Union Square Partnership Announces 2025 Lineup Of Outdoor Events, Including The Return Of Union Square Night Market, Movie Nights, And More Entertainment
Union Square Partnership (USP) today announces its seasonal activation of Union Square Park with a roster of free-to-attend outdoor events for all ages. Kicking off on May 29 with the opening of the second annual Union Square Night Market by Urbanspace, USP and community partners are energizing the neighborhood with warm-weather programming, further establishing Union Square as a vibrant hub of culture, connection, and community experiences. From movie nights presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to a day-long pickleball event with CityPickle, lunchtime Jazz in the Square, open-air dining at Torch & Crown Beer Garden and more, visitors and locals alike will be able to enjoy an extended season of lively outdoor festivities, this summer through early fall. The 2025 season schedule features:
Union Square Night Market by Urbanspace (Union Square Park’s South Plaza)
The Union Square Night Market by Urbanspace returns to Union Square Park’s South Plaza, transforming the space into a family-friendly, outdoor food market. Opening for the 2025 season on May 29, the Night Market will feature over 35 independent rotating food vendors from across New York City serving up a diverse mix of flavors, fun, and local flair—including Tosh’s Patties, TNT Pineapple Bowls and Cuddle Crepes. This year, the Market will be open from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering ample time to check everything out, whether discovering something new, reconnecting with friends, or simply taking in the atmosphere. The Union Square Night Market will operate:
Thursdays and Fridays from May 29 to June 27
Thursdays only between July 24 and August 7
Thursdays and Fridays from September 4 to October 17
Comedy in the Square with NYLaughs (Union Square Park’s North Plaza)
NYLaughs will host a free evening of comedy in Union Square Park on Thursday, June 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., kicking off a comedy festival hosted in venues throughout Union Square over the weekend. Comedy in the Square is presented by NYLaughs–a non-profit dedicated to bringing world-class comedy to public spaces–in partnership with The Stand Restaurant & Comedy Club and USP. Audiences will enjoy a curated lineup of top-tier comedians, including TV-ready headliners, rising stars, and culturally resonant voices from across NYC’s boroughs.
Lunchtime Jazz in the Square (Union Square Park’s Center Lawn)
Live lunchtime jazz music will be performed by students from The New School, a longstanding Union Square community partner. These performances will take place from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the following Thursdays:
June 5, 12, 26
July 10, 17, 24, 31
August 7, 14
Sing for Hope Pianos (Triangle Plaza)
For the first time, USP welcomes Sing for Hope Pianos to Union Square, marking the global program’s return to New York City. From the Bronx to Beirut, the Sing for Hope Pianos are part of a 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. Sing for Hope has provided more pianos for under-resourced public schools than any other organization in the world. The Sing for Hope Piano, From NYC with Love by Artist Partner Sally Chen, will be installed at Triangle Park at 14th Street and Union Square East. After this display period, the Sing for Hope Piano will be donated to a NYC public school, continuing to inspire creativity and access to the arts.
June 10 to 30
Movies in the Square, presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Union Square Partnership (Union Square Park’s North Plaza)
Featuring beloved cinematic selections, these free-to-attend outdoor screenings will run on four select Thursdays with pre-screening activities to enjoy beforehand. Moviegoers are encouraged to arrive early and bring their own blankets to secure their spots to watch these fan favorites in Union Square Park under the stars. Pre-show activities will begin at 7pm and screenings start at 8pm on:
July 24: The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
July 31: Men in Black (1997)
August 7: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
August 14: 13 Going on 30 (2004)
Pickleball in the Square with CityPickle (Union Square Park’s North Plaza)
For the third year in a row, USP is collaborating with CityPickle to bring free pickleball–the fastest growing sport in America–back to Union Square. This one-day-only event will feature two first-class professional courts with nine hours of pickleball programming from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 21. Facilitated by legendary pickleball pros, the day-long event gives the surrounding community an opportunity to witness the country’s top pickleball professionals play, to participate in free clinics, to stroll through tents featuring leading racquet, health, and wellness brands, and more.
Torch & Crown Beer Garden (Union Square Park Pavilion)
Torch & Crown Beer Garden is officially open for its third season in the Union Square Park Pavilion, bringing back its locally brewed beers and delicious menu, including pizza and fan favorites like the Lou Burger and pretzels. From now through early November, guests can:
Listen to jazz with Geoff Burke on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Partake in trivia nights with NYC Trivia League on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy live music on Fridays with Shawn Parsons and Matthew Lee & The Standbys from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Union Square Partnership is proud to present another unforgettable season of programming, running now through the fall, in Union Square Park,” said Julie Stein, Executive Director of Union Square Partnership. “We’ve brought back our most popular programs from last year that tap into how New Yorkers enjoy their city outside in the summer. Union Square has it all—dining, movies and music—all within one of the city’s most convenient locations. Whether you're a district resident, an office worker, a tourist or just passing through, there’s something for everyone. As we’ve been gearing up for longer days and warmer weather, we are grateful to our partners and sponsors for helping make this all come to life.”
“Union Square has long been one of New York City’s most vibrant gathering places, and this exciting season of programming continues that tradition,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Thanks to the Union Square Partnership and their dedicated community partners, New Yorkers of all ages can enjoy free, family-friendly events that celebrate the city’s creativity, energy, and spirit—right in the heart of Manhattan.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Union Square Partnership to bring the magic of movies outdoors for another unforgettable summer,” said Mike Sampson, Director, Regional Marketing for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. “Union Square Park is one of New York City’s most iconic gathering places, and we’re excited to share some of our favorite films in a setting unlike any other.”
"Pickleball is all about connection, movement, and unity - we're proud to make it accessible in one of New York City's most vibrant communities," said Erica Desai, Co-Founder of CityPickle. "We can't wait to bring back the fastest growing sport in America to Union Square for the third year in a row," added Mary Cannon, Co-Founder of CityPickle.
“NYLaughs is happy to partner with Union Square Partnership and The Stand Restaurant & Comedy Club to produce this event. We believe New Yorkers deserve more joy—more laughter in the parks, more moments that make strangers smile together,” said Suzette Simon, Founder, Artistic Director and Your Local LOL Dealer. “Comedy in the Square is our love letter to the city, told one hilarious set at a time—sometimes with backup vocals from a judgmental pigeon or an opinionated squirrel.”
These seasonal events celebrate Union Square’s reputation as one of New York City’s leading live-work-play neighborhoods. As a lively hub in the heart of the city, Union Square is renowned for its expansive transportation network, exclusive retailers, acclaimed dining options, and exciting entertainment offerings. With over 63,000 daily riders passing through the Union Square-14th Street subway station and 375,000 weekday visitors to the district in the first quarter of 2025, this summer is set to draw even more residents and visitors to experience everything Union Square has to offer.
Union Square Partnership thanks all of the community program partners and sponsors who helped put the 2025 line-up together: NYC Parks, Urbanspace, The New School, NYLaughs, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, CityPickle, Torch & Crown, Union Square Eye Care, and Anne Frank The Exhibition, among others.
For additional information on 2025 warm-weather programming, including schedule updates and more, see our events page and follow Union Square Partnership on Instagram @unionsquareny.