As I point out over on Boris Johnson’s blog, festival season is upon us.

NYC has the River to River Festival while London has the City of London Festival. We have films al fresco in Bryant Park and they have them at Somerset House (which reminds me – I have a story about visiting Somerset House that I must tell you all one day but this is neither the time nor the place).  But that being Boris’ space and Boris being mayor of London, NYC is not really the point over there. But here, here it is ALL about NYC and so I present some of the my choices for festivals, fair and summer fun you should check out:

• First and foremost: it is Fleet Week. When? Now. Check it out! Parade of ships, pier demonstrations, the Intrepid Summer Movie Series, and more
• This upcoming weekend, a great choice is Family Festival at The Cloisters – and this year’s theme (medieval castles) is sure to be an attention grabber, especially when you consider the setting. If you haven’t been to the Cloisters, go. You won’t be sorry. It is one of the city’s most spectacular spots and one a lot of people miss.  Speaking of museums (because the Cloisters IS part of the Met after all), don’t forget that June 8 is the Museum Mile Festival from 6 to 9 p.m.
• June 2- 6 is the World Science Festival. Now stop that. Don’t squinch up your face like that. This isn’t science class. There won’t be a test after wards. This is FUN. Science can be, you know. Actually this festival really does have something for everyone – and that’s part of its mission: ” . . . to cultivate and sustain a general public informed by the content of science, inspired by its wonder, convinced of its value, and prepared to engage with its implications for the future.” To that end they have everything from a gala opening night honoring Stephen Hawking to discussion panels to family events like demonstrations of the James Webb Telescope and scientific street fairs.
• Brooklyn is playing host to the largest the largest Native American gathering in New York City June 4-6 in the shape of the Native American Festival at Aviator Sports and Events Center. The Center also hosts other festivals during the summer including the 2nd Annual Brooklyn Irish Festival June 26-27

A summer in the city fixture is the film festival and don’t we have a lot to chose from. Of course, you know about the Bryant Park film series but did you know that you could also do the outdoor movie thing on the deck of the Intrepid? Doesn’t that sounds AWESOME? It does to me which is why you’ll see me at the Intrepid Summer Movie Series.  But that’s not even the half of the film festival scene in NYC

• Movies with a View is on its 11th year in Brooklyn Bridge Park and there are not a lot of better views in the city. The waterfront, the bridge AND great movies? You can see why the series gets more and more popular each year.
• On the Upper West Side and prefer your outdoor movies closer to home? There’s River Flicks for Grownups and River Flicks for Kids.
• The Staten Island Film festival (June 2-6) – yes, yes I know but if you haven’t BEEN to Staten Island how will you know if you like it or not. And you know what? There’s quite a few things to see and do on Staten Island. (Note to self – do a Staten Island post ASAP)
• For those who like to mix the culinary with the cinematic, there is the NYC Food Film Festival (June 23-27).

There’s tons more – July, August and September are as full of fun as the earlier part of the summer but we’ll cover them closer to that time. And of course, no single post on Greater Gotham could find every festival, fair or fun thing. Here are some great online resources for finding the right event for you and your family.

• Time Out New York
• I Love NY (state official site)
• NYC.com Events section (city’s official site)
• NYC Parks Department Events Page
• NewYorkology
• Must See New York
• New York Event Guide