Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

The River to River Festival takes place each summer during the month of July, in a variety of public venues that canvas all of Downtown New York - from Chambers Street down to the southern tip of Manhattan and across the island from river to river. Starting in 2007, the River to River Festival is proud to be taking steps toward becoming an environmentally friendly festival. From recycling to printing to power generation, the Festival is teaming up with business and civic leaders to develop ways to lessen its impact on the environment and to become a carbon-neutral event.

Picture New York Harbor transformed into a maritime showcase during those warm late-spring days when the city buzzes with activity. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum serves as the epicenter, though the celebration radiates across all five boroughs with energy to spare. Expect more than a dozen naval vessels—from the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and international fleets—anchored in the harbor, their decks welcoming curious visitors through free daily tours. The week unfolds with parades of ships gliding past the skyline, athletic showdowns like relay races and crew tug-of-wars, live combat demonstrations, and even a spirited cooking competition among ship crews. A solemn Memorial Day ceremony anchors the schedule aboard the Intrepid's flight deck, where veterans and active service members honor fallen heroes with Taps, a wreath placement, a 21-gun salute, a massive unfurled flag, and military aircraft performing the missing man formation overhead. Throughout the seven-day festival, the harbor becomes a living museum where civilians can climb aboard vessels, witness military precision up close, and celebrate the personnel who serve the country. The collaboration between New York City, the Navy, and the Intrepid Museum creates an event that blends spectacle with tribute.