All Weekend

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival – Corona
An August GoList pick: Watch more than 200 teams race on Meadow Lake in colorful, custom-made boats outfitted with dragon heads and tails at this Flushing Meadows Corona Park event. Families can soak up Chinese culture at the massive outdoor marketplace featuring ethnic eats, lion and dragon dances, live music, martial arts displays and kite flying. Afterward, explore all the attractions this Queens green space has to offer. FREE

Civil War Weekend – Governors Island
Learn about the Civil War at Governors Island's Fort Jay and Castle Williams with a variety of interactive history programs. Meet Union soldiers and Confederate prisoners, see period weapons demos, and enjoy 19th-century music and baseball. Kids can earn their Junior Rangers badges, too. Afterward, check out the isle's many other attractions. FREE

Saturday, August 8

All American Drive-In – Staten Island
Another August GoList pick: Catch Back to the Future in an appropriately retro setting at Historic Richmond Town's temporary drive-in theater installation. No car? No problem! Walkers are welcome to sit in the picnic area. You must buy advance tickets by 3pm on Thursday!

Great Jazz on the Great Hill – Upper West Side
Groove to cool tunes at Central Park's annual no-cost jazz extravaganza. Cosponsored by Jazzmobile, this alfresco concert features the George Gee Swing Orchestra and the King Solomon Hicks Blues Quintet, plus dancing, family activities and gourmet food trucks. FREE

Dumbo Family Fest – Dumbo
Celebrate the opening of the John and Main Street sections of Brooklyn Bridge Park at this outdoor fete. Explore the new area, enjoy games and activities sponsored by the Brooklyn Children's Museum (which is opening up an outpost nearby), and dance to Brooklyn's own Hungry March Band. FREE

Big Hero 6 – the Bronx
Hit St. James Park for an alfresco screening of last year's Disney blockbuster about a brilliant orphan and his late brother's big goof of a robot, Baymax. FREE

Word for Word Kids: Rolie Polie Guacamole – Midtown West
Head to Bryant Park for an alfresco concert with this Brooklyn-based kindie band that plays whimsical, NYC-centric songs like "Don't Poop on Me Pigeon" and "Botanic Garden." FREE

Summer Streets – Manhattan
And another August GoList pick: If you didn't get a chance to cycle, scooter or stroll this car-free, seven-mile route last Saturday, this is your second-to-last chance. Be sure to check out some of the activities along the way at multiple interactive rest stops, like cycling lessons, bike tune-ups, live performances, public art and a zip line. Read our Summer Streets post for important tips about going with kids. FREE

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, August 9

SummerStage Family Day – Lower East Side
Our last August GoList pick of the weekend: Sing along to Michael Jackson's greatest hits with Invincible, a tribute to the late pop icon featuring live performers and multimedia effects in East River Park. An interactive dance workshop and soul-and-blues outfit Marika Hughes & Bottom Heavy are also on the bill. FREE

Pier Kids: Dirty Sock Funtime Band – Brooklyn Heights
Rock out to this colorful family band in Brooklyn Bridge Park with high-energy songs like "Dino-Soaring," "ClownaHagila" and "No Good Reason Party." Afterward, romp in the nearby Pier 6 playground and check out the interactive public art installation Please Touch the Art. FREE

Butterfly Boogie – Upper West Side
Marvel at the bugged-out world of insects in Central Park Zoo Wildlife Theater's charming puppet show. The musical, interactive performance teaches kids about metamorphosis and the relationship between plants and bugs. FREE

Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing – Marine Park
While the ideal time to view this cosmic event is closer to Thursday, August 13, there should still be plenty of action on the evenings leading up to it. So hit Brooklyn's Salt Marsh Nature Center as the sun goes down for a meteor viewing party organized by the Urban Park Rangers. FREE

See all Sunday events.

Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in our Event Calendar.