Free Family Events This Weekend! (August 3-5)

Summer Streets 2018 will begin this Saturday! Photo by New York City Department of Transportation via Flickr.

Have an amazing weekend without opening your wallet! For even more activity inspiration, check out our Weekend Planner.

Through Friday, August 10

Live “Wonderama” Taping
10am & 2pm
Baruch College
Ages 8-15
Sign up to be a part of the “Wonderama” experience! Ages 8 through 15 can score free audience tickets to the TV show’s live tapings at Baruch College.

Through Friday, August 3

Black Forest Gummy Harvest
8:30am-11pm
The High Line
All Ages
Catch the giant Gummy Tree on the High Line, and sample Black Forest’s gummies and fruit snacks bursts among the elevated park. This pop-up plant will be open on Thursday from 6-11pm and on Friday from 8:30am-11pm.

Beginning Saturday, August 4

Summer Streets 2018
7am-1pm
Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge
All Ages
Take advantage of Summer Streets, the annual summer festival that gives New Yorkers the chance to stroll and play on completely traffic-free city streets. On three Saturdays in August, the New York City Department of Transportation will close seven miles of streets to cars, allowing walkers, runners, and bikers to enjoy the open space. This encouragement of healthy transportation takes place from 7am-1pm and stretches from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. A variety of activities will take place at the five stops along the route and all are free to the public, including a zip line, free bike and roller blade rentals, fitness classes, and a dog park and agility course. Runs Saturdays through August 18.

Saturday, August 4

Families and Folk Art: PaleoAdventures
1-2pm
American Folk Art Museum
Ages 4-12
Kids ages 4 to 12 can learn all about dinosaurs through this interactive tour that includes arts and crafts. Be sure to register before you go!

We Are Brooklyn: A Community Block Party
1-5pm
Ingersoll Community Center
All Ages
Join the neighborhood for a fun-filled day packed with activities. We Are Brooklyn is presented by the Intergenerational Community Arts Council, led by Artist-in-Residence Najee Omar. Great for all ages, your family can enjoy live music, create art, play games and sports, and far more. The day includes slam poetry performances, community yoga, an Afro-Haitian dance workshop (among other dance classes), a pop-up market, a photo booth, double-dutch, and numerous other activities.

Coney Island Music Festival
1-6:30pm
Surf & Stillwell Avenues, Coney Island
All Ages
Enjoy awesome live music while taking a spin on the rides of Coney Island at the Coney Island Music Festival. Featured performers include Shannon Shaw, The Veldt, Pow Pow Family Band, and Public Practice. The free festival will also host lots of vendors, games, and food.

Hindu Lamp Ceremony
4pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park
All Ages
The traditional Hindu lamp ceremony, or the Aarti ceremony, will be presented in Brooklyn Bridge Park this Saturday in anticipation of hurricane season. Learn more about this tradition by taking part in the ceremony as well as the percussion ensemble. Along with the ensemble, there will also be guest artists showcasing their projects. It’s sure to be an educational and cultural afternoon.

11th Annual Great Jazz on the Great Hill
4-7pm
Central Park
All Ages
Grab the kids, a meal, and a blanket to enjoy this free annual jazz event. Swing dance right on the grass! Enter at the Great Hill (106th Street and Central Park West).

Sunday, August 5

Music in the Grove on Sunday: Hopalong Andrew
11am-12pm
Fort Greene Park
All Ages
Catch this free performance of Hopalong Andrew in Fort Greene Park!

Brooklyn’s 5th Annual International Day of Friendship
1-5pm
Brooklyn Borough Hall and Columbus Park
All Ages
Happy Friendship Day! Celebrate the warm and fizzy feeling of having friends by celebrating at this festival and who knows–maybe even make new friends. Bring the kiddos to learn about the magic of diversity and embracing other cultures while having fun. This exciting festival kicks off with a roaring parade to get the family hyped for a great day ahead. Bring all your friends and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Young Actors at Strasberg

Young Actors at Strasberg&nbsp;offers a comprehensive array of acting programs for students in grades 2 &ndash;&nbsp;12. Classes provide kids and teens with a foundation in Lee Strasberg's Method Acting and the tools to succeed in the professional industry &ndash;&nbsp;all while maintaining a fun and playful environment. Programs are tailored to encompass students at all levels, from those just beginning their acting journey to Broadway veterans and professional child actors. Young Actors at Strasberg alumni include Lady Gaga, Sophia Lillis, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Rosario Dawson! Young Actors&nbsp;Programs are available online and in-person at our New York Campus, located in Union Square. Saturday, After-School and Online classes are offered during the traditional school year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) and Monday through Friday day camps and intensives are held in&nbsp;July and August. About The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute: Founded in 1969 by Lee and Anna Strasberg, The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute is the only school that teaches Lee Strasberg's work in its complete and authentic form. The Institute's goal is to provide students with a craft that will help them create a reality and respond truthfully in imaginary circumstances, regardless of the style or form of material being used. LSTFI is proud to have award-winning alumni from around the world working as writers, directors, and actors in all mediums.

The Wild Center

The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure. Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day. In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears. The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty&rsquo;s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.

Laurissa Jane Music

Laurissa Jane Music Studio is a dedicated institution that offers a solid foundation for students to explore the captivating world of music and arts. With experienced instructors, we offer private and group lessons in piano, voice, and guitar, for all ages and skill levels. We provide year-round training for renowned programs such as NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) and ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music). LJMS runs an annual Summer Musical Theatre Arts Program from July-August which offers a creative environment for young individuals with a passion for acting, singing, and dancing. We are proud to serve the vibrant communities of Jamaica Queens and can also provide classes virtually. At LJMS, we firmly believe in the transformative power of the arts. Call us today!