Free Family Events This Weekend! (August 4-6)

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Hindu Lamp Ceremony will take place this Saturday! Photo by Julienne Schaer via brooklynbridgepark.org.

Have an amazing weekend without opening your wallet! For even more activity inspiration, check out our Weekend Planner.

Friday, August 4

The Big Latch On
9-11am
Times Square (West 46th Street and Broadway)
All ages
Gather around fellow mommies as you participate in an empowering event. Moms will gather for a breastfeeding seminar and offer peer support in honor of World Breastfeeding Week. Bring the kids on over as well to teach them about the importance of a natural way of life.

Beginning Saturday, August 5

Summer Streets 2017
7am-1pm
Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park (along Park Avenue and connecting streets)
All ages
Take advantage of Summer Streets, the annual summer festival that gives New Yorkers the chance to stroll and play on completely traffic-free city streets. On three Saturdays in August, the New York City Department of Transportation will close seven miles of streets to cars, allowing walkers, runners, and bikers to enjoy the open space. This encouragement of healthy transportation takes place from 7am-1pm and stretches from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. A variety of activities will take place at the six stops along the route and all are free to the public, including a zip line, free bike and roller blade rentals, fitness classes, and a giant “Beachside Slide” in Foley Square. Runs Saturdays through August 19.

Saturday, August 5

Adoptapalooza
12-5pm
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
All ages
Are you considering adopting a pet? Here’s your chance! Meet wonderful cats, dogs, and even rabbits up for adoption at the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals’ Adoptapalooza in Prospect Park. This free event will feature activities such as pet care advice, training, grooming, product giveaways, microchipping, a Kids’ Korner, and much more. This event will take place rain or shine.

Hindu Lamp Ceremony
4pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
All ages
The traditional Hindu lamp ceremony, or the Aarti ceremony, will be presented in Brooklyn Bridge Park this Saturday in anticipation of hurricane season. Learn more about this tradition by taking part in the ceremony as well as the percussion ensemble. Along with the ensemble, there will also be guest artists showcasing their projects. It’s sure to be an educational and cultural afternoon.

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Ranger’s Choice: Little Red Lighthouse Lantern Tour
8-9:30pm
Fort Washington Park
All ages
This Saturday, join NYC’s Park Rangers for a special evening tour of a Manhattan landmark! The Rangers will lead participants through the Jefferey’s Hook Lighthouse, which became known as the “Little Red Lighthouse” due to the popularity of Hildegarde H. Swift’s classic children’s book. Space is limited; registration is required and participants will be chosen via lottery.

Saturday, August 5-Sunday, August 6

Kids Rule 2017
12-5pm
Lehman College, Bronx
All ages
Kids rule! Groove, move, and prove your dancing skills in a weekend-long family event. Bronx families come together for two days creating friendships and bringing the community closer through theatre, music, magic, ponies, and much more.

Sunday, August 6

Brooklyn’s 4th Annual International Day of Friendship
1-5pm
Brooklyn Borough Hall and Columbus Park, Brooklyn
All ages
Happy Friendship Day! Celebrate the warm and fuzzy feeling of having friends by celebrating at this festival and who knows–maybe you’ll even make new friends. Bring the kiddos to learn about the magic of diversity and embracing other cultures while having fun. This exciting festival kicks off with a roaring parade to get the family hyped for a great day ahead. Bring all your friends and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Kids & The Classics: “Henry IV, Part 1”
4:30-6:30pm
Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City
Workshop: ages 4-12; performance: all ages
Take in an Elizabethan Era play by watching a Shakespeare in the park rendition of the tragic and dramatic “Henry IV, Part 1.” Bring the fam to enjoy unexpected marriages, epic battles, and mistaken identities all while taking part in an interactive workshop. It’s never too late to teach the classics!

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Joe's Music & Dance Academy

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Chickenshed NYC

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed&rsquo;s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change. Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen. Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;