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Labor Day Weekend 2025 in NYC: Festivals, Fairs, and More Things To Do with Kids

Enjoy roving performers, kid-friendly activities, and plenty of good eats when the Richmond County Fair takes over Historic Richmond Town for its annual run. Photo courtesy of the event
Enjoy roving performers, kid-friendly activities, and plenty of good eats when the Richmond County Fair takes over Historic Richmond Town for its annual run. Photo courtesy of the event
8/29/25 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this Labor Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Summer takes a final victory lap this weekend, and the Labor Day holiday means the NYC Unicycle Festival is one-wheeling all around town, the Richmond County Fair brings rides and carnival classics to Staten Island, Bryant Park is saluting both accordions and Sly Stone (but not at the same time!), and A Midsummer Night's Dream romps through Central park, unrehearsed.

More Things To Do in New York City This Week With Kids:

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Best Things To Do Labor Day Weekend in NYC with Kids

Mini Golf, Prizes, and Fun at Swingers NoMad

Chelsea
Saturday, August 30-Monday, September 1
Swingers NoMad welcomes families for a round of crazy golf, delicious slushies, fun drinks for the kids—and cocktails for the grown-ups. Guests with a confirmed tee time get to spin the prize wheel at Hole 9 and walk away with a special gift. Plus, the Swingers team is popping up throughout the venue with surprise treats, including free rounds of crazy golf.   READ MORE

16th Annual NYC Unicycle Festival

Citywide – FREE
Thursday, August 28-Sunday, August 31
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

Bounce House at the SI Children's Museum

Snug Harbor, Staten Island
Friday, August 29
Kids can unleash their inner acrobats on the ultimate bounce house when it pops up at the Staten Island Children's Museum. READ MORE

Picnic Performances in Bryant Park

Midtown West – FREE
Friday, August 29-Saturday, August 30
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

Eight Is Never Enough Times Square Improv Comedy

Midtown West
Saturday, August 30
Eight Is Never Enough delivers hilarious interactive musical comedy skits and songs improvised on the spot based upon audience suggestions and participation. No two shows are ever the same.  READ MORE

Shakespeare Unrehearsed in Central Park

Central Park – FREE
Saturday, August 30
Actors to go toe-to-toe with The Bard while simultaneously stretching their improv muscles. Cast members are given 30 days to learn their lines and get off book. They aren't allowed to rehearse with each other or coordinate performances.  READ MORE

Free Community Rowing, Sailing, and Birding at Hunts Point

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

Turn Your School Green! Sustainable Architecture at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City – FREE
Saturday, August 30
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

The Disappearance of Miss Scott in Marcus Garvey Park

Harlem – FREE
Saturday, August 30
The Disappearance of Miss Scott (N/R) explores the extraordinary life and legacy of Hazel Scott—a brilliant jazz pianist, Hollywood actress, and fearless civil rights advocate. Featuring rare archival footage, candid interviews, and insights from luminaries like Alicia Keys, the film resurrects a nearly forgotten icon who shaped American music and culture.   READ MORE

Family Art Project: Fishy Fun at Wave Hill

Riverdale, the Bronx
Saturday, August 30-Sunday, August 31
Focus on friends with fins, especially the goldfish swimming in Wave Hill’s Aquatic Garden. Turn colorful paper bags into fantastic 3D fish that can swim through the air and flutter home with you. READ MORE

West Indian Day at CMOM

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 30-Monday, September 1
As September swoops in, the festivities of the West Indian Day Parade take flight at CMOM!   READ MORE

Richmond County Fair

Richmond, Staten Island
Saturday, August 30-Monday, September 1
An old-fashioned county fair in New York City, the 42-year-old Staten Island tradition features family fun and entertainment for all ages, including circus performers, crafts and rides for the kids, live music, plenty of eats, and contests. READ MORE

Shape Note Singing with Sam Amidon on Little Island

West Village – FREE
Sunday, August 31
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

Back to School Carnival at Complete Playground

Financial District – FREE
Sunday, August 31
Complete Playground hosts a back to school carnival with a bouncy house, character appearances, games, balloon twisting, free treats, and more.   READ MORE

Monday Movie Nights at the Marriott Marquis

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

Places featured in this article:

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.
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