NYC Beaches Official Opening Weekend

New York City’s public beaches open for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23, the start of Memorial Day weekend, according to NYC Parks. The city says its beaches are free and open to the public, with lifeguards scheduled daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through September 13, 2026. The opening covers the city’s beach network, including Coney Island and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn and Rockaway Beach in Queens. Time Out New York listed the beach opening among its top things to do in the city for the week of May 18 to May 24. ### When do the beaches officially open, and what changes that day? Saturday, May 23, is the first day of the city’s regular beach season, according to NYC Parks. That is when lifeguarded swimming begins at New York City public beaches for Memorial Day weekend. NYC Parks says beaches remain open through September 13, 2026. The agency says swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections, which are marked with signs or red flags. ### What are the hours, and can people swim at any time? NYC Parks says lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during beach season. Those hours apply across the city’s public beaches. NYC311 says beach status includes water quality, beach safety and whether a swimming or wading advisory is in effect. The service says the status page for Coney Island Beach also applies to Brighton Beach. ### Which beaches are included in the city’s opening? NYC Parks says it maintains 14 miles of beaches across the city. The system includes Coney Island and Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach and Staten Island beaches, along with Rockaway Beach and the Rockaway boardwalk. Coney Island’s beach runs alongside one of the city’s busiest summer boardwalks and amusement areas, according to NYC Parks and local visitor information pages. Rockaway Beach, also operated by NYC Parks, is one of the city’s main summer destinations in Queens and draws large seasonal crowds. ### What should beachgoers check before heading out? The New York City Health Department says it monitors and inspects beaches, water quality and facilities. The department classifies beaches as open, advisory or closed and says signs are posted when a beach is under advisory or closed. NYC311 says visitors can check current beach status before leaving home. The city also says alcoholic beverages are not allowed on public beaches, and swimming is not permitted in closed sections or outside lifeguard hours. ### Are there events or programming tied to opening weekend? Time Out New York included the official opening of NYC beaches in its weekly city guide for May 18 to May 24. The listing pointed readers to the season’s start as one of the week’s notable public activities. NYC Parks’ event listings show additional programming at major beach sites after opening weekend. At Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, a free Cardio Punch class is scheduled for May 30 at Beach 60th Street, according to the parks calendar. At Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk, free fitness and dance programming appears on the calendar later in the season, including LaBlast Fitness on May 31 and a Silent Disco event on June 13. ### Where can people find official updates during the season? NYC Parks posts beach-season rules, hours and facility information on its beaches pages. The Health Department posts beach classifications and advisories, and NYC311 links to beach status information for both public and private beaches. September 13, 2026, is the listed end date for the city’s 2026 beach season on the NYC Parks beaches page. Until then, the city’s official updates are expected to remain the main source for daily swim conditions, advisories and access rules.