Brooklyn Bridge Park Celebrates 15 Years with Full Summer Lineup of Free and Low-Cost Events

Bridge Park Celebrates 15 Years with Full Summer Lineup of Free and Low-Cost Events

There is so much going on at Brooklyn Bridge Park this summer!

Each year, when May rolls around, New York City parents (already knee-deep in the whirlwind of end-of-school tasks!) often find ourselves wondering how we’ll keep the kids entertained all summer. Brooklyn Bridge Park’s summer program line-up just might have some of the answers.

This year marks the park’s 15th anniversary, and the celebration spans from May through October, with more than 50 free or low-cost events lined up across its waterfront. The season is packed with something for nearly every age and interest, including open-air movies, ballet workshops, kayaking, music and community science.

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Here’s what’s in store this summer:

Arts, Culture, and Kites

The season launches with one of their favorite events, The Kite Festival, on Saturday, May 17, at Pier 5. Kites fly high while set to music, and kids can do crafts and play lawn games.

Interactive workshops include DanceAfrica Community Class on May 24, where kids can learn movement from the African Diaspora in an outdoor dance session.

On May 31, the American Ballet Theatre Family Workshop will offer a hands-on ballet experience for children ages 4–12. The workshop includes a fun warm-up session and a performance excerpt, giving kids a little taste of the world of ballet.

Sounds at Sunset returns with a multi-genre music series, which is great for picnic dinners. Other unique family-friendly happenings include the Hindu Lamp Ceremony on August 16, plus the Harvest Festival later in the fall on October 18.

The Park’s outdoor movie series, Movies With a View, is back and celebrating its own anniversary – 25 years! This year’s theme is Women in Hollywood, and the series will run for eight Thursday evenings in July and August. The full lineup is yet to be announced, but you can expect the usual mix of classics and crowd-pleasers, and all are free.

Families Can Get Moving

Older teens and parents can find group exercise activities in the park all summer long. Zumba, yoga, and Pilates classes are scheduled across the week from May to September. Pilates takes place on Sunday mornings, and yoga is offered on Tuesday evenings at sunset.

If you’re looking for active time on the water, Pier 4 Beach has free public kayaking multiple days a week through summer, and equipment is included. The park also runs family kayaking days on Sundays and offers a Youth Kayak Program for older kids (ages 11–18) in camps or school groups.

There are also multiple ways to keep kids active over the summer. Youth basketball clinics, soccer leagues, and a Juneteenth 5K are included in the schedule.

Bridge Park Celebrates 15 Years with Full Summer Lineup of Free and Low-Cost Events — Photo Credit: Etienne Frossard

Hands-On Learning: Science, Nature, and Sustainability

Brooklyn Bridge Park also keeps the learning going throughout the summer, and brings kids outside to learn through doing.

The Environmental Education Center has weekly open hours on Thursdays through Saturdays with education-based activities. Seasonal programs like Community Science Fishing and Seining give kids an up-close look at New York City’s waterfront ecology.

For older kids, the TIDES program offers teens a way to learn about sustainability and earn community service hours through real-world projects.

It’s wild to remember that Brooklyn Bridge Park wasn’t even here 20 years ago. What used to be crumbling piers and empty space is now 85 acres of public parkland. This summer’s schedule is a reminder of how far it’s come.