NYC Carnivals, Festivals and Parades: May 2025
May is full of festivals, carnivals, and parades for the whole family! We’ve rounded up some of the best ones coming up.
Click on your region to jump to events near you!
Psst…Check Out Celebrate AAPI Month 2025: Fun Events in NYC and Westchester
Manhattan
Summer on the Hudson: New York City Irish Dance Festival
Pier I in Riverside Park South, West 70th St., Upper West Side
Sunday, May 4, noon – 6 pm
All ages
Free
The Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance presents a festival featuring traditional music and Irish Dance from notable talent from around the country and local students alike. Audience members can immerse themselves in Irish arts and culture with workshops and dance classes.
Japan Parade and Street Fair 2025
Parade begins at W 81st Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side
Saturday, May 10, 11 am – 5 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate the friendship between the United States and Japan with floats, live performances, community organizations, local leaders, and more.
Greek Jewish Festival
Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum, 280 Broome St., Lower East Side
Sunday, May 11, noon – 6 pm
All ages
Free admission
Join the Greek Jewish Festival to celebrate the unique Romaniote and Sephardic heritage of the Jews of Greece. Experience a feast for the senses, including authentic kosher Greek foods and homemade Greek pastries, traditional dance performances with live Greek and Sephardic music, an outdoor marketplace full of vendors, arts and educational activities for kids, and much more!
SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival
Pier 84 Hudson River Park, 555 12th Ave, New York
Saturday, May 17, 11 am – 3 pm
All ages
Free
SUBMERGE brings marine science to life while learning about NYC’s coastal waters from the River Project team and more than 30 regional STEM experts. This interactive science festival invites the public to explore water topics through awesome experiments, kid-approved entertainment and much more!
Dance Parade
Parade begins at Broadway & 17th St., Greenwich Village
Saturday, May 17, noon – 7 pm
All ages
Free
The annual Dance Parade features thousands of participants celebrating over 80 different styles of dance. The joyous celebration begins at Broadway & 17th Street and travels downtown, ending in Tompkins Square Park. The festivities continue with performances in the Park on set-up stages, along with free dance classes.
2025 Israel Day on Fifth
Parade takes place from 62nd – 74th St. on Fifth Ave., Midtown
Sunday, May 18, 11:30 am – 4 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate Israel’s history and culture at this annual parade, which features elaborate floats, live performances, marching bands, schools from the tri-state area and beyond, community organizations, first responders, local leaders, and more.
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Bronx
NYC Parks Presents: Spring Festival at Julio Caraballo Field
Julio Carballo Fields, 765 Manida St., Hunt’s Point
Friday, May 2, 3 – 6 pm
All ages
Free
This spring festival includes games, arts & crafts, sports and much more.
Pinkster Festival
Van Cortlandt House Museum, 6036 Broadway, Riverdale
Saturday, May 3, noon – 4 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Pinkster at this year’s Pinkster Festival hosted by the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Van Cortlandt House Museum, and Kingsbridge Historical Society. Meet on the picturesque lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum for a day filled with vibrant festivities, live music, engaging performances, and immersive experiences.
Urban Wildlife Festival
St. Mary’s Park, East 149th St. and St. Ann’s Ave., Mott Haven
Saturday, May 10, noon – 3 pm
All ages
Free
Discover New York City’s abundant wildlife at this family event featuring live animals! Uncover the secrets of opossums, deer, bats, coyotes, squirrels, and more through a variety of displays, games, and activities. Find out the best places in New York City and New York State to watch wildlife. There will be fun activities including live animals presented by Wildlife In Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation (WINORR), games, and more.
NYC Parks Presents: Spring Festival at Shoelace Park
Shoelace Park, East 222nd St. and Bronx Blvd., Wakefield
Saturday, May 17, noon
All ages
Free
Join NYC Parks and Council Member Kevin Riley for a spring festival event featuring games, arts & crafts, sports, and much more.
Bronx Night Market
Fordham Plaza, 1 Fordham Plaza, Bronx
Saturday, May 31, noon – 7 pm
All ages
Free admission
Featuring over 30 local vendors and attracting over 4,000 guests each time, this iconic market is a vibrant hub for community engagement and culinary exploration. It showcases a diverse array of cuisines and unique vendors, providing a platform for local businesses and celebrating the borough’s entrepreneurial spirit. Bronx Night Market is a testament to the community’s resilience, creativity, and pride, contributing to the borough’s cultural richness and economic vibrancy.
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Brooklyn
BAMkids SpringFest 2025
The Plaza at 300 Ashland, 85 Flatbush Ave., Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, May 3, 10:30 am – 4 pm
Ages 3-12
Free
Dance to the rhythms of Brazil, explore diverse art forms from around the world, and discover your inner circus star—all while learning about caring for our planet!
Celebrate Bed-Stuy
Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center, 670 Lafayette Ave., Bedford–Stuyvesant
Saturday, May 3, 2 – 7 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate Bed-Stuy with the works of local Brooklyn artists, musicians, photographers, and filmmakers.
6th Annual Haitian Cultural Day Parade
Parade begins at Nostrand Ave. and Church Ave., Flatbush
Saturday, May 10, 9 am – 5 pm
All ages
Free
The daylong festivities will begin with a parade kick-off at 9:00 am continuing through Brooklyn’s Little Haiti & Little Caribbean communities that will include marching bands, floats, cheerleaders, community organizations and more. The parade festivities will culminate at approximately 1 pm at the Flatbush Junction’s Hillel Place Plaza lasting until 5 pm. This year the festival highlights will be the internationally acclaimed Konpa band T-Vice, and the energetic beats of Raboday performer AndyBeatz alongside dynamic local acts! Join the family fun featuring cultural showcase performances, dancing, open mic, art, music, live entertainment, delicious foods, local vendors, community resources and more. This year’s theme, “One Love, One Haiti,” celebrates unity, resilience, and pride and that honors the cultural legacy of Haitian communities in Brooklyn and beyond.
Kite Festival
Pier 5 – Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, May 17, 11 am – 3 pm
All ages
Free
This is the one day each year when kite flying is open to the public in the park, so don’t miss your chance to see the sky fill with color against the stunning Manhattan skyline. Bring your own kite, purchase one, or make one on site, and take part in a joyful spring celebration for all ages. Enjoy hands-on crafts, classic lawn games, live music, and engaging activities from local community partners.
17th of May Parade
Parade begins at 3rd Ave. and 85 St., Bay Ridge
Saturday, May 17, 1:30 pm
All ages
Free
The Norwegian-American 17th of May Parade celebrates Constitution day of Norway, with floats, performances, community groups, local leaders, first responders, and more.
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Queens
Apple Blossom Children’s Carnival
Queens County Farm Museum, 75-50 Little Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks
May 3-11, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am – 6 pm
All ages
$25-$50
Merry Go Round in the orchard and celebrate the season with assorted carnival rides, midway games, local food vendors, and a visit with farm animals.
Queens International Children’s Festival 2025
Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica
Saturday, May 17, 12 – 5 pm
All ages
Free
This day of live music, dance performances, games, arts and crafts, and more will inspire young people and families to enjoy the arts.
Sheep Shearing Festival
Queens County Farm Museum, 75-50 Little Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks
Sunday, May 18, 10 am – 5 pm
All ages
Free admission; fee for activities
Celebrate Spring on the farm at NYC’s ONLY sheep shearing festival. Sheep shearing is deeply rooted in farming traditions and gives visitors a deeper appreciation for the hard work and expertise that help sustain rural life. Learn about the cycle of wool processing, and shop a selection of Queens Farm’s very own yarn. Join QCFM educators as they showcase spinning, natural dyeing, weaving, knitting, and crochet. Experience the new Animal Adventure walking tour with QCFM farmers! Groove to live music with Mama Jukes, enjoy hayrides (additional $6, kids under 3 are free), and a free scavenger hunt to add to the fun! Local food and drink vendors will be there, too.
LIC Springs!
Vernon Blvd. bet. 46th and 50th Ave., Long Island City
Saturday, May 31, 12 – 5 pm
All ages
Free
This community street festival celebrates Long Island City with live performances, interactive lessons, art, fitness classes, outdoor dining, pop-up activities, games and more.
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Staten Island
Staten Island Mall Carnival
Staten Island Mall, 2655 Richmond Ave., New Springville
May 22-June 8, see website for schedule
All ages
Free admission; fee for rides
Bring the family out for exciting carnival rides, midway games, and plenty of delicious fair food.
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Psst…Check Out Free Kid and Family Activities in NYC: 10 Free Things to Do This Week
