Check Out NYC’s First-Ever Video Game Festival
If your kid is a gamer, they may be in for a great week (and summer)! This weekend, New York City is throwing its very first Video Game Festival, and it’s free. The festival will bring together various gaming-centered activities, from esports tournaments and hands-on game demos to educational exhibits and career resources for kids and teens.
Families can explore NYC’s growing digital gaming scene, and for kids who are serious gamers, the festival will also showcase how they can explore future careers.
The festival, which will take place at Convene Brookfield Place, is organized by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in partnership with NYC Public Schools and the National Esports Association.
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Festival Highlights
The family-friendly event has a variety of experiences for different age groups. Highlights include:
- Mayor’s Cup Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs Finals, where teams of students from elementary through high school are tasked with designing a greener, future-focused version of New York City.
- Final rounds of Fortnite and Valorant esports competitions, featuring top players battling it out live.
- Playable titles from NYC-based developers, including new and unreleased games, alongside classic arcade cabinets, casual games, and tabletop options for group play.
- A career and education fair featuring colleges with game design programs, local studios, and industry experts offering insights and resources.
- A costume contest with prizes for standout cosplay creations.
- Interactive robotics and virtual reality exhibits, plus additional tech-driven experiences.
NYC.gov
Games and Careers
The festival is part of the city’s wider effort to invest in tech education and career pathways. Over $1 million has recently been dedicated to programs that support digital game training, including CUNY’s new Bachelor’s degree in Digital Game Design at City College.
For local officials, the festival is a chance to show students what’s possible in a field that’s only getting bigger. “This event celebrates New York City’s growing leadership in digital gaming,” said Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrión Jr., “while opening doors for students and young professionals to explore career paths in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.”
“New York City is a hub for cutting-edge technology and innovation,” said Schools Chancellor Avilés-Ramos. “Our students deserve the opportunity to explore these fields.”
It Will Be a Whole Summer of Games
The festival also marks the start of the city’s brand-new Summer of Games, a lineup of gaming events happening all across the city through September:
Games in New York: A curated celebration of over 100 games made in or inspired by New York, featured on Steam for 48 hours. Organized by NYU Game Center in collaboration with community partners like Playcrafting, RIT, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, this digital showcase includes everything from indie favorites to major titles. Online via Steam | May 29–31
Gaymer Pride: NYC Gaymers returns with an in-person Pride season kickoff at the Museum of the Moving Image. Enjoy console and tabletop games, live DJ sets, and performances by local drag artists, including Megami from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Free and open to all. Museum of the Moving Image, Queens, May 31, 12–7 pm
Tribeca Games Gallery Exhibit: Part of the annual Tribeca Festival, this interactive exhibit allows attendees to experience free playable demos of the year’s most exciting new games. Pier 57, Manhattan, June 11–15
Waffle Games 8.0: A student-run conference focused on esports, game design, and education. The two-day hybrid event features tournaments, talks, indie games, and networking for both students and aspiring pros. City College of New York & Online, June 14–15
PaleyGX Gaming & VR Tournaments: Compete in bracket-style tournaments hosted at The Paley Center for Media. NBA 2K25 on June 14; Fortnite on June 28. Open to players aged 13+, with platforms including Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The Paley Center for Media, Manhattan; June 14 & June 28
Power Up Festival: Hosted by Video Game Amateurs, this day-long outdoor event features indie games, live music, esports competitions, and interactive experiences. A celebration of digital culture, creativity, and community. Bronx Brewery, Bronx, June 14
Game-A-Palooza 2025: This free summer expo hosted by IGDA NYC brings together over 40 local game developers for demos, community networking, and industry insights. Great for families, students, and anyone curious about the NYC game development scene. Hana House, Brooklyn, July 19
Play NYC 2025: Now in its 10th year, Play NYC is the city’s largest game convention, offering playable titles from local studios, panels, and creator meet-and-greets. Presented in partnership with Anime NYC. Javits Center, Manhattan, August 21–24
The NYC Video Game Festival takes place at Convene Brookfield Place, 225 Liberty St., on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 9 am – 6 pm. Get your free tickets now.
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