Harvest Glow is one of two big seasonal events opening at the Bronx Zoo this weekend. Photo by Terria Clay/courtesy of the Bronx Zoo
Harvest Glow, Ragamuffin Parade, and More Things To Do this Weekend in NYC with Kids
Kids can go apple picking near NYC at Alstede Farms, where low-to-the-ground trees are perfect for little pickers. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Apple Picking near NYC: Best Apple Farms and Apple Festivals for Kids
GUIDE
NYC Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2025
Try your hand at corn husking and more analog entertainment during the Corn Fest at the Queens County Farm Museum. Photo courtesy of the Queens County Farm Museum
Best 2025 Fall Festivals and Fairs in NYC this September and October
The Bronx Zoo celebrates Boo at the Zoo with family activities all October long. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher
Best Halloween Events in NYC 2025 for Kids and Families
All aboard for a day of fun when vintage transit vehicles take over Brooklyn Bridge Park for the New York Transit Museum's annual bus festival. Photo courtesy of the museum
22 Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids September 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
Italian pride—and tasty eats—are on the menu at the annual Feast of San Gennaro, which takes over Little Italy in September. Photo by Jody Mercier
61 Free Activities in NYC September 2025 for Kids
The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
Tom's Restaurant is situated on a fairly sleepy corner in Morningside Heights despite its high-profile turn in Seinfeld. Photo by Jody Mercier
Lights, Camera, New York! Where to Find Iconic NYC Movie Sites with Kids
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
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
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
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
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
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
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces 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
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
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 Guide
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
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
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
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 728 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
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 Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas

Free Activities in July: 81 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC

Slip and slide your way to smiles during Asphalt Green's Sprinkler Day. Photo courtesy of Asphalt Green
Slip and slide your way to smiles during Asphalt Green's Sprinkler Day. Photo courtesy of Asphalt Green
7/3/25 - By Drew Kristofik

July is hot, but it's packed with cool free things to do in NYC for families, from Macy's 4th of July fireworks to City of Water Day and the BAAND Together Dance Fest. We've got all the details on free summer concerts, including the rooftop series at Pier 57, and fab fests, including the West Side Fest, Bastille Day, and Sprinkler Day!

Read on for more than 80 fun, free things to do in NYC this July, and find more fun this month in our Ultimate NYC Kids' Summer Fun Guide.

If an event catches 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 ASAP or plan to arrive early.

More Free Summer Fun in NYC:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Movies with a View returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by Etienne Frossard
Movies with a View returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by Etienne Frossard

Free Things To Do in NYC All July Long in 2025

Bryant Park Movie Nights

Midtown West
Mondays through Monday, August 11, 2025
Classic films under the stars on the big screen are back in Bryant Park, and this summer, the series celebrates its 32nd anniversary. Bring a blanket and sit on the lawn to enjoy great food, friends, and entertainment.  READ MORE

Tunes & Tales for Toddlers in Teardrop Park

Battery Park City
Mondays through Monday, October 27, 2025
Toddlers and their caregivers are invited to enjoy interactive music-making, storytelling, and more entertainment at these weekly sessions in Teardrop Park. READ MORE

Seaport Cinema at Pier 17

South Street Seaport
Tuesdays from Tuesday, July 1-Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Seaport Cinema screens family-friendly films on the rooftop, featuring themed food, cocktails (for adults), and surprises throughout the season. READ MORE

Stargazing on The High Line

Chelsea
Tuesdays through Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Gaze at the stars, planets, and moon through the high-powered telescopes of the Amateur Astronomers Association, and chat with the experts about the sights you see. READ MORE

Summer Concerts at the Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards
Wednesdays from Wednesday, July 2-Wednesday, August 13, 2025
This free eight-week series showcases rising artists across a variety of genres, bringing fresh sounds and unforgettable performances to the Public Square and Gardens. Bring a blanket and a picnic, or take advantage of the glorious concession stands. READ MORE

Free Kayaking in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Wednesdays through Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Free public kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park is offered throughout the summer on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Presented in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse. READ MORE

Le Carrousel Extravaganza in Bryant Park

Midtown West
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from Wednesday, July 2-Friday, September 26, 2025
Bryant Park's charming carousel serves as the backdrop for a mix of kid-friendly entertainment. Discover scientific marvels, be awed by trickery in magic shows, and see puppet shows and storytimes, too.  READ MORE

Children’s Performance Series in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Thursdays from Thursday, July 3-Thursday, July 24, 2025
Enjoy music, storytelling, and theater performances at Pier 1 all July long during this free Summer on the Hudson Performance series. Programming is geared toward ages 7 and younger. Stroller parking is provided nearby.  READ MORE

Sense and Sensibility in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sunday, July 20, 2025
The Hudson Classical Theater Company presents Jane Austin's comedy of manners. READ MORE

Big City Fishing at Pier 26

Tribeca
Thursdays through August 21, 2025
Drop in a line with the Hudson River Park River Project team and go catch-and-release fishing at the water’s edge. All the necessary equipment and instruction is provided. READ MORE

Picnic Performances in Bryant Park

Midtown West
Fridays through Friday, September 12, 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

Memnon in Marcus Garvey Park

Harlem
Select dates from Saturday, July 4-Sunday, July 27, 2025
The Classical Theatre of Harlem presents the East Coast premiere of Will Power’s exhilarating new epic that resurrects the story of Memnon, the Ethiopian king and demigod who rides to Troy’s defense, through rhythmic verse, pulse-quickening choreography and music. READ MORE

Park Slope's Summer Open Streets

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Saturdays through Saturday, July 26, 2025
Park Slope Open Streets is back for another season! This year, it covers three more blocks (5th Avenue from Union to 4th Street) and features loads of family-friendly programming.   READ MORE

Storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue in Central Park

Central Park
Saturdays through Saturday, August 9, 2025
Gather 'round Hans Christian Andersen's statue at the Conservatory Pond in Central Park to hear his tales—and other classic folk stories—told by a fine ensemble of storytellers. READ MORE

BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Select dates through Saturday, August 16, 2025
BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn is a free summer-long outdoor concert and performance series that has been presenting talent from around the world and around the block for more than 40 years. Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy! READ MORE

Free Community Rowing, Sailing, and Birding at Hunts Point

Hunts Point, the Bronx
Saturdays through Saturday, August 30, 2025
Explore the Bronx River with free community rowing, sailing, and birding excursions.   READ MORE

Battery Park Playscape Presents Sundays at the ShowBox

Battery Park
Sundays through Sunday, October 26, 2025
The ShowBox Theater, located in the beautiful Battery Park Playscape, hosts a full season of music, dance, puppetry, and more with special free performances on Sunday afternoons. READ MORE

Bond with Brooklyn Outdoor Movies in Pacific Park

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Mondays from Monday, July 7-Monday, July 28, 2025
The Bond with Brooklyn Movie Series features flicks handpicked to entertain the local Brooklyn community and close out the summer in style. READ MORE

Broadway by the Boardwalk in Clinton Cove

Midtown West
Mondays from Monday, July 7-Monday, August 11, 2025
When Broadway’s dark, the waterfront is alive! Mondays in July and early August, stop by Hudson River Park’s Clinton Cove to see the greats perform. READ MORE

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts

Central Park
Tuesdays July 8 and July 22, 2025
Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy classical music under the stars on select Tuesday evenings at the Naumberg Band Shell. READ MORE

Emanu-El Downtown Unplugged at Pier 57

Chelsea
Tuesdays from Tuesday, July 8-Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Visit the rooftop park at Pier 57 for a free concert series with some favorite Emanu-El Downtown teachers. Kids can move and groove, clap and snap, and do some stomping and romping!  READ MORE

Movies on the Green at the Shops at Atlas Park

Glendale, Queens
Wednesdays July 9 & 23, 2025
Catch some of your all-time favorites on Wednesdays at the Center Green. Bring the family, a blanket or chair, and enjoy. Movies start at dusk, but come early to enjoy periodical entertainment.  READ MORE

Summer on the Hudson: Pier I Picture Show in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Wednesdays from Wednesday, July 9-Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Settle in for a movie night on the pier! Bring a blanket and a picnic and watch family-friendly flicks with the Hudson River as a backdrop. Seating opens at 6:30pm. The movies start after sunset, around 8:30pm. READ MORE

2025 Waterfront Concerts in Astoria Park

Astoria, Queens
Thursdays from Thursday, July 10-Thursday, July 31, 2025
Spread a blanket out on the great lawn, crack open a picnic dinner, and bask in Astoria's summer concert series. READ MORE

River & Blues Concerts in Rockefeller Park

Battery Park City
Thursdays from Thursday, July 10-Thursday, July 31, 2025
The River & Blues Concert Series is a beloved annual tradition in Battery Park. Enjoy incredible musical talent framed by summer sunsets on the Hudson. Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Live at the Archway in Dumbo

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Thursdays from Thursday, July 10-Thursday, July 31, 2025
Live at the Archway is Dumbo's signature series that features dynamic musical performances, pop-up galleries, and interactive art experiences in a magical, only-in-Dumbo setting. Always free, always all-ages, and always rain or shine.  READ MORE

Broadway in Bryant Park

Midtown West
Thursdays from Thursday, July 10-Thursday, July 31, 2025
Catch sneak-peek performances from the best of Broadway and off-Broadway on the Bryant Park Stage, hosted by Lite-FM’s on-air personalities and theater favorites. READ MORE

Movies With a View in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Thursdays from Thursday July 10-Thursday, August 28, 2025
Brooklyn Bridge Park brings back Movies with a View for its 25th season. Bring a blanket and a picnic. Sweet treats, savory snacks, and drinks, including beer and wine, are available for purchase. READ MORE

SummerStarz Movies in Transmitter Park

Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Fridays, July 11 and 18, 2025
SummerStarz is a series of four free, family-friendly movies at Transmitter Park. Arrive early to snag a good spot on the grass, and enjoy the gorgeous Brooklyn waterfront until the movie starts at sunset.  READ MORE

Harlem Meer Performance Festival

Central Park
Sundays from Sunday, July 13-Sunday, August 17, 2025
Each summer, the Harlem Meet Performance Festival brings the best local talent to Central Park and delights thousands of attendees with its celebratory atmosphere. Enjoy sweeping views of the Harlem Meer and a variety of performances, featuring multicultural and family-friendly music, dance, and entertainment for all ages. READ MORE

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Lower East Side
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Thursday, July 17-Saturday, August 2, 2025
The Drilling Company's 30th annual production is an adaptation of Shakespeare's most kid-friendly play, recasting Athens as the city's bureaucracy facing encroaching gentrification, the Woods as the Lower East Side's wild nightlife, the Fairies as the area's street spirits, punks and night workers, and the Rude Mechanicals (Bottom and friends) as a troupe of New York City artists who have day labor jobs between artist gigs. READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Coney Island Beach

Coney Island
Thursdays from July 17-August 7, 2025
Family-friendly fare starts on July 24.
Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn sets up a big screen on the Coney Island Beach. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series

Upper West Side
Wednesdays from July 23 and July 30, 2025
The Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series provides free kid-friendly jam sessions on select Wednesdays in July and August. Bring a blanket and some snacks! READ MORE

Movies in the Square at Union Square

Union Square
Thursdays from Thursday, July 24-Thursday, August 14, 2025
Featuring beloved cinematic selections, these free-to-attend outdoor screenings include pre-screening activities, so arrive early and bring your own blankets and snacks.  READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Tuesday, July 1-Sunday, July 6, 2025

Brooklyn Army Terminal Independence Day Celebration

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Celebrate Independence Day with live entertainment and more.   READ MORE

4th of July in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Friday, July 4, 2025
Join the Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly programming on Independence Day. Explore the park, meet some resident animals at the Audubon Center, and more.  READ MORE

4th of July Fireworks on Coney Island

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Friday, July 4, 2025
Coney Island's iconic 4th of July fireworks return for 2025! Bring the family, a blanket, and a picnic to watch the fireworks dazzle over the Atlantic. READ MORE

Travis Parade

Travis, Staten Island
Friday, July 4, 2025
Travis hosts one of the oldest consecutive Independence Day celebrations in the United States. The festivities start at noon with a ceremony at Independence Park. READ MORE

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

East River
Friday, July 4, 2025
The 49th annual Macy's 4th of July fireworks are set to sparkle over the East River once again. The dazzling display features thousands of shells bursting forth, synced to an original, curated musical score. READ MORE

Nathan’s Famous 4th of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Friday, July 4, 2025
Hearty eaters compete to see who can chow down on the most franks at this classic NYC summer event, which takes place on the corner of Surf and Stillwell. READ MORE

Big Umbrella Day at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, July 5, 2025
The celebrated Big Umbrella Festival returns as a free one-day Lincoln Center campus takeover full of relaxed spaces with multi-sensory experiences, performances, installations, and workshops specifically welcoming neurodivergent audiences and their families. READ MORE

Declare Independence: Tear Down the King at Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Sunday, July 6, 2025
In July 1776, servicemen tore down and cut apart the gilded statue of King George III at Bowling Green.  Join scholar-in-residence Dylan Yeats for a fun, family-friendly reenactment of this historic event in front of the Old Stone House. READ MORE
Celebrate all things French when Bastille Day takes over Madison Avenue with a blocks-long street fest. Photo by C. Sasha Arutyunova
Celebrate all things French when Bastille Day takes over Madison Avenue with a blocks-long street fest. Photo by C. Sasha Arutyunova

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, July 7-Sunday, July 13, 2025

CityParks PuppetMobile Presents Pippi Longstocking in Rufus King Park

Jamaica, Queens
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
City Parks Foundation is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the world-renowned children’s story Pippi Longstocking by the legendary Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. The production features nearly two dozen, hand-made marionettes crafted by the expert puppeteers. READ MORE

Limitless: An Evening with Young People's Chorus at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Young People's Chorus explores an eclectic repertoire of sound that traverses genres, cultures, and eras.  READ MORE

Let's Rumble! Storytime + Parent Workshop at Brooklyn Public Library

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Thursday, July 10, 2025
This storytime and parent workshop features the new picture book, Let's Rumble! A Rough-and-Tumble Book of Play, with author and children's librarian Rachel G. Payne. Kids can enjoy boisterous play activities and make their own rough-and-tumble play books.  READ MORE

Create-athon: Robot Making at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Style, swagger, and robotics combine at this create-athon, led by DJ extraordinaire Kid Koala. Up your style game by designing your own robot outfit from the coolest fabrics, trinkets, and more. Stick around afterward for the Robot Dance Party. READ MORE

Summer Series for Teens: ArtsConnection's Pizza and a Movie

Midtown West
Friday, July 11, 2025
ArtsConnection hosts a free movie and pizza night for teens. Every month is a new theme and movie menu to vote on.   READ MORE

Family Fridays: Nat Stahl at MoMath

Gramercy
Friday, July 11, 2025
Games with simple rules often lead to deep and surprising results. With only a deck of cards, one move, and one rule, a game arises that is quite challenging to master. What happens when an entire room joins in? Patterns emerge, probabilities unfold, and an unexpected twist is revealed! READ MORE

CANCELED. Create-athon: Movie Making at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Friday, July 11, 2025
Turntablist and artistic polymath Kid Koala leads an extraordinary movie-making intensive, putting teens in the director’s chair creating characters, scenes, and dialogue before shooting a film—all in one take! READ MORE

Warrior Weekend Concert at Breezy Point

Breezy Point, Queens
Friday, July 11, 2025
Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band perform a free concert, open to the public, to honor New York City first responders.   READ MORE

West Side Fest

Chelsea
Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13, 2025
Go west, young families, for a weekend celebration of all the west side offers. Three days of festivities include free admission, crafts for kids and families, artmaking activities for all ages, performances, special indoor and outdoor programming, and much more. READ MORE

Goatham Festival in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Saturday, July 12, 2025
The Riverside goats are making a pit stop on the way to their summer home. Enjoy live music, refreshments and treats from local vendors, explore new Goatham merchandise, engage in educational activities for all ages, and meet the goats. Don't miss the first professional eating competition: The Great Goat Graze-off! READ MORE

Gladiators NYC in Central Park

Upper East Side
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Knights in full armor battle on the grass in Central Park behind The Met. Bring a blanket and a picnic.  READ MORE

City of Water Day 2025

Citywide
Saturday, July 12, 2025
City of Water Day boasts 60+ free, family-friendly events on or near the water, and is the perfect way to cool off this summer and engage with your local waterfront. Waterfront activities include kayaking, rowing, sailing, boat tours, educational workshops, coastal cleanups, nature walks, film screenings, and more!    READ MORE

Wonderspark Puppets at Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Wonderspark Puppets perform free interactive shows bring classic tales to life with engaging storytelling, colorful characters, and plenty of audience participation. READ MORE

Family Day at Perelman Performing Arts Center

Financial District
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Perelman Performing Arts Center NYC brings together families and artists for a day-long takeover of its indoor and outdoor spaces. Enjoy workshops, performances, interactive creation stations, dance battles, live music, and more.   READ MORE

NYC Math Festival in Fosun Plaza

Financial District
Saturday, July 12, 2025
MoMath presents the annual NYC Math Festival, providing a full day of math fun in the sun for all ages. Enjoy hands-on math exhibits, entertaining mathematical games, and intriguing puzzles and brainteasers.  READ MORE

Shakespeare Workout in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Resident Artists from Hudson Classical Theater Company in the disciplines of acting, voice production, and stage combat lead a vigorous workout/training for teens. READ MORE

New York City Poetry Festival on Governors Island

Governors Island
Saturday, July 12-Sunday, July 13, 2025
The New York City Poetry Festival unites the vast and diverse New York City poetry community on Governors Island. The festival invites poetry organizations and collectives of all shapes and sizes to bring their unique formats, aesthetics, and personalities to the festival grounds. READ MORE

Uncle Tony's Reptile Show in Marine Park

Marine Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Celebrate the Year of the Snake by meeting snakes and other reptiles up close and personal with Uncle Tony.  READ MORE

Bastille Day on Madison Avenue

Upper East Side
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Celebrate France’s national holiday at this annual street fair on Madison Avenue! Featuring French cuisine, music, dance, and myriad attractions for the whole family, FIAF's fête populaire invites New Yorkers to revel in the flavors, sounds, and joie de vivre of France. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, July 14-Sunday, July 20, 2025

Dance Storytime With Ingrid Silva at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
As part of Summer for the City’s Brazil Week, the Library for the Performing Arts presents Brazilian dancer Ingrid Silva, reading her children’s book, A bailarina que pintava suas sapatilhas, or The Ballerina Who Painted Her Ballet Shoes. READ MORE

Red Hook Movies in the Park in Coffey Park

Red Hook, Brooklyn
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
The Wiz - Rated G
Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and loved ones for an unforgettable summer experience. READ MORE

Rooftop Films: Folktales in McGolrick Park

Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Folktales tells the timely and heartwarming story of teenagers who choose to spend an unconventional “gap year” learning to dog sled and survive the Arctic wilderness, in hopes of finding connection and meaning in the modern world. READ MORE

Farmhouse Family Day: Creative Critters

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Bugs that creep, crawl, zip, and fly are crucial to making farms and the world healthy and green! Meet some of the amazing insects that call the Wyckoff Farm home, and create critter crafts with farmhouse staff!   READ MORE

Iggy Peck, Architect at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City
Saturday, July 19, 2025
After a reading of Andrea Beaty’s classic Iggy Peck, Architect, kids learn about the process of design and using creative building materials to make stand-out buildings. Then kids transform floor plans into inventive towers. READ MORE

Waterfront Festival on Randall's Island

Randall's Island
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Celebrate summer with water-themed everything, including games, crafts, snacks, face paint, and live performances, set against the confluence of the Harlem and East Rivers and the city skyline. READ MORE

BATU at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Young people become artists as they’re invited to paint, dream, glue, and build a unique analog and artistic world in a collective happening with other participants. Created by multidisciplinary artist Ieltxu Ortueta, this family-centered performance experience plays with lines, paths, intersections, spaces, and maps as all ages are invited to expand their imaginations. READ MORE

International Girls Ensemble Youth Theatre Performance

Lower East Side
Sunday, July 20, 2025
International Girls Ensemble hosts an afternoon of creativity, storytelling, and celebration at a free outdoor theatre event for families of all ages.  READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, July 21-Thursday, July 31

Children's Storytime: Surprise Reader at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Kick off a week-long celebration of the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. In honor of its 60th anniversary, enjoy a special edition of the library’s beloved summertime tradition, welcoming a very special, surprise guest. READ MORE

Creative Drama Kids' Theater Class at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The NYPL for the Performing Arts hosts the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance for a class where kids can develop creative abilities with pantomime, improvisation, imaginative play, and storytelling.  READ MORE

Just Accessible Music Class at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Friday, July 25, 2025
Just Accessible Music hosts a workshop that provides information about the structure of a song, rhythm, and basic instruments through the performance of some classic jazz and pop hits. READ MORE

Sprinkler Day at Asphalt Green

Upper East Side
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Don’t let the soaring summer temperatures discourage you from enjoying the outdoors. Cool off by splashing around in Asphalt Green’s high-powered sprinklers and slip and slides. READ MORE

Summer for the City: Shanghai Day at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Lincoln Center spotlights the rich creative history of one of the most populous cities in China with a campus-wide Shanghai Day! READ MORE

Mapping the City at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City
Saturday, July 26, 2025
A hands-on family program introduces young cartographers to the art and language of maps! Kids learn how to read and understand the key elements of maps, including symbols, compass roses, landmarks, and scale, while discovering how these tools help us make sense of the places we live.  READ MORE

STooPS Art Crawl in Bed-Stuy

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Saturday, July 26, 2025
STooPS Bed-Stuy, an annual celebration of creativity in Brooklyn, returns to Bedford-Stuyvesant for an afternoon of dance, music, spoken word, theater, visual art, conversations, and workshops as artists transform the stoops, storefronts, yards, and sidewalks of Hancock Street into dynamic stages for interactive art performances. READ MORE

PuppetMobile in Haswell Green Park

Midtown East
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Catch a puppet production of Pippi Longstocking, followed by free kids' activities and treats.  READ MORE

Ballet Folklórico Mexicano De Nueva York’s Guelaguetza in Socrates Sculpture Garden

Long Island City, Queens
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York (BFMNY)’s Annual Guelaguetza Festival is  dedicated to preserving the culture and traditions of Mexico. Representatives of the eight regions of Oaxaca gather together wearing traditional costumes to dance, sing, and give gifts to the crowd. Each region offers a unique contribution to the festivities — including the much-loved Dance of the Pineapple! READ MORE

BAAND Together Dance Fest at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Tuesday, July 29-Saturday, August 2, 2025
See five of NYC’s most iconic dance companies—Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem—as the BAAND Together Dance Festival returns to the Koch Theatre.    READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Mean Girls - Rated PG-13
Snuggle up under the stars for an evening of nostalgic classic cinema and feel-good fan favorites for all ages on Wednesdays in Prospect Park. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Theater Storytime With James McMullan at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Famed Lincoln Center Theater poster artist James McMullan is also the illustrator of a popular series of children’s books written by his wife, Kate McMullan. The books follow the life of several big vehicles that traverse the city streets: a garbage truck (I Stink!), a backhoe (I’m Dirty!), and a firetruck (I’m Brave!). The McMullans read some of their work and lead the audience in a drawing lesson. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens
Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Riverside Park
Pier 26 in Hudson River Park
Central Park Hans Christian Andersen Statue
Central Park - Naumburg Bandshell
Lower East Side Prep Parking Lot
Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk
P.S. 26 and Showplace Entertainment Center
National Museum of Mathematics Pop Up
Lincoln Center - Clark Studio Theatre
Breezy Point Athletic Field
Multiple locations in Manhattan
Hudson Yards - Public Square and Gardens
Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Riverside Park
David Geffen Hall, LeFrak Lobby
Lincoln Center - Rubenstein Atrium
6th Street and Avenue B Community Garden
David Geffen Hall, LeFrak Lobby
Lincoln Center - Library for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center - Library for the Performing Arts
David Geffen Hall, LeFrak Lobby

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.