32 NYC Festivals, Street Fairs and Carnivals May 2013

There are street fairs and then there are street fairs. We don't mean those random ones that sell irregular socks and fried Oreos; we're talking about true community festivals. Each one is unique and reflects the character of its neighborhood, and many feature rides, performances, activities and food. The hard part, of course, is knowing which ones are which, 'cause while we all love to stock up on cheap socks, we're not going to drag our family across town to do so.

We've gone through the city's list of festivals, street fairs and carnivals for the month of May and picked out our favorites from years past and some new events that sound promising. All of these fests are FREE or just a couple of bucks, and in most cases your dollars go to support a local charity or school, so you can feel good about spending money. In our research, we were bummed to learn that one of annual picks, the Hudson River Pageant, won't be happening this year. But there are 32 other awesome fests to choose from! You can find even more seasonal activities in our Spring Fun Guide.

IDEAS CITY StreetFest – Lower East Side
Saturday, May 4 11am-6pm
On the Bowery between Houston and Rivington Streets, and in Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Chrystie to Forsyth Streets between Houston and Stanton Streets
FREE
The New Museum's second biennial festival dedicated to innovative arts and culture in urban areas culminates in a street fair featuring displays and interactive activities for all ages. Thought-provoking games, communal arts and crafts, live music with instruments made of recycled materials, a subway-themed puppet show and a collaborative mural of the New York City skyline are just some of the fun on tap. A must-see!

Calhoun Carnival – Upper West Side
Saturday, May 4 11am-5pm
433 West End Avenue at 81st Street
Free admission but there are fees for certain activities.
Enjoy carnival rides, bouncy houses, games, arts and crafts, and other kiddie fun at this annual school fundraiser.

VW Dome 2: 7th Annual Earth Day Rockaway – Rockaway
Saturday, May 4 noon-4pm
Rockaway Beach, Beach 95th Street and Shore Front Parkway
FREE
Celebrate Earth Day (albeit a little late) at the VW Dome 2, the geodesic dome erected by MoMA PS1 and Volkswagen to serve as a temporary community space in the Sandy-ravaged area. Fun includes a mock dolphin rescue, live music, raptor demos, composting workshops, face painting, arts and crafts, kids' bike helmet giveaways and an FDNY safety obstacle course.

Touch-a-Truck – Park Slope
Saturday, May 4 noon-5pm
P.S. 295, 18th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues
$5, free for children under six months
Explore all sorts of big vehicles like dump trucks, garbage trucks, ambulances and tow trucks at this annual favorite. New this year: mini cars, construction trucks and a puppet show. All proceeds support the elementary school's programs.

11th Annual Street Carnival & Flea Market – Glendale
Saturday, May 4 11am-4pm
Redeemer Lutheran School, 69-26 Cooper Avenue between 69th Place and 70th Street
Free admission but there are fees for certain activities
At this school fundraiser, each class creates and runs a different attraction. Booths include fishing for goldfish, face painting, football toss and more. Meanwhile parents can hunt for treasures at the flea market.

Spring Fair – Morningside Heights
Saturday, May 4 11am-4pm
Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School, 404 West 116th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Morningside Drive
Free admission but there are fees for certain activities.
Best for the preschool set, this fest features a petting zoo and pony rides, face painting, carnival games and craft projects. There will also be a rummage sale with gently-used kids' gear. Rain date is Sunday, May 5.

Red Hook Family Festival – Red Hook
Saturday, May 4 noon-3pm
P.S. 15, 71 Sullivan Street at Van Brunt Street
Free admission but there are fees for certain activities.
Meet Brooklyn Cyclones mascot Sandy the Seagull, pose with Star Wars characters, jump around a bouncy house, play games and more at Puppetry Arts' annual family favorite. The first 100 kids to arrive snag free goody bags.

Hippo Playground Spring Fair – Upper West Side
Sunday, May 5 10am-4pm
Hippo Playground, 91st Street in Riverside Park
Free admission but there are fees for certain activities.
An Upper West Side tradition for 30 years, this annual benefit promises pony rides, a petting zoo, a maze, a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, and face painting.

Irish Arts Center’s Irish Dance Festival – Upper West Side
Sunday, May 5 1-7pm
Pier I in Riverside Park South, 70th Street and the Hudson River
FREE
After you finish in Hippo Playground, stroll a mile south in Riverside Park for this celebration of Irish dance. Watch as professional Irish dancers from NYC and beyond hit the stage, and then give it a go yourself at a dance workshop. Other activities include a singing circle, Gaelic classes, face painting and Celtic crafts for the wee ones.

Court Street "Brooklyn" Festival – Carroll Gardens
Sunday, May 5 noon-6pm
Court Street between Union and West 9th Streets
Free admission but there are fees for certain activities.
Hit this family-friendly neighborhood fete for children's rides, 200 vendors and live entertainment.

Lower East Side Carnival – Lower East Side
Friday, May 10 3-8pm
Lower East Side Prep High School, 145 Stanton Street between Norfolk and Suffolk Streets
$5 suggested donation
This low-key Friday evening affair features tons of carnival games like target practice, ball in the cup and more. All activities are covered by the cost of admission.

A Children's Festival of Flowers – West Village
Saturday, May 11 11am-2pm
Jefferson Market Garden, Greenwich Avenue between Sixth Avenue and 10th Street
FREE
Celebrate spring by learning all about worms, making seasonal arts and crafts, and enjoying live entertainment in the beloved community garden.

Romania Day Festival – Financial District
Saturday, May 11 11am-5:30pm
Broadway between Fulton Street and Battery Place
FREE
One of the largest gatherings of Romanians outside of their homeland, this fest features traditional food and drinks, a folk art exhibit and live music.

West Side Montessori Spring Fair – Upper West Side
Saturday, May 11 11am-4pm
Free admission but there are fees for certain activities.
92nd Street between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive
Enjoy a ride on a trolley and live entertainment, along with the usual festival fare like face painting, games, crafts, bouncy houses and food at this preschool benefit.

P.S. 84 International Spring Fair– Upper West Side
Saturday, May 11 11am-5pm
32 West 92nd Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
Free admission but there are fees for certain activities.
Just a few avenues over on the same block you'll find this school fest featuring a bouncy castle, a giant slide, an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, henna tattoos, arts and crafts, neighborhood vendors, international food and live music. In the event of rain, activities will move inside the building.

Museum Magnet School Spring Carnival – Upper West Side
Saturday, May 11 11am-4pm
Amsterdam Avenue between 60th and 61st Street
Free admission but there are fees for activities
Rock out to Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights and try games, bouncy houses and more at this school benefit.

Fair at the Square – the Bronx
Saturday, May 11 11am-6pm
Westchester Square between Westchester and Commerce Avenue
FREE
Celebrate the borough and its vibrant arts scene with dance performances, art exhibits, local merchants, vintage FDNY and MTA vehicles, food from local eateries and a kids' activity zone.

Kite Flight – Long Island City
Saturday, May 11 11am-2pm
Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Boulevard at Broadway
FREE
The stunning outdoor art space hosts a day of kite flying fun. Families can bring their own or fashion paper fliers in a workshop led by teaching artist Miguel Luciano, and then let them soar. All supplies provided.

Spring Festival – Park Slope
Saturday, May 11 noon-5pm
P.S. 133, 211 8th Street near Fourth Avenue
Free admission but there are fees for certain activities.
This circus-themed school benefit includes bouncy castles, face painting, carnival games, and arts and crafts.

Kings County Fair – Marine Park
Thursday, May 16-Monday, May 27 hours vary
Aviator Sports and Events Center, 3159 Flatbush Avenue
$5 admission with additional fees for activities.
Floyd Bennett Field hosts this full-blown, country-style carnival with rides, game booths, live music, a midway, tasty eats and other attractions. A great option for Memorial Day weekend! Make sure you look carefully at the pricing page to find the best value for your family as there are a number of packages available.

Go Green! Greenpoint – Greenpoint
Saturday, May 18 11am-5pm
McCarren Park, North 12th Street between Bayard and Berry Streets
FREE
Greenpoint's annual Earth Day festival boasts live music, science and art exhibits, eco-arts and crafts, and other activities for kids. New this year: the Brooklyn Museum of Science & Art's pop-up exhibit.

On A Wing: Family Festival – Upper East Side
Saturday, May 18 noon-3pm
Belvedere Castle, Central Park, mid-park at 79th Street
FREE
Get up close and personal with birds of prey, take a guided nature walk, make crafts and participate in a butterfly release.

Touch-a-Truck – Upper West Side
Saturday, May 18, 10am-4pm
West Side YMCA, West 64th Street between Broadway and Central Park West
Free admission, tickets and wristbands available for purchase
Climb into vehicles like NYPD cruisers, an ambulance, an FDNY fire truck and even a refrigerated Fresh Direct truck. There will also be performances by the Hungry March Band, Bilingual Birdies and Looney Louie, along with bouncy castles, and arts and crafts.

Spring Kids Fest – Flatiron
Saturday May 18 10:30am-1:30pm
Madison Square Park, 23rd to 26th Streets between Madison and Fifth Avenues
FREE
One of the biggest fests of the season! Groove to live tunes by kindie bands Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Rolie Polie Guacamole and Songs for Seeds, and enjoy pie throwing, storytime, yoga, arts and crafts, visits from Field Station: Dinosaurs and free snacks.

New York Dance Parade & Dance Fest – Flatiron & East Village
Saturday, May 18 at 1pm
Starts at 21st Street and Broadway, heads down Broadway, turns east at St. Mark's Place and ends in Tompkins Square Park.
FREE
Watch as 10,000 movers and shakers make their way down Broadway doing more than 75 dances, including salsa, tango, waltz, African, Asian, the hula, break dancing and more. If you want to participate, you must register in advance and join a group. The procession ends in Tompkins Square Park with an after-party featuring choreographed performances, workshops and lots of dancing.

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival – Hell's Kitchen
Saturday May 18-Sunday May 19 noon-5pm
Ninth Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets
Free admission but fees for food
Try international cuisines from Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Thailand and more. There will also be children's games and activities, and a stage with global music and dance performances. But the main attraction here is the food.

Touch-a-Truck – St. George
Sunday, May 19 noon to 5pm
Richmond County Bank Ballpark, 75 Richmond Terrace near Wall Street
In advance: $7; at the door: $8
More truck fun: Kids can climb aboard 20 trucks parked in the Staten Island Yankees' ballpark, and then try arts and crafts, the bouncy house, games and more.

10th Annual Mamapalooza – Upper West Side
Sunday, May 19 11am-5pm
Pier I in Riverside Park South, 70th Street and the Hudson River
FREE
This family fest features moms rocking out, reading poetry, doing comedy and other types of family-friendly performances. There will also be kids' activities and vendors.

Drums Along the Hudson – Inwood
Sunday, May 19 11am-6pm
Inwood Hill Park, 218th Street and Indian Road
FREE
Celebrate Native American culture with eye-popping entertainment (past main stage performers included the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, the Shumei Taiko Ensemble, Flamenco dancers and more), plus storytelling and tree planting.

Lower East Side Festival of the Arts Cultural Street Fair – East Village
Saturday, May 25 1-6pm; rain date is Sunday, May 26
10th Street between First and Second Avenues
FREE
The Theater for the New City sponsors this 18th annual weekend of visual arts, films, theater and dance performances. While the fest takes place Friday through Sunday, Saturday is family day with a street fair featuring live music, poetry, dance and comedy, and special youth performances inside the theater.

Governors Island Family Festival – Financial District
Sunday, May 26 noon-4pm
Nolan Park on Governors Island
FREE
The activity-filled isle opens for the season Memorial Day weekend and as usual there's a big family fest to celebrate (it was originally set for Saturday but rescheduled to Sunday due to rain). Enjoy storytelling, arts and crafts, live performances by the kindie folk bands Astrograss and The Maybelles, a fantastical puppet show by Arm-of-the-Sea Theater, face painting, a bike helmet give away and harbor-themed fun. Note: The island's mini-golf course and sculpture garden won't yet be installed but there will still be plenty to do! Try to catch a ferry before noon otherwise you may end up needing to wait at the terminal.

Memorial Day Fair – Sunnyside
Sunday, May 26 noon-5pm
Sunnyside Gardens Park, 48-21 39th Avenue
Free admission but there are fees for activities.
Kids can hit the sandpit, swoosh down the slide or swing in the lovely members-only Sunnyside Gardens Park, which opens its gate to the public for this fair (which was rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday due to rain). Other attractions include a bouncy castle, a rock climbing wall, face painting, a kiddie nail salon and live music.

Find out about other great things to do this season in our Spring Fun Guide.