What's Happening This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Nothing screams summer like massive eating contests, but you don’t have to leave them to the professional hot dog eaters. Anyone can join in on Hell Gate Social’s Labor Day BBQ and Pie Eating Contest (as long as you get there early to reserve your spot among the top 12). For those with less of a sweet tooth, get a plate of BBQ for $10 and watch the showdown, then let your stomach do its work while watching free movies al fresco.

Sun, September 4, 2pm-4am; $10 12-21 Astoria Blvd, Queens; hellgatesocial.com

DRINK

Kick off your holiday weekend and celebrate the beginning of fall by kicking back a seasonal beer by the grill. Ditmas Park favorite Sycamore is opening up their backyard garden and serving some special suds from a visiting brewery from Escondido, California for just $5. Get a free hot dog with your first beer, and enjoy other snacks hot off the grill all afternoon.

Sat, September 4, 2-8pm; $5/glass 1118 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn; sycamorebrooklyn.com

SEE

When you think “freestyling,” you probably don’t also think “unicycles.” But this weekend, NYC’s first Unicycle Festival will feature freestyle demonstrations from professional uni riders that you won’t want to miss. The festival also includes Unicycle Basketball, Unicycle Hockey, and a long-distance ride through Brooklyn. If you’re not quite on that level yet, a workshop for beginners will be running throughout the day.

Sat, September 4, noon-5pm; free Governors Island; nycunifest.com

SHOP

New York artists show off their stuff in the third annual Governors Island Art Fair. Every weekend in September, over 100 local artists present their work, from paintings to photography to sculpture to crafts. Browse through the dozens of rooms and explore your own pop-up museum, or support NYC artists by buying a piece or two. You never know who will become the next Picasso!

Sat and Sun, September 4-5, 11am-6pm; free Governors Island Building 12

PLAY

Labor Day isn’t the only day we’re celebrating this weekend. Plan a last-minute trip to Rio with the Brazilian Day festivities on Sixth Avenue, to celebrate Brazilian independence. Now in its 26th year, the festivities have become the biggest Brazilian event outside Brazil, with over 400 vendors showing off their art, crafts and food. Visiting musicians, including Brazilian superstar Carlinhos Brown, play everything from tropicalia to “Brazilian country” (a world away from Taylor Swift).

Sun, September 5, 11sm-7pm; free Sixth Ave between 43rd and 57th Sts; brazilianday.com