Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: San Gennaro, Free Brooklyn Kite Festival, Dan Zanes, 92Y StreetFest, Honey Fest, September 13-14

9/10/14 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

Due to expected rain on Saturday, some outdoor events may be canceled or rescheduled. Before you head out, check the event's official website for updates. One of fall's biggest and oldest celebrations, the 88th annual Feast of San Gennaro, takes over Little Italy this weekend with rides, vendors and delicious food. Meanwhile, you can go fly a kite at the annual fest in Brooklyn Bridge Park, sample delicious sweets at Rockaway's NYC Honey Fest or find out about everything the 92nd Street Y has to offer families at its StreetFest on the Upper East Side.

There's some great culture on tap, too, including the National Ballet of Canada’s interpretation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at Lincoln Center, a FREE screening of Dolphin Tale 2 in Soho and an awesome $20 ticket deal on some of the best Off-Broadway shows for kids.

All of our best bets for this weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Fall Fun Guide. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

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The Feast of San Gennaro – Little Italy
One of our September Go List picks: While this annual festival is technically a religious celebration, most revelers go for the delicious food, cannoli-eating contest, live music, games and rides, including a Ferris wheel. At night it's a real party scene so families should visit during the day. Free admission but there are additional fees for certain activities. Rain or shine!

20at20 – Citywide
Through Sunday, September 28, you can buy $20 tickets 20 minutes before curtain to a bunch of Off-Broadway shows including four of our family favorites: Gazillion Bubble Show!, Stomp, Fuerza Bruta: Wayra and iLuminate. Find the complete list of shows and fine print on the official website. $20 Indoors!

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Chelsea
Dance lovers won't want to miss this: the NYC premiere of the National Ballet of Canada’s interpretation of Lewis Carroll's classic story choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. The sets and costumes look absolutely spectacular and the production has received rave reviews the world over. At almost three hours, it's probably best for tweens and up. It's only playing this weekend so if it sounds like your cup of Mad Hatter tea, book tickets ASAP. $35-$145 Indoors!

Circus Amok: At the Crossroads – Long Island City & Prospect Park
It's the second weekend of this political theater troupe's all-ages extravaganza themed around climate change. Catch real-life bearded lady and emcee, Jennifer Miller, and her cohorts as they mix activism with entertainment. At the Crossroads plays Long Island City's Socrates Sculpture Garden on Saturday and in Prospect Park on Sunday. FREE Will be canceled in the event of rain. 
 

Saturday, September 13

Brooklyn Kite Festival – Brooklyn Heights
B.Y.O.K. (bring your own kite) to Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn and let it soar in front of the glorious Manhattan skyline. Don't have a kite? Some will be available for purchase. Afterward, explore everything the green space has to offer, including a historic carousel and awesome playgrounds. FREE Rain or shine!

NYC Honey Fest – Rockaway
Head to the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk for a sweet party celebrating bees and honey. Attractions include a marketplace featuring honey-infused eats, themed art projects, a honey-tasting contest, beekeeping demos and a Be-A-Bee Parade. FREE

Dolphin Tale 2 – Midtown West
Got kids who loved the original Dolphin Tale? Then don't miss this no-cost screening of the sequel at the Scholastic Store followed by a signing with Craig Hatkoff, the author of the books that inspired the flicks. FREE but advance reservations required. Indoors!

Catch-and-Release Fishing Clinic – Gramercy
Visit picturesque Stuyvesant Cove Park for some catch-and-release fishing in the East River. Staff from the eco-org Solar One and the Lower East Side Ecology Center will be on hand with equipment, tips and other green activities. FREE but advance registration recommended.

Greenpoint Y Community Day Block Party – Greenpoint
Get a taste of everything this Y has to offer Greenpoint families and enjoy typical street fair fun like live music, food, games, a bouncy house, crafts and a kids' dance party. There will also be a marketplace featuring wares by local artisans. FREE Rain or shine!

Meet the Artist Saturday: The Funny Bones Mime Trio – Upper West Side
Catch this comedic threesome at Lincoln Center's David Rubenstein Atrium as they give kids a kooky crash course on the history of mime. FREE Indoors!

Columbia Waterfront Fall Festival – Carroll Gardens
Hit Brooklyn's western waterfront for this sixth annual fete featuring kids' rides and activities, live music, demos by local artists, and a marketplace with wares and eats. Free admission but there are additional fees for certain activities. Rain or shine!

Sculptures and Treasures – East Village
Enjoy a magical afternoon in the 2Bn2C Sculpture and Community Garden. The urban oasis is filled with whimsical creatures made from repurposed materials. Kids can hunt for them scavenger hunt-style, talk to artist Ken Cro-Ken about his inspirations, and create a little critter of their own from found objects. $15 per child-adult pair

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, September 14

92nd Street Y StreetFest – Upper East Side
The venerable Upper East Side institution sponsors this 15-block street fair. Check out the Y's fall programming and classes, and enjoy family performances, arts and crafts, sports and games, and lots of vendors. Be sure to hit the American Girl-sponsored 92Y KidCentral Ave on 84th and 85th Streets featuring crafts, a demo by the 92Y Gymstars Gymnastics Team and the Tiny Tumblers Toddler Obstacle Course. FREE

Washington Square Park Folk Festival – Greenwich Village
The iconic downtown green space was a folk music hotspot back in the day. Celebrate its tuneful history at this afternoon concert featuring folk legends like the Down Hill Strugglers with John Cohen, and Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton. FREE

Dan Zanes – Soho
Catch the Grammy winning family rocker at the Soho Apple Store playing tunes from his new album Get Loose and Get Together! FREE but reservations recommended as space is limited

1776 Peace Conference Celebration – Staten Island
Rescheduled from Saturday due to rain Hit Staten Island's historic Conference House for a reenactment of this important event in the Revolutionary War. Kids can meet Ben Franklin and other Founding Fathers, take tours of the house, and try Colonial-era crafts, dancing and cooking. $5 for adults, $3 for children under age 13

See all Sunday events.
 

Remember, you can find even more fun in our jam-packed Event Calendar.