Happy Summer everyone! The last weekend in June is busy with a lot of fun events in NYC!
This weekend head out and enjoy Brooklyn Americana Music Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Street Festival, Swedish Midsummer Festival in Wagner Park, Sonia De Los Santos: Latin American Family Music at Flushing Town Hall, Children’s Museum of the Arts Beach Block Party! in Spring Street Park, Family Art Project: Luminous Paper Lanterns at Wave Hill, World Refugee Day Community Arts Festival, A Lavender Blues Free Remix Concert in Marine Park, Under the Sea – A Trip Under the Ocean! at the NY Epiphany Public Library, Summer Kickoff in Rockaway Beach Boardwalk, 17th Annual Kids Fest, the Queens International Children’s Festival at Jamaica Performing Arts Center, Pollinator Palooza in Randall’s Island Park, Birding: Beginner Birding in Sunset Park and a Strawberry Festival in Highland Park.
Also check out long running events like Pinocchio at Puppetworks, Roller Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park, the 1885 Tall Ship Wavertree Free Tour at South Street Seaport, Wake Up Daisy! at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Farm Exploration Days in Randall’s Island Park, The Yard: Adventure Playground on Governor’s Island, Seaport Discovery: Exploring Our Waters with Eric Carle at South Street Seaport Museum, Open Village at Historic Richmond, Smith Street Stage Presents: Shakespeare “The Comedy of Errors” in Carroll Park and NY Classical Theatre: Cymbeline in Central Park.
This is just some of the events this weekend so check the calendar to see everything going on. Also like us on Facebook for updates.
Have a fabulous weekend!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday June 24th
Under the Sea – A Trip Under the Ocean! at the NY Epiphany Public Library
Friday June 24th 11a-12n. Free. For kids of all ages and their caregivers. Pre-registration is not required. Let’s take a trip under the sea and discover stories about the animals that live there. Storyteller and children’s musician Flor Bromley will take you on a journey to meet the most fantastic water creatures and learn their stories. This program promises to make a splash! This program will take place in our 2nd floor children’s room.
Sonia De Los Santos: Latin American Family Music at Flushing Town Hall
Friday June 24th 4p & 715p. In-Person Tickets: $12/$8 Members & Children. Latin Grammy nominated artist Sonia De Los Santos brings a joyful sound to children of all ages with the music of Latin America. Sharing songs of hope and community in English and Spanish, Sonia’s music uplifts. Celebrate the end of a challenging school year together with a family concert. Sonia was nominated in 2019 for a Latin Grammy® with her second family music album titled ¡Alegría! and has been hailed by Billboard as “one of the Latin Children’s music artists you should know” and “Best Latin Children’s Music”. Note: All individuals must show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and matching identification to attend this event.
Swedish Midsummer Festival in Wagner Park (Battery Park City)
Friday June 24th 5-8p. Free. Enjoy this nostalgic celebration of the summer solstice. Join in lively dance around the Midsummer pole. Make wreaths from beautiful flowers representing those in bloom on the solstice in Sweden. Enjoy a parade, children’s games, and Swedish delicacies. Traditional music by Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Dances led by Ross Sutter, a Scandinavian folklorist.
NY Classical Theatre: Cymbeline in Central Park
Friday-Sunday June 24th-26th at 7p. Free. Location: West 103rd Street & Central Park West. Book free reservation here. Enjoy the intrigue and drama of William Shakespeare’s 1611 romantic adventure Cymbeline, performed by seven energetic actors!
See all the Friday events here.
Saturday June 25th
Pollinator Palooza in Randall’s Island Park
Saturday June 25th 10a-4p. Free. Location: Touchdown of the 103rd Street Footbridge. Celebrate the pollinators that make Randall’s Island Park beautiful on with themed games, educational activities, and nature tours! Begin the day at the 103rd Street Footbridge from 10 AM-12 PM with a pollinator-themed photo opportunity and music. Members of our Horticulture and Public Programs Teams will be onsite with exciting information about their work in the park. At 12:30 PM, migrate to the Urban Farm where our Horticulture Team will lead a Nature Tour to observe pollinators in action and to discover their habitats. Learn more and register for the tour here. At 2 PM, enjoy pollination-themed activities on the Urban Farm including lawn games, learning how to attract hummingbirds, a seedling giveaway, and more! We’ll be joined by local organization Green and Blue Eco Care and will have fun crafts including how to make butterflies and more! At 2:15 PM, watch, ‘Pollination: A Short Play in Three Facts,’ a fun and informative play performed by our staff.
Strawberry Festival in Highland Park
Saturday June 25th 12n-3p. Free. Location: Lower Highland Playground. Come to Highland Park to enjoy the annual Strawberry Festival to celebrate the summer months. There will be games, activities, music, and acts for all to enjoy. We will look forward to seeing you there for The Strawberry Festival.
Summer Kickoff in Rockaway Beach Boardwalk
Saturday June 25th 1-5p. Free. Location: Beach 108th Street Roller Rink (Adjacent to Shorefront Parkway round about off of the Boardwalk). In celebration of the summer kickoff, you are cordially invited to a fun-filled event. Bring your family friends and enjoy music, games, amusement, giveaways, mechanical ride, arts and crafts, and refreshments.
Brooklyn Americana Music Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday-Sunday June 25th-26th 2-7p. Free and for all ages. Location: Pier 6 Liberty View Lawn. Join Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy for the 8th Brooklyn Americana Music Festivalon the weekend of Saturday and Sunday for two days of free live music. The 8th Brooklyn Americana Music Festival (BKAMF) brings together thirty women and women-identified LGBTQ and BIPOC artists playing original folk, roots, country blues and Americana. Harmony singing, banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, upright bass, and acoustic jam sessions. Go to the website to see the artist line-up for each day!
17th Annual Kids Fest (two locations)
Saturday-Sunday June 25th-26th 2-7p. Free. NYC Kidsfest is entering its 17th year and we’re super thrilled to have expanded to two fabulous uptown locations!!! Join us as we pack the weekend of June 25th and 26th with loads of performing artists, storytelling workshops, raffles, kung fu, music and dance. This festival will be LIVE and children will have the opportunity to enjoy and engage in performances and workshops with some of New York’s finest performing artists! Location: Sat. June 25th Morningside Ave btwn 113th & 114th and Sun June 26th Jackie Robinson Park Bandshell. See the website for the line-up.
See all the Saturday events here.
Sunday June 26th
Birding: Beginner Birding in Sunset Park
Sunday June 26th 10-11a. Free. L
ocation: Sunset Park Playground. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in New York City to see spring migratory birds. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars. Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Sunset Park to learn the basics of birding how to identify common species in our parks.
A Lavender Blues Free Remix Concert in Marine Park
Sunday June 26th 11a. Free. Location: Playground 278. Join Lady B for a FREE REMIX CONCERT at Playground 278 in Marine Park on Sunday!! What is a REMIX CONCERT? Songs we sing in our classes REMIXED with a new cadence and added beat.
Children’s Museum of the Arts Beach Block Party! in Spring Street Park
Sunday June 26th 12n-3p. Free. Register here. You’re invited to Children’s Museum of the Arts’ First Annual School’s Out, Hello Summer, not-a-real-beach-but-an-art-beach Beach Block Party supporting free arts education for free children all over NYC! Help Build the Beach with: Experimental Spin Art, Brackish Watercolor Painting, Caricatures, Crustacean Mosaics, Save the Beach! Plastic Bag Weaving, Coney Island-Inspired Photo Cutouts, Our Very Own Merfolk Parade & Music by DJ La Duni. Please be aware that general admission reservations do not guarantee immediate entry, as crowd control measures will be in place to ensure a safe, enjoyable event for everyone. Attendees will be admitted to the event as space permits.
Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Street Festival
Sunday June 26th 12n-4p. Free. Registration preferred but not necessary. All are welcome! Get tickets here. Join us on Eldridge Street between Canal and Division for the Museum at Eldridge Street’s signature event! Come eat and celebrate with us! In its 21st year, the Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Street Festival is a celebration of the diverse cultures that make up our Lower East Side and Chinatown community. Experience the spirit of this ever-changing neighborhood and the immigrant experience in New York City today through music, dance, crafts, cultural practices, foodways, and more! Go to the website to see all the event details. For COVID-19 safety, the Museum at Eldridge Street will only be offering outside activities. he Museum will be closed to visitors.
World Refugee Day Community Arts Festival (Park Slope)
Sunday June 26th 3-6p. Free. A FREE celebration featuring refugee performers from around the world, with music, dance, theatre and more. Meet and learn about the work of organizations that resettle and support refugees. This festival will be an OUTDOOR block party, taking place right outside the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music at 58 7th Ave, Brooklyn NY. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors.
See all the Sunday events here.
All Weekend
Smith Street Stage Presents: Shakespeare “The Comedy of Errors” in Carroll Park
Friday-Sunday June 24th-26th 7-9p. All performances are free and open to the public, seating is first come, first served. Smith Street Stage is presenting their 11th annual production of Shakespeare in Carroll Park “The Comedy of Errors”.
Queens International Children’s Festival at Jamaica Performing Arts Center
Saturday-Sunday June 25th-26th 12n-5p. Free. Register here. JCAL’s Queens International Children’s Festival has returned with free entertainment and activities for the entire family to enjoy. The two-day fun-filled family event brings high-quality arts performances and craft activities to inspire young people and families to enjoy the arts. Activities will include live music , dance performances, games, Arts and Crafts and more!
Family Art Project: Luminous Paper Lanterns at Wave Hill
Saturday-Sunday June 25th-26th 10a-1p. Free with admission. Father’s Day Weekend is a premium-admission weekend, with a $2 surcharge per visitor. Admission: Adults – $12. Students & Seniors 65+ – $8. Children 6+ – $6. Wave Hill Members – Free. Cut nature shapes from multicolored tissue paper. Then use a simple, papier-mâché method to transform your cut shapes into festive lanterns for bright and fun summer days and evenings. Reservations not required.
Pinocchio at Puppetworks (Park Slope)
Saturdays & Sundays 1230p & 230p until August 7th. Tickets: Children $10 each, Adults $11 each. Suggested for 3 and up. Pinocchio Collodi’s Adventures of a Marionette. Adapted for Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Call for Reservations (recommended): 718-965-3391 or e-mail to: [email protected].
Open Village at Historic Richmond Town (Staten Island)
Wednesday-Sundays 11a-5p until October 2nd. Tickets available through general admission: Adults $10. Ticket purchases for general admission are only available on-site at the 3rd County Courthouse in the Visitor Center. Kids (ages 6-11) $5 Members & Kids (ages 5 & under) FREE. Step back in time and experience the open village at Historic Richmond Town! The open-air museum is alive with living history, demonstrated by costumed Historical Interpreters in structures throughout the campus. The campus zones interpret life in the 1770s, 1820s, and 1860s. Historic trades are displayed in shops, and domestic life is shown inside historic homes. Daily programs include talks and demonstrations of trades, political life in the 19th century, and the evolution of 1850s fashions. Set against the backdrop of the woods and wetlands surrounding the site, the Open Village is an immersive experience that educates and inspires.
Roller Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park
Monday to Friday: 12n-6p, Saturday: 12n-730p & Sunday:12n-6p. Admission: $6 weekdays, $10 weekends (Weekend pricing begins Friday at 4pm). Skate rentals: $7. The carousel is also open Thursdays–Sundays and Holidays 12–5p.
Wake Up, Daisy! at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (Central Park)
Fridays-Sundays 11-1145 (doors 1030a) & 1-145p (doors 1230p) until 12/31/22. Tickets: $12 adult, $8 child. Purchase tickets here. Location: 79th Street and West Drive Central Park. Wake Up, Daisy! tells the story of Daisy, a lively little girl living in the heart of New York City in an apartment overlooking Central Park. At Daisy’s much-anticipated birthday party, she encounters three special guests, known as her “Squad-parents”, from Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx who grant her the gifts of courage, knowledge, and a second chance. When an unwelcome guest shows up and casts a curse on her, Daisy’s life is forever changed. But through the support of her friends and an adventure throughout the city, Daisy’s strong self-determination and vivid imagination may be all she needs to break the curse.
Seaport Discovery: Exploring Our Waters with Eric Carle at South Street Seaport Museum
Wednesdays-Sundays 11a-5p until August 31st. Admission is $5 per child aged 1-12, with no charge for accompanying caregivers, teens, and infants. Advanced timed tickets are recommended. Book today! Visit our new discovery room of maritime-themed art by Eric Carle, beloved creator of picture books for young children. Seaport Discovery: Exploring Our Waters with Eric Carle is designed specifically for children aged 2-7 and their adults. Please note that people over age 5 will be required to show proof they are fully vaccinated to enter indoor exhibition spaces and to board Ambrose.
The Yard: Adventure Playground on Governor’s Island
Saturdays-Sundays 12n-4p. Free admission but fees for ferries. See website for ferry details. Welcome back to The Yard, New York City’s only adventure playground! The Yard offers free weekend play from 12 – 4pm. The Yard is a kids-only space stewarded by trained playworkers. The main play area is recommended for young people ages 6 to 12 and the family play area welcomes children under 5. The Yard supplies young people with loose parts materials for building, exploring, imagining and destroying. In addition to free weekends, The Yard also offers summer camp, school field trips, birthday parties and special programs, all with adherence to CDC guidelines. See the website for all the details.
Farm Exploration Days in Randall’s Island Park
Saturdays-Sundays 10a-4p until October 8th. Free. Location: Urban Farm. Explore the Urban Farm’s variety of crops, rice paddies, and fragrant herbs, and meet the chickens too! All ages welcome!
1885 Tall Ship Wavertree Free Tour at South Street Seaport
Wednesday-Sundays 11a-5p until July 31st. Free. The permanently-moored 1885 tall ship Wavertree is open to the public for FREE with timed entry, at Pier 16 (Fulton and South Streets). Guided tours depart hourly and last approximately 30 minutes. Advance reservations are recommended. Guided tours include access to the main deck and quarter deck. Learn how people worked and lived aboard a 19th century cargo sailing vessel, from the captain to the ship’s officers, cooks, and crew. Then visit the cargo hold and stand atop the viewing platform where you can take in the massive main cargo area. Masks are encouraged in the lower decks and enclosed spaces of Wavertree.
Sharks at the American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Museum hours Wednesday-Sunday 10a-530p. Included in General Admission+One. See website for all the details.The new exhibition Sharks features dozens of life-sized models ranging from 33 feet to 5.5 inches long, fossils from the Museum’s collections, touch-free interactive exhibits that challenge visitors to hunt like a hammerhead, and more for visitors of all ages. Older than dinosaurs—and more threatened than threatening—sharks are spectacular, surprising, and often misunderstood. Discover the incredible diversity of this ancient and fascinating group of fishes. Note: The Museum continues to require vaccinations against COVID-19 and facial coverings.
See the calendar for all the events.