MetFest 2023

Enjoy a fun filled afternoon of cultural adventures—all celebrating the creative spirit of New York City.

Illustrations of musicians performing on New York City building tops.

Experience projects and performances by Civic Practice Partnership Artists in Residence Alethea Pace, Brooklyn Hi Art Machine, and OlaRonke Akinmowo of The Free Black Women’s Library.

Meet the artists

On the Plaza

Our people-powered block party is back with live music, energizing performances, and artist-led experiences for all ages on the David H. Koch Plaza.

People cooking and serving food outside under a bright orange tent

Pop-Up Food Court by Queens Night Market

Fuel your MetFest celebrations and experience the many flavors of New York City by stopping by locally based, independent food vendors. In partnership with Queens Night Market.

People in red, black and white outfits performing music to a crowd of people on the steps in front of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Live Performances and Activities

Enjoy an afternoon of cultural adventure—from Afrobeats to hands-on art activities! See the full schedule.

In the Museum

Join us inside for gallery chats, art making, and unique tours!

One woman points as a group of people stand inside a gallery looking at a sculpture

Gallery Chats in ASL and Multiple Languages

Dive deep into The Met collection with Museum guides during these ongoing talks.

A group of people standing inside of and discussing an artwork by Laurern Halsey installed on The Met's Roof Garden

Met Expert Staff Pop-Up Talks

Join Met staff members from across the Museum for short talks in the galleries to hear unique insights. See the full schedule.

Accessibility

Stop by the Welcome Table in Diane W. Burke Hall in the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education for an assistive listening device, a Sign Language interpreter, a sighted guide, a large-print or braille schedule of events, or for other questions about accessibility at The Met.

wheelchair accessibility symbol Access (Other Than Print or Braille) for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision accessibility symbol. Image of a person with a support cane. large print availibility accessibility symbol. A black square with black text: Large Print. Braille accessibility symbol. Six dots arranged in the formation of a rectangle, three dots high and two across. Assistive listening devices accessibility symbol. An image of a Ear with two curved lines curving the outside of the ear to signify sounds and dots inside the ear to signify hearing. sign language accessibility symbol. Two hands making the ASL letter, one upright and the other one is inverted. The pointer finger and thumb touch making a circle while the other fingers are free. Audio description accessibility symbol. Capital letters AD with three parentheses curving the letter D.

MetFest Partners

Alethea Pace; Antibalas; Brass Queens; Bilingual Birdies; The BOSCO; Brooklyn Hi-Art Machine; Brooklyn United Music and Arts Program; Brooklyn Technical High School’s Lady Dragons and Organized C.H.A.O.S.; Brown Rice Family; BubbleMan NYC; Building Beats; Carmen Paulino; Cheer New York; DJ Rob Dinero and Shani Kulture of Hot 97; Douglas Kearney; The Free Black Women’s Library with OlaRonke Akinmowo; Full Circle Souljahs; Kut The Rug Institute; Marco Jimenez; Material Orchestra; MTB–Meant to Be; New York City Children’s Theater; NYC Hoop Troupe; Teatro SEA; Queens Night Market; Yacouba Sissoko and SIYA

MetFest is made possible by The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, Bonnie J. Sacerdote, the Uris Brothers Foundation Endowment, and Council Member Keith Powers.

Illustration by Janice Chang