This Week: Free Things to Do All Summer, 4th of July Fireworks, Festivals, Summer Camp Giveaway

6/28/12 - By Raven Snook

We've had a really explosive week. Not only did summer break arrive, we also rounded up spectacular fireworks displays— in New York City and beyond. Although Macy's spectacular takes place on the Fourth of July, many towns in New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island celebrate Independence Day this weekend with their own awesome fireworks shows. If you're out of town over the holiday, don't worry: We've also rounded up free fireworks displays throughout the summer so you can still get a bang for no bucks.

Speaking of no-cost fun, we also posted a list of 100 free things to do this summer so you can have a fun-filled but budget conscious staycation. If you're looking for vacation inspiration, try browsing our Travel site. We just shared a slide show of our trip to Beaches Negril Jamaica, an all-inclusive Caribbean resort.

Here's what else we shared this week on our NYC site.

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Our roundup of 100 free things to do this summer includes suggestions for every day through the end of August, plus a bunch of anytime activities.

We also compiled a list of summer festivals, including annual favorites like the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival and City of Water Day.

The circus is back in town: Check out our review of Cirque du Soleil's over-the-top spectacle Zarkana.

There's still time to enter our TADA! Youth Theater giveaway. Prizes include a week of summer camp, a semester-long class and four tickets to the troupe's summer musical.

Our biweekly links roundup included info on two new skateparks, a pair of new pools and a campaign to brown bag Cosmo.

We also did a dedicated post on a new study that claims chemicals and heavy metals cause autism and other learning disabilities.

Kids can literally make some noise at the new interactive installation Orbis Pictus - Play Well at the Czech Center on the Upper East Side

While Photoville, a free photography exhibition in Brooklyn Bridge Park, isn't as interactive, it boasts some gorgeous images and is worth exploring if you're planning on outing in the activity packed waterfront park.

Our best bets for the weekend include the Historic Ship Festival in Tribeca, the Astoria Park Festival and SummerStage Kids: Bronx Family Day.