Hi everyone! Father’s Day and a lot of Juneteenth events happening this weekend here in NYC.
This weekend take the kids and enjoy the New York Philharmonic Concert and 13th Annual Juneteenth NY 2022 Festival in Prospect Park, The 40th Annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, Honoring Juneteenth at Brooklyn Museum, Jump for Joy: A Celebration of Freedom at Lincoln Center, Family Art Project: Tree Sculpture for Father’s Day in Wave Hill, Farmhouse Family Day: Juneteenth with the Community Legacy Project at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, Revolutionary War Living History Saturday at Historic Richmond Town, Celebrate Juneteenth with BCM in Brower Park, Japan Performing Arts Bon Odori Festival and Porch Stomp on Governors Island, Celebrate Juneteenth in Seneca Village in Central Park, School’s Out, We’re Open! at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Big Summer Get Down with St. James Joy in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Juneteenth Celebration Interactive Performance by Fyütch at Staten Island Children’s Museum.
Also check out long running events like Pinocchio at Puppetworks, Roller Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park, the 1885 Tall Ship Wavertree Free Tour at South Street Seaport, Wake Up Daisy! at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Farm Exploration Days in Randall’s Island Park, The Yard: Adventure Playground on Governor’s Island, Seaport Discovery: Exploring Our Waters with Eric Carle at South Street Seaport Museum, Open Village at Historic Richmond, and Smith Street Stage Presents: Shakespeare “The Comedy of Errors” in Carroll Park and NY Classical Theatre: Cymbeline in Central Park.
There are a lot of events this weekend so check the calendar to see everything going on. Also like us on Facebook for updates.
Happy Father’s Day & enjoy the long weekend!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday June 17th
Big Summer Get Down with St. James Joy in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Friday June 17th 6-10p. This event is free and open to the public – RSVP’s strongly encouraged, sign up here. Join Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy for Big Summer Get Down — an all-ages summer dance party on Friday on Pier 3 Plaza! Bring good vibes and your best moves as we dance to popular tunes by St. James Joy. Sound provided by First Live. Enjoy delicious treats and fresh food for purchase by Fornino, who will also provide beer and wine. Doors open at 6:00pm and the dance party starts at 7:00pm. Note that all attendees will have bags checked. This is an all-ages event, but youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Japan Performing Arts Bon Odori Festival on Governors Island
Friday June 17th 7-830p. Free. Fees for the ferry. See website for details. JPA will perform “Gujo Odori” and “Nishimonai Bon Odori,” two of the Big Three Bon Odori dances of Japan on top of Outlook Hill on Governors Island. This will be JPA’s second performance on Outlook Hill since the summer of 2019. These two dances are culturally distinguished with hundreds of years of history, therefore they are shown in wide variety of cultural occasions in Japan (i.e. not only during the summer obon timing). The scene of these Japanese dances on top of the Hill, with the Statue of Liberty in the background, will be a spectacular view. Please come and enjoy!
NY Classical Theatre: Cymbeline in Central Park
Friday-Sunday June 17th-19th & Tuesday-Sunday June 21st-26th at 7p. Free. Location: West 103rd Street & Central Park West. Book free reservation here. Enjoy the intrigue and drama of William Shakespeare’s 1611 romantic adventure Cymbeline, performed by seven energetic actors!
New York Philharmonic Concert in Prospect Park
Friday June 17th 8-10p. Free admission. Location: Long Meadow. The New York Philharmonic partners with Prospect Park Alliance as part of the Philharmonic’s Concerts in the Parks. Following the performance, there will be a display of fireworks to light up the sky. The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, have become an iconic New York summer experience since they began in 1965, transforming parks throughout the city into a patchwork of picnickers and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear classical music under the stars. This beloved series returns in June 2022 after a two year hiatus.
See all the Friday events here.
Saturday June 18th
Revolutionary War Living History Saturday at Historic Richmond Town (Staten Island)
Saturday June 18th 10a-4p. Tickets: $15. Purchase tickets here. Step back in time to Staten Island’s revolutionary past! Living Historians will be on-hand throughout the village to demonstrate military drills, weapons, and historic skills. Hear stories about soldiers and civilians, and learn about what life was like during the American Revolution in New York. Demonstrations of hearth cooking and blacksmithing will also be featured, and select buildings from the colonial period will be open for exploration. Special guests will also be in attendance, including George Washington.
Farmhouse Family Day: Juneteenth with the Community Legacy Project at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum
Saturday June 18th 11a-3p. Free. Join us for Juneteenth themed activities for this month’s Farmhouse Family Day. In celebration of Juneteenth, CLP x WHM highlights over 400 years of local Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) centered narratives – starting in the 17th century at the Wyckoff House Museum. Farmhouse Family Day is open to all ages, ideal for children ages 4-10. The Community Legacy Project activity will begin at 1PM. Farm activities (i.e. harvesting, weeding) are limited, first-come first-served basis beginning at 12PM. Make sure to wear close-toed shoes and prepare to get dirty. Also stop by the first Farm stand of the year (from 11AM-3PM) featuring Wyckoff Farm fresh veggies and herbs as well as neighborhood vendors.
Porch Stomp on Governors Island
Saturday June 18th 11a-5p. Free. Fees for the ferry. See website for details. Porch Stomp is excited to announce plans for our annual festival, which will take place on beautiful Governors Island, Porch Stomp invites over one hundred folk bands, artists, and performing arts organizations to use the greenery of Nolan Park and Colonel’s Row as a space for performance and education, highlighting artistry ranging from traditional folk to old-time, blues, Cajun, Irish, bluegrass and Americana. Now in its ninth year, Porch Stomp offers unique performance and educational opportunities, including concerts, workshops and open jams. Each “stage” or porch is curated and produced by an arts organization or local venue that supports traditional arts, and will represent a specific folk community in New York City. 2022 partners will include the Irish Arts Center, Big City Folk, Cowgirl Seahorse, Sunny’s Bar, Brooklyn Contradance, and more. Food and beverage vending will be provided by Cowgirl Seahorse. Participatory activities include old-time, bluegrass, and cajun jams, a contradance workshop, and more! Also check out the NYC Lavender Festival happening this weekend.
Jump for Joy: A Celebration of Freedom at Lincoln Center (UWS)
Saturday June 18th 11a Pre-show Family Workshop & Jump for Joy at 12p. Free. The pre-show workshop and performance are General Admission, first-come first-served. In honor of Juneteenth, journey through the continuum of Black Roots music with radical joy as a collective of today’s greatest voices uplift with song and triumphant community. This family-friendly performance features the music of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Mary Lou Williams, and more. Before the concert, join a hands-on creative movement class at The Oasis on Josie Robertson Plaza, led by Lincoln Center Teaching Artists, that is open to visitors of all ages and ability levels who are ready and curious to explore their own dance skills without limitations. Note: The workshop is held at The Oasis on Josie Robertson Plaza. The following performance is held at Hearst Plaza.
The 40th Annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island
Saturday June 19th 1p. Free. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 3,000 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. The parade highlights Coney Island Pageantry based on a century of many Coney parades, celebrates the artistic vision of the masses, and ensures that the summer season is a success by bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the amusement area in a single day. The Parade will start at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue and will roll east to West 10th Street.
See all the Saturday events here.
Sunday June 19th
Celebrate Juneteenth in Seneca Village in Central Park
Sunday June 19th 10a-2p. Free. Location: 85th Street and Central Park West. Head to the Seneca Village site in Central Park this Juneteenth for a family-friendly celebration of Black culture and accomplishment. Enjoy performances by world-renowned artists as they interpret the fascinating history and significance of Juneteenth and Seneca Village through dance, poetry, music, storytelling, art activities, and more! Juneteenth in Seneca Village offers an opportunity to not only consider the origins and meaning of this day, but to reflect on Seneca Village, a predominately African-American community that existed before New York City created Central Park and long before we celebrated Juneteenth. Discover the history of this community and see performances by award-winning artists throughout the Park’s Seneca Village landscape that honor the voices and cultures that once resided here.
13th Annual Juneteenth NY 2022 Festival in Prospect Park
Sunday June 19th 10a-6p. Free. Location: 9th Street Entrance by the Bandshell. Juneteenth NY’s three-day Juneteenth Family Fun Day Festival gathers 20,000+ attendees local to the NYC community to enjoy a vibrant day of rich culture through music, dance, poetry, skits, history, vendors, and family activities. Enjoy a fashion exhibition highlighting emerging Black designers and special guest musical performances from award-winning hit singer-songwriter and founding member of R&B duo Zhane, Renée Neufville, and more at Prospect Park!
Honoring Juneteenth at Brooklyn Museum (Crown Heights)
Sunday June 19th 11a-7p. This program is free, but please RSVP. Honor Juneteenth—the annual holiday commemorating the end of legal slavery in the United States—with a full day of activities celebrating self-expression, community, and Black liberation and creativity. Taking place on Father’s Day, this year’s event will feature activities for the whole family. Throughout the day, families can join family programming partners Cool Culture and Culture Connected for drop-in art-making, a reading corner, a sound bath with Rena Anakwe, book giveaways, an Afrocentric dance workshop with Tiffany Barett, and more in the outdoor space behind the Museum. See the website for the full schedule of events.
Celebrate Juneteenth with BCM in Brower Park (Crown Heights)
Sunday June 19th 11a-430p. Free. Join Brooklyn Children’s Museum and friends in neighboring Brower Park for a special Juneteenth commemoration! Join us for live music, dance, anti-racist workshops, performances, art projects, and more. BCM is proud to partner with Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Friends of Brower Park, and Brooklyn United Marching Band. Free and open to all! All Juneteenth activities will take place at the Shirley Chisholm Circle in Brower Park. Brooklyn Children’s Museum will be open for regular admission throughout the day. See the website for the schedule of events.
Juneteenth Celebration Interactive Performance by Fyütch at Staten Island Children’s Museum
Sunday June 19th 3p. Free. Grammy-nominated music and social justice artist Fyütch will perform in celebration of Juneteenth. His performance will emphasize black history, self-love and empathy. Fyütch gained musical notoriety in Nashville, TN as the lead singer of Hip-Hop/Soul band Biscuits and Gravy, opening for acts like Kanye West and Pharrell. He made his comedic debut on the web series ‘Fyütchology.’ The show combined social commentary, current events, and parodies, reaching over 2 million viewers. This free event will take place behind the Museum on the South Meadow of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden as part of the Juneteenth Freedom Festival organized by the Jubilee Collective.
See all the Sunday events here.
Monday June 20th
School’s Out, We’re Open! at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Monday June 20th 10a-1p & 2-5p. Free with Museum admission. BCM is open when NYC public schools are closed. Come play in the exhibits! BCM’s favorite exhibits including Totally Tots, World Brooklyn, Neighborhood Nature, and The Nest are open for exploration. Space is limited to ensure that families can distance in our exhibits. Book tickets for a session here.
Juneteenth at Children’s Museum of Manhattan (UWS)
Monday June 20th 10a-5p. Free with Museum admission. CMOM is normally open Wednsday-Sunday but is open June 20th since NYC public schools are closed for Juneteenth. Take the kids and check out the new exhibit Inside Art: Create, Climb, Collaborate that is opening June 18th. Note: CMOM will be open 7 days a week starting June 28th.
Nature Education Programs in Prospect Park
Monday June 20th 12n-4p. Free. Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation. Nature Exploration at the Audubon Center. Nature Around Us: 12–3p: Discover how nature recycles by learning about the fascinating cycle of decomposition in our urban forest. Animal Encounter, 2–3p: Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 2p. Family Bird Walk, 3–4p: Prospect Park is a stopping point for hundreds of bird species each year! Join us as we search for these amazing creatures and other nature around the park. Binoculars and bird guides are provided. This program leaves the Audubon Center promptly at 3p. Also check out Carousel Rides, 12–5p in the Children’s Corner, $3 per ride, $13 for a book of 5 tickets.
See all the Monday events here.
All Weekend
Smith Street Stage Presents: Shakespeare “The Comedy of Errors” in Carroll Park
Thursdays-Sundays 7-9p until June 26th. All performances are free and open to the public, seating is first come, first served. Smith Street Stage is presenting their 11th annual production of Shakespeare in Carroll Park “The Comedy of Errors”.
Family Art Project: Tree Sculpture for Father’s Day in Wave Hill
Saturday-Sunday June 18th-19th 10a-1p. Free with admission. Father’s Day Weekend is a premium-admission weekend, with a $2 surcharge per visitor. Admission: Adults – $12. Students & Seniors 65+ – $8. Children 6+ – $6. Wave Hill Members – Free. Celebrate a father figure in your life. Using Wave Hill’s great trees as inspiration, design a tree sculpture. Personalize this as a special gift to hold photographs or drawings. Father’s Day weekend event. Reservations not required.
Pinocchio at Puppetworks (Park Slope)
Saturdays & Sundays 1230p & 230p until August 7th. Tickets: Children $10 each, Adults $11 each. Suggested for 3 and up. Pinocchio Collodi’s Adventures of a Marionette. Adapted for Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Call for Reservations (recommended): 718-965-3391 or e-mail to: [email protected].
Open Village at Historic Richmond Town (Staten Island)
Wednesday-Sundays 11a-5p until October 2nd. Tickets available through general admission: Adults $10. Ticket purchases for general admission are only available on-site at the 3rd County Courthouse in the Visitor Center. Kids (ages 6-11) $5 Members & Kids (ages 5 & under) FREE. Step back in time and experience the open village at Historic Richmond Town! The open-air museum is alive with living history, demonstrated by costumed Historical Interpreters in structures throughout the campus. The campus zones interpret life in the 1770s, 1820s, and 1860s. Historic trades are displayed in shops, and domestic life is shown inside historic homes. Daily programs include talks and demonstrations of trades, political life in the 19th century, and the evolution of 1850s fashions. Set against the backdrop of the woods and wetlands surrounding the site, the Open Village is an immersive experience that educates and inspires.
Roller Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park
Monday to Friday: 12n-6p, Saturday: 12n-730p & Sunday:12n-6p. Admission: $6 weekdays, $10 weekends (Weekend pricing begins Friday at 4pm). Skate rentals: $7. The carousel is also open Thursdays–Sundays and Holidays 12–5p.
Wake Up, Daisy! at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (Central Park)
Fridays-Sundays 11-1145 (doors 1030a) & 1-145p (doors 1230p) until 12/31/22. Tickets: $12 adult, $8 child. Purchase tickets here. Location: 79th Street and West Drive Central Park. Wake Up, Daisy! tells the story of Daisy, a lively little girl living in the heart of New York City in an apartment overlooking Central Park. At Daisy’s much-anticipated birthday party, she encounters three special guests, known as her “Squad-parents”, from Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx who grant her the gifts of courage, knowledge, and a second chance. When an unwelcome guest shows up and casts a curse on her, Daisy’s life is forever changed. But through the support of her friends and an adventure throughout the city, Daisy’s strong self-determination and vivid imagination may be all she needs to break the curse.
Seaport Discovery: Exploring Our Waters with Eric Carle at South Street Seaport Museum
Wednesdays-Sundays 11a-5p until August 31st. Admission is $5 per child aged 1-12, with no charge for accompanying caregivers, teens, and infants. Advanced timed tickets are recommended. Book today! Visit our new discovery room of maritime-themed art by Eric Carle, beloved creator of picture books for young children. Seaport Discovery: Exploring Our Waters with Eric Carle is designed specifically for children aged 2-7 and their adults. Please note that people over age 5 will be required to show proof they are fully vaccinated to enter indoor exhibition spaces and to board Ambrose.
The Yard: Adventure Playground on Governor’s Island
Saturdays-Sundays 12n-4p. Free admission but fees for ferries. See website for ferry details. Welcome back to The Yard, New York City’s only adventure playground! The Yard offers free weekend play from 12 – 4pm. The Yard is a kids-only space stewarded by trained playworkers. The main play area is recommended for young people ages 6 to 12 and the family play area welcomes children under 5. The Yard supplies young people with loose parts materials for building, exploring, imagining and destroying. In addition to free weekends, The Yard also offers summer camp, school field trips, birthday parties and special programs, all with adherence to CDC guidelines. See the website for all the details.
Farm Exploration Days in Randall’s Island Park
Saturdays-Sundays 10a-4p until October 8th. Free. Location: Urban Farm. Explore the Urban Farm’s variety of crops, rice paddies, and fragrant herbs, and meet the chickens too! All ages welcome!
1885 Tall Ship Wavertree Free Tour at South Street Seaport
Fridays, Saturdays-Sundays 11a-5p until May 22nd and Wednesday-Sunday starting May 25th. Free. The permanently-moored 1885 tall ship Wavertree is open to the public for FREE on Saturdays and Sundays, with timed entry, at Pier 16 (Fulton and South Streets). Guided tours depart hourly and last approximately 30 minutes. Advance reservations are recommended. Guided tours include access to the main deck and quarter deck. Learn how people worked and lived aboard a 19th century cargo sailing vessel, from the captain to the ship’s officers, cooks, and crew. Then visit the cargo hold and stand atop the viewing platform where you can take in the massive main cargo area. Proof of vaccine required for all guests over age 5. Masks required.
Sharks at the American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Museum hours Wednesday-Sunday 10a-530p. Included in General Admission+One. See website for all the details.The new exhibition Sharks features dozens of life-sized models ranging from 33 feet to 5.5 inches long, fossils from the Museum’s collections, touch-free interactive exhibits that challenge visitors to hunt like a hammerhead, and more for visitors of all ages. Older than dinosaurs—and more threatened than threatening—sharks are spectacular, surprising, and often misunderstood. Discover the incredible diversity of this ancient and fascinating group of fishes. Note: The Museum continues to require vaccinations against COVID-19 and facial coverings.
See the calendar for all the events.