10 Great Events Happening This August

The New York Renaissance Faire

August 5 – October 2 [All Ages] The New York Renaissance Faire will be celebrating their 40th anniversary this year with more activities than ever. Travel back to Elizabethan England with craft markets and jousting tournaments. Take in performances featuring acrobatics, story telling, music, and magic. Kids can join the fairies in the Maypole dances, become a member of Robin Hood’s Band, and even be knighted in Queen Elizabeth I’s Knighting Ceremony, as well as enjoy games and rides, face painting, and hair braiding. $21; children (5-12), $12; children 4 and under are free; 10am-7pm. 600 Route 17A, Tuxedo Park, 845-351-5171, renfair.com Photo Credit: Deborah Grosmark

Summer Streets

August 5,12,19 [All Ages] Take advantage of your chance to stroll the streets of New York City without having to watch for cars, buses, and errant taxis. For Summer Streets, the annual summer festival presented by the New York City Department of Transportation, seven miles of streets along Park Avenue between the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park will be closed down to vehicles and opened up to walkers, runners, and bikers to encourage healthy recreation and transportation. Summer Streets will feature five different rest stops, each offering a variety of activities including the “Beachside Slide” at Foley Square, free bike and roller blade rentals, and a zip line. Free, 7am-1pm. 7 miles of streets from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park along Park Avenue and connecting streets; nyc.gov

Food Truck Derby

August 11 [All Ages] Food trucks can sometimes be a challenge to track down, but now you can find some of the best of them all in one place. This caravan of delicious foods is serving up all varieties from ethnic eatery to American classics and everything in between. The 6th annual Food Truck Derby is back with treats from trucks like Elegant Eats, Blondie’s Bake Shop, and Pizza Luca. Tickets for adults will include a tasting from every food truck as well as three drinks, while children’s tickets will cover four foods and one drink. The derby, which coincides with the community farmers market, will also benefit the Hayground Schoolyard Projects, which provide culinary training for kids in the area. $20 for kids, general admission starts at $55, August 11, Hayground School, 151 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton, edibleeastend.com

Battery Dance Festival

August 13-19 [All Ages] Lovers of dance and artistic movement will have a great time taking in the performances at the 36th annual Battery Dance Festival featuring emerging and professional dancers and choreographers of all genres. As New York’s longest running public dance festival, participant’s travel from all over the world including India, Spain, Belgium, and Botswana to present diverse dance styles. Free, 7-9pm. Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park, Battery Park City, batterydance.org

Blues BBQ Festival

August 19 [All Ages] One of the best combinations around, Blues music and BBQ, returns for the 18th annual Blues BBQ Festival in Hudson River Park. Taking over Pier 97, the festival and some of the best BBQ restaurants from around the city such as Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Pig Beach. The talented lineup of Blues and Roots musicians include The Campbell Brothers, Eric Gales, and Sugar Ray and the Bluetones. Free, 2-9pm. Hudson River Park Pier 97 at West 57th Street and Hudson River Greenway, hudsonriverpark.org

India Day Parade

August 20 [All Ages] Don’t miss the world’s largest India Day Parade right here in New York City. The parade will be presented by The Federation of Indian Associations, which represents over 500,000 Asian-Indian people in the Tri-State area. Taking place from 12-6pm, the parade will make its way down Madison Avenue from 38-25th streets. Along the route will be food courts, merchandise booths and cultural programs. Free, 12-6pm. Madison Avenue from 38th Street to 25th Street, fianynjct.org

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

August 24-27 [All Ages] Legendary New York jazz musician Charlie Parker made his mark on the music industry in the 1950’s, but his legacy continues today with the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Marcus Garvey Park. The festival, which has added a fourth night of dance performances in celebration of its 25th anniversary, features both new musicians and veterans. Along with the impressive lineup of live music, workshops, and panel discussions will be held throughout the weekend. Be sure to check out Emmy-winning tap dancer and choreographer Jason Samuels Smith performing at 7pm on August 24. Free, performance times vary. Marcus Garvey Park, 18 Mt. Morris Park West, cityparksfoundation.org

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day

August 26 [All Ages] Little tennis stars can practice their skills and learn from the pro’s at the annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the US Open. The event, created in honor of the late tennis icon, will take place August 26, starting at 9:30am at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Kids can participate in various activities including storytelling, face painting, balloon artists, and hair braiding. Participants will then get to watch exhibition matches and skills competitions between some of today’s top tennis stars and enjoy live music from up-and–coming musical performers. Tickets start at $10, 9:30am-3pm. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, Queens, arthurashekidsday.com

Children’s Food Festival

August 26-27 [All Ages] Help end the fight against childhood obesity and eat some delicious food in the process at the Children’s Food Festival taking place August 26-27 at a new location in New York City from 10am-4pm. Kids will learn all about healthy food choices through activities such as a balanced plate scavenger hunt, hands-on cooking classes at the James Beard Foundation Future Foodies Pavilion, and live cooking demos and performances. Your kids will learn the basics to becoming a culinary master while learning about how to make balanced choices all while snacking on yummy food. Tickets start at $25 per class, 10am-4pm. Location to be Announced, kidsfoodfestival.com

Jazz Age Lawn Party

August 26-27 [All Ages] Time travel back to the age of prohibition, flappers, and, of course, jazz, at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island. Now in its 12th year, this event has become a favorite among thousands of New Yorkers for the fun costumes, activities, and music. Learn how to do the Charleston while listening to the trumpets play, have your portrait taken in vintage style, or join the family for a picnic on the lawn with all of the delicious food choices. There will also be a “Kidland” complete with carnival games for the little ones. With two large dance floors and a lineup of talented musicians, including Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra, attendees can dance the night away like it’s 1925. General admission starts at $45, free for kids under 12. Saturday-Sunday 11-5pm, Governors Island, jazzagelawnparty.ticketfly.com