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Kickstart Your Summer with Staycation Experiences in New York!
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Summer is the perfect time to explore your community, discover new experiences, and make lasting memories close to home. This season, AARP New York is highlighting staycation opportunities across the state — from sports and cultural events to local festivals, outdoor activities, entertainment, and more!
Whether you’re looking to spend time with friends and family, enjoy a fun night out, or explore something new in your area, our Staycation guide will feature a variety of events and experiences happening throughout the summer. Many opportunities will include free or discounted offers for AARP members and guests.
Bookmark this page and check back throughout the summer for new events, local experiences, and ways to enjoy everything New York has to offer.
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Staycation Opportunities in the NYC and Long Island Area
1. Share Your Favorite New York Staycation Spot
July 10–24, 2026
Show us your favorite New York destination this summer! Post a photo on Facebook or Instagram, tag @AARPNY, and use #LoveMyNY for a chance to be featured on AARP New York’s social media channels.
2. Queensboro Dance Festival Free Outdoor Performances
July 18 and 26, 2026
Experience free outdoor dance performances showcasing diverse local dance companies in parks across Queens.
Event registration:
July 18 | 6–7 p.m. ET | Gantry Plaza State Park
https://events.aarp.org/QBDFJuly18
July 26 | 3–4 p.m. ET | Bayside Historical Society
https://events.aarp.org/QBDFJuly26
3. Titanique: Broadway’s Titanic Parody Sensation
July 20, 24, 30 and 31, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Titanique is a hilarious musical parody of Titanic featuring the music of Celine Dion. Catch this unforgettable Broadway hit in New York City this summer.
Learn more:
https://www.aarp.org/states/new-york/see-the-hit-musical-comedy-titanique-in-nyc.html
4. Westchester Soccer Club Match Day
July 22, 2026 | 7 p.m. ET
Cheer on Westchester Soccer Club during a community match day filled with local energy, exciting soccer and summer fun.
Learn more:
https://www.aarp.org/states/new-york/kickstart-your-summer-with-the-westchester-soccer-club.html
5. Free Pickleball Clinics at Pickleball Prime LI
July 26 and August 30, 2026 | Session A: 3–4 p.m. ET | Session B: 4–5 p.m. ET
Try one of the country’s fastest-growing sports with free beginner-friendly pickleball clinics designed for a variety of skill levels at Pickleball Prime LI in Mineola.
6. Brooklyn Cyclones Summer Nights at Maimonides Park
July 30, August 15 and 16, 2026 | Times vary by date
Enjoy summer baseball with the Brooklyn Cyclones, complete with family fun and exciting days and nights at the ballpark in Coney Island.
Learn more:
https://www.aarp.org/states/new-york/hit-a-home-run-with-the-brooklyn-cyclones-for-summer-nights.html
7. Queensboro Dance Festival Finale Sweepstakes
August 15, 2026 | 1–8 p.m. ET
Enter for a chance to win two Passport Tickets to the 2026 Queensboro Dance Festival Finale at Queens Theatre. Passport Tickets provide access to a full day of dance performances and programming.
Enter the sweepstakes:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=i-OVo3VLRE6TSZo33kYKMzzH9dt6OxBHtm0aLckKrk9UNkVXNk1TTEVGT1BCSlBNM0VQS0JROUowVS4u
8. Celebrate Summer With the Long Island Ducks
August 15, 2026 | 6:35 p.m. ET
Cheer on the Long Island Ducks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. Stop by the AARP Long Island table to meet local volunteers and learn about community resources, events and programs.
Learn more:
https://www.aarp.org/states/new-york/make-the-ballgame-part-of-your-long-island-staycation/
9. Queens Jazz Trail Free Summer Concert Series
August 20 and 27, 2026 | 7 p.m. ET
Enjoy free live jazz performances in Queens as part of the Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series and Festival.
Event registration:
August 20 | Cunningham Park
https://events.aarp.org/QNSJazzTrail-Aug20
August 27 | Astoria Park
https://events.aarp.org/QNSJazzTrail-Aug27
10. Gen X Groove Dance Party
August 21, 2026 | 6 p.m. ET
Dance the evening away to disco, freestyle and familiar favorites with DJ Jeff Nec at Dox Bar & Kitchen in Island Park. Admission is free, and no AARP registration is required.
Learn more:
https://www.aarp.org/states/new-york/free-summer-dance-nights-on-long-island/
11. Explore The New York Historical With a Private Docent-Guided Tour
August 28, 2026 | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. ET
Visit the New-York Historical Society, stop by the AARP New York table and take part in docent-guided tours of Democracy Matters and Revolutionary Women.
Register:
https://events.aarp.org/event/NYHistTour_Aug28/summary
Staycation Opportunities in Upstate New York and the Hudson Valley
12. Proctors Sunday Subscription Giveaway
July 1–August 14, 2026
Enter for a chance to win a pair of Sunday matinee subscriptions to the 2026–2027 KeyBank Subscription Series at Proctors, including seven shows at Proctors and one at Capital Repertory Theatre.
Enter the giveaway:
https://www.aarp.org/events/details.proctors-sunday-subscription-giveaway.UI-260604164537
13. Mystic Pizza at Capital Repertory Theatre
July 10–August 9, 2026
Enjoy 15% off tickets to Mystic Pizza at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany using promo code PIZZA15.
Learn more:
https://www.aarp.org/events/details.save-mystic-pizza-at-capital-repertory-theatre.UI-260604163107
14. Hudson Valley Renegades Suite Life Sweepstakes
July 27–August 17, 2026
Enter for a chance to enjoy a special suite experience with the Hudson Valley Renegades at Heritage Financial Park in Wappingers Falls.
Enter the sweepstakes:
https://www.aarp.org/events/details.luxury-suite-giveaway-hudson-valley-renegades.UI-260604155714
15. Experience the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC
August 6, 12, 19 and 20, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Experience four memorable Philadelphia Orchestra performances at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. AARP members and guests can save 20% on select tickets by entering promo code SAVE20 at checkout.
Featured performances include:
August 6: Mozart & Mahler
August 12: Pictures from an Exhibition
August 19: David Kim Leads The Four Seasons
August 20: Gershwin’s An American in Paris
Access the special offer:
https://spac.org/special-offer/
16. Meet Us at the Ballpark: Rochester Red Wings vs. Charlotte Knights
Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 1–3 p.m. ET
1 Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY 14608
Stop by the AARP New York table to meet local volunteers, explore resources, pick up giveaways and enter for a chance to win suite tickets.
17. AARP NY Suite Life Sweepstakes: Rochester Red Wings vs. Buffalo Bisons
Enter by August 24, 2026
Enter for a chance to win two suite tickets to see the Rochester Red Wings take on the Buffalo Bisons.
https://qr.aarp.org/NY-Sweepstakes
18. Cook Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin With Chef Steve Forman
September 1, 2026 | 5 p.m. ET | Virtual
Celebrate the flavors of fall during a free virtual cooking demonstration featuring maple-glazed pork tenderloin with roasted butternut squash.
Register:
https://events.aarp.org/Pork
19. Cook Wild Mushroom Risotto With Chef Steve Forman
September 8, 2026 | 5 p.m. ET | Virtual
Learn how to prepare wild mushroom risotto with Parmesan and thyme during this free virtual cooking demonstration.
Register:
https://events.aarp.org/WildMushroomRisotto
20. Cook Stuffed Acorn Squash With Chef Steve Forman
September 15, 2026 | 5 p.m. ET | Virtual
Prepare a seasonal stuffed acorn squash featuring sausage, quinoa, cranberries and pecans during this free virtual cooking demonstration.
Register:
https://events.aarp.org/StuffedSquash
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