August is here! This week’s overview of kid-friendly summer activities in Brooklyn includes a Bollywood dance event at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, performances by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus in Red Hook and Prospect Heights, Sprinkler Saturday at Vanderbilt Open Streets, a family-friendly basketball event hosted by NY Liberty in Brooklyn Bridge Park, plus a celebration of World SteelPan Day and a Hindu Lamp Ceremony, also in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Brooklyn Public Library is also celebrating the Olympics with watch parties, crafts, games, and more!
Kids Olympics Watch Party at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Get excited for the 2024 Paris Olympics! Join us in the craft room to view a few hours of Olympic events such as gymnastics, soccer, diving, and more. This program will be come and go, so feel free to drop by for just a little bit or hang out with us for the full time!
Free Admission Days @ Pier 2 Roller Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, August 11 | 10am-12pm
Pier 2 Roller Rink offers free admission hours on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays. Roller skate with amazing views of the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan! Skate rental is $8 per person.
Coastal Cleanup | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Monday, August 5 & Wednesday, August 7 | 5:30-7:30pm | All ages; under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian | Register here
Volunteers, as a group, cleanup our coastlines by helping to remove debris that has washed into the marshes and beaches with the tides. No volunteer orientation or experience is required, but note that this activity may involve some rock scrambling.
Move and Groove Mondays at Atlantic Terminal Mall | Downtown Brooklyn
Monday, August 5 | 6:30-7:30pm
Tiny Storytime @ Books Are Magic | Cobble Hill & Brooklyn Heights
Tuesday, August 6 | 11am | 225 Smith Street in Cobble Hill
Thursday, August 8 | 11am | 122 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights
Join Book Are Magic for Tiny Storytime for ages 6-36 months, every Tuesday in Cobble Hill and Thursday in Brooklyn Heights!
National Night Out | Various Locations
Tuesday, August 6 | Various Times
National Night out is an annual event that promotes neighborhood camaraderie and police-community partnerships. Check out one of these community events hosted by the NYPD in Brooklyn, with family-friendly activities including free food, games, rides, music, and more!
- 11am-6pm: 77th Precinct in Brower Park | Crown Heights
- 11am-7pm: 88th Precinct in Underwood Park | Clinton Hill
- 12-8pm: 79th Precinct in Restoration Plaza | Bed Stuy
- 3-6pm: 83rd Precinct on Menahan Street | Bushwick
- 4-7pm: 76th Precinct in Coffey Park | Red Hook
- 4-8pm: 90th Precinct at W. Sheridan Playground | Williamsburg
- 4-8pm: 94th Precinct on Lorimer Street | Greenpoint
- 4:30-9pm: 84th Precinct in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5 | Brooklyn Heights
Perspective: A Photography Class at Brower Park Library in the Brooklyn Children’s Museum | Crown Heights
Tuesday, August 6 | 1-3pm | Ages 12-18
In this program, teens will have the opportunity to engage in visual conversations related to identity, community, and social justice through the art of photography. Participants will learn about documentary photography and the history of photography in social justice in order to develop a better understanding of the power of the photographic image. They will be provided cameras that they will use to create conversations related to matters important to them and to learn how to bring awareness and share information through photographs.
Comics with Mr. Nick at Red Hook Interim Library | Red Hook
Come to the brand new Red Hook Interim Library on Van Brunt St. to learn something new or indulge your love of drawing this summer. You will be drawing and learning about art from Mr. Nick. Topics such as how to make comic books, cartoons, and graphic novels will be covered. Mr. Nick is a professional artist who has created and published his own series of comic books. Don’t miss out. Beginners are always welcome! All supplies will be provided.
Jack and Friends Summer Concert Series: Hopalong Andrew in the Park Slope Library’s Garden | Park Slope
Join us for our Jack and Friends Summer concert series! This week our performer is Hopalong Andrew! Hopalong Andrew is an American Western and Folk music singer and humorist who revisions classic cowboy and folk songs to playfully reflect city life for urban cowpokes.This program will have registration that will open 24 hours before the program begins. In the case of inclement weather, the program will be moved to our auditorium and only those registered will be admitted entry.
RESCHEDULED DUE TO FORECASTED RAIN: Insect Light Trapping | Governors Island
RESCHEDULED for Tuesday, August 13 | 7:30-9:30pm | Register here
Join the Governors Island Nature program for a special nighttime community science activity contributing to the ecological knowledge of the Island! Light trapping is an effective way to learn about and identify insects that are not as active during the day. By using ultraviolet light in a non-lit area, we will be able to attract night-flying insects, including moths and beetles, to a lightweight sheet, where we can observe specimens and collect data using the iNaturalist app.
Dance and Music with Cumbe | Fort Greene Park
Wednesday, August 7 | 10-11am | RSVP here
Join us for dance workshops hosted in partnership with the Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance! No prior dance experience needed. This event is family-friendly, and kids are encouraged to join us. All ages are welcome. Watch master artists perform, then experience the joy and learn the movements through a class and a dance jam. On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, join for an Afro Modern/ Dunham Informed Jazz class with Candice Michelle Franklin.
Back-to-School Party & Backpack Giveaway at Kings Theatre Courtyard | Flatbush
Come celebrate the upcoming school year with us and our generous community partners with giveaways, music, and fun. This event is free and open to the community (supplies are limited, so first come, first served). With generous support and donations from the event partners, attendees will be able to pick up free book bags and school supplies including pencils, folders, notepads, and more for students returning to the classroom this September. Supplies are limited, and community members are encouraged to arrive early.
Free Admission at New York Aquarium | Coney Island
Wednesday, August 7 | 3-6pm | Reserve tickets here; free tickets are made available at 3pm the Monday before
Take advantage of free admission hours at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The aquarium’s Aquatheater is now reopened after renovations, and the sea lions and their trainers are performing once again! Check out the interactive “Sea Lion Celebration: Sea Lions in the Big City.” Daily schedules here. There’s so much to do while you’re in Coney Island; check out our guide to planning a day trip to Coney Island this summer! Note that advance timed tickets are required; the Wednesday Afternoon Ticket Store will open on Monday at 3:00 pm for that Wednesday’s reservations. Do not come to the aquarium without a reserved ticket! There’s a maximum of 4 tickets per order.
Library Games: Obstacle Course at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, August 7 | 3:30-4:30pm | Ages 8-12 | Register here
Join us for an Olympics themed program for older school age kids in the multipurpose room! Put your athletic abilities to test with this challenging BPL original obstacle course! Run off some energy, make new friends, and celebrate summer reading with us! Who will come out on top? Join us to find out! Registration required.
Atlantic Terminal Summer Salsa Nights | Downtown Brooklyn
Wednesday, August 7 | 5-8pm
Get ready to spice up your summer with our Summer Salsa Series at Atlantic Terminal’s outdoor plaza! Join Atlantic Terminal for an unforgettable season of rhythm, dance, and live music every other Wednesday, through August 21st. Free live music by the Cuarteto Guataca & salsa instructions provided by Marlon International.
Outdoor Movies this week:
- Wednesday, August 7 | Dark Toons Short Films Program | Brooklyn Commons Park | Downtown Brooklyn | Followed by Q&A with filmmaker
- Wednesday, August 7 | Big (1988) | Valentino Pier Park | Red Hook | PG
- Wednesday, August 7 | Empire Records (1995) | Fort Greene Park | PG-13
- Thursday, August 8 | Daughters (2024) | Brooklyn Army Terminal | Sunset Park | Followed by Q&A with filmmaker
- Thursday, August 8 | Double Feature: Two comedic films by local Park Slope filmmaker Sue Zarco Kramer: Swipe NYC (2024) and Gray Matters (2007) | 4th Street Plaza | Park Slope
- CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN FORECAST: Thursday, August 8 | But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) | Brooklyn Bridge Park | RATED R: Material may be inappropriate for children
- Thursday, August 8 | The Warriors (1979) | Coney Island Beach | RATED R: Material may be inappropriate for children
- Friday, August 9 | Roll Bounce (2005) | Jackie Robinson Playground | Crown Heights | Join at 3pm before the film screening for roller skating!
- Sunday, August 11 | Poetic Justice (1993) | August 11 | RATED R: Material may be inappropriate for children
Stroller Walk at Prospect Park Audubon Center | Prospect Park
Thursday, August 8 | 10am-12pm
Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11 | 10am-1pm
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs on Thursdays and Fridays at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation. Programming includes:
- Nature Around Us: Enjoy different seasonal discovery stations and nature themed activities that will introduce you to the plants, insects and animals that call the park home. The Lake and Lullwater are home to many plants and animals. Help us to test the water quality and investigate pond samples that are filled with living organisms.
- Animal Encounter: Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection.
- Family Bird Walk: Prospect Park is a stopping point for hundreds of bird species each year! Join us as we search for these amazing creatures and other nature around the park. Binoculars and bird guides are provided.
Visit Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s STEM Makerspace: Nature’s Engineers | Crown Heights
Thursday, August 8 | 2-5pm
Brooklyn Children’s Museum has a new natural science-inspired makerspace, and you can visit it for FREE during Amazon Free Hours on Thursday afternoons! Nature’s Engineers is designed for children to learn from nature and engage in hands-on STEM activities, fostering creativity and critical thinking. Learn more here!
Bollywood Dance at Brooklyn Children’s Museum | Crown Heights
Immerse yourself in the colorful world of Bollywood dance with RBDC, the NYC-based Indian performing arts organization. Join us for a vibrant dance workshop that offers a creative mix of technique, energy, culture – and most of all, fun! Practice expressive movements that are the hallmark of Bollywood dance, hear the stories and cultural significance behind popular Bollywood songs, and act out a fun and energetic dance routine. This program is free and takes place during our Thursday Amazon Free Hours from 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm. You can reserve tickets in advance online or simply walk in on the day of.
Bilingual Storytime in Mandarin | Fort Greene Park
Thursday, August 8 | 4-5pm
Sing, read, and play with librarians from Brooklyn Public Library! Have fun hearing great picture books read aloud and playing with other children during this program featuring guest musical artists from Urban Stages. For children of all ages and their caregivers. This week, Storytime in the Park will feature a bilingual program and host a performer singing in Mandarin. Storytime in the Park will be located at the bottom of the monument stairs in Fort Greene Park’s northwest corner. In case of extreme heat or inclement weather, the program will be held at Walt Whitman Library, 93 St. Edwards St., Brooklyn, NY 11205. Please check the above link before attending.
Live at the Archway: Tracy Bonham & Joshua Reynolds | DUMBO
Thursday, August 8 | Doors at 5pm | Music at 6pm | RSVP here
Live at the Archway is an annual series of free concerts and visual art in the unique setting of the Dumbo Archway. Tracy Bonham is a classically trained violinist and pianist turned alternative singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 1996 with her twice GRAMMY (TM) nominated album, The Burdens of Being Upright (Island Records). “Bonham, from the beginning and increasingly over time, is a riveting, complicated maker of pop music” ~ PopMatters. Joshua Reynolds brings his PhotoGraffix style to the Art Wall.
Vinyl Nights Dance Parties Series: Money Mike + Raw Q at Albee Square | Downtown Brooklyn
Thursday, August 8 | 5-8pm
Get down to the sounds with Vinyl Nights – celebrating, NYC dance, music, club, and DJ culture. The party spun off from the legendary Mobile Mondays! all 45’s night. Experience what it was like to party in NYC in the early 70s, 80s & 90s when DJs played strictly vinyl. Dance to the hits that shaped NYC club culture. Listen to Disco, Funk & Soul, House, Boogie, Latin, and 80’s & 90’s hip-hop. It’s a vibrant, joyful, inclusive dance party and a celebration of everything New York.
Midsummer Nights: Four Evenings of Music at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music | Park Slope
Thursday, August 8 | 6:30pm | RSVP here
As the hot sun sinks, Midsummer Nights will bring another kind of heat to Seventh Ave with four golden-hour concerts on BKCM’s front stoop. This year’s series is curated by rising jazz star and 2023-24 BKCM Jazz Leadership Fellow Melanie Charles andMake Jazz Trill Again, the NYC-based collective she co-founded. Melanie has handpicked a lineup of artists who are expanding the borders of contemporary jazz in NYC, infusing elements of R&B, hip-hop, Latin, African and experimental musical traditions across four concerts that offer something for music lovers of all ages and backgrounds. Limited seating will be available in front of BKCM’s building at 58 Seventh Ave.
First Friday Storytime at Books Are Magic | Cobble Hill
Friday, August 9 | 11-11:30am | Ages 6-36 months
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus’ Flatbed Follies | Red Hook & Prospect Heights
Friday, August 9 | 2pm and 5pm
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus’ Flatbed Follies is an outdoor mobile venue that brings the performing arts into the streets. Developed in response to COVID, Flatbed Follies instantly became a vehicle offering joy and wonder to a recovering world. Performances take place upon innovative parade float stages modified to present circus acts. There is even a calliope wagon providing authentic circus music. Check out this weekend’s performances in Red Hook and Prospect Heights:
- Friday, August 9, 2pm: West 9th St Open Street | Red Hook
- Friday, August 9, 5pm: Vanderbilt Open Streets | Prospect Heights
Kids Create: Olympic Laurels at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Friday, August 9 | 3:30-4:30pm | Ages 4-12
Friday Night Dance: DJ Brina Payne Presents Record Release @ The Plaza at 300 Ashland | Downtown Brooklyn
Friday, August 9 | 5-8pm
Join us on the 2nd Friday of August for one of the best outdoor dance parties NYC has to offer. On August 9, DJ Brina Payne Presents Record Release with special guests, DJ Bles-sed and DJ Kamala. Record Release is a monthly all-vinyl dance party curated by DJ Brina Payne for the discerning music aficionado. Expect to be moved by classics from vintage R&B and Hip Hop to House, Disco, and global grooves. DJ Brina Payne together with DJ Bles-sed and DJ Kamal guarantee an evening of sonic truth!
Vanderbilt Open Streets | Prospect Heights
Friday, August 9, 5-10pm | Saturday, August 10, 12-10pm | Sunday, August 11, 12-5pm
Vanderbilt Avenue’s Open Streets program features activities and performances for the community. Stay up to date on their Instagram to see what live music performances and other programming is coming this weekend! Below are highlights of this weekend:
- Bindlestiff Family Cirkus’ Flatbed Follies | Friday, August 9, 5pm | Bindlestiff Family Cirkus’ Flatbed Follies is an outdoor mobile venue that brings the performing arts into the streets. This weekend, the performance is coming to Vanderbilt Open Streets!
- Sprinkler Saturday | Saturday, August 10, 2-5pm | Join us as we open up the fire hydrant (legally)! We’ll have inflatable pools, water buckets, and reusable water balloons!
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Jesse Royal, Anant Pradhan & Larry McDonald, and Ayanna Heaven | Prospect Park Bandshell
Friday, August 9 | Doors at 6:30pm | Show at 7:30pm | RSVP here
Jesse Royal, a Jamaican reggae sensation hailed for his impeccable rhythms and vivid storytelling, will bring his resonant messages of hope, love, and consciousness to the Bandshell. Icons Anant Pradhan & Larry McDonald are continuing the legacy of early Jamaican innovators and setting the sonic tone for future generations. Ayanna Heaven will kick off the night by spinning a set filled with roots, reggae, afrobeats, and funk.
Live Salsa Music @ Sahadi’s | Industry City | Sunset Park
Every Friday | 6:30-9:30pm
Come join us at Sahadi’s for an unforgettable evening of summer Salsa music. Cuarteto Guataca plays high energy acoustic Son Cubano and Salsa with an old school sound, making people dance in clubs, parks and streets of NYC since 2012. See all upcoming salsa nights here.
Weekly Friday Night Fireworks | Coney Island
Every Friday | Fireworks begin at 9:45pm
Head to the Coney Island boardwalk to catch weekly fireworks kicking off on the Summer Solstice! Arrive early for a trip to neighboring Luna Park, New York Aquarium, or a Brooklyn Cyclones game at Maimonides Park. Check out our summer guide to visiting Coney Island here!
Green Team Volunteering | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, August 10 | 10am-12pm | All ages; under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian | Register here
Green Team volunteers support essential horticultural care in Brooklyn Bridge Park, completing tasks such as weeding, planting and mulching. This is a great opportunity to learn about gardening, enjoy nature, and make a tangible difference in the Park with a group of other volunteers. Volunteers of all ages are welcome (under 16’s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian) and no volunteer orientation is required. No gardening experience is necessary; we provide all the instructions and tools needed for a rewarding experience! Advance registration is required. Registration opens 2 weeks prior to the start of each month.
Community Science Seining | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, August 10 | 10am-12pm
Discover the East River’s amazing biodiversity as our trained staff, volunteers and marine biologists use a seine net to humanely catch-and-release organisms, including fish, jellyfish, crabs, and more! Learn how these organisms contribute to the estuary, what they tell us about the river’s health and how the Conservancy uses the information collected about these organisms to contribute to community science efforts across New York state. All ages are welcome at this free event! Registering in advance is not required but highly recommended to expedite your participation and to receive reminders and last minute cancellation information in the event there’s inclement weather.
Brooklyn Dribble with New York Liberty | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, August 10 | 10am-1pm | Register here
Join us for The Brooklyn Dribble, where participants will dribble through a one-mile course. Each participant will display their dribbling skills with their very own exclusive NY Liberty basketball and t-shirt. The event kicks off at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 and concludes with a Fan Fest at Pier 2. Dribble participants receive complimentary access to the Fan Fest, with music, NY Liberty performances, photobooth, facepainting and more. Don’t miss this unique opportunity for young basketball enthusiasts to showcase their skills and enjoy the festivities!
Bidawee Mobile Adoption | Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, August 11 | 11am-2pm
Bideawee has been finding loving homes for rescued animals since 1903. Come visit their mobile adoption van and meet your new best friend!
Storytime at The Center for Fiction Bookstore | Fort Greene
Saturday, August 11 | 12pm | RSVP here
Join us every Saturday at noon for Story Time at The Center for Fiction Bookstore, where each week we read from some of our favorite books for young people! Led by our booksellers, this is a free community event open to people of all ages.
Celebrate World SteelPan Day | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, August 10 | 12-2pm
Join to celebrate and experience the sounds and tastes of Caribbean culture! Enjoy the unique sound of steel drums ringing through the air – listen and dance to the sounds of steel pan bands in competition! The Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) will host performances, workshops, and activities in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy – check back for full schedule and details. Location to be announced.
Saturday, August 10 | 3-7:30pm
The Conservancy’s 12th annual Hindu Lamp Ceremony returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Dance artist and educator Aeilushi Mistry brings peace and harmony to the community as she performs the traditional Hindu Aarti ceremony at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pebble Beach. The Aarti ceremony is traditionally performed each morning and evening along India’s rivers, in order to convey gratitude to mother river, reflect on community, and remember loved ones. Please join us as we decorate palm leaf lamps and release them along the East River to make prayers and pay our respects to loved ones. Guest artists will also present their work at this event. This event is a free walk-up event open to all; no advance registration required.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul, Sinkane, and Ushka | Prospect Park Bandshell
Saturday, August 10 | Doors at 6:30pm | Show at 7:30pm | RSVP here
Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul will transport you into a world of thought-provoking beats and exhilarating melodies. Defying conventions, the electrifying duo navigates issues like cultural appropriation and post-colonialism with infectious synth concoctions and an impressive ease. Known for their smash hit debut album Topical Dancer, which topped many critics’ “Best of” lists in 2022, their dynamic live shows are considered a do-not-miss. Sinkane will open, bringing his signature genre-bending style that infuses pop, funk, and electronic elements with the soulful rhythms of Sudan. DJ and multidisciplinary artist USHKA will kick off the nightspinning a wide range of diasporic club music.
Waterfront Walks | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, August 11 | 10:30am-12pm | Register here
Join our Docents for a free walking tour and learn more about Brooklyn Bridge Park’s history, design, and ecology. Tours last roughly 60-90 minutes, start from the entrance of Pier 1 and finish near Pier 3. Advance registration is required. Registration opens a month in advance of each date.
Brooklyn Pop-Up Market | Brooklyn Museum
Sunday, August 11 | 10:30am-5:30pm
Stop by our market to shop one-of-a-kind, handmade items from local artisans. This weekly event features more than 35 vendors offering artwork, jewelry, fashion, home and apothecary goods, and more. This event is free and takes place outdoors (rain location: Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, 1st Floor).
Storytime with Chris Baker: On a Mushroom Day at Books Are Magic | Brooklyn Heights
Take a magical walk through the forest and learn all about the wild beauty and wonder of mushrooms on this inspiring picture book journey! On a Mushroom Day encourages curiosity and a love of fungi in young children and normalizes safe, chaperoned joyful exploration of the fungal queendom all around us. Filled with fun, fascinating fungi facts and a visual catalog of mushroom species so that kids can enjoy their very own mushroom day in the pages of this book!
DUMBO Family Games on Car-Free Washington Street | DUMBO
Sunday, August 11 | 11am-1pm | Washington Street from Front Street to Water Street
Join every Sunday on car-free Washington Street for free kids activities and a community hang! Curated by the DUMBO BID x Brooklyn Bridge Parents and supported by Leaf Medical & Leaf Dental in DUMBO.
Open Studios: Fogo Azul | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, August 11 | 2-5pm
Fogo Azul returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park for an Open Studios performance, in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. The New York City-based all-women, trans, and non-binary Brazilian Samba Reggae drum line among New York City’s best and most powerful performance group.
WBLS 50th Anniversary Celebration at Coney Island Amphitheater | Coney Island
Sunday, August 11 | 6-10pm
WBLS has been holding it down as the center of soul and R&B in New York City for decades. For this throwback jam in Coney Island, it assembles a collection of R&B stars from the late ‘80s and ‘90s sure to trigger nostalgic notions of love and tenderness, hosted by the legendary radio DJ Funk Flex.
Second Sundays Tanker Time: Mary A. Whalen at Pier 11 | Red Hook
Sunday, August 11 | 7-10pm
We are pleased to announce the return of Second Sundays, TankerTime.Enjoy the main deck of PortSide’s historic ship, the tanker MARY A. WHALEN. Bring dinner, drinks…Lounge in a hammock, create at the ArtTable. Immerse yourself in the maritime ambiance of our location. This is a revival of a series that was popular for several years before the pandemic, an evening version of TankerTime with a Mediterranean music jam. It became a lively social scene and felt like a floating salon where new friends were made. Potluck and BYOB. No reservations are needed.
Updated: August 1, 2024. Main Image: Hindu Lamp Ceremony, Brooklyn Bridge Park.
