Free Family Events This Weekend! (May 12-14)

The 3rd Annual Hudson River Park Games will take place this Saturday! Photo via hudsonriverparkgames.org.

Have an amazing weekend without opening your wallet! For even more activity inspiration, check out our Weekend Planner.

Through Monday, June 19

“Twenty Five Hours” Exhibit
8am-11pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
All Ages
The works of popular New York City-based artist Jesse Chun will be on display in the Community Room and entry gallery at 99 Plymouth in Brooklyn Bridge Park through June 19. “Twenty Five Hours,” part of the continuing program of local art displayed in the park, encourages visitors to explore the exhibition of paintings and prints that “transform site-specific data into visual poems.” Born from Chun’s research-intensive data collection on the Brooklyn Waterfront and the East River’s tides, the text-based canvas paintings and paper and organza prints result in an installation that is visually engaging and breathtaking.

Friday, May 12

United We Swing
10:30-11:30am
Columbus Circle Park to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall
All Ages
On Friday, May 12th, more than 300 high school jazz musicians, band directors, and parents will be joined by world-renowned musician and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s managing and artistic director Wynton Marsalis, as well as musicians and community members, for United We Swing, a “Second Line” Parade from Columbus Circle Park to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, in celebration and support of arts programs and arts education nationwide.

The Piano Recital: A Journey Through Time
7pm
Bloomingdale School of Music
All Ages
Take a journey through music’s timeline, as Allison Lander presents piano pieces spanning the 18th to the 20th Century! Rachmaninov, Bach, and other notable composers will be featured.

Saturday, May 13

3rd Annual Hudson River Park Games
9:30am-4pm
Hudson River Park
All Ages
Ring in the beginning of summer in New York City with the Hudson River Park Games! This event brings together the general public to participate in games, stop by at a wellness station, do some yoga, and, of course, enjoy the scenery. Registration is required for this event and competitors as well as spectators are all welcome to attend. See event website for specific details on registration and fees.

Dinosaur Day at Jurassic Playground
10am-1pm
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
All Ages
Enjoy this fun dinosaur-themed day in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Children of all ages and their dinosaur costumes are welcome to enjoy face painting and other arts & crafts activities at Jurassic Playground.

Go Fish! Festival
10am-2pm
Wagner Park
All Ages
Gather in Wagner Park this Saturday for a fishing festival! All ages are welcome to participate in catch-and-release fishing sessions led by master anglers. Visitors can learn about the Hudson River’s marine life and catch their own fish using barbless hooks. The day’s festivities will also include an arts and crafts workshop, a bird-watching class, and a special performance by Arm-of-the-Sea Theater. All equipment including rods, reels, bait, and binoculars will be provided.

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New York Bike Jumble
10am-4pm
Washington/JJ Bryne Park, Brooklyn
All Ages
Enter this bargain bonanza, where bicycles–and anything related to them–are for sale. New bikes, old bikes, helmets, accessories, and everything else will be up for grabs. So be sure to come out and fulfill your cycling needs!

Catch the Cool: City Through Our Senses
11am-4pm
The Queens Museum, Queens
All Ages
Join the Queens Museum for its annual Catch the Cool family festival this Saturday! Families with children of all ages are invited to this free drop-in event for a gallery hunt, live performances, bilingual story time, photo ops in the photo booth, a kid’s yoga session, and more. Plus, museum admission will be free all day!

Make Some Noise: A Celebration of Women and Music
5-9pm
Riverside Park
All Ages
This free concert celebrates women and music in combination with Summer on the Hudson. Join NYC college students for singing, jazz, pop, and other genres of music in the park! Featured artists set to take the stage include Zoe Alleyn, FogoAzulNYC, Yingjia, and others. Bring a blanket, bring friends, and enjoy the show.

Sunday, May 14

Japan Day
9:30am-4pm
Central Park
All Ages
This Sunday, gather in the Bandshell Area at Central Park to celebrate the 11th annual Japan Day NYC. Start the day with a 4-mile mini-marathon and kids’ races, then enjoy a variety of traditional Japanese cuisine and family-friendly activities, as well as stage performances all day long.

“Ten Thousand Birds” Performance
3-4:30pm
Morningside Park
All Ages
Celebrate spring this Sunday during an immersive musical performance in Morningside Park. This outdoor performance of John Luther Adams’ “Ten Thousand Birds“ will be performed by the 20-member Alarm Will Sound ensemble with music director Alan Pierson. Attendees can enjoy the music as they walk because performers will be placed throughout Morningside Park to mimic the sounds of a forest as they play material inspired by bird songs of the Eastern Hardwood Forest.

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Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;

Advantage QuickStart Tennis

A proven teaching method, customized by age and ability for ages 3 and up. Special kid-sized racquets and playing area, plus slower-bouncing balls, make it fun from day one!

Instituto Cervantes

Children and teenagers learn to understand and express themselves in Spanish, while improving their communication skills through a dynamic immersion program taught by NATIVE TEACHERS that combines CLASSES, ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS and FUN ACTIVITIES! All of our high-qualified teachers are native Spanish speakers who adapt the structure of the class to the needs and levels of each group while conducting the classes entirely in Spanish. We offer both Spanish Summer Camps and Regular Courses for children along the year to foster language learning and multicultural understanding.