One of my favorite things about summer in New York is getting to dance salsa outside in different locations around the city! Below is a list of my favorite outdoor summer salsa events in NYC, along with important details and a brief overview of why I love them. The best part?! Most of them are free!
I hope to see you dancing at some of them in the next few months 💃
The Best Places to Dance Salsa Outside This Summer in New York City
Bryant Park Dance Party
- Where: Bryant Park
- When: Wednesdays // May 1 – June 5, 2019 // Class 6 – 7 pm, Social Dancing 7 – 8.30pm
- Cost: Free
Why I Love It: Hosted and produced by dancer Talia Castro-Pozo, the event series features a different dance style each week including salsa, bachata, tango, swing, contra, and R&B. They also have an LGBTQ dance night on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Show up early for the dance lesson and stay for the live band. The event also offers a free bag check, so you can come straight from work and enjoy the event without worrying about someone snagging your bag if you put it down while you’re dancing.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 is Salsa Night and Wednesday, May 8, 2019 is Latin and Ballroom Night.
Afterward, head to Solas Bar in the East Village (232 E 9th St.) for Baila Wednesdays to keep dancing all the way until 1am.
You can find more info about Bryant Park’s Dance Party series here.
Latin Dance Festival
- Where: Bryant Park
When: Friday, June 7th // Dance Lesson 5 – 6pm, Social Dancing 6:00 – 10:00pm
Cost: Free
Why I Love It: Technically this event is part of Bryant Park’s Dance Party Summer series, but because it occurs on a Friday and exclusively features Latin dance styles, it deserves its own mention in this list.
Enjoy five hours of dancing Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue to live music from La Sonora Nuyorkina.
You can find more info about the event here.
Sunset Salsa
* 2019 Dates have not been announced yet
- Where: Pier 45 in Greenwich Village
- When: Tuesdays // July 10 – August 28, 2018 // Dance Lesson 6:3 – 7:15pm, Social Dancing 7:15 – 9pm
- Cost: Free
Why I Love It: This is probably my favorite outdoor summer salsa event because of the view! The pier is right on the Hudson River so you can see the entire Jersey City skyline and it’s gorgeous! The event tends to attract both beginner and advanced dancers, so I recommend it to everyone. There’s also a small grassy area on the pier where you can sit and listen to the music if you don’t want to dance, so it’s a great event to bring non-dance friends to as well.
I try to get there right in time for sunset and stay until the end of the event. If you arrive on the early side, be prepared to sweat a lot, because it can get really, really hot before the sun goes down. Make sure to bring plenty of water too!
The floor is paneled (I think it’s some kind of synthetic wood material), so avoid wearing any kind of stiletto heel, as it’s likely to get stuck between the cracks. I also suggest avoiding sneakers because the rubber soles will make it really hard to spin. I usually wear booties or some kind of flats that I know won’t slip off.
There’s no place to check a bag, so it’s best to wear an outfit with pockets big enough for your phone, wallet, and keys. Many people do however leave their bags clustered together in different areas around the event. I’ve done this a couple of times when I’ve come straight from work and never had anything stolen.
If you want to continue the party after the event ends, head to Copacabana afterward for Salsa On 2’sdays, where you can dance on the roof (albeit inside) until 2am.
More details about Sunset Salsa can be found on Facebook here.
Midsummer Night Swing
* 2019 Dates have not been announced yet
- Where: Lincoln Center
- When: The event series runs from June 26, 2018 – July 14, 2018, but check the event page for specific dates. The floor usually opens at 6pm with a dance lesson at 6:30pm and live music from 7:30 – 9pm.
- Cost: Free if you stay on the outside perimeter of the event, $17 – $25 if you want to step onto the actual dance floor, get up close with the band, and check your bag (which is still a really, really great deal!).
Why I Love It: The live music and venue itself are my favorite aspects of this event! Each year you’re sure to catch some pretty big names in Latin dance and music here. This year’s June 27th event features a dance lesson by the Mambo King himself, Eddie Torres, followed by a live musical performance by Joe Quijano and his orchestra. In addition to salsa, the event series features swing, ballroom, and Indian folkloric throughout the summer.
The venue itself is beautiful, with a stage for performers and a true, enclosed dance floor that lights up after the sun goes down.
Visiting Lincoln Center is a quintessential New York experience in and of itself, one that always makes me feel a little like I’m Carrie Bradshaw (at least until I head back to Brooklyn on the subway). I always try to arrive early so I can spend a few minutes walking around and marveling at the surrounding architecture.
Midtown Salsa
* 2019 Dates have not been announced yet
- Where: Plaza33
- When: Wednesdays in June // Lesson 6:00pm-6:45pm // Dance Party 6:45pm-8:30pm
- Cost: Free
Why I Love It: If you work in midtown, this is a great event to stop by on your way home or before you head to an evening show in the Theater District. Situated directly between some of New York’s busiest city streets, the event’s lively energy and upbeat atmosphere stand out more than the actual dancing—it just feels fun! If you happen to stumble on the event unexpectedly, you’ll feel like you’re in a real-life version of one of the Step Up movies, where impromptu dance parties just happen to take place anytime, anywhere.
Where else do you like to dance salsa outside in New York City? Tell us in the comments below!
Planning a dance trip to NYC? Check out our tips here and be sure to check out these Salsa socials while you’re visiting New York.