Lower Manhattan welcomes the world downtown — to the Financial District — and shows that New York's oldest neighborhood is more unified, more vital, and more exciting than ever before. The NYC River to River Festival, features hundreds of cultural, arts, and musical events over five months brought together in a single, unprecedented summer spectacular. The combined events make this the largest free arts festival in New York City history.
The driving force behind the festival are lower Manhattan's corporations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, performing and visual arts groups, museums and historic sites. The purpose is to celebrate the birthplace of New York City, the rebirth of America's most historic square mile and the cultural dynamics and diversity that are the very fabric of this city's greatness. Stretching from the East River's South Street Seaport to over 20 venues throughout the Financial District to Historic Battery Park, Battery Park City and the World Financial Center on the Hudson River, the festival features more than 1500 artists and performers.
For complete listing and schedule information, please visit the festival’s official website.
River to River Festival is located in the Financial District neighborhood of Manhattan. The financial hub of the United States, the seat of New York City government, and home to some of New York's oldest buildings, the Financial District has an illustrious history. 17th century settlers began building here, and given the many seafarers of the time, boats could be conveniently docked at one of the slips right near the settlements of wooden homes. Right nearby, in the heart of the district is Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States in 1789, also the meeting site for the First Congress. New York City was both the capital of the United States and New York State at the time. The street names reflect the district's fascinating history: Fulton Street, named after Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat; Maiden Lane, originally called Magde Platje in Dutch; Beaver Street, recalling the once-significant beaver pelt trade, etc. The area today houses some great economic powerhouses, including the headquarters of major banks, the New York Stock Exchange, in addition to the World Financial Center. Contrasts are extraordinary, from old two- and three-story old brick buildings near South Street Seaport to the nearby modern mega-skyscrapers. Some of the numerous other attractions include Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington bid farewell to his troops (also, they have a museum!); the newly-landscaped City Hall Park; the Museum of the American Indian and the US Custom House at Bowling Green; Trinity Church, the first parish church in New York City and the resting place of Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton, among others; War Of 1812 strong hold Castle Clinton; the Staten Island-bound South Ferry; Battery Park; and the Federal Reserve Bank. Sadly, the biggest attraction since 9/11 has been the former World Trade Center site, although, thankfully, construction has finally filled the long-standing gouge in Lower Manhattan's face, and the stunning 9/11 Memorial and its attendant museum are welcome signs of a healing city. And, of course, soaring a symbolic 1,776 feet over the memorial is the new 1 World Trade Center!
There are no events taking place on this date.