One of the best things about NYC in the summer is the free events in area parks.  Pack some wine, cheese and other snacks, grab a few friends or go on your own for a wonderful night, weather permitting.

Here’s a few options for you to mark on your calendar:

SummerStage:  The lineup continues to be slightly strange.  But I’m excited for June 17 when Joan Baez and the Indigo Girls will be playing.

Philharmonic in the Park:  Always a huge draw – and my favorite.  Performances on the Great Lawn are scheduled this year on July 13 and 15.  With plenty of space for everyone and fireworks after, there’s no reason to miss at least one of these fun nights.  Check the website for performances in other city parks throughout the summer.

Metropolitan Opera:  One performance on the Great Lawn is scheduled for July 16.

Shakespeare in the Park:  Although the name would suggest a relation to the Bard author, that hasn’t always been the case in the last year or so.  A Comedy of Errors runs from May 28 through June 30.  But then it’s Love’s Labour’s Lost, a New Musical from July 23 through August 18.  Tickets are free if you can get to the box office on the day of the event or you can try to win them in a lottery each morning.

With the early summer weather we’re having this week, I’m looking forward to making it to all of these.  But for now, I think I’ll hit the beach….