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Enjoy the pageantry and patriotic celebrations when Fleet Week returns for Memorial Day weekend in NYC. Photo courtesy of Fleet Week New York
Enjoy the pageantry and patriotic celebrations when Fleet Week returns for Memorial Day weekend in NYC. Photo courtesy of Fleet Week New York
4/30/23 - By Drew Kristofik

May the 4th be with you as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and more this May in New York City!

May is so jam-packed, it would be easy to miss some stellar happenings, including Asphalt Green's Big Swim, Hippo Playground's Spring Fair, Japan Day,  the New York Transit Museum's Party on Wheels, the Westminster Dog Show, NYBG's Mother's Day Garden Party, and Bluey's show in Brooklyn (IYKYK). And, how could we forget Fleet Week at month's end?

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including address and time. And keep in mind, in NYC, really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so buy your tickets ASAP or, in the case of FREE events, arrive as early as possible.

The immersive Invisible Worlds is one of the new exhibitions at the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation set to open at the American Museum of Natural History on Thursday, May 4.
The immersive Invisible Worlds is one of the new exhibitions at the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation set to open at the American Museum of Natural History on Thursday, May 4.

Top Things To Do in NYC with Kids this May

Garden of Dreams Talent Show 2024 at Radio City

Midtown West–FREE
Thursday, May 2
This free children's talent show is hosted by the Garden of Dreams Foundation, Madison Square Garden’s not-for-profit charity helping tri-state area children overcome obstacles such as homelessness, illness, bullying, and poverty. The annual event gives more than 100 kids the chance to perform on-stage at Radio City in front of their families, friends, and celebrities. READ MORE

Sail Away by Treehouse Shakers at Ailey Citigroup Theater

Midtown West
Thursday-Saturday, May 2-4
Journey with Treehouse Shakers via an oceanic discovery play for toddlers ages 18-24 months. Specifically tailored to the very early walkers, Sail Away is a mobile exploration experience piece for toddlers who want to wiggle, move, walk and run, in a fully immersive first-time play experience.   READ MORE

 Sesame Street Live! Say Hello

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Friday-Saturday, May 3-4
Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby team up once again to say "Hello" to little fans. READ MORE

Young People’s Concert: Celebration at Geffen Hall

Midtown West
Saturday, May 4
Celebrate 100 years of Young People’s Concerts with madcap sounds, humor, and surprises — and discover how composers throughout the ages have used these tools to comment on important issues of their day. READ MORE

Big Swim 2024 at Asphalt Green

Upper East Side–FREE
Saturday, May 4
Asphalt Green hosts a fun day for swimmers of all abilities, ages six and up, to experience the thrill of racing in the water! Compete and receive a swim cap, medal, and Icey.   READ MORE

60th Annual Calhoun Spring Carnival

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 4
Carnival rides and games, prizes, and craft activities are eagerly awaited by the Calhoun community and neighborhood families during this annual street fest. In addition, enjoy the traditional first barbecue of the season, with hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, freshly made sandwiches, and more. READ MORE

Party on Wheels at the New York Transit Museum

Downtown Brooklyn
Sunday, May 5
Bring the whole family for: breakfast and birthday cake, artmaking and face painting, photos in a conductor's cab, AND unlimited rides on vintage subway cars from the Museum platform to Hoyt-Schermerhorn and back. READ MORE

Children's Day Festival: Kodomo No Hi at Japan Society

Midtown East
Sunday, May 5
Hang the koinobori (carp streamers) and don your kabuto (samurai helmet): The Japan Society's Children's Day is back. Celebrate Japan’s national holiday with the captivating tale of Momotaro (Peach Boy) through a thrilling theatrical performance filled with storytelling, music, dance, and lots of audience participation. Continue the adventure with life-sized samurai armor displays, carp streamer making, samurai helmet origami and more. READ MORE

Hippo Playground Spring Fair n Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Sunday, May 5
An Upper West Side institution, the Hippo Playground Spring Fair celebrates the season with pony rides, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, games, prizes, crafts, food, cupcake decorating, face painting, entertainment, and more. READ MORE

Symphonic Sunday at Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Sunday, May 5
The Brooklyn Orchestra performs Stravinsky's Apollo in the beautiful setting of the Old Stone House. This totally immersive experience includes an interactive pre and post concert moment for children to meet the musicians (and their instruments!) Children and their families get a glimpse of the musical collaborative process in this mock-rehearsal setting. READ MORE

PS 267 - Spring Fling

Upper East Side
Sunday, May 5
East Side Elementary School, PS 267 hosts its annual block party with a day of fun for the whole family: bouncy inflatables, games, crafts, snacks. Proceeds benefit PS 267 PTA and the programs it supports. READ MORE

Spring Family Fair at the Morgan

Midtown East
Sunday, May 5
Celebrate the Morgan Library's 100th anniversary and the reopening of the Morgan Garden with live music, spring exhibition tours, art making, scavenger hunts, and more. READ MORE

And Sing! at BAM

Downtown Brooklyn
Monday, May 6
Davóne Tines and Arreon A. Harley-Emerson examine choral music of the Black Diaspora in this collaborative exploration of what makes us unique—our voices, histories, and traditions. A collection of multi-hyphenated leaders, performers, and storytellers join over 100 singers from Brooklyn Youth Chorus for a joyful and inspiring evening of musical commentary and connection. READ MORE

Japan Day Parade and Street Fair

Central Park–FREE
Saturday, May 11
Japan Day is celebrated with a parade and street fair. Watch the parade march down Central Park West before enjoying the festive street fair along 72nd Street.  READ MORE

Sheep Shearing Festival

Glen Oaks, Queens
Saturday, May 11
Visit the Queens County Farm Museum on the Nassau-Queens border to see the sheep get their annual haircuts. Move to the foot-stomping rhythms of live music, and enjoy farmer-led tours and a plant sale all day.  READ MORE

PALEYGX Fortnite Tournament at the Paley Center

Midtown West
Saturday, May 11
The Paley Center hosts multiple Solos/Zero Build games of Fortnite in PaleyGX, and each player has a chance to play on their preferred platform (Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PC, or PlayStation 5). A champion will be crowned based on their placement and number of eliminations. READ MORE

Musical Explorers Family Concert at Carnegie Hall

Midtown West
Saturday, May 11
New York City-based artists with magnetic personalities lead this vibrant, highly interactive concert for children at Carnegie Hall. Discover music from around the world that is found right here in the city, including the internationally renowned Sylvester Makobi, who explores Kenyan song traditions; bluegrass, led by returning family favorite Michael Daves; and vocal trio Zulal, who share their passion for Armenian folk music. READ MORE

Open Stages 2024 in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, May 11
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s spring music festival is back to rock Park Slope once again! Stoops, school lots, parks, gardens, and sidewalks host more than 150 musicians throughout the day, including classical musicians, hip-hop artists, marching bands, kids' groups, and more. READ MORE

Mother's Day Weekend Garden Party

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Saturday-Sunday, May 11-12
Mother's Day at the New York Botanical Garden is abloom with activities, music, crafts, and face painting—not to mention walking tours packed with colors and gorgeous spring scents. READ MORE

Mother's Day Brunch Cruise 2024 at the Seaport

South Street Seaport
Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12
Celebrate mom with a cruise under the Brooklyn Bridge, past Battery Park, and around the Statue of Liberty for incredible views of the New York, Brooklyn, and New Jersey skylines. Have a blast sipping bottomless mom-approved mimosas over a gourmet and an elevated three-course brunch meal.  READ MORE

The 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Arthur Ashe Stadium

Flushing, Queens
Saturday-Tuesday, May 11-14
The 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show features breed judging during the day on Monday and Tuesday. Groups, Junior Showmanship Finals and Best In Show will be judged Monday and Tuesday evenings. READ MORE

I Wish at the New Victory Theater

Midtown West
Saturdays & Sundays, May 11-19
Acclaimed theater artist and contemporary opera singer Le Gateau Chocolat crescendos to centerstage as the mysteriously magic-less Wish Giver. On a musical quest to recover their powers, they step into the shoes of beloved storybook characters, managing mystical messes and learning that, while life’s not always fair(ytales), love and acceptance can be more than fantasy. READ MORE

The Pa'akai We Bring at Lincoln Center

Midtown West
Friday-Sunday, May 17-19
The Pa’akai We Bring introduces young audiences and families to native Hawaiian traditions around the cultivation of pa‘akai (salt). The piece follows multiple generations of salt farmers on Kauai, mixing ancient stories, hula, live music, original songs, and plenty of audience participation into a tasty potluck of performance, joyously served up with aloha!    READ MORE

Submerge: NYC Marine Science Festival at Pier 84

Midtown West–FREE
Saturday, May 18
The Hudson River Park presents Submerge—a free, two-day science extravaganza devoted to raising awareness about our coastal waters.  READ MORE

Big Climb Metro New York at Citi Field

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 18
Join the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in the fight to cure blood cancers while also getting the chance to climb up and down the iconic steps of Citi Field, home of the New York Mets! Experience a high energy, behind-the-scenes journey through one of the most beautiful ballparks in the nation, climbing up and down the steps of the upper tier, running the concourses and finishing strong!   READ MORE

Sound & Color! Spring Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, May 18
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy takes its beloved Kite Festival to the next level with live musical performances, food vendors, kids activities, and more. Watch your kite soar above the Manhattan skyline the one day of the year kite-flying is open to the public at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Expert flying instructors lead kite-making workshops that blend S.T.E.A.M concepts, the Caribbean’s rich history of kite-flying, and outdoor adventures.   READ MORE

Big Truck Day on Randall's Island

Randall's Island–FREE
Saturday, May 18
Strap on your seatbelt and get a close-up view of the big trucks that keep New York City clean and safe. Learn how firefighters, garbage truck drivers, and other big truck operators use these vehicles to drive our city forward. READ MORE

Doktor Kaboom: Look Out! Science is Coming! at the Kupferberg Center

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 18
Sporting chrome goggles, orange lab coat, motorcycle boots, and wicked cool hair, Doktor Kaboom travels the world, thrilling adults and children alike with an explosive comedic style . READ MORE

New York Philharmonic: Very Young People’s Concert - Believe - At Merkin Hall

Midtown West/Upper West Side
Saturday, May 18
NY Phil wind players and Garifuna musicians come together for music that engages the senses and fuels young imaginations. READ MORE

Aloha Days Children’s Festival at the National Museum of the American Indian

Battery Park–FREE
Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19
This year’s Family Festival at NMAI celebrates all things Hawai’i! Enjoy a hula dance performance and learn the history behind it, get to know Hawaiian musical instruments, watch animated short films about ocean safety, and participate in a variety of hands-on activities for all ages.  READ MORE

Wonderland: Curious Nature Opening Weekend at the New York Botanical Garden

Bronx Park, Bronx
Opens Saturday, May 18
Head down the rabbit hole as Wonderland: Curious Nature transforms NYBG's 250 acres into the sights, settings, and scents of the classic story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland—and step into a botanical experience that grows curiouser and curiouser as you set off on your immersive journey. READ MORE

The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Sunday, May 19
Head to Park Slope's Fifth Avenue to peruse this street fair, featuring food and sale items, rides, bouncy castles, music performances, and more.  READ MORE

Free Movie Night on the Intrepid: Top Gun - Maverick (PG-13)

Midtown West–FREE
Friday, May 24
Bring a blanket, deck chairs, and a picnic and watch a movie on the ship’s flight deck, under the stars! Enjoy views of the Hudson River and city skyline while you watch Top Gun - Maverick on the big screen. READ MORE

Dance Africa 2024 at BAM

Downtown Brooklyn
Opens Friday, May 24
The nation’s largest festival dedicated to African diasporic dance and music returns to the stages and streets of Brooklyn for its 47th year, featuring the iconic outdoor bazaar, traditional dance and music from Cameroon, classes, workshops, late-night dance parties, and FilmAfrica’s lineup of cinematic gems. READ MORE

Fleet Week NYC

Midtown West–FREE
Wednesday, May 22-Tuesday, May 28
The US Navy, US Marine Corps, and US Coast Guard's celebration of sea services invites families to tour ships, watch the Parade of Ships, and enjoy exhibits, military band concerts, and aviation events throughout the week.   READ MORE

Bluey's Big Play at Kings Theatre

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday & Sunday, May 25 & 26
Grab the sticky geckos, break out the duck cakes, and alert the grannies! The Heeler family is coming to Kings Theatre with the Bluey live show, Bluey’s Big Play.   READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

BAM Strong Harvey Theater
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Goldstein Theatre
Merkin Concert Hall
Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York
Various locations