Hi everyone! It is hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend is here and there are so many fun events to enjoy!
This weekend check out Memorial Day Weekend at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, On the Waterfront Scavenger Hunt in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Play + Go and Nature’s Helpers Memorial Day in Prospect Park, Brooklyn’s 154th Memorial Day Parade, Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park, Summer on the Hudson: Sun Gaze in Riverside Park South, Memorial Day at Brooklyn Botanic Garden , Movies on the Waterfront: Toy Story 4 in Astoria Park, Japan Performing Arts: Dance, Music & Kimono on Governors Island, Outdoor Skills: Shelter Building in Marine Park, Spring Scavenger Hunt in Calvert Vaux Park, Greenbelt Native Plant Center Gardening, Open Studios Residency at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Nature Exploration: Frogs in High Rock Park, New York Yoyo Show in Bryant Park in Bryant Park, The 26th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts and Opening Day of Tall Ship Wavertree at South Street Seaport and the Splash Pad in Prospect Park.
Also check out long running events like Green Meadows Farm: Friendly Farm Animals at Aviator Sports and Events Center, The Wizard of Oz at Puppetworks, Dynamic H2O at Children’s Museum of Manhattan, The Nature of Color Exhibit and Worlds Beyond Earth at the American Museum of Natural History, Urban Farm Exploration Days! in Randall’s Island Park and Free Bike Mornings and The Yard – Adventure Playground on Governors Island.
This is just some of the weekend events so check the calendar to see everything going on. Also like us on Facebook for last minute events and updates.
Enjoy the long weekend!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday May 28th
Memorial Day Weekend at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (Hell’s Kitchen)
Friday-Sunday May 28th-31st 10a-5p. Free with Museum admission. In recognition of our men and women in uniform, the Intrepid Museum celebrates Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day weekend activities will kick off Friday, May 28 with our annual movie night on the flight deck (sold out), featuring the iconic film Forrest Gump! Throughout the weekend, explore a variety of displays, activities and demos from the military, including the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard. The weekend will conclude on Monday, May 31 with the Museum’s annual Memorial Day ceremony, which will be livestreamed for the public. See the website for all the details.
Greenbelt Native Plant Center Gardening (Staten Island)
Friday May 28th 10a-1p. Free. Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteer with the Greenbelt Native Plant Center staff to help care for the diverse group of native plants we grow to be planted in parks and restoration projects throughout the city. Activities may include, weeding, transplanting, and moving plants in the yard and greenhouses. You will get hands-on experience with growing native plants and nursery operations. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty. Please be sure to wear a face mask and bring your own water bottle to this event.
The 26th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts
Friday May 28th 6-11p indoor performances, Saturday May 29th 12n-6p indoor performances (1-5p outdoor) and Sunday May 30th 6-11p. Free. Location: Theater for the New City. Lower East Side is home again! to celebrate its return to live audiences and the reopening of TNC’s performance complex. Over 180 artists of all disciplines will be participating in the three-day event. TNC has always prided itself on being a safe space, and is zealous to guarantee that everyone will feel secure while performing and watching its performances. All the theater’s staff are fully vaccinated and its HVAC systems have new air filtration systems. Masks and temperature checks will be required for both performers and theatergoers, all of whom must present either proof of vaccination or negative COVID test results from the last 3-5 days for admission. See the website for all the festival details. For those who cannot attend the event in-person, we will be streaming online @ www.theaterforthenewcity
Movies on the Waterfront: Toy Story 4 in Astoria Park
Friday May 28th 815-1015p. Free. Location: Astoria Park Lawn. Join Central Astoria Local Development Coalition Inc. for Movies on the Waterfront at Astoria Park! Toy Story 4: A new toy named “Forky” joins the gang when Bonnie turns a spork into a toy. But when he disappears, Woody, Buzz, and co. set out into the world to find him, resolve his existential crisis, and reunite with Bonnie.
See all the Friday events here.
Saturday May 29th
Opening Day of the Splash Pad in Prospect Park
Saturday May 29th 10a-7p and ongoing daily until September 6th. Free. Location: LeFrak Center at Lakeside. The Splash Pad, named Best of New York by New York Magazine, is Prospect Park’s largest water play area, with 47 water spray jets covering 16,000 square feet to provide hours of warm-weather fun. Open free to the public for children 12 years of age and under in season.
On the Waterfront Scavenger Hunt in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday May 29th 11a-4p. Free. Location: Environmental Education Center. Join Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy for a family-friendly scavenger hunt on Saturday! In celebration of the anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge, this month’s park scavenger hunt will give you the option of two different scavenger hunts! You can either venture on the Brooklyn Bridge for your hunt (great for older kids!) or explore other historic waterfront relics found throughout the Park. Registrants will receive a PDF copy of the activity a few days before the event. There will be an opportunity to stop by a prize table outside near the front of 99 Plymouth Street and share your completed hunt with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy! This event is free. Advanced RSVP encouraged, sign up here.
Opening Day of Tall Ship Wavertree at South Street Seaport
Starting Saturday May 29th 11a-5p and will be open Friday-Sundays 11a-5p through October 2021. The permanently-moored 1885 tall ship Wavertree will be open to the public for FREE with timed entry, from at Pier 16 (Fulton and South Streets). Visits will be self-guided along a set route and will include access to the main deck and quarter deck. Learn how people worked and lived aboard a 19th century cargo sailing vessel, from the captain to the ship’s officers, cooks, and crew. Then visit the cargo hold and stand atop the viewing platform where you can take in the massive main cargo area.The Museum will allow no more than 150 guests on board the ship at any time to encourage social distancing from different households. All guests above the age of 2 will be required to wear a face covering at all times aboard Wavertree and at the Museum’s pop-up gift shop. Reserve tickets here.
Spring Scavenger Hunt in Calvert Vaux Park (Gravesend)
Saturday May 29th 11a-12n. Free. Stretch out the winter wearies with a hike through Calvert Vaux Park in search of buds, blooms, birds, and other signs of spring. See the website for information on Covid-19 protocols.
New York Yoyo Show in Bryant Park
Saturdays 11a-12n until July 3rd. Free. Location: Fifth Avenue Terrace in front of NYPL. What do you get when you combine the singing and dancing of the Broadway Theater with jaw-dropping yoyo skills? You get The New York Yoyo Show! Join Brian Kilmowski (the yoyo guy) each week on the Fifth Avenue Terrace for a truly unique performance and free yoyo lessons. Attendees will be captivated with advanced yoyo demos, broadway-style musical numbers, modern yoyo magic, and the grand finale, featuring the World’s Longest Yoyo String. The New York Yoyo Show is for people of all ages and skill levels.
See all the Saturday events here.
Sunday May 30th
Open Studios Residency at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday May 30th 10a-2p and occurs every other Sunday until July 11th. Free. Locations: Pier 3 Plaza or Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn. The Conservancy is proud to welcome its first two Open Studios Artists-in-Residence: Fogo Azul NYC and Oyu Oro Experimental Afro-Cuban Dance Ensemble. Open-air working rehearsals by both groups take place every other Sunday, beginning April 18 and culminating on July 11 performances of their original work developed during their residency. The public is welcome to stop by at any point throughout the series to get a unique window inside the creative process and enjoy live performing arts activating Brooklyn Bridge Park. Open Studios will take place at Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn on Sunday, May 30!
Outdoor Skills: Shelter Building in Marine Park
Sunday May 30th 1-2p. Free (recommended for ages 8 years and older). Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center. Our Urban Park Rangers are well-versed in outdoor lore. Learn tips and tricks that will enhance your knowledge of the natural world, and might just save your life. Whether you are preparing for an extended journey through the woods or just want to be more prepared for any situation, an outdoor skills program is the perfect fit for you. See the website for information on Covid-19 protocols.
Summer on the Hudson: Sun Gaze in Riverside Park South (UWS)
Sunday May 30th 1-4p and the last Sunday of every month between until September 26th. Pre-registration for the event is required. Please register online. The Amateur Astronomers Association returns to Pier I with solar telescopes specifically designed to safely look at the sun and see sunspots and prominences under a summer sky. See the website for information on Covid-19 protocols.
Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park
Sundays 2-330p until June 13th. Free adsmission. Bring your blanket! Children and families are welcome. Location: Billings Lawn. The Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park, now in its 16th season, is a unique series of three outdoor summer concerts performed by musicians of the New York Scandia Symphony and guest artists on Sundays in May and June. Classical and new music from various Scandinavian countries will be featured. The concerts take place at a scenic and attractive venue, Billings Lawn, below the Heather Garden and with spectacular views of the Hudson River. The artists speak to the audience as they introduce the music, culture, and traditions of Scandinavia.
Nature Exploration: Frogs in High Rock Park (Staten Island)
Sunday May 30th 8-9p. Free. Location: parking lot. Registration is required. To register, please visit the Urban Park Rangers registration page here. Join the Urban Park Rangers as we listen for frog calls and identify frog species in High Rock Park. All the data we collect will contribute to a nationwide citizen science project called FrogWatch USA. See the website for information on Covid-19 protocols.
See all the Sunday events here.
Monday May 31st
Memorial Day at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Monday May 31st BBG will be open 10a-6p. Tickets: $18 adults, $12 children 12+/seniors, children under 12 & members free (there are also free community tickets each day). Purchase timed entry tickets here. Following CDC and New York State guidelines, visitors who are fully vaccinated may visit outdoor areas of the Garden without face coverings. All guests over age 2 must wear face coverings in indoor areas. Visitors who are not fully vaccinated must wear face coverings everywhere on Garden premises. See plants in bloom here.
Brooklyn’s 154th Memorial Day Parade
Monday May 31st 11a. Free. Brooklyn’s 154th Memorial Day Parade/Veteran Motorcade will step off on Monday at 11AM on 3rd Ave. & 75th St. Vehicle line up at 9:30-10:30AM, Motorcade starts at 11AM. The parade ends at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center on Poly Place. Come out to remember all those who paid such a terrible price in service to our nation and to honor all the families who must endure that loss.
Memorial Day Ceremony (virtual)
Monday May 31st 11a. Location: Livestreamed from Pier 86. The Museum will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 11:00am ET with special guest speakers, the unfurling of a 100-ft American flag, and a wreath laying. In accordance with health and safety considerations, this year’s in-person ceremony is not open to the public. Instead, the Museum will livestream the entire ceremony on Facebook live & website
Play + Go and Nature’s Helpers Memorial Day in Prospect Park
Monday May 31st 12n-4p. Free, No Registration Required. Location: Flatbush Avenue Entrances. Join Prospect Park Alliance at pop-up locations around the park and surrounding neighborhoods as we bring our favorite activities from the Prospect Park Audubon Center and Lefferts Historic House on the road in easy-to-borrow Pop-Up Lefferts and Pop-Up Audubon Play + Go Kits. Pick up to five (5) items and mix and match historic games and toys, or nature games and activities. While you are here, you can participate in our new Nature’s Helpers activities by lending a hand and participating in stewardship activities such as raking, litter patrol or mulching and afterwards, take a fun nature walk and explore the natural wonders of the park or search for the many historic elements that are scattered all around us. See the website for all the event details.
See all the Monday events here.
All Weekend
The Wizard of Oz at Puppetworks (Park Slope)
Ongoing Fridays 4p and Saturdays-Sundays 1230p & 230p until August 1st. Tickets: Children $10 each, Adults $11 each. Suggested for 3 and up. The Wizard of Oz, L Frank Baum’s American classic with an original song score adapted for marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Call for reservations(recommended, due to the 33% capacity): 718-965-3391 or e-mail to: puppetworksinfo@gmail.com. Masks Required.
Japan Performing Arts: Dance, Music & Kimono on Governors Island
Saturdays-Sundays 1-5p until May 30th and 11a-p on May 31st (Memorial Day). Free. Fees for ferry. See website for details. JPA’s outdoor cultural program ”Dance, Music ＆ Kimono” this year introduces 10 different variation of Japan’s performances, lectures and workshops! Some performance programs are designed to enjoy stage shows, and others welcome participants to join. The perfect green environment on Governors Island provides the perfect setting to engage in exercise activities with Japanese music and dance. See the website for all the event details and to register for workshops.
Green Meadows Farm: Friendly Farm Animals at Aviator Sports and Events Center
Saturdays-Sundays 11a-5p until May 30th & Monday May 31st 11a-5p. Admission: $12 per person age two and above. Register here. Come meet us! Celebrate spring by getting outside and enjoying our animals PLUS our playgrounds. This FRIENDLY event with your paid admission includes: Visit with our Animals, Sit on Ten Different Tractors, Glide down the Hay Wagon Slide, Operate our Bulldozer, Milk “Katie” the Cow, Enjoy the Bunny Barn, Discover our Farm Playground and Open Areas for Picnics. Extra charges apply for: Animal Feed.
The Carousel in Prospect Park
Thursdays-Sundays 12n-5p. Tickets are $2.50 or book of 5 for $11.50. The Prospect Park Carousel + Pony Express Snack Bar open on April 29! COVID-19 Update: The Prospect Park Carousel is open with COVID-19 protocols in place, including social distancing, enhanced cleaning and reduced capacity on the ride. Tickets are first come, first served.
Free Bike Mornings on Governors Island
Mondays-Fridays 10a-12n. Free. Blazing Saddles offers bikes, surreys, pedal cars, scooters and more for rental. Free Bike Mornings allow visitors to borrow a bike from Blazing Saddles for free for up to one hour every weekday between 10 AM and noon. Come visit Blazing Saddles at the north end of Colonels Row and bike the Island! This year you need a reservation for the ferry. See the website for all the details.
The Yard – Adventure Playground on Governors Island
Saturdays-Sundays 12n-4p. Free. Welcome back to The Yard, New York City’s only adventure playground! The Yard offers free weekend play with Covid safety protocols in place. The Yard is a kids-only space recommended for young people ages 6 to 18, stewarded by trained playworkers. The Yard supplies young people with loose parts materials for building, exploring, imagining and destroying. Rules and more information: No more than 35 children at a time will be allowed in The Yard. Children must be over 5 years old. Masks are required. Shoes: Closed-toe shoes are required. play:groundNYC has a limited selection of loaner shoes on site. See the website for the waiver.
Urban Farm Exploration Days! in Randall’s Island Park
Saturdays-Sundays 10a-4p until October 17th. Free. Explore the Randall’s Island Urban Farm’s variety of crops, rice paddies, fragrant herbs, and meet the chickens too! All ages welcome!
Dynamic H2O at Children’s Museum of Manhattan (UWS)
Now open Wednesday-Sunday. Tickets: $15 adult/child (children under 1 free). Reserve tickets for 11a, 1p & 230p here. Come play, learn and splash in CMOM’s seasonal outdoor exhibit Dynamic H20 (all ages)! Learn more about NYC’s amazing water cycle as you play on our new expanded 22-foot-long water table, located in CMOM’s Sussman Environmental Center. *Please be advised this exhibit may close due to inclement weather. All tickets are non-refundable, however we will be happy to reschedule your visit. On this 75-minute tour, families can: Interact with the table’s waterfalls, spinners, and spouts. Build bridges and direct water flow. Pretend to fish! Construct a city by the water’s edge!
Brooklyn Public Library Vitural Storytimes
Daily usually at 11a & 2p. Free. Sometimes the storytimes are on the Brooklyn Public Library Family facebook page and other times they are on a specific branch facebook page. See the website for all the details.
The Nature of Color Exhibit at American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Museum is open Wednesdays-Sundays with timed entry tickets are available 10a-4p (museum closes 530p). Exhibit is open until August 8, 2021. Select a General Admission + One or General Admission + All ticket, choose date and time of entry to the Museum, then select The Nature of Color. Reserve tickets here. Our world is awash in color. Color makes the world feel vibrant and alive. But that’s not all. Color helps us make sense of the world. It contains vast amounts of information—about the natural world, and the human world. Come and explore the world of color in this immersive exhibition. Worlds Beyond Earth at the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater is now open with limited seating to maintain health and safety. See all the details here.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan at Home
CMOM is now open Wednesday-Sunday 10a-5p. CMOM at Home is still ongoing. Activities are sent in a daily email newsletter. CMOM can still be a part of your day through videos, sing-a-longs, games and so much more for you to do together with your family at home! Sign up for emails here. From slime-making, dance parties and being transported to Japan with a recipe for sushi, to making animal puppets from recycled materials around the house, creating a bedtime routine and storytimes, “CMOM at Home” is sure to delight. Each day of the week will feature a different theme: Magical Monday, Move & Grove Tuesday, Our World Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, Feel Good Friday, Storytime Saturday and Surprise Sunday.