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25+ Fun Things To Do in NYC This Weekend: Pride, Porch Stomp, and More

The PrideFest street fair has been reimagined with safety top of mind, but there will still be plenty of celebrating going on. Photo courtesy of the fest
The PrideFest street fair has been reimagined with safety top of mind, but there will still be plenty of celebrating going on. Photo courtesy of the fest
6/23/21 - By Drew Kristofik

Wave June goodbye with a rainbow flag: It's Pride weekend in NYC! What better time to put on some glitz, make pride buttons, and party in the Village?

It's also Pollinators Weekend, which takes some of the sting out of the heat, humidity, and rain in the forecast! What better time to dance in the garden, stomp on the porch, or bang on some steel pans?

Of course there are also outdoor movies, and Klezmer, and puppets. Is this NYC or what?

Oh so much more is just waiting for your click on the Mommy Poppins Activity Calendar. We also have all the info you need to get to NYC beaches, plot a summer day trip, or find FREE fun every day of summer vacation. As if that's not enough, let us remind you our favorite FREE swimming pools open Saturday, and our Summer Fun Guide has even more seasonal must-do's.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: In NYC, especially now, really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

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Pay homage to pollinators with Wave Hill's help this weekend. Photo by Joshua Bright
Pay homage to pollinators with Wave Hill's help this weekend. Photo by Joshua Bright

Best Things to Do with NYC Kids All Weekend

Family Art Project: Petals for Our Pollinators

Riverdale, the Bronx
Thank the bees, bats, birds, moths, and butterflies for their work to help flowers reproduce by using pressed petals that have naturally fallen from plants to create a landing pad for these generous beings. READ MORE

National Pollinator Week BioBlitz

Gramercy–FREE
Celebrate the pollinators of Madison Square Park and discover the bees, bats, birds, and butterflies that work hard to keep the park’s gardens healthy and vibrant. READ MORE

As Long as the Sun Lasts

Upper East Side
Up on the roof at the Met Museum, Philadelphia-based artist Alex Da Corte (born 1980) has created a 26-foot-tall kinetic sculpture featuring the beloved Sesame Street character Big Bird in the modern aesthetic of Alexander Calder’s standing mobiles. READ MORE

Wear it with Pride: Pin Button Making

Upper West Side
Head to CMOM to learn how pin buttons have been used throughout LGBTQ+ history and get inspired to create your own! READ MORE

Dance in the Garden

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Mark Morris Dance Group performs
The New York Botanical Garden hosts a series of spontaneous outdoor dance performances on weekends from April through June. Keep an eye out if you visit! READ MORE

Sundog Theatre Presents 'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)'

Tottenville, Staten Island–FREE
A fast-firing, full-energy comedy blasts through parodies of all Shakespeare plays (plus sonnets!) with only three performers in two acts. READ MORE
Celebrate Pride with your pup at Manhattan West Woof Fest: Paws for Pride! Photo courtesy of the fest
Celebrate Pride with your pup at Manhattan West Woof Fest: Paws for Pride! Photo courtesy of the fest

Best Things to Do in NYC on Saturday, June 26

Porch Stomp on Governors Island

Governors Island–FREE
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 Platform of Poof

Dumbo, Brooklyn–FREE
Drop by the Dumbo Archway to meet the Poofs—artist/puppeteer Kate Brehm's full-body abstract puppets that welcome passersby to participate in a personal encounter full of curiosity and play. READ MORE

Once Upon a Time in NYC Science Fiction and Storytelling Festival

Bushwick, Brooklyn–FREE
NYSoM presents a science fiction and fairytale festival celebrating the best in fantasy fiction throughout the ages. READ MORE

Czech & Slovak Tales With Strings

Upper East Side–FREE
Performed by master puppeteer Vit Horejs, Czech & Slovak Tales with Strings is a one-man marionette show of fairytales, replete with kings, clever village maidens, witches, and spirits. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: The Croods - A New Age (PG)

Lower East Side–FREE
Prehistoric family, the Croods, are challenged by a rival family, the Bettermans, who claim to be better and more evolved. See this movie under the stars at Sol Lain Playground. READ MORE

Manhattan West Woof Fest: Howl-oween

Midtown West–FREE
Pups can show off their paw-fect costumes on the red carpet to win special prizes, take a keepsake picture in the fall-themed photo booth, and enjoy spooky dog-friendly treats and giveaways. Costumes are encouraged for both attendees and their pets . READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Judy Moody and the Not So Bummer Summer (PG)

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn–FREE
Based on Megan McDonald's Judy Moody book series, the kiddie comedy follows Judy as she competes with her friends to have the best summer ever. READ MORE

Summer Kickoff: Live Music & Kids Activities at Essex Market

Lower East Side–FREE
Kick-off summertime in style with an outdoor celebration for the whole community, including live music, kids' activities, and a gift box raffle. READ MORE

Tie-dye Workshop

Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Say hello to the summer by designing your own colorful T-shirt using the tie-dye technique at Williamsburg craft spot, Sweet Crafts Club. During the drop-off class, each child receives a T-shirt and learns how to style it with their own unique tie-dye design.  READ MORE

Los Grises/The Gray Ones

Greenwich Village–FREE
Eight hybrid puppets are the stars of a vignette-based, unscripted street performance, taking a walk down memory lane and sharing their experiences, dreams, and stories through movement, dance, and pantomime. READ MORE

Michael Hearst: Unconventional Vehicles

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
A musical performance based on Michael Hearst’s highly-successful series of books, albums, and PBS series reveals some of the most bizarre animals that roam the planet, odd and daring characters, strange structures, and vehicles as loopy as ostrich-drawn wagons. READ MORE

Top Activities in NYC on Sunday, June 27

Oy Vey! Klezmer For Kids

Upper East Side & Virtual–FREE (donations appreciated)
Internationally known Klezmer personalities Sruli Dresdner and Lisa Mayer, their son Zach Mayer, and 12-year-old twins Johnny and Charlie play violin, accordion, clarinet, percussion, saxophone, and a bunch of wackier instruments—and they sing and dance and tell Jewish jokes. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Tom and Jerry (PG)

East Williamsburg, Brooklyn–FREE
NYC Parks and the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment host a free outdoor screening of a brand new (2021!) Tom and Jerry film. READ MORE

PrideFest Festival

Greenwich Village–FREE
The annual PrideFest street fair features live music, artists, craft vendors, food trucks, performers, and more. Family Fest activities take over the streets around Astor Place. READ MORE

Steel Pan Day in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Celebrate National Caribbean-American Heritage Month at a concert featuring the only instrument invented in the 20th century. This concert features live performances by Hearts of Steel, alongside steel pan musicians from Little Caribbean and beyond. READ MORE

Glitz Station at Showfields

Financial District–FREE
Showfields NY hosts a complimentary "Glitz Station" with professional glitter makeup artists for anyone who stops by! There are interactive window displays featuring glittered dancers—all designed to spark conversations on environmental sustainability and encourage self-expression. READ MORE

Weekend Wind Down

Greenwich Village–FREE
Spend Sunday evening in Little Island's Glade, celebrating the end of the week with music, puppetry, shadow play, and more. READ MORE

Virtual Camps and Classes You Can Book Now

The Art of Words Art-Based Summer Camp

In its third year, The Art of Words Community School offers an all-day summer program with plenty of outdoor play, gardening, art, and hands-on activities. Based in Dumbo, the Waldorf model program for children in grades K-8th grade can be booked by the day, week or month. READ MORE

Claire's Creative Adventures Virtual ARTStory Camp

ARTStory Adventures Camps for ages 3 to 9 is a full arts experience: Students learn about friendship and courage as they share adventures with animals and cultures from around the world. They imagine, create, and learn how to draw, paint, build 3D dioramas, and craft—plus, learn simple French and Spanish along the way. READ MORE
Enjoy the palm trees at Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Photo courtesy the boardwalk
Enjoy the palm trees at Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Photo courtesy the boardwalk

Best Things To Do This Summer With NYC Kids

36 Summer Day Trips from NYC to Take as a Family

Get out of town to take advantage of the fun beyond the five boroughs. READ MORE

100 Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer with Kids

From parks and playgrounds to camps, classes, and more, here's how to rock summer for FREE! READ MORE

Dumbo With Kids: 50 Fun Things to Do for Families

The ultra family-friendly Dumbo nabe offers a little something fun for everyone. READ MORE

Best Free Swimming Pools in NYC for Families

When summer heat hits, visit one of our favorite FREE city pools to cool down. READ MORE

The World’s Largest Bounce House Returns to Brooklyn This Summer

Nab your tickets now for this inflatable all-ages extravaganza. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Art of Words Community School