Governors Island Jazz Age Lawn Party

Governors Island is nestled between Manhattan and Brooklyn. It used to be a military station and civilians could only visit the island on specific days when it was open to the public. In recent years the island has reopened during the warm weather months and New Yorkers flock there via ferry to enjoy the natural beauty, good eats, and various installations throughout the season.

Iced Coffee at Astoria Provisions

Due to COVID and the need for social distancing many large scale events were canceled for 2020 including the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party. I got to attend last year for the first time and it was a blast. I met my friend Justin in Astoria. We grabbed brunch at Astoria Provisions before hopping on the ferry.

The lawn party was in full swing by the time we arrived in the early afternoon. Pro tips if you are planning on attending the event next year arrive early and bring a blanket so you can snag a good spot on the lawn near the live music and dancefloor. Aside from the jazz the event also features vintage clothing vendors, wine tasting, cocktails, and food trucks. I loved the wines from Josh Cellars and their Cabernet has become a staple in my home.

One of the best things to do at the Jazz Age Lawn Party is people watching to see all the amazing costumes.

People take the 1920s theme very seriously and while costumes aren’t mandatory they are certainly encouraged. While it’s a bummer that there will be no lawn jazz this year, the good news is they’ve already announced the 2021 Lawn Jazz Party for next June. In the meantime, you are able to visit Governors Island now, but you need to reserve your visit ahead of time. You can also enjoy breakfast or lunch at Astoria Provisions. They are open for outdoor dining in their backyard and for pickup and delivery.