This week is packed with free events for Brooklyn families, including many street fairs across our neighborhoods, a dog show in Brooklyn Heights, “art of play” event in Fort Greene, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s kite festival, the return of the DUMBO Family Games on Sundays, the kickoff of BAM’s DanceAfrica festival in Bed Stuy, and much more!
Free Ice Cream Sandwiches @ OddFellows | DUMBO
Tuesday, May 14 | 12-11pm
In celebration of National Brioche Day on May 14, St Pierre Bakery has partnered with ice cream crafters at OddFellows Ice Cream Co. to create a limited-edition Coffee & Brioche Waffles ice cream flavor. The first 50 customers at each OddFellows location will receive a FREE ice cream sandwich on Tuesday, May 14 and throughout the week as supplies last. Visit 44 Water Street (or any OddFellows scoop shops in Brooklyn and Manhattan) to get your free treat!
Period Party! @ Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Tuesday, May 14 | 4-5pm
Teens and tweens are invited to join Ali Terese to discuss her new book Free Period and make fun bracelets! This event is hosted in alliance with the Cycle Alliance program at Brooklyn Public Library. The goal is to end period poverty and stigma. Participants can write down questions anonymously for the author to read and answer. If you have read or white clothes, you are more than welcome to wear them! All genders are encouraged to join. Pizza and soda are included.
Pop-Up Reading Room @ Abolitionist Place | Downtown Brooklyn
Every Wednesday, starting May 15 | 2-5pm
A pop-up reading room is coming to Abolitionist Place every Wednesday afternoon starting May 15th, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. The reading room offers a curated collection of books and a place to read together and enjoy Downtown Brooklyn’s wonderful new park.
New York Road Runners RBC Brooklyn Half Pre-Party | Pier @ Brooklyn Bridge Park
Wednesday, May 15 – Friday, May 17 | 11am-9:30pm
The RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon takes place this Saturday, May 18th! Race week kicks off with a pre-party presented by New Balance on Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The event is free and open to the public Wednesday, May 15 through Friday, May 17, and will include food trucks, lawn games, and live music. Runners will also be able to pick up their bibs, shop merchandise, and learn about course strategy from NYRR coaches. Experience the magic of being a part of one of the largest half marathons in the U.S.!
Nature Storytime @ Environmental Education Center | DUMBO
Thursday, May 16 | 3:00-3:30pm
Join for Nature Storytime at the Environmental Education Center on the third Thursday of every month. Librarians from Adams Street Library lead for an exciting and engaging storytime session, along with singing and rhymes. Each month they select a book to pair with the Education Center’s monthly nature theme. Stick around after to check out all the animals and activities in the room during Open Hours! Storytime is typically about a half hour long. Walk-ups only; we do our utmost to accommodate as many walk-ups as space allows.
The Winter Social | Cobble Hill Park
Thursday, May 16 | 6-8pm
The Winter Social is a neighborhood meet-up in Cobble Hill Park on third Thursdays. All neighbors are welcome to “BYO-whatever.” Join for a community hang and potluck!
Made in NYC Week | Various Locations
Friday, May 10 through Sunday, May 18 | See full schedule here
This annual event series spotlights the craftsmanship and talent within New York City’s vibrant manufacturing and maker community. Explore and shop one-of-a-kind, locally-crafted goods while supporting the creative minds behind them. Join for Taste of Made in NYC, pop-up markets, factory tours, curated retail collections, demos & experiences, and more! Pop-up markets and curated retail collections will be hosted at CityPoint, Urban Glass, Empire Stores, Industry City, and more locations across Brooklyn and NYC.
Cheer on RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon Runners
Saturday, May 18 | 7am-1pm
Cheer on friends, family, and neighbors during the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon! Participants will run past the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and around Grand Army Plaza before entering Prospect Park. After a loop around the park, runners will cruise toward the finish on the Coney Island Boardwalk. Learn more and see the course map here.
ART360 FORT GREENE: The Art of Play | Fort Greene
Saturday, May 18 | 12-5pm
Join for a fun day of art, music, and even a little sports at ART 360 Fort Greene: The Art of Play. This event will be brimming with hands-on activities designed to ignite the spark of inspiration. People of all ages are invited to unleash their inner artists, musicians, and athletes! Work with glass beads (Urban Glass), learn table tennis tricks (PingPod), make music with found objects (Brooklyn Music School), try creative embroidery (TATTER), engage in an aromatherapy workshop (The Hort), and more! It’s all FUN, and all FREE!
BAM’s DanceAfrica Festival Community Day | Bed Stuy
Saturday, May 18 | 1pm
BAM’s DanceAfrica is the nation’s largest festival dedicated to African diasporic dance and music. Now in its 47th year, DanceAfrica explores the past and present of Central African history, arts, and culture. DanceAfrica 2024 gets started with its annual Community Day Kickoff at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza (1368 Fulton Street). This year’s program celebrates The Billie Holiday Theatre’s Youth Arts Academy’s 27th year participating in DanceAfrica. The event includes performances by special guest artists, current Youth Arts Academy students and Pre-Professional Training Program members, and more!
Sound & Color! Spring Festival at Pier 5 | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, May 18 | 11am-5pm
Watch your kite soar above the Manhattan skyline the one day of the year kite-flying is open to the public at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 5! This year we’re expanding to add music to our Colors with live musical performances throughout the Park. At Pier 5, enjoy kite workshops, watch talented expert kite flying instructors (and learn some tips), and fly your kite! You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own kite; or you may build one in the Caribbean tradition or purchase on-site. Local partners will provide a variety of kids activities incorporating S.T.E.A.M concepts and the Caribbean’s rich history of kite-flying. Take a break from kite flying to catch live music by steel-pan group, Eruption Steel Orchestra. Additional performances taking place throughout the Park will be curated by Maestro, Trumpeter, conductor, composer, and arranger Igmar Thomas. For full schedule and details click here!
Carroll Park Spring Fair | Carroll Gardens
Saturday, May 18 | 10am-5pm | Free
Friends of Carroll Park presents the Carroll Park Spring Fair, with vendors selling crafts, housewares, art, books, music, clothes, jewelry, antiques and collectibles. There will be live music, community organizations, original art, and more. Meet your neighbors, listen to music, and find a bargain!
Willowtown Spring Fair | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, May 18th | 12-5pm
Willowtown’s “Spring Awakening” spring fair will return to Willow Place on Saturday, May 18, presented by the Willowtown Association. Events will include performances by Papa Vega’s Dream Shadows, face painting, a bounce castle, plant sale, bake sale, raffle, The Heights Players, historic house tours, plus games, local food, and more!
Graham Avenue Fiesta | Williamsburg
Saturday, May 18 | 10am-6pm
Get ready for a full-day, family-friendly street festival event on Graham Avenue filled with local food, fashion, music, community, and business opportunities. The festival’s scheduled entertainment brings to their stage a number of musical performances from throughout the neighborhood including School of Rock-Williamsburg, the Academia de Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer, the Danza Fiesta dance troupe, and more.
Black History and Culture Tour of Fort Greene | Fort Greene
Saturday, May 18 | 11am-12:30pm | RSVP here
On the third Saturday of each month, from April – June, join us in person for the Black History and Culture of Fort Greene guided tour. Offered in two installments, The Heart of Black Fort Greene: Fulton Street tour, and Fort Greene Black History Makers and Cultural Giants tour provide rich context and history ranging from the 1800s to today.
Time Out Market 5 Year Anniversary Celebration | DUMBO
Saturday, May 18 | 12-6pm
Time Out Market is hosting a super exciting celebration at Brooklyn Bridge Park in honor of its 5th anniversary! The festivities will kick off at noon with live music and continue throughout the day with more performances and of course, some seriously delicious food from select vendors from the market, as well as soft drinks, beer, and wine. There be loads of fun activities planned for the whole family, including face painting, balloon animal making, and henna tattoo artists. Kids can also get their photo taken with some cool characters! See the full schedule of live music and more information here.
First Annual People Power Picnic | Fort Greene Park
Saturday, May 18 | 2-5pm
Join your neighbors for Clinton Hill Fort Greene Mutual Aid’s first annual Power Picnic in Fort Greene Park by the monument. Featuring home-cooked food and hometown (and world famous) DJs–Saint James Joy of the pandemic’s hottest block party and Cheo Pardo, a Grammy-winning Latin Artist. Everyone is welcome, pay what you wish! Let’s have fun, build community, and refill the coffers for the Groceries and Essentials Fund.
Fabulous 5th Ave Fair | Park Slope
Sunday, May 19 | 10am-6pm | Free
Come to one of the best street fairs in the city with lots of local food, shopping, art, music and fun on 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn, between Sterling and 12th Street.
DUMBO Family Games kicks off on Washington Street | DUMBO
Every Sunday, starting May 19 | 11am-1pm
Starting May 19 and running through September, 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.
Brooklyn Heights Association Dog Show | Brooklyn Heights
Sunday, May 19 | 1:30pm
Back by popular demand and brought to you by a dedicated team of volunteers, the BHA Dog Show is back at Montague Open Streets! There will be a number of categories you can enter to show off your precious pooch. Compete for titles like Best Tail, Best Trick, Most Adorable, and more. Find more details and register your dog here.
Montague Open Streets: Dog Day on Montague | Brooklyn Heights
Sunday, May 19 | 10am-7pm | Montague Street from Clinton Street to Hicks Street
Beyond the BHA Dog Show, there is so much to enjoy at “Dog Day on Montague”! This Sunday’s highlights include:
- Agility Course with Dog Boy NYC | 12-2pm | Unleash the fun with Dog Boy NYC’s agility course – where pups leap, weave, and conquer obstacles with tail-wagging enthusiasm.
- Dog Portraits by Jordan Sondler @ Books are Magic | 12-5pm | Bring your furry friend (or photo) to Books are Magic for an in-Store Pet Portrait Pop-Up with Brooklyn based illustrator, professor and author Jordan Sondler and leave with a fun portrait. Portraits are $55. To reserve your spot and for more information click here.
- Pet Psychic | 12-5pm | Pet parents: Gain insight into your pet’s moods, behaviors, and well-being with a live psychic reading by Cynthia Okimoto. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with your furry friend on a deeper level. Cost: $35/10 minutes.
- Doggie Pools | 12-5pm | Bring your dog for a dip in our dog-only pools. Let them splash and play. Lifeguards will be on hand.
- Montague Sip Spot | 12-5pm | Get food and drinks to go and bring them to the adults only Montague Sip Spot.
- Little L’s Artisanal Treats | 12-5pm | Brooklyn’s favorite artisanal treats for dogs will be on Montague Street for the day. Kick off summer with Little L’s Hot Dogs for Doggies, super popular Dognuts and other treats.
- Dog Photos with NYC Pawtographer Carmen Gonzalez | 1-4pm | Keep an eye out for roving dog photographer Carmen Gonzalez to get a portrait of your dog taken. If she snaps your photo, be sure to get her contact information to learn where you can download your picture to print at home.
- Facepainting and Adopt a Dog from Brooklyn Cat Cafe | 1-4pm | Brooklyn Cat Café speaks more than cat. Meet their dogs available for adoption, get your face painted, and pick up some Brooklyn Cat Cafe merch to support their mission.
- Blessing of the Dogs | 3pm | Canon John Denaro of St. Ann’s & the Holy Trinity will lead a non-denominational Blessing of the Dogs. All pets on leashes or held in your arms are welcome to receive blessings for love, protection, and well-being from Canon John.
Free Baseball Clinics | Red Hook
Sunday, May 19 | 9am-12pm | Sign up here
Youth 78 Sports and Red Hook Baseball Champions are hosting a free baseball clinic for kids ages 4-14! No experience necessary. Sign up here!
Brooklyn Pop-Up Market | Brooklyn Museum
Sunday, May 19 | 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 20 vendors offering artwork, jewelry, fashion, home and apothecary goods, and more. This event is free and takes place outdoors. Rain location will be the Brooklyn Museum’s Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, 1st Floor.
Waterfront Walks at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, May 19 | 10:30am-12pm | Register here
Join 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.
Updated: May 12, 2024. Main Image: DUMBO Family Games on car-free Washington Street.
