This year’s warm winter and cold spring serve as reminders that our earth’s climate is changing. With Earth Day coming up on Friday, April 22, take some time this spring to celebrate our planet and help make it a cleaner place for generations to come.
Friday, April 15-Sunday, April 17
Green Festival Expo at the Jacob Javits Center
Friday, 12-6pm; Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm
Single-day passes start at $12; Free for kids under 16
The Green Festival Expo is the largest sustainability and green living event in the country, and it’s returning to the Jacob Javits Center on West 34th Street for the fifth year. Reserve tickets for just one day, the weekend, or all three days of fun. Check out over 250 exhibits, listen to dozens of inspirational speakers, gulp down the best vegan and vegetarian food in the city, and find out more information on the coolest and newest nonprofits in your area. Kids under 16 get in free! greenfestivals.org
Sunday, April 17
Earth Day at Fort Tryon Park
10am-2pm
Free
Calling all amateur gardeners! On Sunday, April 17, Fort Tryon Park is hosting an Earth Day celebration where volunteers from all over the city will come together to install new plants all over the park. It is free to attend; plants, tools and gear will be provided – just bring enthusiasm, a love for green things and long pants! nycgovparks.org
Earth Day in Prospect Park
1-4pm
Free
Head down to Brooklyn’s historic Prospect Park for an afternoon of outdoor fun and Earth Day celebrations. There will be fishing lessons, including tutorials on how to tie a fishing knot, attaching bait, and casting–all catch and release, of course. Channel your inner naturalist with the Audubon Center as they show how to identify the myriad of birds that live in the park and city. Finally, get rid of trash and rock out at the same time by transforming recycled materials in to instruments. nycgovparks.org
Earth Day at Union Square
12-7pm
Free
Since 1970, Earth Day has unified communities and inspired environmental change. Come celebrate at one of the busiest Earth Day events in the country at Earth Day New York in Union Square. Enjoy exhibits, performances, interactive displays, and children’s activities, and learn more about the people and organizations doing green work in the city. Plus, learn more about Earth Day Initiative’s campaign to promote greener modes of transport in our great city! earthdayinitiative.org
Friday, April 22
Earth Day at the New York Botanical Garden
10am-5:30pm
Included with All-Garden Pass admission
What better place to celebrate Earth Day in New York City than at the New York Botanical Garden? Explore the garden through Earth-friendly activities, and enjoy a special screening of “Seeds of Time,” which shows how climate change impacts the food we eat. nybg.org
Friday, April 22-Sunday, April 24
Earth Day Weekend Festival at the Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo
11am-4pm
Free with Zoo admission
Celebrate Earth Day this weekend with the animals that share our planet during the Earth Day Weekend Festival at the Bronx Zoo! All ages can go on nature walks, explore a fabulous Earth Fair, participate in zookeeper chats and craft activities, and much more. bronxzoo.com
Friday, April 22-Friday, April 29
Celebrate Earth Week with the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
10am-5pm
Free with museum admission
Bring the kids to BCM for a weeklong festival celebrating Planet Earth! Help paint a green mural in the Totally Tots Studio, learn about composting in BCM’s greenhouse, learn about and touch animals from the museum’s living collection, and more! brooklynkids.org
Saturday, April 23
Good Earth Day in Chinatown
11am-4pm
Free
Head to Chinatown for a fun day of beautifying the neighborhood. Headquartered at Kimlau Square, on Chatham Square, bring old clothing, paired shoes, linens, belts and handbags for donation and keep the landfills from growing bigger. Learn about recycling and green living, plant flowers, and help remove graffiti. chinatownpartnership.org
Sunday, April 24
Arbor Fest at Queens Botanical Garden
11am-6pm
$10 adults & seniors; $8 children; free for members
Celebrate Earth Week at the Queens Botanical Garden’s annual Arbor Fest! Attendees will get to see planting and composting demonstrations, take part in a garden tour, and join a Tree Walk led by arborist Frank Buddingh. Kids will love the animal rides, face painting, storytelling with a professional puppeteer, and a bubble performance. There will be bouncy houses, live music and a beer garden (inside the actual garden!). Admission includes all rides and attractions. queensbotanical.org
