Top events in New York city this summer

This summer New York cityis buzzing with exciting events - from sports and the performing arts to outdoor jazz and film festivals, Broadway shows and art exhibitions.

Top acts playing New York this summer include Madonna and Ricky Gervais at Madison Square Garden.

In Central Park, the annual flagship performing arts festival SummerStage will be held from June 13th to August 17th, featuring some of the world's most accomplished musicians, dancers, filmmakers, comedians and writers.

At the mighty Metropolitan Museum of Art a stunning collection of sculptures by American artist Jeff Koons will be the star exhibit in the fifth floor roof garden this summer until October 26th.

There's an unusual exhibition on the New York waterfront - four massive man-made waterfalls have been constructed and will be on show until October 13th. The 90-to 120-foot-tall waterfalls will operate from 07:00 to 22:00 local time, seven days a week, and will be lit after sunset.

The locations are at the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge; between piers four and five near the Brooklyn Heights promenade; at Pier 35 north of the Manhattan Bridge in Lower Manhattan; and on the north shore of Governors Island.

Cinema fans will be in seventh heaven with two major outdoor film festivals running over the summer in New York.

The Rooftop Films 2008 Summer Series will showcase movies in outdoor locations throughout the city every weekend in July, August and September.

There will be world premieres of daring new independent feature films and screenings of award-winning short films in exciting, themed programs. All screenings include live music before the films and many will have after-parties with free drinks.

The ninth annual Movies With A View outdoor film series will be running from July 10th to August 28th every Thursday evening. All film showings are free - screened on the lawn of the Empire-Fulton Ferry state park section of Brooklyn Bridge park.

Brooklyn radio DJs set the scene with pre-film mood music so pack a picnic, enjoy the view and watch some of your favourite films including Stand by Me, The Shining and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Head to Flushing Meadows park in Queens for a huge festival/party celebrating the independence of Colombia on July 20th. This is one of the most popular events in New York city and over 100,000 people enjoy the traditional music, food, dance, and plenty of yellow, blue, and red Colombian flags every year.

At the Lincoln Centre there is another outdoor summer festival from August 7th to 23rd, including over 100 live performances as well as children's entertainment on the outdoor plazas of the centre.

Music lovers will not want to miss seeing a performance of the Metropolitan Opera's 125th anniversary season, which runs from September 2008 to May 2008. It is also Placido Domingo's 40th season with the Met and features six new productions, 18 revivals and the final performances of Otto Schenk's production of Wagner's Ring cycle.

Before opening night the Met will give a free performance of Verdi's Requiem in recognition of the anniversary of Luciano Pavarotti's death.

For sports fans a visit to New York must include seeing the Yankees, the Knicks or the Giants live - or all three.

Time is of the essence if you want to see the Yankees play in the world-famous Yankee Stadium as next season it will make way for a billion-dollar new venue. Tickets to see the Yankees live are available from as little as $5, or around £2.50.

The last tennis major of the season is the US Open at Flushing Meadows in late August. The atmosphere is a contrast to Wimbledon, with a noisy crowd out to have a good time, especially during the night games when the place comes to life.

For more information on events in New York city see the NYC & Company website.

To book tickets for events in New York city before you go on holiday see www.viagogo.com.