Hi everyone! NYC public schools are opening on Monday so the summer is winding down and there are so many fun things to enjoy this weekend!
This weekend check out Queens County Fair at Queens County Farm Museum, The New York Bike Jumble in Washington/JJ Byrne Park, Green Meadows Farm: Petting Zoo Magic at Aviator Sports and Events Center, General Kayaking in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Complimentary Admission in Remembrance of 9/11 at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Dance Party with Elaine Gil at Ulmer Park Brooklyn Public Library, Hopalong Andrew Outdoor Concerts in various locations,The First Staten Islanders: The Lenape at Greenbelt Nature Center, 10th Annual New York City Honey Festival at Rockaway Beach, Birding: Shorebirds in Marine Park, Alley Pond Park Adventure Course: Free Public Sundays, Movies Under the Stars: Minari in Cadman Plaza Park, Revolutionary War Living History Saturday at Historic Richmond Town and the Reopening: Community Appreciation Weekend at Brooklyn Museum.
Also check out long running events like Rumpelstiltskin at Puppetworks, 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, Tall Ship Wavertree at South Street Seaport, Free Bike Mornings and The Yard – Adventure Playground on Governors Island, Putting Green Mini Golf and the last few days of the Time Square Wheel.
These are just some of the events this weekend so check calendar to see everything going on. Also like us on Facebook for last minute events and updates.
Enjoy the last few days of Summer break & have fun this weekend!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday September 10th
Dance Party with Elaine Gil at Ulmer Park Brooklyn Public Library
Friday September 10th 3-4p. Free. Let’s have some fun with old and new dances. Jumping, singing, and dancing with our very own High Energy Party Motivator Elaine Gil. Come earlier , grab some Sidewalk chalk and decorate the front of our branch with beautiful art. Decorate some pencil cases for school have all types of fun!
Hopalong Andrew Outdoor Concerts in various locations
Fridays 1030a in Brooklyn Heights-Cadman Plaza Park near the memorial wall and also 4p in Cobble Hill Park on the grassy knoll. Drop in. $20/family. If Venmo-ing please try to do so before class (@hopalongandrew, code #5283). All Shows bring: picnic blanket; instruments, any “cowboy” hat! Safety-wise: Grownups use discretion with self and little ones and let’s all be sensitive to others’ safety and comfort levels. We’re doing great, keep it up! Check Instagram or Facebook story on the morning of, an hour before. Many rain forecasts don’t mean rain. There are singalongs everyday in Brooklyn so see the website for all the locations.
Reopening: Community Appreciation Weekend at Brooklyn Museum
Friday-Sunday September 10th-12th various times. Free. See website for schedule of events. Get ready, because the Museum is fully reopening on Friday, September 10, and we’re celebrating with three days of free community programs packed with gallery talks, art activations, and family fun. As part of our full reopening, we’re thrilled to once again welcome visitors to explore all five floors of the Museum and to also enjoy a seasonal Brooklyn-inspired meal at The Norm. The weekend’s programming is dedicated to our community, whose endless support we’re so thankful for as we continue to adapt to these challenging times. Note: All visitors 12 and older must show proof of vaccination and a valid I.D. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.
Queens County Fair at Queens County Farm Museum
Friday September 10th 330-830p, Saturday-Sunday September 11th-12th 11a-6p. Tickets: Friday $14 for all ages, Saturday & Sunday $20 / $15 ages 3-12y. 3 day pass also available. See website for details and to purchase tickets. Queens County Fair boasts the opening weekend of The Amazing Maize Maze. County Fair-goers have bragging rights to be the first to navigate New York City’s only corn maze. This year The Amazing Maize Maze takes the shape of Andy Warhol’s Cow celebrating the genius of Warhol’s pop art. The first county fair was held in Queens in 1693. Step back in time and enjoy pie eating and corn husking contests, hayrides, carnival rides, and midway games.* Visit the main stage and family entertainment tents featuring live music and theatrical performances, check out local craft and food vendors and get recycling tips at the Con Edison Ecology booth. Check out the Blue Ribbon Competitions in produce, arts & crafts and more. *Additional fees apply for hayrides, carnival rides, midway games, The Floral Escape & some other attractions. Height rules apply at all carnival rides. View list of rides and height requirements. Admission to the maze is included in the Queens County Fair ticket price. See website for the complete entertainment schedule.
See all the Friday events here.
Saturday September 11th
Complimentary Admission in Remembrance of 9/11 at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Saturday September 11th 10a-8p. Reserve Free Community Tickets here. For the 20th anniversary of September 11, enjoy free admission all day. The Garden hopes to always be a place of peace and reflection for our community. Brooklyn Botanic Garden has two collections in remembrance of September 11. Along the eastern and western edges of Cherry Esplanade are allées of scarlet oak trees, the Liberty Oaks, planted in remembrance of the events of that day and those who lost their lives. The Tree Peony Collection that blooms in the spring was presented to the Garden in 2002 by the Japanese town of Yatsuka-Cho in Shimane Prefecture to “bring peace of mind to the people of the United States.”
General Kayaking in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturdays 10a-3p until September 25th. Free. Reservations required. Register here. Glide along the water while kayaking from Pier 2 on Saturdays this summer and fall! Presented in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse, kayaking runs on Saturdays from 10:00am-3:00pm through the end of September. All levels are welcome. Children under 18 must have an adult guardian present. Reservations may be booked up to 2 weeks in advance. Limit one reservation per person per day.
The New York Bike Jumble in Washington/JJ Byrne Park (Park Slope)
Saturday September 11th 10a-4p. Free admission. Join us again at the Old Stone House at Fifth Avenue and 4th Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn for socially distanced back-to-hybrid or remote school bargains, replacement parts, and new and used bicycles for avoiding the virus on public transport. Gear up for commuting season, test out a new ride, and buy your children early holiday gifts. Park Slope will be buzzing with the sound of happy cyclists!!
Revolutionary War Living History Saturday at Historic Richmond Town (Staten Island)
Saturday September 11th 10a-5p. General Admission: $15. Purchase tickets here. Step back in time to Staten Island’s revolutionary past! Living Historians will be on-hand throughout the village to demonstrate military drills, weapons, and historic skills. Hear stories about soldiers and civilians, and learn about what life was like during the American Revolution in New York. Demonstrations of hearth cooking and blacksmithing will also be featured, and select buildings from the colonial period will be open for exploration. Special guests will also be in attendance, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The events of the day will also feature a commemorative tribute to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Green Meadows Farm: Petting Zoo Magic at Aviator Sports and Events Center
Saturdays-Sundays 11a-5p until September 19th. Admission: $12 per person age two and above. Register here. Who doesn’t love magic? Join Green Meadows Farm for a remarkable show of discovery, mystery, and wonderment. With laughs, tremendous tricks, and incredible antics that will leave you amazed. And of course, visit with their farm family — Ponies, Alpacas, Llamas, Calves, Pigs, Sheep, Goats, Bunnies, and more. Next, explore the farm play areas, hop on a hayride, and take advantage of our picnic areas. You’ll end this fabulous day saying, ”voila!”. Your $12 paid admission includes: Magic show, hay rid, sit on 10 different tractors, BIG!! BIG!! Bulldozer to Operate, bumpy roller slide, Milk “Katie” the Cow, Play in our huge Farm Playground, Plenty of Picnic Tables and so much more! Extra charge: Animal Feed.
See all the Saturday events here.
Sunday September 12th
Birding: Shorebirds in Marine Park
Sunday September 12th 9-10a. Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center. What do sandpipers, oystercatchers, and stilts have in common? Join the Urban Park Rangers for a birding adventure and find out what makes shorebirds unique. Please bring your own binoculars. See the website for Covid-19 protocols.
Alley Pond Park Adventure Course: Free Public Sundays
Sundays 930-12n and 130-4p in September. Free. The Alley Pond Park Adventure Course offers free outdoor adventure that fosters trust, communication ,and team building at Alley Pond Park. The program is a two-hour adventure, which includes both low and high elements. The Adventure Course is open for individuals, small groups of friend, and family. Open to ages 8 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Valid photo identification required. Sneakers required. See the website for information on Covid-19 protocols.
10th Annual New York City Honey Festival at Rockaway Beach
Sunday September 12th 11a-6p. Free. The 10th Annual New York City Honey Festival will take place on Sunday at Beach 106th St in Rockaway, Queens. Come for the bees, stay for the beach!
The First Staten Islanders: The Lenape at Greenbelt Nature Center (Staten Island)
Sunday September 12th 11a -12n. The event is free but registration is required. Join Greenbelt educators as we explore the history, lifestyle, and ingenuity of the early inhabitants of Staten Island, the Lenape. This program will include activities, games, and outdoor exploration to introduce the customs, diet, and pastimes of Lenape people during the Eastern Woodlands time period.
Movies Under the Stars: Minari in Cadman Plaza Park
Sunday September 12th 715-915p. Free. Location: Brooklyn War Memorial. Join NYC Parks and New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment for this free film! Minari (rated PG-13): This beautiful film tells the story of a South Korean family who migrate to rural Arkansas to start a farm and a new life. Written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung (Abigail Harm) this semi-autobiographical drama stars Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead), Han Yeri (My Unfamiliar Family), Alan Kim (Latchkey Kids), Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung (Sense 8), and Will Patton (Yellowstone). This groundbreaking film received multiple Academy Award nominations with Youn winning for her performance, making her the first Korean to win an Academy Award for acting. See website for Covid-19 protocols.
See all the Sunday events here.
All Weekend
Rumpelstiltskin at Puppetworks (Park Slope)
Ongoing Fridays 1230p and Saturdays-Sundays 1230p & 230p until October 31st. Tickets: Children $10 each, Adults $11 each. Suggested for 4 and up. Rumpelstiltskin from the Brothers Grimm (1823) adapted for Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Call for reservations: 718-965-3391 or e-mail to: puppetworksinfo@gmail.com. Masks required to protect the unvaccinated (especially children).
Time Square Wheel
Daily 12n-1159p until Sunday September 12th. Tickets: $20 per person for general admission, $15 per person for children 2–10 and $35 per person for VIP / Skip the line.Location: Broadway between 47th – 48th Sts. Ride a state-of-the-art ferris wheel in the Crossroads of the World, and soar up 110 feet through a canyon of spectacular billboards, getting an entirely new vantage point on Times Square. Buy tickets online or in person.
Putting Green Mini Golf (Williamsburg)
Mondays-Wednesday 12n-8p, Thursdays-Sundays 10a-8p. Admissions: $10 adults, $5 kids/seniors (Wednesdays before 5p & Saturdays before 1p $5 adults, $2 kids/seniors). All profits will be donated to local nonprofit organizations addressing climate change in NYC. PUTTING GREEN is an 18-hole mini golf course open to the public on the waterfront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This neighborhood pop-up is designed to showcase the problems and solutions for some of the most pressing climate change issues facing our planet. Each of the 18 holes has been designed by a community partner, including artists and designers, community and school groups, environmental advocacy organizations and public agencies. See website for all the details.
Tall Ship Wavertree at South Street Seaport
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.
The Carousel in Prospect Park
Thursdays-Sundays 12n-6p and holidays. 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!
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 December 5, 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.