Spring has fully arrived in New York City, and this weekend the streets, piers, and warehouses are absolutely packed with reasons to get outside and celebrate. Whether you’re into fine art, vintage fashion, handmade prints, or just wandering a classic Brooklyn street fair with food in hand, there’s something calling your name from now through Sunday, April 12. Here’s your complete guide to the best festivals and events happening in NYC right now.
🎨 DON’T MISS: Artexpo New York @ Pier 36 (Through Sunday, April 12)
This is the one. Now in its 49th year, Artexpo New York has returned to Pier 36 at 299 South Street in Lower Manhattan, and it is absolutely massive. We’re talking 70,000 square feet of uninterrupted convention space, more than 200 galleries, art publishers, and dealers, and the original works of over 1,000 artists from around the globe. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just someone who wants to spend a few hours completely immersed in beautiful things, Artexpo delivers on a level that very few events in this city can match.
The fair runs through Sunday, with public hours starting at 11:00 a.m. daily. General admission tickets are $40 at the door ($30 in advance), with discounted rates for students, seniors, and military ($25 at the door). Kids 12 and under get in free with an adult. This is the kind of event you walk into and three hours later realize you haven’t even seen half of it.
Getting there: Take the F train to East Broadway or the 1/2/3 to Chambers Street. Pier 36 is at 299 South Street.
🖨 Brooklyn Fine Art Print Fair @ Powerhouse Arts (Through Sunday, April 12)
Over in Gowanus, one of Brooklyn’s most exciting new cultural venues is hosting the second annual Brooklyn Fine Art Print Fair at the Powerhouse Arts fabrication facility, and the printmaking community is showing up in force. More than 50 print-focused galleries, nearly 30 self-representing artists and bookmakers, and academic print departments from institutions across the country — including Maryland Institute College of Art and Tyler School of Art — have descended on this spectacular space for four days of everything print-related.
The programming lineup alone is worth the trip: daily talks, live demonstrations, film screenings, guided booth tours, and printshop tours throughout the weekend. Last year’s inaugural edition drew 7,500 visitors. This year is going to be even bigger.
The fair runs through Sunday at Powerhouse Arts, 220 36th Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn. For tickets and the full schedule, visit brooklynprintfair.org.
Getting there: Take the F/G train to Smith-9th Streets and walk toward the Gowanus neighborhood.
👗 A Current Affair Vintage Marketplace @ Industry City (Saturday–Sunday, April 11–12)
If your wardrobe is calling for a refresh, get yourself to Industry City in Sunset Park this weekend for A Current Affair, the pop-up vintage marketplace that brings together over 70 premier vintage retailers and private dealers from both coasts and beyond. We’re talking curated racks of vintage clothing, accessories, and jewelry — the kind of pieces you simply cannot find in a regular shop.
The main show runs 12–5 pm on both Saturday and Sunday at the Box Factory at Industry City, 51 34th Street. A preview shopping window opened at 10 a.m. Saturday for early-access ticket holders.
Getting there: D, N, or R train to 36th Street, then walk toward 2nd Avenue.
🌟 Court Street Fair in Carroll Gardens (Sunday, April 12, 10am–6pm)
The Court Street Fair is one of those classic Brooklyn events that reminds you why this city is the best place in the world to live. The annual mid-April street fair stretches along Court Street between Union and 9th Streets in the heart of Carroll Gardens, and on Sunday it will be full of food vendors, market stalls, kids’ activities, and the kind of casual, neighborhood energy that makes spring in Brooklyn feel like an actual celebration.
Running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., this is a free event — just show up and enjoy the vibe. Bring the kids, bring a reusable bag, and plan to eat your way down the block.
Getting there: F/G train to Bergen Street or Carroll Street.
A Weekend Worth Getting Off the Couch For
Between Artexpo’s globe-spanning art fair at Pier 36, the printmaking world converging in Gowanus, vintage treasure hunting in Sunset Park, and a beloved Carroll Gardens block party, this is one of the best weekends for street-level culture New York has offered all spring. Get out there — the city is waiting.
