CityWorks delivers a sprawling new exhibit to the New York Hall of Science with its grand opening this weekend. Photo by Jody Mercier
CityWorks, Hippo Playground Fair, and More Things To Do this Weekend in NYC with Kids
Mommy Poppins is set to host its first Family Travel Fest on Saturday, May 31 at the Atlantic Center.
Register for Travel Fest for a Chance to Win a Dreams Resorts & Spas Vacation!
Brooklyn Bridge Park celebrates spring with a Kite Fest on Saturday, May 17. Photo by John Eng
Best Things To Do in NYC May 2025 with Kids
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
A Class Act NY serves up summer training in musical theater, on-camera acting, dramatic arts, and voice-over in Midtown Manhattan.
Top Acting School for Kids and Teens Has Select Summer Camp Spots Available
Hop the ferry to Governors Island to explore all the island has to offer. Photo by Diana Kim
Spring Day Trips from NYC for Families
Enjoy a delicious Mother's Day brunch at Victory Garden Cafe in Astoria. Photo by Sydney Ng
Best Mother's Day Brunch in 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
Dinosaur Safari returns to the Bronx Zoo this spring. Photo courtesy of the zoo
51 Spring Bucket List Ideas for Kids in NYC
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Teens have the opportunity to explore arts careers and institutions with Whitney Museum Youth Insights Program. Photo by Diana Kim
Teens Can Apply Now for Summer Internships 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
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics 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
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
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
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
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
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
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
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
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
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
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
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids: Thousands of Craft Ideas

61 Free Activities for Kids in NYC May 2025

Jane's Carousel celebrates its 14th year in Brooklyn with free rides and face painting on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Photo by Sara M.
Jane's Carousel celebrates its 14th year in Brooklyn with free rides and face painting on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Photo by Sara M.
5/1/25 - By Drew Kristofik

From Mother's Day to Memorial Day—and everything in between—we've got the lowdown on the best free things to do in NYC this May.

Summer's unofficial start might not happen until month's end, but we're shutting down spring with plenty of free fun, including the BAMKids Spring Fest and the 27th annual Blessing of the Bikes at the beginning of the month, mid-May brings the Submerge Marine Science Fest and Mommy Poppins' Spring Fling on Car-Free Montague Street. At month's end, Fleet Week takes center stage, and we're even hosting our first Family Travel Fest.

Read on for more than 60 free things to do this May in New York City, including fun events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Find more top May activities on our list of the best things to do this May.

As always, if an event piques 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 in advance or arrive early.

More Things To Do in NYC this May with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Things To Do in NYC: Thursday, May 1-Sunday, May 4, 2025

Locomotive Lawn Live in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Thursdays from May 1-June 26, 2025
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

Movies Under the Stars: Elemental in St. Catherine's Park

Upper East Side
Friday, May 2, 2025
Meet Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. Rated PG. Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

The 27th Annual Blessing of the Bicycles at St. John the Divine

Morningside Heights
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Reverend Patrick Malloy offers a blessing to jump start a safe cycling season and sprinkles holy water on each bicycle. READ MORE

Cinco de Mayo and the Architecture of Mexico at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the day in 1862 that Mexico defeated the French Army, paving the way for its independence! To celebrate Mexico and its traditional architecture, learn about the pyramids of the Aztecs and Mayans that connected the earth to the sky, the gods, and the cosmos. After the presentation, kids work with cardboard to create their own pyramids that reach toward the sun and the moon. READ MORE

BAMKids SpringFest

Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Families are invited to a joyous day of performances, interactive activities, and showcases of local talent! Dance to the rhythms of Brazil, feel the energy of Mozambique, and explore diverse art forms from around the world—all while learning about caring for our planet! Stick around for a free screening of The Wiz at 7pm. READ MORE

Haudenosaunee Family Fun Day at the National Museum of the American Indian

Financial District
Saturday, May 3 2025
Join the Haudenosaunee Dancers in a round dance, explore the galleries in a treasure hunt, and enjoy hands-on activities that include making a corn husk dragonfly and learning the significance of lacrosse.   READ MORE

Jane's Carousel Day in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Jane's Carousel celebrates its 14th year in Brooklyn with free rides and face painting all day long. READ MORE

Broadway for Arts Education Art Share at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Young dancers, singers, actors, poets, and podcasters from Broadway for Arts Education's NYC programs converge at Lincoln Center for their annual "Art Share" extravaganza. READ MORE

Pinkster Festival at the Van Cortlandt House Museum

Van Cortlandt Park, the Bronx
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Pinkster on the picturesque lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum for a day filled with vibrant festivities, live music, engaging performances, and immersive experiences.  READ MORE

Free Comic Book Day 2025

Citywide
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Pow! Crash! Boom! Getting comic books for free is...super! Free Comic Book Day is again held on the first Saturday in May. Free Comic Book Day is a nationwide event, and kids (small and grown) can stop by any participating comic store to receive their free comics. READ MORE

Print Your Own Mother’s Day Card at Bowne & Co.

South Street Seaport
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Bowne & Co.'s talented designers show guests how to create a festive Mother's Day card using the South Street Seaport Museum's 19th-century historical printing equipment. READ MORE

Annual Irish Dance Festival at Riverside Park's Pier I

Upper West Side
Sunday, May 4, 2025
NYC's Irish Arts Center kicks off Riverside Park's 2025 Summer-on-the-Hudson series with an afternoon of traditional Irish dance and music performances and workshops curated by Niall O'Leary.   READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC: Monday, May 5-Sunday, May 11, 2025

Movies Under the Stars: The Goonies in Henry M. Jackson Playground

Lower East Side
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
A group of teenagers finds a map leading to a hidden treasure. They must overcome booby traps, natural obstructions, and a gang of desperate thieves in their race for the loot. Rated PG. READ MORE

Storytime with Ran Wei at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Author Ran Wei Baker of Boba Bear Bilingual Books hosts a special bilingual English-Chinese storytime! Enjoy a reading of 123 NYC with Boba Bear (123 八包熊去纽约玩), sing along to bilingual songs, and create a fun craft inspired by Boba Bear’s NYC adventure. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: 7th Annual Public School Film Festival in Washington Square Park

Greenwich Village
Friday, May 9, 2025
Celebrate some of the best of NYC students’ works with friends and family! Bring blankets and chairs, find a great spot, and enjoy the show.  READ MORE

Instrument Discovery Day at Hamilton Grange Library

Harlem
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Bloomingdale School of Music hosts an Instrument Discovery Day at the Hamilton Grange Library. Ever wanted to play the guitar or the violin? How about the trumpet? Hear, hold, and play these and other musical instruments with the help of expert faculty. Sing alongs and music for babies and toddlers await, as well.  READ MORE

Japan Day Parade and Street Fair on Central Park West

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 10, 2025
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

Bird Bonanza on Randall's Island

Randall's Island
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Celebrate birds, especially those that are currently migrating through NYC, at the Randall’s Island Bird Bonanza. The entire day is dedicated to flying feathered friends, with activities and games for all ages. READ MORE

Architecture in the Pacific Islands at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by learning about the materials and styles of Pacific Islander architecture. Kids design and build a model of their own island house using toothpicks and Popsicle sticks. READ MORE

Ecological City Puppet Parade on the Lower East Side

Lower East Side
Saturday, May 10, 2025
For sheer spectacle, you can't beat Ecological City's spectacular six-hour procession of visual art, giant puppets and costumes—with 21 performances of dance, music, theater, and poetry celebrating sustainability solutions throughout the community gardens, neighborhood, and along the East River Park waterfront on the Lower East Side. READ MORE

Urban Wildlife Festival in St. Mary's Park

South Bronx
Saturday, May 10, 2025
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

Learn to Ride a Bike at the Thomas Jefferson Rec Center

East Harlem
Saturday, May 10, 2025
NYC Parks host a free workshop for children ages 6 and up who are ready to ride their bicycles independently. Children learn how to balance, pedal, start, stop, and steer a bicycle. READ MORE

Lenfest Kids: Big and Small

Morningside Heights
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Thinking about small perspectives isn’t just a way of understanding cinema, it’s a way of understanding the world. Gain that perspective with one of these Lenfest showings. READ MORE

Open Stages 2025 in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 10, 2025
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 200 musicians throughout the day, including classical musicians, hip-hop artists, marching bands, kids' groups, and more. READ MORE

Tumble Live: Sonic Saturday at Shapeshifter Lab

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Get ready to make some noise at a FREE, live science celebration for curious kids and their grownups! Hosted by Lindsay and Marshall from Tumble Science Podcast for Kids, this high-energy event blends science storytelling, games, and music for an unforgettable day of discovery.    READ MORE

Celebrate and Dance: Tinikling! at King Manor Museum

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Celebrate this AAPIA Heritage month with Queensboro Dance Festival by learning the National Dance of the Philippines, Tinikling! Participants have the opportunity to eat delicious snacks, learn some new moves, and do a themed craft.  READ MORE

Make Mother's Day Cards with Flower Petals in LaGuardia Corner Community Garden

Greenwich Village
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Make your own Mother's Day cards with pretty pressed flowers. All materials are provided.  READ MORE

Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest at Albee Square

Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Brooklyn Org, Brooklyn Bridge Parents, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and City Point unite for a hands-on floral experience just in time for Mother's Day! Pick your favorite stems from the fresh “Flower Bar,” then design your very own custom bouquet. Add your personal flair with rhinestones, pretty ribbons, and Mother's Day message!   READ MORE

Spring Overlook Concerts in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Sundays May 11 and May 18, 2025
Bring a blanket and a snack and luxuriate to excellent music from the French Cookin’ Blues Band, Bloomingdale School of Music's Latin Jazz group, and The Manhattan School of Music’s Brass Ensemble. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC: Monday, May 12-Sunday, May 18, 2025

Teens Take The Met

Upper East Side
Friday, May 16, 2025
Teens come together to explore their creativity and make discoveries through art. Teens Take The Met spans the entire museum and introduces teens to the programs of 60+ cultural organizations from across the five boroughs. READ MORE

Submerge: NYC Marine Science Festival at Pier 84

Midtown West
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Hudson River Park presents Submerge—a free science extravaganza devoted to raising awareness about our coastal waters. Celebrate local marine science through hands-on activities, catch-and-release fishing, science stage events, kayaking, and more!  READ MORE

Kite Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Brooklyn Bridge Park kicks off its spring and summer programming season with this beloved kite-flying fest. This family-friendly event takes over 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

Big Truck Day on Randall's Island

Randall's Island
Saturday, May 17, 2025
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 in the East Village

East Village
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Dance Parade returns to the streets, celebrating its 19th annual procession and festival with 10,000 dancers and more than 100 unique styles of dance. READ MORE

Pinkster Celebration at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 17, 2025
The Wyckoff House Museum and Elite Learners join forces for a special Pinkster Festival with live music, carnival activities, drumming, and more. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Wicked at Renaissance Playground

Harlem
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.  READ MORE

Spring Festival at Shoelace Park

Woodlawn Heights, the Bronx
Saturday, May 17, 2025
NYC Parks and Council Member Kevin Riley host a spring festival that includes games, arts and crafts, sports, and much more. READ MORE

Queens International Children's Festival at Rufus King Park

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, May 17, 2025
JCAL's Queens International Children's Festival returns with high-quality arts performances and craft activities to inspire young people and families to enjoy the arts.  READ MORE

Family Fun Day at Carl Schurz Park

Upper East Side
Saturday, May 17, 2025
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

Family Fun Day at Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Hudson Yards hosts an action-packed day of family-friendly entertainment, with music, magic, and interactive performances, including a high-energy western set by Hopalong Andrew, a special Resonant Minds concert by Mozart for Munchkins celebrating their latest book launch, and a magical show featuring a real (and very loved) rabbit! READ MORE

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival

Midtown West
Saturday, May 17-Sunday, May 18, 2025
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

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Sunday, May 18, 2025
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

Spring Fling on Car-Free Montague Street

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents host their first Spring Fling during Open Streets on Montague, with 25 free kids' activities, a dance party, and a puppet show. Stop by for games, arts and crafts, soccer, face painting, building activities, an obstacle course, and much more.   READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC: Monday, May 19-Saturday, May 31, 2025

Fleet Week NYC

Hells Kitchen
Wednesday, May 21-Monday, May 26, 2025
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

STEM Career Expo at New York Hall of Science

Flushing, Queens
Friday, May 23, 2025
NYSCI's free STEM career expo invites high school, trade school, and college-aged students to learn and mingle in a friendly, inclusive environment. Food and fun are included. READ MORE

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

Midtown West
Friday, May 23, 2025
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 on the big screen. READ MORE

Movies Under The Stars: Dog Man in Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park

Throgs Neck, the Bronx
Friday, May 23, 2025
When a dog and a police officer are injured together on the job, a life-saving surgery changes the course of history. Half dog, half man, Dog Man is sworn to protect and serve as he doggedly pursues his arch-nemesis: the feline supervillain Petey the Cat.  READ MORE

Lower East Side Festival of the Arts Street Fair

Lower East Side
Friday, May 23-Sunday, May 25, 2025
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. This year's theme: We will not be silenced, speak up for democracy. READ MORE

Brooklyn Bridge Anniversary Family Walk

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Celebrate the 142nd anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge by taking a tour with the Conservancy’s Environmental Education Center staff. The morning begins with an interactive story and lesson on the bridge’s history and engineering and ends with a walk up to the Brooklyn Bridge tower!  READ MORE

BAM DanceAfrica Community Workshop in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Join the BAM DanceAfrica Community Workshop in Brooklyn Bridge Park for a fun-filled, hands-on workshop led by a BAM teaching artist Dánice Jones, featuring rhythms and movement from Cameroon. READ MORE

Neighborhood Theatre Production Presents: Voices in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 24, 2025
The Prospect Park Alliance, Professor Eugene Pursoo and the Neighborhood Theatre Production present Voices, a series of monologues that tell the story of slavery drawn from oral histories collected in the 1930s. READ MORE

158th Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Monday, May 26, 2025
Brooklyn’s 158th annual Memorial Day parade steps off on 3rd Avenue and 78th Street, proceeds down 3rd Avenue to Marine Avenue, up to 4th Avenue, and over to John Paul Jones Park. READ MORE

Green-Wood’s Memorial Day Concert

Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Monday, May 26, 2025
Green-Wood’s cherished Memorial Day concert features the ISO Symphonic Band at Third Street, led by music director Paul Corn and guest conductor Brian P. Worsdale performing stirring works that honor those who have served in the armed forces, while also spotlighting music by some of Green-Wood’s own permanent residents, including James Weldon Johnson, Fred Ebb, and Leonard Bernstein. READ MORE

Julius Caesar in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Opens Thursday, May 29, 2025
The Hudson Classical Theater Company presents Shakespeare's tragedy, exploring those timeless themes of power, betrayal, and the consequences of political actions. READ MORE

Much Ado about Nothing at Astor Place

Lower East Side
Thursday, May 29-Saturday, May 31, 2025
Director Rebecca Martínez and Composer Julián Mesri reunite for their third consecutive year with the Mobile Unit to present a 90-minute adaptation of the beloved romantic comedy, Much Ado about Nothing. This new take on the classic tale of love, deception, and misunderstandings blends Spanish, music, and Shakespeare’s timeless wit. READ MORE

Picnic Performances in Bryant Park

Midtown West
Opens Friday, May 30, 2025
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

LIC Springs into Summer

Long Island City, Queens
Saturday, May 31, 2025
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

Movies Under the Stars: Shrek in Paul Raimonda Playground

Astoria, Queens
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Once upon a swamp, an ogre minding his own business is invaded by fairy tale characters. Mayhem ensues and everyone lives happily ever after. READ MORE

14th Annual Bushwick Collective Block Party

Bushwick, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Graffiti, street art, live music, food trucks, and local vendor converge to create an immersive experience that showcases the best of the community.   READ MORE

Family Fun Day in John Jay Park

Upper East Side
Saturday, May 31, 2025
NYC Parks and Council Member Julie Menin host a fun afternoon of crafts, inflatables, music, jumbo games, an obstacle course, and more READ MORE

NY Family Travel Fest presented by Dreams Resorts & Spas

Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Join Mommy Poppins for a fun-filled, travel-themed festival, including a world music dance party, fun cultural activities from around the globe, and a Masterchef Junior Mystery Box Challenge inspired by the hit competition show from our partner Dreams Resorts & Spas. And, if that’s not enough, everyone who registers for the event in advance is entered for a chance to win an all-inclusive family vacation at Dreams Resorts & Spas.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in New York
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Urban Farm at Randall's Island Park
Loisaida Inc. Center
Thomas Jefferson Recreation Center
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
LaGuardia Corner Community Garden
Various locations
Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park
Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Riverside Park

About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
Recent Articles By Drew Kristofik:
Read more articles by Drew Kristofik.