Free Family Events This Weekend! (August 4-6)

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Hindu Lamp Ceremony will take place this Saturday! Photo by Julienne Schaer via brooklynbridgepark.org.

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

Friday, August 4

The Big Latch On
9-11am
Times Square (West 46th Street and Broadway)
All ages
Gather around fellow mommies as you participate in an empowering event. Moms will gather for a breastfeeding seminar and offer peer support in honor of World Breastfeeding Week. Bring the kids on over as well to teach them about the importance of a natural way of life.

Beginning Saturday, August 5

Summer Streets 2017
7am-1pm
Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park (along Park Avenue and connecting streets)
All ages
Take advantage of Summer Streets, the annual summer festival that gives New Yorkers the chance to stroll and play on completely traffic-free city streets. On three Saturdays in August, the New York City Department of Transportation will close seven miles of streets to cars, allowing walkers, runners, and bikers to enjoy the open space. This encouragement of healthy transportation takes place from 7am-1pm and stretches from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. A variety of activities will take place at the six stops along the route and all are free to the public, including a zip line, free bike and roller blade rentals, fitness classes, and a giant “Beachside Slide” in Foley Square. Runs Saturdays through August 19.

Saturday, August 5

Adoptapalooza
12-5pm
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
All ages
Are you considering adopting a pet? Here’s your chance! Meet wonderful cats, dogs, and even rabbits up for adoption at the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals’ Adoptapalooza in Prospect Park. This free event will feature activities such as pet care advice, training, grooming, product giveaways, microchipping, a Kids’ Korner, and much more. This event will take place rain or shine.

Hindu Lamp Ceremony
4pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
All ages
The traditional Hindu lamp ceremony, or the Aarti ceremony, will be presented in Brooklyn Bridge Park this Saturday in anticipation of hurricane season. Learn more about this tradition by taking part in the ceremony as well as the percussion ensemble. Along with the ensemble, there will also be guest artists showcasing their projects. It’s sure to be an educational and cultural afternoon.

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Ranger’s Choice: Little Red Lighthouse Lantern Tour
8-9:30pm
Fort Washington Park
All ages
This Saturday, join NYC’s Park Rangers for a special evening tour of a Manhattan landmark! The Rangers will lead participants through the Jefferey’s Hook Lighthouse, which became known as the “Little Red Lighthouse” due to the popularity of Hildegarde H. Swift’s classic children’s book. Space is limited; registration is required and participants will be chosen via lottery.

Saturday, August 5-Sunday, August 6

Kids Rule 2017
12-5pm
Lehman College, Bronx
All ages
Kids rule! Groove, move, and prove your dancing skills in a weekend-long family event. Bronx families come together for two days creating friendships and bringing the community closer through theatre, music, magic, ponies, and much more.

Sunday, August 6

Brooklyn’s 4th Annual International Day of Friendship
1-5pm
Brooklyn Borough Hall and Columbus Park, Brooklyn
All ages
Happy Friendship Day! Celebrate the warm and fuzzy feeling of having friends by celebrating at this festival and who knows–maybe you’ll even make new friends. Bring the kiddos to learn about the magic of diversity and embracing other cultures while having fun. This exciting festival kicks off with a roaring parade to get the family hyped for a great day ahead. Bring all your friends and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Kids & The Classics: “Henry IV, Part 1”
4:30-6:30pm
Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City
Workshop: ages 4-12; performance: all ages
Take in an Elizabethan Era play by watching a Shakespeare in the park rendition of the tragic and dramatic “Henry IV, Part 1.” Bring the fam to enjoy unexpected marriages, epic battles, and mistaken identities all while taking part in an interactive workshop. It’s never too late to teach the classics!

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Elf the Musical

They'll sing loud for all to hear. You can bring the Christmas cheer. Start decking the halls, people &ndash; it's Elf The Musical! After a decade away, the beloved holiday classic is back on Broadway for a strictly limited run. Whether you&rsquo;re searching for the perfect stocking stuffer or a festive outing for the whole family, this family-friendly show is packed with joy, laughter, and snow-covered magic. A musical comedy adaptation of the hit 2003 film, Elf The Musical follows Buddy the orphan who, after being raised by elves at the North Pole, embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and help the people he meets rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Academy Award&reg; nominee Sean Astin ("Lord of the Rings") is Santa Claus alongside Tony Award&reg; nominee Grey Henson as Buddy, Drama Desk Award nominee Ashley Brown as Emily, and rising star Kayla Davion as Jovie. Plus, keep an eye out for social media celebrity Kalen Allen &ndash; known for his appearances on "The Ellen Show" &ndash; as the hilarious store manager. Called &ldquo;a slickly irresistible and fizzily enjoyable confection of a show&rdquo; (Time Out), this holly-jolly hit is one you won't want to miss. Through January 4 only!

The Music Institute of Long Island

Established in 1990, the Music Institute of Long Island (MILI) is a classical music school staffed by exceptional instructors from many of the most prestigious conservatories and graduate music schools in the United States and Europe. Long Island&rsquo;s foremost musical academies, its instrumental programs include violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone and voice classes. MILI has been voted # 1 BEST MUSIC SCHOOL Consistently.&nbsp; They teach the Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods. Students participate in All-National, All-Eastern, All-State, youth orchestras, and score highly in NYSSMA and Royal Academy Music Festivals. First prize winners of competitions earn solos at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras. MILI offers Fall/Spring semesters plus Summer Sessions. Semesters include 15-17 weeks of private lessons, solo recitals with a final GALA Concert featuring chamber music. About the Directors: Carol &amp; Geri Kushner: The sisters are violinists, violists, chamber coaches &amp; performers. They believe in instilling the love of music, &nbsp;fostering proficiency, success, confidence &amp; believe all MILI students achieve success. Degrees BM, MM (+), K-12 certifications, attended Manhattan School of Music, Queens College &amp; Stonybrook University.They have been adjunct professors at Syracuse University, Aaron Copland School of Music Pre-College &amp; Five Towns Colleges, Stonybrook University &amp; have taught in L.I. public schools.

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.