The Little Red Lighthouse welcomes fall with an all-ages, waterfront festival on Saturday, October 4. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
Halloween and More Things To Do in NYC with Kids October 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors
Kids can go apple picking near NYC at Alstede Farms, where low-to-the-ground trees are perfect for little pickers. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Apple Picking near NYC: Best Apple Farms and Apple Festivals for Kids
GUIDE
Halloween Events & Activities for NYC Kids
The Bronx Zoo celebrates Boo at the Zoo with family activities all October long. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher
Best Halloween Events in NYC 2025 for Kids and Families
Try your hand at corn husking and more analog entertainment during the Corn Fest at the Queens County Farm Museum. Photo courtesy of the Queens County Farm Museum
Best 2025 Fall Festivals and Fairs in NYC this September and October
Hit The High Line in costume to celebrate all things creepy and crawly on Saturday, October 25. Photo by Liz Ligon/courtesy of The High Line
Top Free Halloween Events in NYC in 2025: BAMBoo!, Great PUPkin, Labubu Fest, and More
GUIDE
NYC Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2025
The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
Tom's Restaurant is situated on a fairly sleepy corner in Morningside Heights despite its high-profile turn in Seinfeld. Photo by Jody Mercier
Lights, Camera, New York! Where to Find Iconic NYC Movie Sites with Kids
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids Guide
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 728 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas
There's plenty of free fun to be had when we team up with Brooklyn Bridge Parents to host Playtopia at Atlantic Antic on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Playtopia at Atlantic Antic
Playtopia at Atlantic Antic, Blessing of the Animals, and More Things To Do this Weekend

109 Free Activities for Kids in NYC: Best Things To Do in August 2025

When Broadway’s dark, the waterfront is alive at Hudson River Park’s Clinton Cove. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park
When Broadway’s dark, the waterfront is alive at Hudson River Park’s Clinton Cove. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park
7/31/25 - By Drew Kristofik

NYC empties in August, but free fun abounds for those who stay in town. The lull before back-to-school is anything but dull, and we've found more than 100 fun, free August activities in NYC for families, including Summer Streets, which sets kids loose with awesome activities at rest stops along the way, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Fest, and the always-lovely Hindu Lamp Ceremony.

Plus, Shakespeare shimmers in free outdoor performances all around town—including at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater with The Public's version of Twelfth Night, and you can end the month love all, when Arthur Ashe Kids' Day returns during the US Open Fan Week.

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

More Free Summer Fun in NYC

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Things To Do in NYC All August Long

Broadway by the Boardwalk in Clinton Cove

Midtown West
Mondays August 4 and 11, 2025
When Broadway’s dark, the waterfront is alive! Mondays in July and early August, stop by Hudson River Park’s Clinton Cove to see the greats perform. READ MORE

Sunset Film Festival in Carl Schurz Park

Upper East Side
Wednesdays August 6 and 13, 2025
Carl Schurz's all-too-brief foray into outdoor evening films includes two family-friendly favorites this summer. READ MORE

Movies on the Green at the Shops at Atlas Park

Glendale, Queens
Wednesdays August 6 and 20, 2025
Catch some of your all-time favorites on Wednesdays at the Center Green. Bring the family, a blanket or chair, and enjoy. Movies start at dusk, but come early to enjoy periodical entertainment.  READ MORE

Movies on the Waterfront in Riverside Park

Hamilton Heights
Thursdays from Thursday, August 7-Thursday, August 28, 2025
Catch a family-friendly outdoor screening, with a cool breeze off the river. READ MORE

Harlem Week

Harlem
Saturday, August 9-Sunday, August 17, 2025
The 51st annual Harlem Week returns with live and virtual experiences celebrating the people, arts, culture, entertainment, and history of Harlem, centered around the theme, “Black Constellation: Mapping Our Joy, Dreams, and Liberation." READ MORE

Live at the Gantries Concert Series

Hunter's Point, Queens
Tuesdays through Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Concerts at the Gantries provide free outdoor summer entertainment featuring Queens-based musicians of diverse backgrounds, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the borough through different genres of music.  READ MORE

World Music Concert Series at the Seuffert Bandshell

Forest Park, Queens
Tuesdays through Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Bring a blanket and a picnic and settle back for a jazzy evening under the stars. READ MORE

Central Astoria Summer Movies in Astoria Park

Astoria, Queens
Mondays through Monday, August 18, 2025
Catch a family-friendly outdoor screening, with a gorgeous view of Manhattan and a cool breeze off the river. READ MORE

Nitehawk Cinema Movies on the Waterfront in Domino Square

Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Tuesdays August 12 and 26, 2025
Domino Square transforms into an outdoor movie theater, with double features of movies set in NYC. The 4pm showings feature family-friendly movies and activities, presented by A Rosie Day. The 7pm showings explore NYC from the 1980s to the 2010s, presented by Nitehawk Cinema, with DJ sets that take you back in time. READ MORE

BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Multiple dates through Saturday, August 16, 2025
BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn is a free summer-long outdoor concert and performance series that has been presenting talent from around the world and around the block for more than 40 years. Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy! READ MORE

Harlem Meer Performance Festival

Central Park
Sundays through Sunday, August 17, 2025
Each summer, the Harlem Meet Performance Festival brings the best local talent to Central Park and delights thousands of attendees with its celebratory atmosphere. Enjoy sweeping views of the Harlem Meer and a variety of performances, featuring multicultural and family-friendly music, dance, and entertainment for all ages. READ MORE

The Lady from the Sea in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Select dates through Sunday, August 17, 2025
The Hudson Classical Theater Company presents The Lady from the Sea, adapted from a play by Henrik Ibsen. READ MORE

Summer on the Hudson: Pier I Picture Show in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Wednesdays through Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Settle in for a movie night on the pier! Bring a blanket and a picnic and watch family-friendly flicks with the Hudson River as a backdrop. Seating opens at 6:30pm. The movies start after sunset, around 8:30pm. READ MORE

Shakespeare's The Tempest in Queens Parks

Various locations in Queens
Select dates through Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Hip to Hip Theatre Co. presents its 18th season of free Shakespeare in the parks, alternating between romance/magic—The Tempest—and tragedy—Hamlet. READ MORE

Big City Fishing at Pier 26

Tribeca
Thursdays through Thursday, August 21, 2025
Drop in a line with the Hudson River Park River Project team and go catch-and-release fishing at the water’s edge. All the necessary equipment and instruction is provided. READ MORE

Shakespeare's Hamlet in Queens Parks

Various locations in Queens
Select dates through Thursday, August 21, 2025
Hip to Hip Theatre Co. presents its 18th season of free Shakespeare in the parks, alternating between romance/magic—The Tempest—and tragedy—Hamlet. READ MORE

Summer Streets

Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx
Saturdays through Saturday, August 23, 2025
New York's favorite car-free street festival returns as Summer Streets opens miles of NYC streets for people to play, run, walk, and bike across multiple weeks and in all five boroughs. READ MORE

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir at FAO Schwarz

Midtown West
Saturdays through Saturday, August 23, 2025
Not available August 9
FAO Schwarz celebrates the 10th anniversary of Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir with interactive in-store activities, bespoke window displays, and more.   READ MORE

Big City Fishing at Pier 51

Greenwich Village
Saturdays through Saturday, August 23, 2025
Adults and kids ages 5+ learn catch and release fishing while engaging with Park educators about river ecology. Rods, reels, and instruction are provided.  READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Wednesdays, through Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Snuggle up under the stars for an evening of nostalgic classic cinema and feel-good fan favorites for all ages on Wednesdays in Prospect Park. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series

Upper West Side
Wednesdays, through Wednesday, August 27, 2025
The Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series provides free kid-friendly jam sessions on select Wednesdays in July and August. Bring a blanket and some snacks! READ MORE

Free Kayaking in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Wednesdays through Wednesday, August 27,2025
Free public kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park is offered throughout the summer on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Presented in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse. READ MORE

Movies With a View in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Thursdays through Thursday, August 28, 2025
Brooklyn Bridge Park brings back Movies with a View for its 25th season. Bring a blanket and a picnic. Sweet treats, savory snacks, and drinks, including beer and wine, are available for purchase. READ MORE

Free Community Rowing, Sailing, and Birding at Hunts Point

Hunts Point, the Bronx
Saturdays through Saturday, August 30, 2025
Explore the Bronx River with free community rowing, sailing, and birding excursions.   READ MORE

Monday Movie Nights at the Marriott Marquis

Midtown West
Mondays through Monday, September 1, 2025
The Marriott Marquis is hosting Monday Movie Nights, featuring free screenings of family-friendly films on the giant lobby LED screen. READ MORE

Seaport Cinema at Pier 17

South Street Seaport
Tuesdays through Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Seaport Cinema screens family-friendly films on the rooftop, featuring themed food, cocktails (for adults), and surprises throughout the season. READ MORE

Picnic Performances in Bryant Park

Midtown West
Select dates through Friday, September 12, 2025
Picnic Performances are the perfect way to spend a summer evening, with 25 live and in-person music, dance, and theatrical shows. Bring a blanket and a picnic (of course). READ MORE

Home Sweet Home, or A Life in New York

Various locations
Select dates through Sunday, September 14, 2025
Theater for the New City's award-winning Street Theater Company presents Home Sweet Home, or A Life in New York, a rip-roaring original musical that tells a story of a young orphan, born in America but longing to understand his roots, as deportations shake the lives of his immigrant friends.    READ MORE

Shakespeare in the Park: Twelfth Night

Central Park
Select dates through Sunday, September 14, 2025
Revel in the midsummer madness as twins Sebastian and Viola survive shipwreck, revenge plots, and the trick doors of love. After a 1-year hiatus, The Public Theater's run returns to the newly renovated Delacorte Theater.   READ MORE

SummerStage in Central Park

Central Park
Various dates through Tuesday, September 16, 2025
The City Parks Foundation's SummerStage returns in 2025 with tons of free performances in Central Park, and a few more costly shows as well. READ MORE

Community Science Seining in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Saturdays, through Saturday, September 20, 2025
Discover the East River’s amazing biodiversity as Brooklyn Bridge Park trained staff use a seine net to humanely catch-and-release organisms, including fish, jellyfish, crabs, and more! READ MORE

Maison Millefleurs in Battery Park City

Battery Park City
Daily, through Sunday, September 21, 2025
Step into a small jewel box of a greenhouse that's filled with a tangled garden of life-sized flowers, each illuminated by programmed LED lights during this public art pop-up. READ MORE

Le Carrousel Extravaganza in Bryant Park

Midtown West
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through Friday, September 26, 2025
Bryant Park's charming carousel serves as the backdrop for a mix of kid-friendly entertainment. Discover scientific marvels, be awed by trickery in magic shows, and see puppet shows and storytimes, too.  READ MORE

Stargazing on The High Line

Chelsea
Tuesdays through Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Gaze at the stars, planets, and moon through the high-powered telescopes of the Amateur Astronomers Association, and chat with the experts about the sights you see. READ MORE

Battery Park Playscape Presents Sundays at the ShowBox

Battery Park City
Sundays through Sunday, October 26, 2025
The ShowBox Theater, located in the beautiful Battery Park Playscape, hosts a full season of music, dance, puppetry, and more with special free performances on Sunday afternoons. READ MORE

Tunes & Tales for Toddlers in Teardrop Park

Battery Park City
Mondays, through October 27, 2025
Toddlers and their caregivers are invited to enjoy interactive music-making, storytelling, and more entertainment at these weekly sessions in Teardrop Park. READ MORE
Splash and play at Asphalt Green's Sprinkler Day on Saturday, August 9. Photo courtesy of Asphalt Green
Splash and play at Asphalt Green's Sprinkler Day on Saturday, August 9. Photo courtesy of Asphalt Green

Free Things To Do in NYC from Friday, August 1-Sunday, August 10, 2025

Movies on the Waterfront: Hunters Point Park

Long Island City, Queens
Friday, August 1, 2025
Hollywood epics illuminate a 30-foot inflatable screen, with Midtown Manhattan twinkling in the background.   READ MORE

Summer Series for Teens: ArtsConnection's Pizza and a Movie

Midtown West
Friday, August 1, 2025
ArtsConnection hosts a FREE movie and pizza night for teens. Every month is a new theme and movie menu to vote on.   READ MORE

Architecture For Animals at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Kids discover how animals build their homes to stay safe, raise families, and survive in the wild, then imagine what happens when animal architects move to the city! Kids pick an animal and create a paper habitat in an urban setting—like a rooftop nest or a spider web stretched between lampposts. READ MORE

The Comedy of Errors in Central Park

Central Parkn
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Shakespeare Sports Theatre Company, a classically based arts and education organization, presents William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, a merry dance of mistaken identity, wacky characters, wild staging, and love—romantic and brotherly. READ MORE

BAAND Together Dance Fest at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Through Saturday, August 2, 2025
See five of NYC’s most iconic dance companies—Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem—as the BAAND Together Dance Festival returns to the Koch Theatre.    READ MORE

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Lower East Side
Through Saturday, August 2, 2025
The Drilling Company's 30th annual production is an adaptation of Shakespeare's most kid-friendly play, recasting Athens as the city's bureaucracy facing encroaching gentrification, the Woods as the Lower East Side's wild nightlife, the Fairies as the area's street spirits, punks and night workers, and the Rude Mechanicals (Bottom and friends) as a troupe of New York City artists who have day labor jobs between artist gigs. READ MORE

LeFrak Center at Lakeside: Opening Weekend Celebration

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Saturday-Sunday, August 2-3, 2025
Following renovations, and with new operators in place, Prospect Park's LeFrak Center reopens for rollerskating, boating, and—for the first time—pickleball! READ MORE

Storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue in Central Park

Upper East Side
Saturdays, August 2 and 9, 2025
Gather 'round Hans Christian Andersen's statue at the Conservatory Pond in Central Park to hear his tales—and other classic folk stories—told by a fine ensemble of storytellers. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Citywide
Monday, August 4, 2025
On select days throughout the year, all national parks in the United States are open to the public with no admission fee.  READ MORE

Bryant Park Movie Nights

Midtown West
Monday, August 4, 2025
Classic films under the stars on the big screen are back in Bryant Park, and this summer, the series celebrates its 32nd anniversary. Bring a blanket and sit on the lawn to enjoy great food, friends, and entertainment.  READ MORE

National Night Out in St. Catherine's Park

Midtown East
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
The 19th precinct hosts an annual National Night Out celebration that includes delicious food, music, raffle prizes, and plenty of fun activities. Meet leaders and personnel from your local precinct and engage with neighbors, community members, and local businesses.  READ MORE

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts

Central Park
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy classical music under the stars on select Tuesday evenings at the Naumberg Band Shell. READ MORE

Young Dancemakers Company at Lehman College

Kingsbridge Heights, the Bronx
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Young Dancemakers Company (YDC), a unique tuition-free dance ensemble of NYC public high school students, celebrates its landmark 30th season this summer with a spirited series of original works created and performed by the teens themselves.  READ MORE

Music Storytime with Easy AD at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Martha Diaz, executive director of the Hip-Hop Education Center, presents a hip-hop-themed storytime led by Easy AD from the hip-hop group Cold Crush Brothers. Easy AD reads a children’s book from the I Am Hip Hop series, which illustrates hip-hop culture. READ MORE

Lavender Blues Concert at the Countee Cullen Library

Harlem
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
This hip-hop concert for families features an interactive, toe-tapping, get-out-of-your-seat good time with Lady B and her Bunnies of Lavender Blues!   READ MORE

Radiolab for Kids: Terrestrials on Little Island

Greenwich Village
Wednesday August 6-Thursday, August 7, 2025
Head to The Amph for a live performance of Terrestrials, an all-ages show exploring the strangeness that exists right here on Earth. Enjoy storytelling and inquiry with Lulu Miller. Audience participation encouraged! READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Coney Island Beach

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn sets up a big screen on the Coney Island Beach. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Double Dutch Fusion Freestyle & Open Jump at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Thursday, August 7, 2025
The National Double Dutch League (NDDL) presents an electrifying event that celebrates the history and cutting edge of Double Dutch! Cheer along and be amazed by dazzling Double Dutch Fusion Freestyle routines from championship teams.  READ MORE

Movies on the Lawn in Fort Greene Park

Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
The Fort Greene Conservancy hosts special screenings on Myrtle Lawn. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Family Fridays: Pipecleaner Math at MoMath

Gramercy
Friday, August 8, 2025
Mathematician Vanessa Landgraf presents an engaging night of clever creation, discovering fundamental concepts of symmetry, tensegrity, geometry, and even algebraic surfaces along the way. READ MORE

Red Hook Movies in the Park in Valentino Pier Park

Red Hook, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and loved ones for an unforgettable summer experience. READ MORE

Summer on the Hudson: Nature Explorers in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Conservancy staff and special guests lead arts and crafts, storytelling, and nature-focused workshops for kids.  READ MORE

Sprinkler Day at Asphalt Green

Upper East Side
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Don’t let the soaring summer temperatures discourage you from enjoying the outdoors. Cool off by splashing around in Asphalt Green’s high-powered sprinklers and slip and slides. READ MORE

Summer for the City: Ruidosa Fest at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 9, 2025
The first fully women-led music festival in Latin America returns to Summer for the City for the second year in a row, with individual live concert sets from an internationally sourced, all-women lineup of pan-Latin powerhouses. READ MORE

Arte Pa' Mi Gente: Latiné Children’s Music Day at Teatro SEA

Lower East Side
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Teatro SEA’s annual festival of Latin American arts and culture brings together a lineup of Latiné children’s artists for a day of free family celebration. This year’s festival theme is “Latiné Children’s Music Day,” highlighting the importance of Latiné music created by and for children.  READ MORE

Roller Skating Summer Fun in Sol Lain Playground

Lower East Side
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Henry Street Settlement hosts a fun afternoon complete with free roller skate rentals, a live DJ, art making, and more.  READ MORE

Gladiators NYC in Central Park

Central Park
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Knights in full armor battle on the grass in Central Park behind The Met. Bring a blanket and a picnic.  READ MORE

Family Concert: A String Quartet at Play at Geffen Hall

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Brooklyn Rider and Mexican-born jazz singer Magos Herrera take audiences of all ages on a multi-sensory, participatory journey inside the world of a string quartet, with music that celebrates the Latin American songbook. READ MORE

Shakespeare Workout in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Resident Artists from Hudson Classical Theater Company in the disciplines of acting, voice production, and stage combat lead a vigorous workout/training for teens. READ MORE

Climate Sing—First Tracks at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Sing along, listen, and build community with Climate Sing–First Tracks. Eisa Davis and Sxip Shirey premiere two brand-new songs celebrating planet Earth in Brooklyn Bridge Park as a teaser for a larger Climate Sing celebration in 2026.   READ MORE

Queensboro Dance Festival Classes and Performances in Socrates Sculpture Park

Long Island City, Queens
Saturday, August 9, 2025
The Queensboro Dance Festival (QDF) returns to Socrates with performances by a diverse line-up of Queens dance companies. Come early or stay after for family-friendly dance classes that teach dances from various Queens cultures. READ MORE

Open House at the Museum of Arts and Design

Midtown West
Saturday, August 9, 2025
The Museum of Arts and Design welcomes makers of all ages for a day of free admission and exhibition-inspired creative projects to spark your inner artist! Cool off with a movie in The Theater at MAD, explore the exhibitions, and create a work of art with MAD’s artist educators or visit the creative play station hosted by Brooklyn-based toy company Clixo.    READ MORE

Tinkerbell Live at the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum

Inwood
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Frog and Peach Theatre Company presents the 2025 edition of Tinkerbell Live. Enjoy a unique blend of interactive games, catchy songs, and vibrant storytelling. READ MORE

NoMad Jazz Festival in Madison Square Park

Gramercy
Saturday. August 9-Sunday, August 10, 2025
The inaugural NoMad Jazz Festival culminates in a free two-day celebration in Madison Square Park, with performances by The Brandee Younger Trio alongside headliners Lizz Wright and Ravi Coltrane. Enjoy dance-worthy sets, tap performances, morning kids’ programming, and pop-up cultural moments. READ MORE

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Flushing, Queens
Saturday. August 9-Sunday, August 10, 2025
This annual sporting and multicultural event is held to celebrate the fifth moon (or the fifth month) of the lunar calendar. In addition to providing audiences with traditional Chinese foods and performances, the festival hosts dragon boat teams from across North America. READ MORE

Hip to Hip Theatre Company: Hamlet in Socrates Sculpture Park

Long Island City, Queens
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Head over to Socrates Sculpture Park for a pre-show workshop for kids, followed by a free performance of Hamlet. The workshop gives children a chance to interact with the text by previewing the story. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, August 11-Sunday, August 17, 2025

44th Annual Battery Dance Festival in Battery Park

Battery Park
Tuesday, August 12-Saturday, August 16, 2025
The Battery Dance Festival presents free evening performances, featuring top-tier dancers from the US and around the globe, including debuts and premieres. READ MORE

Red Hook Movies in the Park in Coffey Park

Red Hook, Brooklyn
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and loved ones for an unforgettable summer experience. READ MORE

Summerween Teen Takeover at The Paley Museum

Midtown West
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Who says Halloween only happens in October? Teens are invited to a haunted takeover of The Paley Museum! This after-hours bash brings the chills of Halloween to the heat of August with everything a horror-lover (and candy-lover!) could want.  READ MORE

Movies in the Square at Union Square

Union Square
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Featuring beloved cinematic selections, these free-to-attend outdoor screenings include pre-screening activities, so arrive early and bring your own blankets and snacks.  READ MORE

Hamilton Sing-Along at Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Bring a blanket and a picnic for a screening of Hamilton: An American Musical on the field behind the Old Stone House. Fans are welcome to sing along!  READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Fort Greene Park

Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn offers nostalgic classics and feel-good fan favorites for all ages. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

28 Liberty Family Movies at Fosun Plaza

Financial District
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Fosun teams up with Alamo Drafthouse to present FREE films on the giant 40-foot LED screen on the western side of the plaza, with free popcorn courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse. READ MORE

QPL Baby: Musical Playdate at Ridgewood Library

Ridgewood, Queens
Friday, August 15, 2025
QPL Baby hosts a morning of musical exploration and summer celebration featuring performances from Urban Stages, hands-on play activities, face painting with Party Colors, giveaways, and more.  READ MORE

33rd Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Hundreds of sand sculptors descend on Coney Island annually to create amazing works of art using all-natural elements at the beach.  READ MORE

Washington Square Park Folk Festival

Greenwich Village
Saturday, August 16, 2025
The best of local New York and national folk talent—including old-time string bands, blues, jug bands, traditional Mexican and Balkan music, songwriters, New Orleans jazz, klezmer music, and more—come together for this festival in Washington Square Park. READ MORE

Hudson River Park's Blues Barbecue at Pier 76

Midtown West
Saturday, August 16, 2025
The 25th annual Hudson River Park Blues Barbecue Festival returns to Pier 76 for a day filled with smoky goodness and great music. Pit powerhouses like Bark BBQ, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Jase’s BBQ, Kimchi Smoke, and Tikkun BBQ fire up their smokers while you take in live blues and roots performances. READ MORE

Hindu Lamp Ceremony in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 16, 2025
The 13th annual Aarti Hindu Lamp Ceremony returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pebble Beach. Guests are invited to decorate palm leaf lamps and release them along the East River. Special guest artists are in attendance displaying their works. READ MORE

People Parks and Possibilities at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Did you know that Central Park and Prospect Park were designed? Explore the story of America’s first and most influential park designer, Frederick Law Olmsted with a reading of Parks for the People by children’s author Elizabeth Partridge. After story time, young park planners design their own ideal public park in celebration of International Day of Friendship!   READ MORE

Big Summer Get Down Dance Parties in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 16, 2025
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosts all-ages summer dance parties in the park.  READ MORE

New York City Circus Festival in Bryant Park

Midtown West
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Bryant Park’s first circus festival is a love letter to New York City’s groundbreaking circus artists, showcasing soaring aerial performances, acrobatics, clowning, a giant Rolly apparatus, and more! READ MORE

Mozart for Munchkins at Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Mozart for Munchkins puts on free Saturday concerts that focus on a different style of music each week—classical, jazz, bluegrass, and more—performed by first-rate artists who have played the stages of Carnegie Hall, Broadway, Lincoln Center, and other top venues. READ MORE

Back to School Community Bash at Atlantic Terminal

Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Brooklyn Bridge Parents, the Atlantic Terminal Mall, and Brooklyn Org co-host a fun-filled day of crafts, games, and water fun. Enjoy DJ-spun tunes and more kid-friendly fare.  READ MORE

NYSoM Back-to-School Bonanza in Bushwick Playground

Bushwick, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 16, 2025
NYSoM distributes school supplies on a first-come, first-served basis at this back-to-school fest. Stop by and meet Iron Man and Batman, pose for pictures, and take part in various America-themed activities. READ MORE

Funk Flex Birthday Park at the Coney Island Amphitheater

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Hip-hop institution, Funk Flex, a radio and club mainstay who’s helped break some of New York’s biggest artists and biggest hits, hosts his birthday party on Coney Island with a coterie of throwback R&B artists from the ‘90s. READ MORE

Farmhouse Family Day: The Power of the Sun at Wyckoff Farm

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 16-Sunday, August 17, 2025
Soak up the last rays of summer and celebrate the sun with various solar-themed activities.   READ MORE

Gridlock on Governors Island

Governors Island
Sunday, August 17, 2025
VW Grid­lock, the epic vin­tage Volk­swa­gen show, returns to Gov­er­nors Island to showcase vin­tage Volk­swa­gens from across the years, includ­ing icon­ic mod­els like the Bee­tle, Bus, Kar­mann Ghia, and Thing. Find them parked at Pic­nic Point all day for vis­i­tors to enjoy. READ MORE

Family Storytelling Workshop in Socrates Sculpture Park

Long Island City, Queens
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Listen to the ancient Japanese tale of Urashima Taro, about a fisherman whose life is forever changed after meeting a magical princess in the form of a turtle. Inspired by this myth, families are invited to imagine themselves as a 10,000-year-old yokai, a mystical being who has witnessed centuries of human experience, then create collagraph prints of woven patterns on Tyvek, merging ancestral memory with tactile expression. READ MORE

Hip to Hip Theatre Company: The Tempest in Socrates Sculpture Park

Long Island City, Queens
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Head over to Socrates Sculpture Park for a pre-show workshop for kids, followed by a free performance of Shakespeare's The Tempest. The workshop gives children a chance to interact with the text by previewing the story. READ MORE

Roller Skating Summer Fun in Dry Dock Playground

East Village
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Henry Street Settlement hosts a fun afternoon complete with free roller skate rentals, a live DJ, art making, and more.  READ MORE
Watch a movie on the deck of the majestic Intrepid. Photo courtesy of the Intrepid
Watch a movie on the deck of the majestic Intrepid. Photo courtesy of the Intrepid

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, August 18-Sunday, August 24, 2025

Brookfield Place Open

Financial District
Tuesday, August 19-Thursday, August 28, 2025
Brookfield Place celebrates the wonderful world of tennis at its tenth annual Brookfield Place Open, with daily clinics and open-court sessions. READ MORE

Public Dance at Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Brooklyn Contra hosts an evening of colonial era and modern folk dances to live music. All dances are taught and appropriate for adults and kids 8 and up, no experience necessary! READ MORE

Intrepid Summer Movie Series

Midtown West
Friday, August 22, 2025
Watch a movie on the ship’s flight deck under the stars! Enjoy views of the Hudson River and city skyline while you watch some old and new favorites on the big screen. This year’s films dive deep into the mysteries of the ocean, inspired by the Museum’s newest exhibition, Mysteries From the Deep: Underwater Archaeology. READ MORE

The Battle of Brooklyn, A Farce in Two Acts at Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Friday, August 22, 2025
Watch a short play written by snarky British loyalists in 1776 to mock the American defeat in the first and largest battle of the War for Independence. Was the revolution a scam? Were the Founding Fathers idiots? The anonymous author of The Battle of Brooklyn, A Farce of Two Acts thought so! READ MORE

Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the US Open

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, August 23, 2025
The 27th edition of this great day of family fun traditionally offers interactive games, face painting, balloon artists, prizes, music, special guests, and more. Kids can step onto the US Open courts, just like the pros, with tennis activities for all ages and abilities.  READ MORE

Nature's Workshop: Recycled Plantable Paper Making in Herbert Von King Park

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Urban Park Rangers demonstrate a sustainable transformation of old paper scraps into a future garden! Learn about the history of papermaking and make your own paper embedded with native seeds. READ MORE

Remembrance Ceremony & Battle of Brooklyn Living History at Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 23, 2025
The Old Stone House & Washington Park partner with the Society of the Cincinnati of Maryland and the Michael A. Rawley American Legion Post to commemorate the Battle of Brooklyn with a reenactment.  READ MORE

NYSoM Wizard of Oz Back-to-School at El Barrio

East Harlem
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Head off to see the Wizard...he’s giving out school supplies. NYSoM presents a Wizard of Oz-themed giveaway at El Barrio. READ MORE

Battle of Brooklyn Family Day at Green-Wood Cemetery

Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Commemorate the Battle of Brooklyn, fought in 1776 on land now a part of Green-Wood Cemetery, during this family-friendly afternoon event, which includes a parade up to Battle Hill. READ MORE

Land of the Lenape in Inwood Hill Park

Inwood
Sunday, August 24, 2025
The Urban Park Rangers invite families to explore the abundance of plants and trees in NYC that can be used for food and medicine. Rangers dive into how these plants could be used if one were to live fully off of the land in their region, lead some fun activities, and discuss how plants have been historically used by the Lenape. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, August 25-Sunday, August 31, 2025

CityParks PuppetMobile Presents Pippi Longstocking

South Bronx
Monday, August 25, 2025
City Parks Foundation is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the world-renowned children’s story Pippi Longstocking, by the legendary Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, with a production that features nearly two dozen, hand-made marionettes crafted by the expert puppeteers.  READ MORE

Lavender Blues at Bloomingdale Library

Harlem
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
This hip-hop concert for families features interactive, toe-tapping, get-out-of-your-seat good time with Lady B and her Bunnies!   READ MORE

16th Annual NYC Unicycle Festival

Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens
Thursday, August 28-Sunday, August 31, 2025
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus rolls out its annual NYC Unicycle Festival across New York City, bringing together recreational riders, world-class performers, mountain and off-road unicycle enthusiasts, and mono-wheel vehicle inventors.  READ MORE

Turn Your School Green! Sustainable Architecture at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Compare the architecture and engineering of the museum's neighbor, the Battery Park City “Green School” and a skyscraper, the Empire State Building, to see how buildings of different sizes can use design to be more energy efficient. Then design a school that shows how architecture can help address climate change!  READ MORE

Shape Note Singing with Sam Amidon on Little Island

Greenwich Village
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Sam Amidon leads a participatory singalong channeling the country’s oldest vocal tradition—200 years old, in fact—as attendees raise their voices in four parts. The public serves as the performers, collectively creating the sound. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Harlem (See listing)
George Seuffert Bandshell
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Riverside Park
Various locations in Queens
Pier 26 in Hudson River Park
Various locations in Queens
Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6
Lower East Side Prep Parking Lot
LeFrak Center at Lakeside
Central Park Hans Christian Andersen Statue
National Parks - Multiple Locations
Central Park - Naumburg Bandshell
Lehman College Studio Theatre
David Geffen Hall, LeFrak Lobby
National Museum of Mathematics Pop Up
Riverside Park 102nd Street Field House
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Riverside Park
Museum of Arts and Design
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Old Stone House (outside)
Hudson River Park - Pier 76
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Hudson Yards - Public Square and Gardens
Old Stone House (outside)
Old Stone House (outside)
Old Stone House (outside)
Various locations in NYC
Multiple locations around NYC

About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
Recent Articles By Drew Kristofik:
Read more articles by Drew Kristofik.