A weekly roundup of the best events, markets, and happenings in and around Jackson Heights. Perfect for neighbors who want to stay in the loop and support local life.
🥟 Jul 14–20: From paella to Pelé in Jackson Heights
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Hey neighbor, Jackson Heights is fully in summer mode. On Sunday, the Peruvian Parade filled 37th avenue with music, dancing, and plenty of red and white, kicking off the neighborhood’s Latin American parade season in style. The soundtrack continued at Travers Park, where the Queens Jazz Trail opened with a concert on Thursday, followed by the first Summer Sundays concert of the season. Free outdoor music a few blocks from home is a pretty good neighborhood perk. There is something new indoors too. ​Miniso has opened beside 82nd st station in the former Duane Reade space, meaning your commute can now include an emergency purchase of stationery, a phone charger, or a giant fluffy toy. And tonight, we are gathering for our newcomer Meetup. There is still time to sign up, meet some neighbors, and hear about the people and community projects helping shape Jackson Heights. It has also been a very good summer to be a soccer fan in Queens. The World Cup has brought flags to windows, crowds to local bars, and strong opinions about every goal, lineup, and referee call. And luckily, soccer is only getting closer to home. In about a year, New York City FC will open Etihad Park at Willets Point, just down the road from Jackson Heights. It will be the first soccer-specific stadium in New York City. Membership deposits are available now for fans who want priority access to season tickets and to be part of the Club’s inaugural season in its new home → visit EtihadPark.com to learn more. Gotham FC, New York’s women’s professional soccer team, will also move to Etihad Park in 2028, bringing both men’s and women’s professional soccer to Queens. So even after the World Cup ends, there will still be plenty for local soccer fans to look forward to... On that note, we’re excited to welcome New York City FC as our newest newsletter supporter. Big thanks to New York City FC for supporting Jackson Heights Insider and helping keep this neighborhood newsletter going! And on that suitably sporty note, let’s get into this week’s neighborhood events lineup. This Week in Jackson HeightsTuesday, July 14 to Monday, July 20 Featured Event⚽ Movies Under the Stars Soccer Series: Pelé: Birth of a Legend | Tuesday, July 14, 8:30–10:30 pm | Travers Park Bring a blanket and watch the story of Brazilian soccer legend Pelé under the stars. The film follows his remarkable journey from São Paulo to winning the World Cup at just 17 years old. The movie begins at dusk. No glass bottles or alcohol, and the screening may be canceled in severe weather. Cheer for Pelé​ Tuesday, July 14Paella Nights at Addictive Wine & Tapas | 4–10:30 pm | Addictive Wine & Tapas • Saffron, seafood, and Spanish comfort food → Pass the paella​ Jackson Heights Newcomer Meetup | 6–7 pm | 34th Avenue Open Streets • RSVP required, newcomers and longtime locals welcome • $5 → Meet your neighbors​ Movies Under the Stars Soccer Series: Pelé: Birth of a Legend | 8:30–10:30 pm | Travers Park • Bring a blanket, movie begins at dusk → Cheer for Pelé​ Wednesday, July 15Making “Place” a Character in Your Writing | 6:30–8 pm | The World’s Borough Bookshop • Put your setting to work → Write the neighborhood​ Thursday, July 16Sebastián Cruz Quartet: New Colombian Songwriting | 7:30–10:30 pm | Terraza 7 • Colombian grooves meet electric improvisation • $20 → Feel the rhythm​ Friday, July 17Summer at the Library: Reef Builders | 3–4:30 pm | Jackson Heights Library • Build, create, and protect the coast → Build a reef​ Saturday, July 18Textures! Plaster Painting Class | 1–3 pm | Art Retail Therapy • Ages 5–14, materials included, two sessions → Make some texture​ Sunday, July 19Les Petites Gallery | 9 am–6 pm | 34th Avenue and 83rd Street • Browse art right on the avenue → Take an art walk​ Pages in the Park: Bread Is Love | 11–11:30 am | Travers Park • A warm family story, fresh from the oven → Share the loaf​ Mark Wade Trio: Summer Sundays | 6–8 pm | Travers Park • Bring a chair and settle into jazz → Catch the groove​ Monday, July 20Queens Distance Runners Community Run | 6–7 pm | 80th Street and Northern Boulevard • Friendly 5K, no Lycra required → Run the neighborhood​ More to do in QueensIn partnership with events newsletter Astoria Live - another local events newsletter well worth having in your inbox Dance Performances at Frank D. O’Connor Playground | Tue, Jul 14, 6–7:15 pm | Frank D. O’Connor Playground, Elmhurst • Live dance and music, limited street parking → See the dancers​ World’s Sport in the World’s Boro | Wed, Jul 15, 1:30–3 pm | Corona Plaza • Music, dance, family fun, then soccer → Join the celebration​ Summer Networking Cruise | Wed, Jul 15, 5–10 pm | World’s Fair Marina • Food, dancing, networking, free onsite parking • Ticket required → Climb aboard​ Family World Cup Final Match Celebration | Sun, Jul 19, 12–3:30 pm | LaGuardia Performing Arts Center • Family activities, free food, match at 2:30 pm → Cheer together​ Heads-up: times and places can change, so make sure you confirm event details with the organizers before you go. And remember - this list is just a selection of everything that’s going on locally. You can check out full listings for more events at JacksonHeightsInsider.com/events​ High-Fives & Local LoveShout-out to the brands keeping this newsletter going:
Own a local business? Help keep this neighborhood newsletter free and community-powered, with your logo featured above → Sponsor Jackson Heights Insider​ And a big thanks to our personal supporters: Leslie Garcia, Rachel Schwartz, Lisa Reswick, John "Sandy" Needham, Felice Amera, Emily Moore, Oda Friedheim, Joseph Faillace, Emily Hackenburg, Zach McCurdy, Diana Chery, Nikki Amberstone, John Capouya, Nancy Cardenas, Ursula Avelino, Philip Washburne, Paola Bakos, Joseph Varghese, RJ Harden, Barbara Goodwin, Patricia Marjoribanks, Sara Klar, Sam Raker, Ankit Gupta and Arlene Gilbert. Want to join them in supporting this newsletter? → Become a Jackson Heights Insider supporter here (and unlock extra perks) Until next week, may your trains be quick and your paella worth the wait! Jonathan (JBS) |
Jackson Heights Insider: Local Events & Community Updates
A weekly roundup of the best events, markets, and happenings in and around Jackson Heights. Perfect for neighbors who want to stay in the loop and support local life.
Hey neighbor, We had another Jackson Heights Insider dinner club on Tuesday, and it was a good one. Neighbors were spread out across Black Thai, Uncle Peter’s, Cafe Salamanca, Pio Pio, and Queensboro, where everyone came together afterward. If you haven’t joined one yet, here’s how it works. You get paired with a small table of about five neighbors, share a meal, and see where the conversation goes. No speeches, no awkward networking, just good food and the very Jackson Heights experience of...
Hey neighbor, It is going to be a scorcher this week, with temperatures expected to climb close to 100 degrees on Friday. So please take it easy out there! Drink water, check on neighbors, and maybe do not choose this week to prove you can carry six grocery bags home from Food Bazaar in one trip. Meanwhile, Jackson Heights has a new local celebrity. A painted cow has appeared on 34th Avenue and 89th Street, bringing a little color and charm to the neighborhood. Honestly, she may already be...
Hey neighbor, Today is Primary Election Day, which means Jackson Heights gets to do one of its favorite things. Have strong opinions, then go vote on them. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm, and if you are on line at 9pm, you can still vote. You can check your polling place and see a sample ballot by plugging in your address here. Meanwhile, the World Cup is in full swing, and our little corner of Queens is already showing why it is called the World’s Borough. The Jackson Heights opening game...