Fantastic NYC Events To Fill Your August Calendar

Your carefree summer may be coming to a close, but there are still plenty of events slated to take place in the greatest city in the world. Before you get back into a full work schedule and the chaos of a new school year, be sure to find the time for the sporting events, street festivals, and cultural happenings still to come in August. Let's dive into the best events happening in New York City this month so that you can fill your calendar with fun.

U.S. Open Tennis Tournament

While you may not want to exert yourself in the hot August temperatures, you can sit back and watch the professionals do so. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens hosts the annual U.S. Open Tennis Tournament from Aug 26 to Sept 8. One of the highlights of this year's tournament will be tennis legend Serena Williams aiming for a record 24th Grand Slam singles title. Other tennis superstars will also be competing, including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic.

Not only will the world's top tennis players be at this show of athleticism but a host of celebrities and live musicians come out as well. As you bite your nails waiting to see if physical exertion causes any of the tennis players to become one of the 25,000 Americans who suffer an ankle sprain every day and keep your eyes peeled for celebs in the stands, you can enjoy the tasty treats from international food vendors. Better yet, the qualifying rounds are free for anyone to watch and there will be a free kids' festival before the tournament kicks off.

Summer Streets NYC

This free outdoor event happens on the first three Saturdays in August from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and closes off nearly seven miles of Manhattan's Park Avenue to vehicular traffic. Stretching from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, Summer Streets offers a wide array of outdoor activities to pedestrians and cyclists. Almost 300,000 people took the chance to stroll along one of New York City's most iconic streets in last year's event.

With five designated rest stops and plenty of sights to see in between, there's much more to do at this event than simply stroll. If you have kids with you, stop by the Children's Corner at 51st Street and Park Avenue. At this uptown rest stop, there will be the Kid Fitness Zone and Arts and Culture Workshops. These workshops allow children ages two and up to experience some of the best cultural institutions in NYC. As children are naturally acquiring language skills and absorbing new information for the first eight years of their lives, there's no better time to immerse them in the city's culture. The New York Botanical Garden, The Africa Center, The International Center of Photography, and more will be at these eye-opening workshops.

The midtown rest stop at 25th Street and Park Avenue hosts the City Picnic, featuring a stage with an entertaining array of musical performances. This pit stop is also where you may be able to taste some of the 1.5 billion gallons of ice cream and similar desserts produced in the U.S. every year, as vendors will be offering free samples throughout the day. You can then work off those delicious calories -- if you choose, we don't judge -- at the Fitness Zone, Sports Zone, and Dance Festival located at the downtown rest stops.

Bryant Park Yoga and the NYC Cocktail Expo

On every Tuesday morning and Thursday evening throughout August, Manhattan's Bryant Park fills with yoga-lovers. As 80% of Americans say they experience daily stress, this annual event encourages people of all fitness and skill levels to grab a mat and relax. Instructors from yoga studios across NYC will lead you in hitting the right poses and practicing deep breathing. Wellness brand Gaiam is donating 1,200 mats for attendees, so you don't even have to stress about bringing your own.

If you prefer to de-stress in a more spirited way, mark Aug 18 down on your calendars for the New York Cocktail Expo 2019. With tastings of over 30 spirits, beers, ciders, and -- naturally -- cocktails, you can let your daily worries go and simply indulge. Anyone among the 86.4% of adults who have tried alcohol at least once in their lifetime can find a libation they love with all of these offerings. You'll even get to sip on samples of cocktails mixed by local bartenders competing in the "Best Cocktail" competition.

There's always something to do in NYC and this final month of summer is no exception. Besides these wonderful events, you can check out Brooklyn's Afropunk Festival, movie nights in Bryant Park and Randall Island Park, the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, and so much more. Soak up the sun while you enjoy these events and you'll be sure to have a wonderful end to your summer.