Have we got a heapin’ helpin’ of summer fun for you this week! Take a trip back to medieval times, cool off with a day on the waterfront, play some snappy street games, have a joyful jazz experience, or party at a marvelous museum. You have so many choices and a whole week to schedule in as much fun as you and your family can pack in. Happy Monday!
Friday, July 17
Medieval Times
Victorian Gardens
6pm-9pm
Hear ye, hear ye! Travel back to a time when knights protected kingdoms and chivalry prevailed. This Friday, Medieval Times will take over Central Park’s Victorian Gardens Amusement Park. All ages can watch the jester perform magic, knights sword fight, and court musicians play medieval music. There will also be face painting, contests, giveaways, and much more. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. The rain date for this event is Friday, July 24.
Saturday, July 18
City of Water Day
Governors Island, Maxwell Place Park in Hoboken, NJ
10am-4pm
This Saturday, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance (MWA) will celebrate the New York City and New Jersey waterfront with festivities centered on Governors Island and Hoboken’s Maxwell Place Park. The celebration boasts hundreds of fun and instructive waterfront activities, providing an educational and festive day for the entire family. If you’re craving action, you can partake in cardboard kayak races or canoeing and free boat tours. If you’d prefer to stay dry and take in the views of the harbor instead, you can check out the learning stations sponsored by the Bronx Children’s Museum, Disney, the Brooklyn Public Library, and others. For those in the mood for a summer stroll, walk around Governors Island’s lush grass and stop to learn about different bodies of water and how to protect the environment, and preserve water, at various informational booths. This event is free. Food will be available for purchase.
Come Out & Play Family Day
Governors Island
11am-4pm
The Come Out & Play Festival, which is dedicated to the playing of street games, is hosting a free Family Day on Governors Island. All games revolve around this year’s theme: Time travel. Play games from the past, present, and future during this afternoon of outdoor family fun and competition! Pre-schoolers can also get in on the action with a new area designed specifically for them by the TV show “Poppy Cat.” Recommended for families with kids between the ages of 6 and 11. Games will run multiple times throughout the day. This event is free.
WeBop Family Jazz Party: WeBop Jam Session
Varis Leichtman Studio, Lincoln Center
1pm & 3pm
Families with children of all ages can learn about jazz instruments during this special edition of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s WeBop Family Jazz Party. Mr. Tim and the WeBop Family Band will introduce young jazz lovers to horns, drums, and other instruments found in jazz bands, and then play an improv jam session that won’t soon be forgotten! Tickets are $25.
Sunday, July 19
The Rubin Block Party
The Rubin Museum
1pm-4pm
Join The Rubin Museum this Sunday for its epic Block Party! The museum will celebrate its latest exhibit “Becoming Another: The Power of Masks” with an afternoon of free family-friendly activities, live performances and food. Children can get creative with arts and crafts such as mask-making and origami, snap a family pic in the photo booth, compete in the costume contest, and relax during an outdoor family yoga session. There will also be performances from Ajna Dance, Brooklyn Raga Massive, and others. All day, museum admission will be free. This event is free and will be held rain or shine.
