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Lincoln Center’s Family Programming takes center stage at Summer for the City this June. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center’s Family Programming takes center stage at Summer for the City this June. Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center
6/1/23 - By Rosalind Muggeridge

June marks the kick off to the summer season and its free things to do in NYC. From the Lower East Side's Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival to the Mermaid Parade on Coney Island, plus lots of Juneteenth and Pride events, we've found 50 family-friendly free things to do in NYC this June with kids.

Find more fun this month on our list of the best things to do this June and bookmark our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide for even more top picks.

If an event catches your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses, times, and recommended ages. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register ASAP or plan to arrive early.

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Picnic Performances return to Bryant Park and are the perfect way to spend a summer day. Photo by Ryan Muir Lores
Picnic Performances return to Bryant Park and are the perfect way to spend a summer day. Photo by Ryan Muir Lores

Free Things To Do in NYC All June Long

Queens Rising: A Celebration of Arts & Culture

Multiple Queens Locations
Thursday, June 1-Friday, June 30
Queens Rising NYC is an independent, month-long initiative celebrating the borough’s diverse arts, culinary, and creative communities, bringing together more than 100 programming partners to host, promote, and highlight a diverse roster of events and activities. READ MORE

Lalo-Palooza in Washington Park

Park Slope
Thursdays through June 29
Tap your toes at Lalo-Palooza, a free outdoor music series where families can groove to tunes from award-winning children's performer Suzi Shelton and participate in fun, kid-friendly activities. READ MORE

Locomotive Lawn Live in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Thursdays through June 29
Moosiki Kids Musical Storytime fosters a love of reading at a young age with musical stories and sing-along encouragement on the comfy and danceable turf lawn by the big locomotive. READ MORE

Picnic Performances in Bryant Park

Midtown
Thursdays and Fridays from Thursday, June 1-Thursday, September 14
Picnic Performances are the perfect way to spend a summer evening, with 25 live and in-person music, dance, and theatrical shows. Bring a blanket and a picnic (of course). READ MORE

Sunset on the Hudson at Pier 45

Greenwich Village
Fridays from Friday, June 2-Friday, August 25
Start the weekend with musical entertainment on the waterfront! Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Playscape Performs

Battery Park
Sundays from Sunday, June 4-Sunday, July 30
Playscape Performs introduces little ones to weekly performances of music, dance, puppetry, and more. READ MORE

Music in the Playground Series in Washington Market Park

Tribeca
Sunday, June 11, 13, and 20
Enjoy live music from Washington Market Park’s gazebo! Creative Play for kids leads a dynamic and interactive music class that includes singing, dancing, reading, and bubble time. READ MORE

Live at the DUMBO Archway 2024

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Wednesdays from Wednesday, June 14-Wednesday, July 26
Live at the Archway is Dumbo's signature series that features dynamic musical performances, pop-up galleries, and interactive art experiences in a magical, only-in-Dumbo setting. Always free, always all-ages, and always rain or shine.  READ MORE

Summer for the City: Musical Story Time at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesday from Wednesday, June 14-Wednesday, August 9
Lincoln Center celebrates Summer in the City with a free storytelling program in Damrosch Park. Curated by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, each story time event focuses on narratives perfect for all ages. READ MORE

Le Carrousel Extravaganza

Bryant Park
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from Monday, June 19-Wednesday, August 30
Throughout the summer, Bryant Park's charming carousel serves as the backdrop for a mix of kid-friendly entertainment. Discover scientific marvels, be awed by trickery in magic shows, and see puppet shows and story times, too.  READ MORE

Summer Concerts at the Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards
Wednesdays from Wednesday, June 21-Wednesday, August 2
The Bowery Presents hosts a new series of live outdoor concerts in the Public Square and Gardens. Bring a blanket and a picnic, or take advantage of the glorious concession stands. READ MORE
Line up on Washington Street for the Dumbo Drop Block Party. Photo courtesy of the event
Line up on Washington Street for the Dumbo Drop Block Party. Photo courtesy of the event

Free Things To Do in NYC from Thursday, June 1-Sunday, June 4, 2023

Dumbo Drop Block Party

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Friday, June 2
The Great Dumbo Drop is back! The annual block party tradition returns with its signature wow factor—thousands of elephants dropping onto Washington Street, Brooklyn's most photographed block. READ MORE

Literature Festival

Flushing, Queens
Friday, June 2
Explore the wonderful world of children’s literature with readings of timeless children’s classics as well as contemporary selections. Book giveaways, word games, face painting, and refreshments are all included in the festivities. READ MORE

Red Hook Fest 2024

Red Hook, Brooklyn
Friday, June 2-Saturday, June 3
Red Hook Fest 2024 kicks off with a dance party and community barbecue at PS 15. With activities, free food, and great music, the opening night event is a fun neighborhood gathering for the whole family. The festivities continue on Saturday, June 1, with main stage events at Valentino Park and Pier.  READ MORE

Super Sábado: Celebrating Something Beautiful

East Harlem
Saturday, June 3
Inspired by El Museo del Barrio’s new permanent collection exhibition, Something Beautiful, come by for an exciting day filled with Puerto Rican art and culture. Activities include storytelling, art-making, gallery tours, dance workshops and a special performance. READ MORE

The New York Scandia Symphony Presents: The Emperor's New Clothes

Washington Heights
Saturday, June 3
The New York Scandia Symphony presents an educational children's music performance of Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor's New Clothes, as part of the larger Scandinavian Music Fest. READ MORE

Queensboro Dance Festival 2023 Tour Kick-off

Jackson Heights, Queens
Saturday, June 3
The Queensboro Dance Fest kicks off its milestone 10th season with this opening event, where guests can meet all 25 Queens-based dance companies touring this summer. Check out dance performances and classes along the plazas on 34th Avenue, and finish the afternoon with more performances in Travers Park. READ MORE

Hands On History: Queer Pride & Possibility At King Manor Museum

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, June 3
Happy Pride Month! King Manor Museum invites kids to create rainbow salt dough heart ornaments popularized in the Victorian era. READ MORE

Figment Festival

Snug Harbor, Staten Island
Saturday, June 3-Sunday, June 4
Attracting tens of thousands of visitors for the past 13 years, this family-friendly festival is an explosion of creative energy and imagination, perfect for adults and kids alike. READ MORE

Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival

Inwood
Sunday, June 4
The annual Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival and Multicultural Celebration marks its 21st anniversary as Manhattan’s only open-air pow wow. The all-day event features Native American crafts, storytelling, and traditional food and dance. READ MORE
Teens can enjoy the NYPL's alt celebration at the Anti-Prom in the Bronx. Photo courtesy of the event
Teens can enjoy the NYPL's alt celebration at the Anti-Prom in the Bronx. Photo courtesy of the event

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, June 5-Sunday, June 11, 2023

Seaport Kids x Pride Mural

South Street Seaport
Monday, June 5
For Pride month, Mommy Poppins is partnering with Seaport Kids and Graff Tours to present a Pride Mural Activity for children, celebrating the world of graffiti culture. This live spray painting demo and lesson culminates in a special, colorful Pride-inspired mural, created by participants. READ MORE

Chancellor’s Day in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Thursday, June 8
Join Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly programming in honor of the Chancellor’s Day school holiday. READ MORE

Hudson River Dance Festival

Chelsea
Thursday, June 8-Friday, June 9
NOTE: The Thursday evening performance is canceled due to air quality concerns. The ninth annual Hudson River Dance Festival showcases four talented companies, performing a variety of pieces from modern dance to classical ballet, giving New Yorkers a unique opportunity to see incredible talent perform against the stunning backdrop of the Hudson River. READ MORE

Bronx Anti-Prom

Concourse Village, the Bronx
Friday, June 9
The Grand Concourse Public Library welcomes teens to Anti-Prom. The theme of the evening is Royalty: Dripped in Gold, so get ready to sparkle and glitter on a fabulous night at the library! Special outfits are optional…but always encouraged. READ MORE

Brooklyn Pride’s 28th Annual Pride Celebration

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Saturday, June 10
Brooklyn Pride hosts its annual multicultural festival featuring a​ cross section of the borough’s business, community, and citywide organizations. Hit the family fun zone in J.J. Byrne Park for family-friendly activities, music, face painting, arts and crafts, story times, and more. READ MORE

Annual Bus Festival

Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, June 10
The New York Transit Museum invites visitors aboard some of its beloved vintage vehicles at this annual fest. Explore buses from the vintage fleet representing more than 80 years of New York City surface transit history.  READ MORE

World Fish Migration Day

Randall's Island
Saturday, June 10
Wade into the Hudson River to collect and count species of fish at an interactive seining event to survey the incredible underwater life along the shores of Randall’s Island. READ MORE

Family Fun Day at Carl Schurz Park

Upper East Side
Saturday, June 10
NYC Parks and Council Member Julie Menin host a fun afternoon of crafts, music, jumbo games, the challenging Grit N’ Wit obstacle course, and more. READ MORE

Woof Fest: Paws for Pride

Chelsea
Saturday, June 10
Celebrate Pride for all, including your pets, at Manhattan West Woof Fest: Paws for Pride. Guests are invited to the Manhattan West Plaza for a colorful afternoon of amazing performances, fabulous activities, and marvelous treats. READ MORE

Summer on the Hudson Play Dates in West Harlem Piers Park

Harlem
Saturday, June 10
Head to West Harlem Piers Park for a fun family-friendly event featuring a children’s entertainer, grab-and-go arts and crafts kits, and neighborhood fun! Each month brings a new performance. READ MORE

Seaport Museum Open Day with PJ Library

South Street Seaport
Sunday, June 11
Inspired by the PJ Library book, When Jessie Came Across the Sea, families are invited to tour the iconic lightship Ambrose, which served for a quarter century as the beacon of hope for immigrants reaching New York. READ MORE

Ladybug Day 2024 in Washington Market Park

Tribeca
Sunday, June 11
Ladybug Day is a decades-long tradition at Washington Market Park. The Friends of Washington Market Park distribute thousands of ladybugs to children and adults, who then release them in the park. READ MORE
The Mermaid Parade makes its triumphant return to the streets of Coney Island this June. Photo courtesy of the event
The Mermaid Parade makes its triumphant return to the streets of Coney Island this June. Photo courtesy of the event

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, June 12-Sunday, June 18, 2023

Museum Mile Festival

Midtown
Tuesday, June 13
NYC's biggest block party returns, bringing art outside (and in) on Fifth Avenue between 82nd Street and 105th Street. A collection of New York City’s finest cultural institutions are open free to the public throughout the evening, with outdoor events along the way. READ MORE

Adventures NYC

Central Park
Saturday, June 17
Get ready to bike, climb, race, and "surf" at Adventures NYC! Join the NYC Parks Department in Central Park to celebrate the great outdoors and enjoy a day of adventure—for free. READ MORE

The Mermaid Parade

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Saturday, June 17
Welcome summer with the return of the Mermaid Parade, an eclectic (and historically jam-packed) celebration, featuring revelers decked out in their most outrageous sea-themed costumes.  READ MORE

Chelsea Piers Field House Brooklyn Launch Party

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, June 17
Check out the brand-new Chelsea Piers Field House Brooklyn facility and celebrate its grand opening with family-friendly games and activities. The Field House launch party gives visitors full access to the heated instructional pool, Olympic-sized gymnastics center, two turf fields, and a ninja and parkour center. READ MORE

Porch Stomp

Governors Island
Saturday, June 17
Porch Stomp invites dozens of folk bands, artists, and performing arts organizations to use the historic porches of Nolan Park as a space for performance and education, highlighting artistry ranging from traditional folk to old-time blues, roots, bluegrass, and Americana. READ MORE

The 21st Annual Hunts Point Fish Parade and Summer Festival

Hunts Point, the Bronx
Saturday, June 17
The annual Hunt’s Point Fish Parade celebrates the neighborhood's heritage. Activities include a children’s art corner, boat rides, bird watching, a day-long basketball tournament, face painting, print-making, tons of great food and activities, live music, and performances. READ MORE

Family Fun Day at Thomas Jefferson Park

East Harlem
Saturday, June 17
NYC Parks and Council Member Diana Ayala host a fun afternoon of crafts, inflatables, music, jumbo games, an obstacle course, and more. READ MORE

Rise in Spirit: A Juneteenth Celebration

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, June 17
The Prospect Park Alliance celebrates Juneteenth with performances by African dancers and drummers from the Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, IET Band jazz quartet, tap dancer Joseph Webb, the St. Paul’s Baptist Church gospel choir and theatrical readings by Sharon Gordon. Alliance educators also provide cooking demonstrations, historic games and more. Register online in advance. READ MORE

Juneteenth Family Day in Green-Wood Cemetery

Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, June 17
Celebrate this important holiday marking the end of slavery by delving deep into Black history at Green-Wood Cemetery. Participate in free kids’ art activities in the Historic Chapel and take a self-guided tour of the gravesites of fascinating Black historical figures. READ MORE

Celebrate Juneteenth in Seneca Village

Upper West Side
Saturday, June 17
Seneca Village provides a compelling setting to explore the widespread and longstanding connections Black New Yorkers have with wellness and nature. This Juneteenth weekend, celebrate these traditions in Seneca Village’s landscape! READ MORE

Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival

Lower East Side
Sunday, June 18
The Museum at Eldridge Street presents the annual Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival, a joyous celebration of the diverse ethnic communities of the Museum's Lower East Side neighborhood. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, June 19-Sunday, June 25, 2023

Juneteenth in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Monday, June 19
Join the Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly programming on Juneteenth. Explore the park, meet some resident animals at the Audubon Center, enjoy a bird walk or a carousel ride, and more.  READ MORE

Make Music New York

Multiple Citywide Locations
Wednesday, June 21
Make Music New York puts the beat under city feet as musicians of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, physical capabilities, and skill levels represent New York City’s remarkable creativity and diversity. READ MORE

Pollinator Palooza

Randall's Island
Saturday, June 24
Celebrate the pollinators that make Randall’s Island Park beautiful, from bees to butterflies. READ MORE

Así Soy: The Los Angeles Rainbow Mariachi

Upper West Side
Saturday, June 24
Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, the world's first LGBTQIA+ mariachi group, presents the sounds of Mexico through the queer Mexican-American lens. READ MORE

Queens International Children's Festival

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, June 24-Sunday, June 25
The two-day fun-filled family event brings high-quality arts performances and craft activities to inspire young people and families to enjoy the arts. Activities include live music, dance performances, games, arts and crafts, and more. READ MORE

PrideFest Festival

Union Square
Sunday, June 25
The annual PrideFest street fair features live music, artists, craft vendors, food trucks, performers, and more. FamilyFest activities take over the streets around Astor Place. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, June 26-Friday, June 30, 2023

Fireworks & Fun

Randall's Island
Wednesday, June 28
Kick off the summer season on Randall's Island! Enjoy an evening of games, crafts, and music before the Astoria Park fireworks display at sundown. Fireworks are presented courtesy of Central Astoria, LDC. READ MORE

Metropolitan Opera Summer Stage

Long Island City
Wednesday, June 28
Bring a blanket and a picnic and swoon to some of opera's most iconic music under a summer evening sky.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Various locations in Queens
Old Stone House at JJ Byrne Playground
Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens
Washington Street between York and Plymouth Streets
Pier 17, South Street Seaport
Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
Randall's Island Park
Jamaica Performing Art Center (JPAC)