North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: City of Water Day, Come Out & Play July 18-19
It's another summer weekend full of fantastic and mostly FREE family fun. Three of our top event picks of the month take place on Saturday or Sunday: the jazz-themed SummerStage Queens Family Day in Long Island City, Come Out & Play Family Day on Governors Island and City of Water Day, which has events throughout the five boroughs.
If you need to chill out, literally, with indoor air-conditioning, the Museum of the Moving Image is hosting a special 30th-anniversary screening of Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird, and two of NYC's oldest houses are hosting family days.
These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide, which highlights the best pools, water playgrounds and beaches in NYC.
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All Weekend
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Williamsburg
It's the final weekend to experience this century-old Catholic fest featuring live music, carnival rides and great eats, along with traditional processions of flower-strewn towers. Activities change daily so be sure to check the schedule before you go. Free admission but there are fees for certain activities
Saturday, July 18
City of Water Day – Governors Island, Hoboken & Citywide
One of our July GoList picks: We love this annual celebration of NYC's waterfront so much, we wrote an entire post about it. Although all of the no-cost boat rides are booked up, there are still plenty of water-themed activities at the fest's two main locations, on Governors Island and in Hoboken's Maxwell Place Park, as well as satellite events throughout the five boroughs. Enjoy kayaking, live entertainment, and activities sponsored by Disney, the Bronx Children's Museum and more. Plus, there's a free ferry between Governors Island and Hoboken so you can enjoy the fun on both banks. FREE
Come Out & Play Family Day – Governors Island
Another July GoList pick on Governors Island: Participate in multiple interconnecting games themed around time travel. Find the official Time Travel Agency to get started, and then play as few or many as you'd like. Games are best suited for children ages 6 to 11 and their adult companions, however, for the first time there will also be a separate T.O.T.S. (Time Travelers of Tiny Size) area aimed at preschoolers. FREE
Saturday Sculpture Workshops: Whatever Floats Your Boat – Long Island City
Head to Socrates Sculpture Park for a boat-themed art workshop, in which kids can fashion toy ships from repurposed materials and let them set sail in nearby Hallets Cove. FREE
Family Day at the Wyckoff House Museum – East Flatbush
Learn about the history of this 17th-century farmhouse by examining period artifacts, going on a scavenger hunt throughout the building and grounds, and making crafts. FREE
Nostalgia Ride: Coney Island Bound – Brooklyn Heights & Coney Island
Head to the beach old-school style on vintage R1/9 subway cars courtesy of the New York Transit Museum. Once you arrive, disembark and explore everything Coney Island has to offer, or ride the train all day!
No Longer Bored Family Day: Building Our Future – the Bronx
Explore the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse courtesy of nonprofit arts org No Longer Empty, which is hosting the site-specific installation, When You Cut into the Present the Future Leaks Out, in the long-shuttered space. After families check out the works on view, they can participate in a variety of creative projects, including storytelling, art making and block building, and try to devise ways to preserve this beautiful Beaux Arts landmark. FREE
Hands-on History: America the Beautiful – Jamaica
Better late than never! The King Manor Museum celebrates our nation's birthday with patriotic projects like designing a paper American flag and working on a firecracker-themed craft. FREE
See all Saturday events.
Sunday, July 19
SummerStage Queens Family Day – Long Island City
Our last July GoList pick of the weekend: Head to Long Island City's waterfront Queensbridge Park to catch hep tunes by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, while Karisma Jay, Samuel Coleman and the revue B-Love’s Hip Hop Jazzy Groove provide dance-tastic thrills. FREE
Chelsea Block Party – Chelsea
Hit the Rubin Museum of Art for an indoor/outdoor party inspired by its exhibit, Becoming Another: The Power of Masks. Enjoy Himalayan and Southeast Asian cultural performances, art projects, yoga workshops, ethnic eats, a costume contest and a chance to explore the museum at no cost. FREE
Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird – Astoria
Head to the Museum of the Moving Image for a special 30th-anniversary screening of Big Bird's first feature film guest starring '80s comedy legends such as Chevy Chase and John Candy. The movie will be introduced by Emilio Delgado, better known as Luis from Sesame Street, and Craig Shemin, president of the Jim Henson Legacy.
See all Sunday events.
Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in our Event Calendar.
