Frolic in the Fountain of the Fairs, one of our 100 favorite free things to do this summer in NYC.
100 Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer with Kids
NYC school kids head back to school on Thursday, September 7, 2023, according to the newly released NYC public school calendar. Photo by Al De Ingeniis
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2023-2024
GUIDE
Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide
See Isabella's flower-filled wonderland in real-life at the new Disney Encanto x CAMP experience at the Flatiron location.
Encanto's Casita Comes to Life at CAMP Fifth Avenue
The family-friendly Figment Festival on Staten Island helps everyone get creative. Photo by Michael Hnatov
33 Best Things To Do in New York City June 2023 with Kids
Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley
Best Swimming Lakes near NYC You Need to Discover
Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard
Where to See Free Summer Movies in NYC for an Outdoor Movie Night
Coney Island's shores are easy to get to, and action packed from the rides to the waves. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
How to Get to Beaches in NYC by Ferry or Train
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Enjoy a wild visit to the Philadelphia Zoo during a weekend getaway to the City of Brotherly Love. Photo courtesy of the zoo
13 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
GUIDE
Family Amusement Parks & Water Parks Guide
Eat on the rooftop at Fornino on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6. Photo by Lisa Seibold-Winder
Best Outdoor Dining in Brooklyn at Family-Friendly Restaurants
Enjoy the pageantry and patriotic celebrations when Fleet Week returns for Memorial Day weekend in NYC. Photo courtesy of Fleet Week New York
26 Best Things To Do in NYC May 2023 with Kids
Relax in the serene garden at the Noguchi Museum during its free Community Day. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free in May: 45 Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
Treat NYC as your playground and enjoy these staycation ideas across all five boroughs. Photo by Jody Mercier
53 Things To Do on an NYC Staycation with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
We've got the ideas for the best kids' birthday parties in New York City
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
The Brooklyn Children's Museum offers three floors of rotating and permanent interactive exhibits perfect for warding off the rainy day blues. Photo courtesy of BCM
Indoor Activities for Kids: 35 Things To Do in NYC on a Rainy Day
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
GUIDE
Indoor Play Spaces & Fun Zones in NYC
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
22 Free Indoor Places To Play in NYC
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
& Juliet turns Shakespeare's classic tale on its head with plenty of girl power. Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Find the NYC neighborhood that fits your family.
GUIDE
Moving Guide: Top NYC Neighborhoods for Families
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Hunting down pop-up public art displays is one of our favorite free things to do in NYC. Zaq Landsberg's Reclining Liberty is on display in Morningside Park through April 2022.
100 Free Things To Do in NYC With Kids
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
Top Attractions in NYC: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting.
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects for Creative At-Home Fun
GUIDE
News & Openings in NYC
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
64 Easy Science Experiments for Kids to Do at Home
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids
The Red Hook Fest includes plenty of family-friendly fun, plus music and delicious eats. Photo courtesy of Hook Arts Media
27 Best Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Best Family Festivals and Street Fairs in NYC this May

Watch your kite soar above the Manhattan skyline at the Waterfront Kite Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by Etienne Frossard
Watch your kite soar above the Manhattan skyline at the Waterfront Kite Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by Etienne Frossard
5/2/23 - By Drew Kristofik

NYC street fairs and festivals are blooming all over NYC this May, and we're psyched to see so many old favorites returning, including those glorious school fairs at Calhoun, Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School, and PS 267.

BAMKids' Springfest brings plenty of performances, Hippo Playground's Spring Fair returns, and kids can touch some trucks, prep for Mother's Day, salute the military during Fleet Week, and mark the start of summer with a Memorial Day Fest.

You can find even more seasonal activities in our Spring Fun Guide, and don't forget to check our ever-expanding Family Activity Calendar, where you can look ahead to see all the summer has in store.

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Learn how to make masks for the Pohela Boishakh Celebration at the Queens Botanic Garden. Photo of the Queens Botanical Garden
Learn how to make masks for the Pohela Boishakh Celebration at the Queens Botanic Garden. Photo of the Queens Botanical Garden

Best Fairs and Festivals in NYC May 2023

BAMKids SpringFest 2023

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, May 6
Families are invited to a joyous day of performances, interactive activities, and showcases of local talent! BAMkids SpringFest celebrates the spirit of the season with an eclectic program of music, dance, comedy, and circus arts, brought to you by artists from Japan, West Africa, the Philippines, and Hawaii. READ MORE

Celebrate Pohela Boishakh: The Bengali New Year

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 6
Celebrate Bengali New Year at the Queens Botanic Garden and experience the customary performing and visual arts of Pohela Boishakh. Join a new year parade to usher prosperity for all. READ MORE

59th Annual Calhoun Spring Carnival

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 6
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

Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School Spring Fair 2023

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 6
Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School's annual spring fair transforms the whole block into a kids' wonderland of games, rides, animals, and family-fun. READ MORE

Lilac Weekend

Bronx Park, Bronx
Saturday, May 6-Sunday, May 7
The Burn Family Lilac Collection showcases this favorite American garden shrub in all of its glorious forms, colors, and scents. Stop by to smell the different specimens, catch a performance by the Bronx Arts Ensemble, and join a community mural project to paint by numbers. READ MORE

Hippo Playground Spring Fair

Upper West Side
Sunday, May 7
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

Children's Day Festival: Kodomo No Hi

Midtown East
Sunday, May 7
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 life-sized samurai armor displays and take to the stage in a popular sword-fighting workshop led by Kyo Kasumi from TATE Hatoryu NY. READ MORE

PS 267 Spring Fling

Upper East Side
Sunday, May 7
East Side Elementary School PS 267 hosts its annual block party with a day of fun for the whole family: bouncy inflatables, games, crafts, and snacks. Proceeds benefit the PS 267 PTA and the programs it supports. READ MORE

Lift Off: A Waterfront Kite Festival

Brooklyn Bridge Park–FREE
Saturday, May 13
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy kicks off its 2023 spring and summer programming season with this beloved kite-flying fest. This family-friendly event returns to BBP's Pier 5, offering all ages the opportunity to watch their kites soar above the Manhattan skyline while enjoying special activities exploring the science of flight. READ MORE

Sheep Shearing Festival

Glen Oaks, Queens
Saturday, May 13
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

Farmhouse Family Day: Pinkster Celebration

Flatbush, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Celebrate the history and traditions of Pinkster with carnival games, activities, and musical performances led by Chief Baba Neil Clarke. READ MORE

Urban Wildlife Festival

Washington Heights–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Get up close and personal with NYC’s wild residents. Learn about squirrels, turtles, raccoons, opossums, and coyotes, and discover the best places in New York City and New York state to watch wildlife. READ MORE

Forest Hills Youth Athletic Association Spring Fling

Forest Hills, Queens
Saturday, May 13
Forest Hills Youth Athletic Association hosts this Spring Fling, featuring bounce houses, face painting, lawn games, food vendors, live music, boutiques, plant sale, raffles, and much more. READ MORE

Japan Day Parade and Street Fair

Central Park–FREE
Saturday, May 13
Building off the success of last year's celebration, Japan Day returns as a parade and street fair in 2023. See the parade march down Central Park West before enjoying the festive street fair along 72nd Street.  READ MORE

Mother's Day Weekend Garden Party

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Saturday May 13-Sunday, May 14
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

Native New York Children’s Festival

Battery Park–FREE
Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 14
Native New York is the theme of this year's National Museum of the American Indian Children's Fest. Hands-on activities include corn husk dollmaking, traditional Tuscarora beadwork, listening to Haudenosaunee stories, and learning about lacrosse.  READ MORE

Willowtown Spring Fair

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 20
The Willowtown Association hosts its annual spring fair with face painters, a bouncy house, a bake sale, a magic show, games, and more.  READ MORE

LIC Springs into Summer

Long Island City, Queens–FREE
Saturday, May 20
The Long Island City Partnership celebrates Long Island City with live music, dance, and performances, plus interactive lessons, art, fitness classes, outdoor dining, pop-up activities, games, and more. READ MORE

Big Truck Day

Randall's Island–FREE
Saturday, May 20
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

Dance Parade + DanceFest

East Village–FREE
Saturday, May 20
Dance Parade returns to the streets, celebrating its 17th annual procession and festival with 10,000 dancers and more than 100 unique styles of dance. READ MORE

BK Block Party

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, May 20
Brooklyn Bridge Parents brings the party to Downtown Brooklyn at City Point (indoors) and Albee Square (outdoors) with free, fun activities for families. Stop by for an epic ball pit, Lego building, arts and crafts, live music, soccer games, family Zumba class, and more. READ MORE

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival

Hell's Kitchen
Saturday, May 20-Sunday, May 21
Enjoy cuisines from different countries, including Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Japan, Thailand, and more. From open to close, visitors can browse the offerings along 15 city blocks of gourmet food and beverages. READ MORE

The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair

Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn
Sunday, May 21
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

First Fruits Festival

Chelsea
Sunday, May 21
Emanu-El Downtown hosts an al fresco Shavuot arts celebration. Engage all the senses while creating floral crowns with designer Joshua Werber, perform dairy experiments with the Gefilteria, jam together in a drum circle, choreograph a modern dance parade, play games, indulge in ice cream, and more.  READ MORE

Greek Jewish Festival

Lower East Side–FREE
Sunday, May 21
This Greek Jewish Festival celebrates the unique Romaniote and Sephardic heritage of the Jews of Greece. Enjoy a feast for the senses, including authentic kosher Greek foods and homemade Greek pastries. READ MORE

Fleet Week NYC 2023

Hell's Kitchen–FREE
Wednesday, May 24-Tuesday, May 30
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

Lower East Side Festival of the Arts Street Fair

Lower East Side–FREE
Friday, May 26-Sunday, May 28
NYC's Lower East Side Festival of the Arts is a cabaret-style festival featuring more than 100 performing groups from the Lower East Side. The theme for 2023 is The Heat Is On. READ MORE

Memorial Day Fair

Sunnyside, Queens
Saturday, May 27
Sunnyside Gardens Park hosts its annual Memorial Day Fair featuring world-class entertainment, including lively Americana Music, a magician, and performers suitable for all ages. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Forest Hills youth athletic association
Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York
Various locations