May 23 – 25, 2025

Theater for the New City
155 First Avenue (btw E 9th and E 10th Street)

Theater for the New City is set to host the 30th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts from May 23 to May 25, 2025, celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of New York City’s Lower East Side. This free, three-day event will feature over 200 performing arts organizations, independent artists, poets, puppeteers, and filmmakers, offering a diverse array of performances and activities.

Indoor performances will take place from 6:00 PM to midnight each day across two of TNC’s four theaters. On Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, East Tenth Street between First and Second Avenues will transform into a bustling street fair, featuring vendors, food sellers, and booths from nearby restaurants. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant mix of theater, dance, music, poetry, and visual arts, reflecting the neighborhood’s dynamic artistic community.

The festival, initiated in 1996 by TNC’s Executive Artistic Director Crystal Field and Esther Cartegena of Loisaida, Inc., aims to showcase the Lower East Side as a haven for artistic expression and cultural diversity. Over the years, it has grown into a beloved tradition, drawing thousands of visitors annually to celebrate the area’s unique blend of cultures and creative energies.

Admission to all events is free, though donations are gratefully accepted to support the festival’s ongoing mission. For more information and a detailed schedule, visit theaterforthenewcity.net.