Weekend Planner: The Best Weekend Events For Families (August 3-5)

Enjoy a night of fun with a performance that combines the Wild West and musicals as part of the New York Musical Festival! In this show, the Wild West is a backdrop for a tale about love, loss, and hope. Plus, it’s family-friendly. nymf.org

Enjoy a night of mystery with “Between the Sea and Sky” as part of the New York Musical Festival. Two sisters uncover a terrible chapter of local history, but the story doesn’t end there. nymf.org

Catch the giant Gummy Tree on the High Line, and sample Black Forest’s gummies and fruit snacks bursts among the elevated park. This pop-up plant will be open on Thursday from 7-11pm and on Friday from 8:30am-11pm. blackforestusa.com

image: mediapost.com

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 five 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 dog park and agility course. nyc.gov

image: nyc.gov

Join the neighborhood for a fun-filled day packed with activities. We Are Brooklyn is presented by the Intergenerational Community Arts Council, led by Artist-in-Residence Najee Omar. Great for all ages, your family can enjoy live music, create art, play games and sports, and far more. The day includes slam poetry performances, community yoga, an Afro-Haitian dance workshop (among other dance classes), a pop-up market, a photo booth, double-dutch, and numerous other activities. eventbrite.com

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. brooklynbridgepark.org

image: insidernyc.com

Grab the kids, a meal, and a blanket to enjoy this free annual jazz event. Swing dance right on the grass! Enter at the Great Hill (106th Street and Central Park West). centralparknyc.org

Enjoy awesome live music while taking a spin on the rides of Coney Island at the Coney Island Music Festival. Featured performers include Shannon Shaw, The Veldt, Pow Pow Family Band, and Public Practice. The free festival will also host lots of vendors, games, and food. cimusicfestival.com

image: kenoraonline.com

Happy Friendship Day! Celebrate the warm and fuzzy feeling of having friends by celebrating at this festival and who knows–maybe 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! brooklyn-usa.org

image: bklyner.com

Come and join 92Y on the journey of the high-spirited and fearless Little Red as she ventures into the country to deliver her grandmother a very special and delicious cake. Unbeknownst to Red, there is an extraordinarily hungry cake-eating wolf who will stop at nothing to get the homemade dessert. And that may include putting Red and her grandmother on the menu. With an original score and songs, 10 dancers magically bring to life the colorful and tasty characters of this timeless tale. 92y.org