FOOD
Try Halo Top’s soft serve for free
You and the rest of America are probably already eating as much Halo Top ice cream as you should. So switch to its soft serve for a few days when the brand drops a pop-up inside the city’s trendiest bakery Supermoon Bakehouse on the Lower East Side. Starting at 8 a.m., be one of the first 150 people in line to get a free swirl of Halo Top’s new summery soft serve Peaches & Cream, or opt for one of its already beloved flavors: Peanut Butter and Vanilla Bean. May 31-June 3, 120 Rivington St.
FOOD
Thai Ice Cream Sandwiches
Just as the weather is heating up, two of the city’s buzziest dessert shops are combining their powers into the Thais-Cream Sandwich. French toast bar Kay’s Boutique Café is contributing its brûléed vanilla-flavored “bun” for two scoops of Thai tea-flavored ice cream from Asian dessert shop and creamery Eggloo, topped with salted toasted coconut flakes. The treat is available this weekend only at the ice cream cart in front of Kay’s for $9. May 31-June 3, Thurs/Sun noon-8 p.m. and Fri/Sat noon-9 p.m., 240 Mulberry St.
POP-UP
Putt your way through a pop-up mini golf course in the West Village showcasing the new Google Home speakers, with each hole designed to look like a room of the house. It’s free to play, with the chance to win your own speakers and other prizes. There are also photo opps and treats for players to try. May 31-June 4, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 350 Sixth Ave., free, minigolf.withgoogle.com
FILM
Found Footage Festival VCR Party
Ever wonder what happened to all of those old home movies we took on giant camcorders in the ‘80s, now that no one even knows what to do with a VHS? Maybe they wound up in the hands of Nick Prueher and Joe Prickett, of the Found Footage Festival. Join them and their friends as they take turns showing off their latest finds from thrift stores and garage sales at the VCR Party at Alamo Drafthouse. Comedians will provide live commentary on these lost gems. May 31, 9:30 p.m., Alamo Drafthouse, 445 Albee Square West, Brooklyn, $15, drafthouse.com
NATURE
You can love the city and still maintain your love of the outdoors — or fall in love with it for the first time. Embrace the spirit of adventure and beauty of nature during OutdoorFest with 10 days of events, starting this Friday. Activities take place across all five boroughs, starting with a campout on Staten Island. There’s also night fishing, oyster preservation, kayaking around Governors Island, canoeing the Gowanus Canal and surfing, yoga or shoreline cleanup at the Rockaways. June 1-10, multiple times and events, prices vary, outdoorfest.com
FOOD
The nation’s largest all-you-can-eat ice cream party returns to New York City this weekend. Join fellow scoop enthusiasts at Bryant Park to enjoy as much as you can eat with one ticket. (Pro tip: Skip the cone and save more room for cold creamy goodness.) You’ll find your favorite flavorists, like Ben & Jerry’s, Big Gay Ice Cream, Waffle & Dinges, Baskin Robbins, Breyers, Talenti and more. Proceeds benefit pediatric and adult cancer care through Jimmy Fund. June 1-3, Noon, Bryant Park, Sixth Ave. & 41st St., $25, jimmyfund.org
BOOKS
The Comic Con of books takes over the Javits Center all weekend for tons of panels with celebrity authors including former President Bill Clinton and Broad City star Abbi Jacobson, workshops on how to become the next George R.R. Martin, a giant crime fiction discussion and, of course, a marketplace where you can be the first to score new releases or a special edition of a favorite book. June 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., June 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 655 W. 34th St., $40-$45 ($10 kids), thebookcon.com
SHOPPING
Looking for a Father’s Day gift? You should be able to find something suitably rugged at the AF Pop-Up Market, returning to Industry City in Sunset Park this weekend. Explore over 50 up-and-coming brands (while meeting the self-starters behind them) all making jewelry, clothing, home decor, art, fragrance and other unique gifts right here in the U.S. There will be artisanal treats for sale, as well as complimentary cocktails to sample (featuring Maker’s Mark). It’s free to attend, but you can register online and enter to win a $500 shopping spree. June 2-3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 241 37th St., Brooklyn, free, go.shopaf.co/bk
PARTY
The Great Forgotten Garden Party
Escape the creeping dread of summer in the city with a frolic through an ethereal landscape at Atlas Obscura’s Great Forgotten Garden Party. Overlooking the Hudson River on a hidden property with greenery and paths to wander, tall columns and a romantic garden pool, you’ll discover live dance and music performances by artists like serpentwithfeet and Marissa Nadler. Bring your own picnic (excluding alcohol), or choose from food vendors and cash bars onsite. June 2, 6-10 p.m. Untermyer Gardens, 945 N. Broadway, Yonkers, $55, atlasobscura.com
GAMES
Every night at Mark Fisher Fitness is fun and fabulous with classes that have “hero” and “ninja” in the titles. For this special fundraiser, join Geoffrey “Mr. Wonderful” Hemingway at the gym’s Bowery Clubhouse for an evening of bingo with proceeds going toward Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. A $20 donation gets you in the door, and then you can buy unlimited cards to play with all night. Prizes might include free membership and classes, or even tickets to Broadway Bares. June 2, 6 p.m., Bowery Clubhouse, 161 Bowery, $20, markfisherfitness.com/bares
FOOD
Txikito celebrates 10 years of bringing authentic flavors from the Basque country to Chelsea — and you’re invited. The big bash takes place Sunday afternoon, with a whole hog barbecue, txuleta steak and sides (a special menu for the special day, from the only place for Basque cuisine in NYC). Beverages are also included, and attendees will take home a commemorative txakoli glass. Adding a little more incentive to your revelry, all proceeds will go to the ACLU. June 3, 1-4 p.m., Txikito, 240 Ninth Ave., $65, txikito.com
PARTY
Party with one of Brooklyn’s most innovative indie theater companies while providing support for new works by attending the Pipeline Gala at Le Poisson Rouge. This year marks the company’s 10th anniversary, and the blowout gala includes an open bar, light bites and live performances, including an exclusive preview of next season’s production Playing Hot. Or, tickets to the dance party are just $20 and secure entry at 2:30, with $4 beers and access to the after-party at Triona’s. June 3, Noon, Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St., $20-$175, pipelinetheatre.org
PARTY
Israel’s 70th Anniversary Block Party
On Sunday, Israel celebrates its 70th anniversary and the General Consulate of Israel is turning Times Square into a giant block party. Billboards will be transformed into Israeli flags and scenes reflecting the nation’s heritage, while celebrities and dignitaries speak on what the occasion means to them. DJs will play in the heart of it all, transforming NYC’s most iconic location into a massive, international dance party. June 3, 8-10 p.m., Times Square, free
