10 Great Events For August

Summer Streets

August 1, 8, & 15 [All Ages] From the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, along Park Avenue, roads are closed to traffic for six hours for the annual Summer Streets celebration, which encourages New Yorkers to play, run, bike, and otherwise celebrate their streets! Every aspect of Summer Streets is designed to welcome and entertain visitors of all ages—such as a seven-block long art installation in the Park Avenue Tunnel (beginning at 32nd Street)—as well as encourage the use of more sustainable transportation. Other activities include a zip line, rock climbing, salsa dancing, and more! Free, 7am-1pm. From the Brooklyn Bridge to 72nd Street and Park Avenue, nyc.gov/summerstreets

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

August 8-9 [All Ages] Take a trip to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a remarkable sporting event and cultural celebration: The 25th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. Throughout the weekend, watch martial arts demonstrations from Shaolin Temple monks, witness the dragon dance, see diverse musical performances, and create traditional crafts. And, of course, don’t forget to watch the various dragon boat races! More than 200 teams will race in colorful, custom-made teak dragon boats, each lavishly decorated and manned by around twenty paddlers competing for cash and prizes. Free, 9am-5pm. Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, 718-767-1776, hkdbf-ny.org

FringeJr

AUGUST 14-30 [Ages 5+] A part of FringeNYC, a multi-arts festival now in its 19th year, FringeJR provides family-friendly programming including several different kinds of kid-appropriate fringe theater productions. All shows have undergone a competitive application process and were chosen as some of the best shows for kids. See a wide variety of plays—from a tale about a ghost hunter to a Commedia dell’Arte-style version of Rapunzel—that will be new, small-scale, and family-friendly. $18 for adults and $13 for kids, various times and locations, fringenyc.org

Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest

August 15 [All Ages] Sand art takes on a new meaning at the Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest, where both professional and rookie adults, kids, and teams compete to create the best sand sculpture—ranging from traditional castles to the New York skyline to fantasy creatures. Build with your kids, or split up and compete against them in the various categories. This year marks the contest’s 25th anniversary, and in addition to sand sculpting, the festivities will include a show featuring local bands, a live DJ, and various kids’ activities. While it’s free to sign up (and pre-registration is recommended), any donations go to aiding families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Free, 11am-3pm. Coney Island Boardwalk, Surf Avenue near Wonder Wheel Park, Brooklyn, wearebcs.org

Harlem Week Children's Festival

AUGUST 15-16 [All Ages] Harlem Week has two days of Children’s Festival fun to keep families busy as the summer draws to a close. The specific children’s portion of Harlem Week includes a “Back to School” kid’s fashion show, as well as dance and spoken word performances, a double-dutch competition, games, sports clinics, face painting, and even more activities for the entire family. Free, 12-5pm Saturday, 12-6pm Sunday. West 135th Street between Malcolm X and A.C. Powell Jr Boulevard, 877-427-5364, harlemweek.com

FlyNYC Kite Flying Festival

August 15 [All Ages] Since 2009, the high-flying FlyNYC Kite Flying Festival has brought families from all over the city to Riverside Park! With kite-making kits for the kids, kites available for purchase, and plenty of sky for everyone, this festival is a great way to enjoy the end of th summer. Whether watching the colors or flying a kite of their own, kids will love this bright, summery event. Kites aside, other attractions include a variety of food vendors, live music, and games with The NYC Parks Playmobile. Free, 11am-4pm. Pier I, Riverside Park South, 212-870-3070, nycgovparks.org

Sea Glass Carousel Opening

August 20 [All Ages] Battery Park's Sea Glass Carousel is finally opening to the public this month! In a tribute to the Battery's history as the first home of the New York Aquarium, the carousel is shaped like a nautlius shell and carousel features 30 luminescent fish, some of which are up to 13.5 feet tall! Riders will sit inside the fish, instead of on top of them, providing an immersive, under-the-sea experience. $5 per ride, open daily 10am-10pm. Battery Park Battery Place, State Street and Whitehall Street, thebattery.org

Blues BBQ Festival

August 22 [All Ages] Hudson River Park’s Blues BBQ Festival will return for its 16th year this month! Featuring some of the best blues and roots musicians from around the country, such as Otis Taylor and Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens, alongside food from New York’s favorite BBQ restaurants, the fest makes for a perfect late summer afternoon. Free, 2pm. Pier 26 in Hudson River Park (West Street at North Moore Street), 212-340-4201, husonriverpark.org

Vintage Baseball at Governors Island

August 29 [All Ages] Kids can see baseball played the way it was back in the 19th Century during a day of Vintage Baseball at Governors Island! Watch the Gothams, Governors Island’s resident team, play the New York Mutuals while taking in a spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty and downtown Manhattan. This unique sporting event lets spectators see how far the sport has come from its beginning. The bases look different; the bats are wooden and lighter; the uniforms are wool; the pitcher throws underhand. Some of the different rules and standards just might surprise you. Free, 1-5pm. Governors Island Parade Ground, govisland.com

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day

August 29 [All Ages] On its 20th anniversary, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the US Open continues to introduce children to tennis in a free, fun, and friendly atmosphere. The stadium grounds are open to the public for tennis activities that include obstacle courses, agility tests, and hand-eye coordination games, as well as musical acts, jugglers, face painters, and more. Kids can also watch the pros practice on the courts. At 1pm, the Arthur Ashe Stadium concert begins. A paid event, the concert often features up-and-coming pop stars. Past headliners include Hunter Hayes and Britney Spears. Free on grounds (concert is ticketed), 9:30am. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, 718-760-6200, arthurashekidsday.com