JUNE
12th Annual KidsFilmFest
June 4, 1pm
Made in NY Media Center, 30 John Street, Brooklyn
All ages
A program of the Brooklyn Film Festival, the KidsFilmFest consists of short animation, live-action, and documentary films for kids of all ages (all films are rated “G”). Filled with filmmaker Q&As and workshops, the festival is a fun and an educational introduction to the world of independent short film. Tickets are $12, children 12 and under are free; brooklynfilmfestival.org/kidsfilmfest
World Science Festival
June 1-5, various times
Various locations
All ages
The World Science Festival comes to New York this year with a line-up of kid-friendly events that will delight all ages. On June 4-5, young scientists can design their own products, scan bones from an archeological dig, and geotrack wildlife as they learn alongside leading scientists during the Apprentice Program (tickets required); or join the Great Fish Count, helping ecologists count and release marine critters at 15 sites across the city. Don’t miss the fest’s culminating event, the 9th annual Ultimate Science Street Fair on Sunday (6/5) in Washington Square Park, where you can expect dazzling demonstrations and experiments for all ages, in addition to games, entertainment, and activities from 10am-6pm. The Street Festival is free and open to the public; other events require advance tickets. worldsciencefestival.com – Maggie Finn Ryan
Jazz Age Lawn Party
June 11-12 & August 13-14; ferries leave Manhattan starting at 10am & Brooklyn starting at 11am
Governors Island
All ages
The roaring ’20s Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island has become an annual destination for New Yorkers young and old to dress up and have some good ol’ fashioned fun. Wear your best flapper-style outfits, bring some snacks for a lawn picnic, and take the ferry to be transported to another time. Once again this year, Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra will delight the guests with big band dance numbers, joining an array of other music performances throughout the weekend. This all-ages, family-friendly event will have plenty of entertainment options for everyone, including Kidland, which features carnival games and prizes for junior “flappers and flapperettes,” dance lessons, a paper moon photo booth, an antique car exhibit, vintage clothing and gift vendors, ’20s-era inspired food and drinks, and more. Tickets start at $15. Children under the age of 12 do not need to purchase a ticket, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building, located at 10 South Street starting at 10am, and from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 in Brooklyn starting at 11am; jazzagelawnparty.com -Maggie Finn Ryan
Museum Mile Festival
June 14; 6-9pm
5th Avenue between 82nd and 105th Streets
All ages
Enjoy a cultural night out on the town! This year marks the 38th annual Museum Mile Festival. With the opening ceremony starting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the festival also includes the Neue Galerie New York, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, and El Museo del Barrio! Complete with outdoor art activities for children and musical performances, the event is fun, free culture for the whole family! Free; 212-606-2296, museummilefestival.org – Maggie Finn Ryan
River to River Festival
June 16-26, various times
Various locations in Lower Manhattan
All ages
The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council will host 11 days of contemporary live and visual art on the tip of Manhattan and Governors Island. Be sure to mark your calendar for June 21, when the fest offers its “Night at the Museums,” during which 16 Lower Manhattan museums and cultural institutions offer free admission, and guests can take a walking tour to learn the history of the area. Free, lmcc.net/program/river-to-river
The 34th Annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade
June 18, 1pm
Parade starts at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue at 1pm; ends at Steeplechase Plaza
All ages
A harbinger of summer, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is the largest art parade in the country! The parade combines ocean myths and seaside kitsch into a fun-loving procession of more than 3,000 revelers from all five boroughs. Free to attend; coneyisland.com
Adventures NYC in Central Park
June 18, 11am-4pm
The Bandshell Area in Central Park (Enter at 72nd Street)
All ages
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! Explore the great outdoors with Adventures NYC, a day of extreme outdoor fun put on by the NYC Parks Department. Head to Central Park to participate in a variety of outdoor sports. Last year’s fest offered opportunities to paddle, hike, bike, and climb, watch fishing demonstrations, and visit outdoor gear exhibits. Free, nycparksgov.org – Maggie Finn Ryan
SummerStage Kids Festival
June 19- August 21, various times
Times and locations vary
All ages
Catch live, outdoor performances with your little ones in parks throughout the five boroughs! With over 100 free performing arts events in over 30 parks, the SummerStage Kids Festival introduces NYC kids and families to local, national, and international arts and culture through a diverse lineup of performing artists—including mesmerizing dance, storytelling, acrobatic, music, and theatre performances. Free, cityparksfoundation.org – Maggie Finn Ryan
Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, & Empanadas Festival
June 19, 12-4pm
Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge Street
All ages
Honor the Jewish, Chinese and Puerto Rican cultures of the Lower East Side at the Museum at Eldridge Street’s annual block party. Enjoy klezmer and bomba music, Hebrew and Chinese scribal art, Puerto Rican mask making, Mah Jongg games, yarmulke making, and of course, egg rolls, egg creams, and empanadas! Free; 212-219-0302, eldridgestreet.org
Make Music New York
June 21, 10am-10pm
Various locations
All ages
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Make Music New York with more than 1,000 free outdoor concerts on the first day of summer! Some of this year’s exciting events include a performance by legendary composer Philip Glass in Riverside Park, a swinging Second Line Parade led by Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jason Olaine, a workshop for budding young electronic musicians at the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza, and the Gauntlet on the High Line, where 60 singers will engage in a musical dialogue as the public is invited to walk through them and experience the piece at their own pace. Free, makemusicny.org – Maggie Finn Ryan
Summer Solstice Celebration
June 21, 5pm-dusk
Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, Queens
All ages
Celebrate the longest day of the year at Socrates Sculpture Park, enjoying beautiful sunset views of the Manhattan skyline! This year’s festivities will include Afro-Brazilian drumming by Batala NYC, a capoiera performance and demos for kids and adults by Capoeira Nago, and Brazilian BBQ! There will also be musical instrument and sculpture-making workshops, telescope “tours of the sky” led by students from LaGuardia Community College, and a special Solstice ritual performed by Urban Shaman Mama Donna. Free, socratessculpturepark.org
JULY
Fourth of July Celebration With Hamilton
July 4, 10am-6pm
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West (at 77th Street)
All ages
Kick off the New-York Historical Society’s Summer of Hamilton with this historical family festival! Meet a Hamilton reenactor, learn a drill from the 3rd New Jersey Regiment, take a tour featuring artifacts related to Hamilton’s fatal duel with Aaron Burr, test your knowledge at the Big Family Quiz Thing’s Founding Fathers Trivia Contest, make patriotic crafts, and more! Plus, kids 17 and under receive free museum admission all day! Free with museum admission, nyhistory.org
Bastille Day on 60th Street
July 10, 12-5pm
60th Street between Lexington & 5th Avenues
All ages
Celebrate France’s national holiday with FIAF’s amazing holiday street fair! In addition to sampling plenty of France’s culinary delights—including crepes, eclairs, cheeses and more—revelers can take in performances by Can-Can dancers, fencing demos, mime acts, and a vintage Citroën car show. Plus, there will be face painting and arts and crafts for kids at the FIAF Language Center booth. bastilledayny.com
City of Water Day Festival
July 16, 10am-4pm;
Various locations on the NYC & NJ waterfront
All ages
Hop on a boat at the 9th annual City Of Water Day Festival! This family-friendly event takes place along the New York and New Jersey waterfront. As the region’s largest harbor festival, the celebrations span from Governors Island to Maxwell Place Park in Hoboken, NJ, and dozens of other locations in the New York Harbor. Enjoy free boat tours on small and large vessels, including tall ships and tugboats; kayak, paddle, and row; and be sure not to miss the Children’s Activities Fair and Waterfront Activity Fairs, which are lots of fun for the whole family. Free; 212-935-9831, waterfrontalliance.org – Maggie Finn Ryan
Rubin Museum Block Party
July 16, 1-4pm
Rubin Museum, 150 West 17th Street
All ages
Join the Rubin Museum for a family-friendly block party inspired by the exhibit “Nepalese Seasons: Rain and Ritual.” The event will celebrate Nepal’s festivals, nature, and culture with art making, museum tours and a gallery search, musical and dance performances, and more. Plus, admission to the Museum is free all day! Free, rubinmuseum.org
Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day
July 23, 11am
Josie Robertson and Hearst Plazas at Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza
All ages
Enjoy a day of the arts at Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors Family Day! This year, kids and families can get down during a Family Dance Party with Philadelphia collective Illstyle & Peace Productions, watch a performance by the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and hear chart-topping stars and new voices sing classic American song styles together during the Girl Group Project concert. Free, lcoutofdoors.org
Animation Block Party
July 28-31, times vary
BAMcinématek, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn; and at the Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey Street
[Ages vary based on the event]
Celebrate all-things animated at the Animation Block Party, the largest animation festival on the East Coast. Cartoon fans can expect to see student, professional, and independent animated films of all genres. This year, the festival will include Animation Features screenings for kids at 2pm on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 at BAMcinématek. Opening Night at Rooftop Films at Brookfield Place is free and open to the public, and will also be kid-friendly. The fest’s complete schedule will be released on June 24. Ticket prices vary; animationblock.com – Maggie Finn Ryan
Children’s Poetry Festival
July 30-31, 11am-5pm
Governors Island
Ages 2-18
During the Children’s Poetry Festival, ages 2-18 are invited to Governors Island for a weekend of literary fun and inspiration. They can share their poetry on the Kids-only stage, and younger children will love hearing readings and adding original poems and illustrations to the Poetree Forest. Sponsored by Writopia. Free, newyorkcitypoetryfestival.com
AUGUST
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
August 6-7, times vary
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
All ages
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in NYC! Dragon boats are traditional Chinese boats that are powered by a crew of around 20 people. Typically, a drummer leads the team as the drumbeat helps the crew synchronize their strokes. Watch a multitude of different dragon boat races and traditional music and dance performances from around the world at the Dragon Boat Festival. The opening day parade takes place on Saturday, August 6, at noon. Free; 718-767-1776, hkdbf-ny.org
New York Renaissance Faire
August 6-October 2, 10am-7pm
600 Route 17A, Tuxedo Park, NY
All ages
Mingle with court jesters, fair maidens, and feudal lords at the New York Renaissance Faire every Saturday and Sunday, as well as Labor Day, from August 6 through October 2. Watch jousting matches and music and dance performances! Gnaw on a turkey leg as you enjoy magic and storytelling performances. Wander around the Artisan Marketplace, where your kiddos can get their face painted and their hair braided. There are even games and rides for the little ones! Adults: $25, Children (ages 5-12): $12, Children 4 and under are free; 845-351-5171, renfair.com – Maggie Finn Ryan
FringeJr Festival
August 12-28, showtimes vary
heater at the 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street (at 1st Avenue)
Ages 5-12
Now in its 20th year, the New York International Fringe Festival boasts over 1,000 performances, 200 shows, and spans 16 days. Now your kids can join in on the fun! Bring your little ones to see new theatrical works at FringeJR, FringeNYC’s offshoot for the whole family. Take your kiddos to see new musicals, plays, and comedies at this celebrated indie theater festival. Ticket pricing and showtimes vary and are TBD, fringeNYC.org – Maggie Finn Ryan
