12 Family-Friendly Summer Festivals in NYC
Summer is practically here, and what better way to spend days of warmer weather than at a local festival with your family! Get the family out of the house and indulge in the wonders of amusement rides, local vendors, and more in celebration of the community. Scattered both in and out of NYC, there are several exciting summer festivals that are sure to be a day to remember!
Looking to get out of the house and admire the beautiful nature that NYC has to offer? Check out The Best Places to Enjoy Nature in NYC 2022
FAD Market
King Avenue, New York
June 18th – June 19th, 2022
Head on over to Governors Island for this monthly market on the third weekend of each month running from May to October. They feature a lineup of over 30 local makers, designers, artists, and small businesses selling a variety of handcrafted items ranging from jewelry to artisanal packaged food. Take a short ferry ride over, try some delicious food at nearby food trucks, and make a day of it!
Hudson River Flicks
Pier 63 & 46
July 10th- August 23rd, 2022
Hudson RiverFlicks summer hosts beautiful sunset showings of family favorite films! Located along two piers, bring a blanket and get cozy and relax. Pier 63 features movie classics and Pier 46 offers more family-friendly features. This is the perfect outdoor experience for families of all sizes all summer long. Be sure to check out their showtime schedule to see what movies are in store for this summer!
Museum Mile Festival
5th Avenue from 82nd Street to 105th Street
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
The Museum Mile Festival is one of NYC’s biggest block parties hosted by a number of your favorite museums. Experience museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Design Museum, and the Jewish Museum for an evening like no other. And if museums aren’t your thing, art-related activities, musicians, and other attractions will be found along the avenue!
Summer on the Hudson
475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Events Occurring All Summer Long
NYC Parks’ annual outdoor arts and culture festival is back this summer at Riverside Park! Enjoy a family-friendly carnival filled with concerts, performances, wellness activities, shows, and more. Almost all programs are free and welcome to the community, there will be something in store for everyone throughout the summer! Check out their schedule located on their website with the line-up of fun activities in store.
Asian Creatives + Entrepreneurs: Celebr-Asian of Love Pop-Up Market
268 36th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Saturday, June 25-26, 2022
268 36th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Come over and enjoy a pop-up event hosted by Asian Creatives & Entrepreneurs (AC*E). This celebration of AAPI culture and local artists will be filled with over 40 local Asian artists promoting their work to broader communities. All sorts of artisan crafts will be there, so be prepared to come home with anything from new artwork, jewelry, and more!
Smorgasborg
Fridays: WTC, 185 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10006
Saturdays: Jersey City, Harborside Pl, at Hudson St.
Sundays: Prospect Park, Breeze Hill, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Williamsburg location opens in June
The iconic Smorgasborg event generally kicks off the “start” of summer for many New Yorkers as it is the largest weekly open-air food market in the country! Spend the day with your family walking around and visiting what NYC has to offer. Try a variety of delicious foods from a plethora of local vendors!
Astoria Park Carnival
Corner of Hoyt Ave N and 19th St, Astoria, NY 11102
June 1 – June 5, 2022
If you are on the lookout for a fun summer outing in Queens, look no further than the Astoria Park Carnival! Guests of all ages will be able to ride the carnivals LED-enhanced rides while also enjoying the many games and activities they have to offer. Families can also enjoy going around and enjoying the delicious fair food that is always a crowd favorite!
Empire State Fair
1255 Hempstead Turnpike Uniondale, New York 11553
June 30th – July 10th, 2022
Located at Nassau Live Center is the Empire State Fair! With so much entertainment, this is an awesome day experience for the family. Check out the Big Top Circus, Kid Bucks game Show, and exotic animals at their zoo. With many amusement rides, this is a thrilling festival. Plus, each Saturday night ends with a spectacular firework show for all to enjoy. This is a carnival of pure fun!
The Long Island Greek Festival
110 Cathedral Ave, Hempstead, NY 11550
June 2-5, 2022
The Long Island Greek Festival has not been welcoming families for two years due to the pandemic but now they are back and better than ever! This festival has a little something for everyone, with fun rides & games to keep the kiddos entertained while the parents enjoy live music, shopping, and trying some Greek, Cypriot and American cuisine. Admission and parking are free and the festival will be held rain or shine.
Long Island FunFest
Crooked Hill Rd, Brentwood, NY 11717
June 9-26, 2022
Known for being the largest fair on the island, Long Island FunFest is the place to be this summer! This festival has a huge lineup of free shows and entertainment, including performances from The World Famous Royal Hanneford Circus and the Kid Bucks Game show. Families can also spend the day riding the 30 rides and attractions they have on the midway.
Mattituck Strawberry Festival
1105 North Rd, Mattituck, NY 11952
June 15-19, 2022
For all of the strawberry lovers out there, make sure to make your way to the Mattituck Strawberry Festival. The North Fork strawberry crop reaches its peak during the middle of June and at the festival, families can try the strawberries anyway they like! After enjoying your strawberry treats, head over to the carnival ride, enjoy some live music, or take a look at what local vendors are selling! Once the sun sets families can also stick around for the beautiful fireworks display.
State Fair Meadowlands
June 23rd – July 10th, 2022
The annual State Fair Meadowlands is back and better than ever! Load up your day with a number of fun activities that kids and parents will love. All ages will enjoy what this fair has to offer like their Ski Lift, thrilling coasters, and even a 120-food gondola wheel. Little ones will be excited to experience their very own Kiddie Land made just for them. Get ready for a day of good food, good rides, animals, and more!
