Beyond the 9-5: The Best Things to Do in New York this May

Food festivals, Mexican feasts and world-class fitness events are the name of the game in the Big Apple this month.

Naomi Chadderton

An experienced editor and journalist specialising in news and lifestyle.

Introducing Beyond the 9-5, our round-up of all the best things to do in New York each month. In May we’ve got the largest ever edition of fitness event Hyrox, world-first exhibitions and Memorial Day celebrations, to name a few.

1Enjoy an Emotional Show at the New York Philharmonic

One of the cultural highlights in New York this May is Simone Young Conducts Schumann and Bruckner at the New York Philharmonic, featuring celebrated cellist Steven Isserlis - renowned for the “mastery and sheer joy” of his playing - performing Schumann’s poetic Cello Concerto. Simone Young, a leading force in interpreting Bruckner, conducts the composer’s sweeping Sixth Symphony, a majestic journey through Romantic soundscapes, with the evening opening with Schoenberg’s dreamy Notturno for strings and harp. A must for classical music lovers.

May 1st – 3rd. Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall.

2Dine to your Heart’s Content at Family Style Fest

While you might not have heard of Keith Lee, the former MMA fighter-turned-TikTok restaurant critic who can make or break a place based on his rating of meals he eats off his lap in his car, you’re going to want to check out his inaugural food festival this May. Hosting a diverse collection of over 40 restaurants, the NYC Family Style Fest is being held in Brooklyn’s Industry City on Saturday May 17, with high-profile spots like L’Industrie, Katz’s, Lucali, Russ & Daughters, Potluck Club, Dhamaka, Double Chicken Please, Raku, Forsyth Fire Escape and Nom Wah already on the roster.

May 17th. Industry City, Brooklyn.

3Pay Tribute to the Nation’s Heroes on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is falling on May 26 this year, and you can honour the nation’s heroes by attending the solemn ceremonies at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum or the annual Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade. Then, soak in the unofficial start of summer with a picnic in Central Park, a beach day at Coney Island or a rooftop barbecue. With everything from fireworks to free concerts, it’s a meaningful and exciting way to kick off the season.

4Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Mexican Feast

From tucking into tasty tacos to sipping on cut-price margaritas, we’re always happy to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. This year head to spots like Casa Enrique in Long Island City for Michelin-starred Mexican fare, or La Contenta in the Lower East Side for mezcal cocktails and modern takes on traditional dishes. For lively atmospheres, try Rosa Mexicano near Lincoln Center or Cantina Rooftop in Hell’s Kitchen with skyline views. Many neighbourhoods also host mariachi performances, folkloric dance and pop-up markets celebrating Mexican heritage throughout the day and night.

5Get Taken Out to a Mother’s Day Brunch

Mother’s Day in New York is all about being celebrated in style. Enjoy a serene farm-to-table brunch at the Queens Botanical Garden complete with fresh local fare and garden strolls, while over at the New York Botanical Garden, the festive Weekend Garden Party offers live music, games and gourmet food trucks amid blooming landscapes. For something extra special, indulge in a Hudson River yacht brunch with flowing mimosas, live jazz and skyline views - an elegant way to feel truly appreciated.

6Celebrate the Beauty of Menswear at The Met

For the first time in 20 years, the Met’s Costume Institute is turning its focus to menswear with Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. This groundbreaking exhibition explores Black style and the evolution of dandyism from the 18th century to today, divided into 12 themed sections including heritage, freedom, ownership and respectability. Visitors can expect striking garments, bespoke mannequin heads, monumental sculptures, paintings, film, photography and more in this rich, multidimensional experience that you won’t want to miss.

Metropolitan Museum of Art. From May 10th through October 26th, 2025.

Superfine: Tailoring Black Style promo artwork

7See a New Exhibition at the Guggenheim

The Guggenheim’s spiral rotunda becomes the centrepiece of A Poem for Deep Thinkers, the largest-ever exhibition of American artist Rashid Johnson’s work, this May. Spanning 25 years of his career, the show traces themes of social alienation, rebirth and escapism through nearly 90 pieces, including sculpture, film and video. An outdoor installation will also complement the indoor experience. The exhibition takes its title from a poem by Amiri Baraka, whose writing has long influenced Johnson’s deeply personal and politically resonant art.

From April 18th, 2025 through January 18th, 2026.

8Test your Fitness at Hyrox

The largest event in Hyrox USA history is taking place at Hudson River Park this May, as the city’s fittest prepare to tackle the one-kilometre lap, followed by a functional exercise station like sled pushes, SkiErgs or kettlebell farmers carries, repeated eight times. Its second annual outdoor race in NYC, a follow-up to last year’s event that effectively marked the German brand’s arrival onto the American fitness scene, why not have a go, if you think you’re tough enough?

May 30th – June 1st. Hudson River Park.