Calling all pet lovers: It’s animal galore this weekend with the chance to meet the world’s most formidable spiders, dress up Fido for a pet fashion show, and play with turtles and snails along the water. Other highlights for this weekend include plenty of dance parties, literary celebrations, and a cool new exhibit of 100 years of toys.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Celebrate good times at the 30th Annual Festival Santiago Apostol, an East Harlem Spanish and Caribbean fete with stuffed platanos, shopping, and live entertainment. C’mon!
SATURDAY
In honor of our talented athletes competing in London this summer, the Scholastic Store is hosting a Going for the Gold! storytime and sports day with a limbo tournament, pass-the-torch relay, and other Games-themed festivities.
For more active fun, hop over to the TAMA Summer Fest, where an on-site DJ, jazz band, and drum group provide lively background for African dance classes and hula hoop demos. Pet lovers, be sure to catch the cat and dog fashion show.
Soak up the sun on Family Day at Lincoln Center Out of Doors and be dazzled by music from countries as far-flung as Turkey. Don’t miss vaudeville favorites from the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, amazing acrobatics from Chinese American Arts Council, or the human arts installation known as Tangle.
Ahoy, mini-mateys! Pen Parentis’ special children’s literary festival takes the party out onto the waters aboard a historic steamboat. On the Lilac, enjoy three hours of storytime, mini golf, and crafts.
Budding marine biologists have the chance to play with turtles and snails and learn about all things sea life at Alley Pond’s Down By The Bay Marine Day.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Looking for more animal time? Meet the creepiest, crawliest arachnids at the American Museum of Natural History, whose all-new “Spiders Alive!” exhibit will put you face to face with the infamous black widow and spindly African whip spider with 10-inch feelers.
Put on your architectural hats for climbing and exploring all sorts of construction vehicles at the Liberty Science Center’s All About Construction Day.
The inventive spirit continues at the New York Hall of Science, which is amping up to its September fair with a month of Makers Weekends. This week, test your upcycling skills with the museum’s Bucket of Junk or build your own bubble-blowing contraption for decorating a giant mural.
SUNDAY
Get a dose of artsy excitement with a tour through 100 whopping years of toys, furniture, and all other things childhood at the MoMA’s new “Century of The Child” exhibit. Get a glimpse of the first Barbie Dream House and a take a seat in the larger-than-life Tripp Trapp chair installation.
Comic magic shows, percussion workshops, and one mean dance party — it’s all here at the SummerStage Kids Queens Family Day in Springfield Park. Rock on!
BONUS TIP
Not just for farmers: The Warren County Farmers Fair is back bigger than ever to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Though they require a short family jaunt from the city, this weekend’s Hot Air Balloon Festival, tractor pulls, Mud Bog competition, and other carnival affairs will make it all worth it.
