canceled all performances starting March 12th.
The Rubin Museum is temporarily closed and has canceled upcoming public programs.
The Studio Museum in Harlem's temporary programming space, Studio Museum 127, is temporarily closed.
The Tenement Museum is temporarily closed, effective March 14.
The Whitney Museum has temporarily closed and will "cancel all events" for an indefinite period of time.
New York Public Library
The institution will suspend programming and events at all locations, according to the institution’s website. To reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in New York City, all NYPL locations are temporarily closed until further notice. Learn more and find out about remote access for Library services.
NY Productions
Saturday Night Live
NBC announced on March 16 that the network will postpone SNL episodes indefinitely.
Shakespeare in the Park
The Public Theater has announced that it will cancel its summer programming, bringing an end to plans for this year’s season of Shakespeare in the Park, a New York City fixture. This year, the Public had planned to stage Richard II and its musical adaptation of As You Like It at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
Tony Awards
The 2020 Tony Awards were postponed from June 7 until an undecided date.
Chita Rivera Awards
Originally scheduled for May 17, the Chita Rivera Awards were postponed until later in the year, per a statement from NYC Dance Alliance Foundation.
Broadway, Off Broadway and Other Theater
New York’s Broadway and Off Broadway theaters have suspended their programming for the time being.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The Ailey Organization released a statement saying that Ailey II’s New York season has been postponed and that “performances may be rescheduled to later this spring. The dance company’s touring performances throughout the U.S. are suspended.
Sporting Events
Baseball
Major League Baseball are suspending all spring training games and pushing back opening day by two weeks. Minor League Baseball will also postpone the 2020 season.
NHL
Professional hockey games have been suspended, in part because many NHL teams share facilities with the NBA.
NBA
The NBA decided to postpone its 2020 season after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.
Running Races
- Brooklyn Half Marathon 2020 Popular Brooklyn Half has been canceled. Runners who had registered for the race directly with NYRR have the option of choosing either a full refund of their entry fee or guaranteed non-complimentary entry for next year’s Brooklyn Half in May 2021.
- Run as One 4M & Health Walk presented by JPMorgan Chase on April 26
- Newport Fiesta 5K on May 2
- Japan Run 4M on May 10
- Popular Brooklyn Half on May 16
- Italy Run 5M on May 31
- NYRR Global Running Day 5K on June 3
- NYRR Queens 10K on June 7
- NYRR New York Mini 10K on June 13
- Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run on June 27
- Achilles Hope & Possibility 4M on June 28
All Rising New York Road Runners free youth events, jamborees, and races are canceled through June 30 as well.
Tennis
The 2020 US Open Tennis Championships is scheduled for Aug. 24-Sept. 13.
The free-to-attend US Open Fan Week, including the US Open Qualifying Tournament, is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24-Sunday, Aug. 30.
Will the 2020 US Open be canceled or postponed?
According to their website, at this time, the USTA plans to host the US Open as scheduled.
Currently, we are not implementing any changes to the 2020 US Open, and planning for the event is ongoing. We are continually monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation through regular briefings with government, security and medical experts. The USTA's top priority is the health, safety and well-being of everyone involved with the US Open, including all the fans, ticket holders, players, volunteers and staff.
Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show that was scheduled for April has been postponed. The show is now scheduled to run Aug. 28 to Sept. 6.
