This week is packed with free events for families in Brooklyn, including Juneteenth events, International Day of Play celebration and garden party in Brooklyn Heights, gigantic Brooklyn Bridge building workshop, a nature puppet show in Fort Greene Park, Philharmonic in Prospect Park, Dumbo Family Games, outdoor movies and so much more!
Free Admission Days @ Pier 2 Roller Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, June 16 | 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, June 10 | 5:30-7:30pm | Register here | Kids under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
Volunteers, as a group, cleanup our coastlines by helping to remove debris that has washed into the marshes and beaches with the tides. Volunteers of all ages are welcome (under 16’s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). No volunteer orientation or experience is required, but note that this activity may involve some rock scrambling.
Tiny Storytime @ Books Are Magic | Cobble Hill & Brooklyn Heights
Tuesday, June 11 | 11am | 225 Smith Street in Cobble Hill
Thursday, June 13 | 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!
Kids Create: Where The Wild Things Are Birthday Party! at Adams Street Library | DUMBO
Tuesday, June 11 | 4-5pm
Come celebrate the Where The Wild Things Are author, Maurice Sendak—on what would be his 96th birthday!—hear the iconic story during a read aloud and then make a Where the Wild Things Are craft! Let the wild rumpus start!
Jack and Friends Summer Concert Series: Hopalong Andrew in the Park Slope Library’s Garden | Park Slope
Tuesday, June 11 | 4-4:45pm | Registration will open 24 hours in advance
Join for the Jack and Friends summer concert series every Tuesday in July and July! 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 the auditorium and only those registered will be admitted entry.
International Day of Play at Pierrepont Playground | Brooklyn Heights
Tuesday, June 11 | 4-4:45pm
On Tuesday, June 11, join to celebrate the first official International Day of Play! Experience the power of play with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and paint from 4:00-4:45 p.m. at Pierrepoint Playground!
Youth Basketball Clinic with King Hoops | Pier 2 @ Brooklyn Bridge Park
Tuesday, June 11 | 5-7pm | Ages 4-17
Brooklyn Bridge Park is hosting free basketball clinics with King Hoops this summer for kids 4-17! Players may join for individual weeks or the full season. The first hour (5-6 PM) will be for beginner players who are brand new to the sport. Here they will teach the very basic fundamentals of the game, the rules of the game, and getting acclimated to having a ball in each player’s hands. The second hour (6 – 7 PM) is geared for advanced beginners to intermediate players who have played a little bit more basketball. Advanced registration and waivers are required. Registration opens a week ahead of each date. Learn more here, and register here!
RECESS @ Industry City | Sunset Park
Tuesday, June 11, Wednesday, June 12, and Thursday, June 13 | 5-9pm
Come join us for an evening of chill vibes and chilled cocktails at Courtyard 1/2. Enjoy music from local DJs for free every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5-9pm all summer long.
Suzi Shelton at the Pacific Library | Downtown Brooklyn
Wednesday, June 12 | 10:45-11:30am
Suzi Shelton is a music and movement specialist, teacher, and family performer. She has been rocking parents and kids alike for over 10+ years in such prestigious venues as Symphony Space and the White House Easter Egg Hunt. Join for a special performance at the Pacific Library!
Reading Room at Abolitionist Place | Downtown Brooklyn
Wednesday June 12 | 2-5pm
A pop-up reading room that offers a curated collection of books and a place to read together in public. Designed for New Yorkers of all ages and always free!
Free Admission at New York Aquarium | Coney Island
Wednesday June 12 | 3-6pm | Reserve tickets here; free tickets are made available at 3pm the Monday before
After Memorial Day weekend, free admission hours at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island are extended from 3:00 all the way to 6:00 p.m. Check out larger-than-life animal sculptures made out of repurposed marine debris in the current exhibition Washed Ashore, open through September 2. There’s so much to do while you’re in Coney Island; check out our guide to planning a day trip this summer here! 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.
Teen Time: Junteenth Craft Celebration at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, June 12 | 4-5pm | For teens
Teens are invited to celebrate Juneteenth with safety-pin jewelry making. We will provide afety pins and beads so you can make color-themed pins to show your support! A tutorial will be available.
The Infinite Wrench: Family Edition in the DUMBO Archway | DUMBO
Wednesday, June 12 | 6-8pm
How many stories can you tell in one hour? Three? Four? Twenty? What about THIRTY? The New York Neo-Futurists are up to the challenge! In their landmark award-winning show The Infinite Wrench, now in its 20th year in NYC, Neos bravely attempt to perform 30 unique stories, games, dances, and interactive adventures in just one hour. And guess what? YOU get to decide what order they perform the stories in. Yes, YOU!
Outdoor Screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayem | Commodore Barry Park
Wednesday, June 12 | 7:30pm | PG
This Wednesday’s free outdoor movie screening starting at 7:30! The movie will be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayem (2023).
Stroller Walk | Prospect Park
Thursday, June 13 | 10am-12pm | RSVP here
Calling all parents and caregivers with children! Join a Prospect Park Alliance Naturalist at the Prospect Park Audubon Center for a leisurely stroll along Prospect Park’s waterways. Embrace the sound of streams and songs of birds. Enjoy fragrant flowers and explore the towering trees of Brooklyn’s Backyard. Please note that this walk leaves promptly at 10 am from the Prospect Park Audubon Center.
Lunchtime on the Commons: Lollise | Downtown Brooklyn
Thursday, June 13 | 12-2pm
Throughout the month of June, visitors to Brooklyn Commons Park will be captivated by incredible performances as our stage comes alive with diverse sounds and entertainment that cater to all. On June 13, Lollise takes the stage! Lollise is a musician, visual artist, and fashion designer from Botswana, based in Brooklyn. Using sound, color, and movement, Lollise tells stories of real and imagined worlds, multidimensional and nuanced, historical and futuristic.
Lalo-palooza Brooklyn | Park Slope
Thursday, June 13 | 10-11:30am
Lalo’s beloved (free!) family music series is back with Suzi Shelton and friends, every Thursday morning at JJ Byrne Playground @ Old Stone House & Washington Park. Ready to jam with us? Join award-winning artist Suzi Shelton and special guests every week, plus fun activities for the fam! + Music by Suzi Shelton & friends + Fun activities for the fam + Freebies! (while supplies last).
After School Movie: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mahem at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Thursday, June 13 | 3:30-5:30pm | Ages 5+
After School Movie at Brooklyn Heights Library! We are highlighting New York stories as part of our Summer Reading theme: Explore Your City! This week’s movie is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mahem (2023), rated PG. Run time: 1 hour and 39 minutes. No registration required; attendance limited by room capacity.
Sofar Summer Music Series at Pier 3 | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Thursday, June 13 | Doors at 7:30pm | Music 8-10pm | Free tickets here
This month, we’re bringing a Sofar show to you at Brooklyn Bridge Park! In case you don’t know, Sofar transforms spaces into venues for live music shows. Expect local artists, great vibes, and a whole lot of community magic. Sofar is partnering with Brooklyn Bridge Park to bring you a free concert experience every Thursday in June. Join us at Pier 3 Plaza and discover a surprise lineup of artists. More info here!
FAB Flicks: The Princess and the Frog at Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center | Fort Greene
Thursday, June 13 | 8:15–10:00pm | Rated G
Join for a free movie in Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center! A modern twist on a classic tale from Walt Disney Animation Studios features a beautiful girl named Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) who dreams of owning her own restaurant. When she meets a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, a fateful kiss leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana…with the villainous voodoo magician Dr. Facilier (Keith David) in hot pursuit.
Kayaking at Pier 2 | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Wednesday, June 12 & Thursday, June 13 | 5-7pm | Register here
Saturday, June 15 | 10am-3pm | Register here
Sunday, June 16 | 12-2:30pm | Register here
Glide along the water this summer and fall in our protected embayment with free public kayaking! Free kayaking is offered throughout the summer on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons through September. All levels are welcome including first-time kayakers — life vests and all equipment provided, as well as instruction. Children under 18 must have an adult guardian present. Advanced registration required, providing 20 minute timed slots. Free registration opens 2 weeks ahead of each date.
Summer Friday with Park Slope Parents | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Friday, June 14 | 3-5pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and Park Slope Parents invite you to Summer Friday on Friday, June 14! Park Slope Parents will bring their signature bubble fun and also host award winning recording artist Suzi Shelton. For more than a decade, Suzi Shelton has been recognized as a voice in independent family music, and a leading figure in the NYC children’s music scene. She has four solo albums under her belt, and a popular livestream show called Sing with Suz.
Vanderbilt Open Streets | Prospect Heights
Friday, June 14, 5-10pm | Saturday, June 15, 12-10pm | Sunday, June 16, 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! This weekend’s Open Streets will feature:
- New York Blood Center Mobile Drive | Saturday, June 15 | 12-6pm | Vanderbilt Avenue (between Dean and Bergen) |Donate blood to save lives with New York Blood Center’s mobile drive! Schedule your spot here. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is encouraged.
- Sprinkler Saturday | Saturday, June 15 | 2-5pm | Join us as we open up the fire hydrant (legally) at Vanderbilt Avenue & Dean Street (in front of Van Leeuwen). We’ll have inflatable pools, water buckets, and reusable water balloons!
- Open Streets Social | Saturday, June 15 | 5:30pm | Bring scooters and bikes, a ball, and energy! There will be snacks and nosh. Tkiya will be joining for a performance of Sephardic and Mizrahi music to welcome the new week.
- Ryan Berry Quintet | Sunday, June 16 | 2pm | Between Dean and Bergen Streets.
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.
Philharmonic in Prospect Park | Prospect Park
Friday, June 14 | 8pm
Thomas Wilkins conducts the Orchestra in a program that ranges from classics by Beethoven, Elgar, and Rimsky-Korsakov to Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, with Randall Goosby as soloist, to new music by Carlos Simon and NY Phil Very Young Composers. This concert is scheduled to conclude with fireworks!
Paramount+ Movie Nights: Empire Records in McCarren Park | Williamsburg
Friday, June 14 | Pre-movie activities begin at 6pm | Movie begins at sunset | Rated PG-13: Material may not be suitable for young children | RSVP here
Paramount+ Movie Nights is offering free outdoor movies this summer in Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, McCarren Park and Coney Island Beach! Get your friends, family and your picnic blankets ready – this is something you won’t want to miss! New this year – free popcorn provided for event RSVP holders at screenings (first-come, first-served, while supplies last). Movie Nights are weather permitting. Follow on Instagram for weather updates!
Saturday, June 15 | 11-11:30am | RSVP here
Join author Constance Lombardo for an in-person storytime at Books Are Magic to celebrate her book Itty Bitty Betty Blob! Itty Bitty Betty Blob tries to be bad, like a good little monster—but she’s NOT GOOD at being bad! This perfect picture book shows kids (4-8) that being yourself is MORE than enough. With a heartstopping story and art by Constance Lombardo and Micah Player.
The 11th Annual Porch Stomp Festival | Governors Island
Saturday, June 15 | 11am-6pm
The Porch Stomp festival is a vibrant celebration of traditional and contemporary folk music set against the iconic backdrop of the city skyline. This annual event brings together an eclectic lineup of talented musicians, who perform on charming porches and pop-stages scattered throughout the island. Attendees can immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of folk music styles, from bluegrass to Americana, while soaking in the laid-back, community-driven atmosphere.
Marvin’s First Day: A Juneteenth Celebration for Kids at CityPoint BKLYN | Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, June 15 | 11am-1pm | For ages 3-10
Hosted by City Point and Da Spot NYC, this celebration in Downtown Brooklyn is perfect for kids aged 3-10. Enjoy a special read-aloud by Malcolm Dill and a captivating spoken word performance by Kayden Hern, known for his poem “In My Mind” recited at Governor Hochul’s inauguration! Juneteenth-inspired activities will include DIY crafts: a Make-Your-Own-Flag station, a bracelet beading bar, Marvin’s First Day coloring sheets, and a cookie decorating station. All with an emphasis on celebrating the holiday and encouraging kids.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Book Celebration at Pier 3 | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, June 15 | 11am-1pm | Register for tours here
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and Brooklyn Bridge Park invite you to join us on Saturday, June 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Pier 3 Greenway Terrace for a free public celebration of the park and of MVVA’s new monograph. There will be signed copies of the book available for purchase thanks to Head Hi Bookshop, treats provided by Fornino and La Newyorkina, and guided tours led by the MVVA design team and the park horticulturalists who maintain this Brooklyn landmark. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited for tours. Please register for one of three time slots in advance.
FAD Market Pop-up | Governors Island
Saturday, June 15 & Sunday, June 16 | 11am-5pm
FAD Market is back on Governors Island for its fourth annual monthly residency, occurring every third weekend from June to October. Taking place along the tree-lined King Ave, nestled between historic early 20th century buildings, this idyllic market setting is steps away from Yankee Pier, where the Brooklyn ferries dock, and Liggett Terrace, where the food trucks rally. Featuring a rotating lineup of over 40 of the city’s emerging makers, designers, artists, and small businesses, our markets will feature handcrafted jewelry, art, apparel, bath and body care, tableware, home furnishings, artisanal packaged food, and more. Come for the one-of-a-kind goods, stay for a cocktail and a game of pétanque (a lawn throwing game similar to bocce and boules) with our neighbors, Carreau Club. Take a short ferry ride and make a day of it! More information here.
Juneteenth Food Festival at Weeksville Heritage Center | Crown Heights
Saturday, June 15 | 11am-8pm
In partnership with Jummy’s Picks by Black-Owned Brooklyn, this vibrant event celebrates Black food, culture, history, and joy. The Juneteenth Food Festival brings together 30+ food businesses for a delicious celebration of Black cuisine, as well as a marketplace of apparel, accessories, books, self-care products, and more, all from local Black brands. Attendees will also enjoy music from the legendary Soul Summit Music DJ collective, Double Dutch with the Jazzy Jumpers, dance performances and workshops by Haus of Glitter, restorative yoga led by Sensate Wellness, art-making activities, food demos, book signings, and more.
Last chance to catch Photoville Festival! | DUMBO & South Street Seaport
Saturday, June 1 – Sunday, June 16
Check out “Photo Village” in Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Emily Warren Roebling Plaza during its final weekend! You can also view exhibits on Washington Street between York and Prospect Streets. Learn more here! This weekend at South Street Seaport, families can also check out the following Photoville event:
- Family Activities from Creatively Wild – at The Seaport! | Saturday, June 15 | 12-4pm | Awesome Project of the Day: What do you see through the lens of your imagination? Decorate your own cardboard “camera” and then, with the help of Creatively Wild’s teaching artists, draw the images you see in your imagination into the display of your camera! Let’s go Creatively Wild!
Storytime at The Center for Fiction Bookstore | Fort Greene
Saturday, June 15 | 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.
Garden Party at Poplar Street Community Garden | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, June 15 | 12-3pm
All are welcome at the Poplar Street Community’s Garden Party! Come explore the garden, a hidden gem at the corner of Hicks and Poplar Streets in Brooklyn Heights. There will be a garden tour, gardening tips & tricks, a book reading, planting, live music, watercolor painting, treats and refreshments, and more!
Brooklyn Youth Pride for Teens | Park Slope
Saturday, June 15 | 12pm-5pm | For ages 13-21
Join Brooklyn Pride for a day of celebration, love, and unity at 4th Avenue & 5th Street offering a safe space for all young people to express themselves, connect with others, and show their pride. Get ready for live music, performances, art, and more!
Nature Puppet Show | Fort Greene Park
Saturday, June 15 | 1-2pm
Juneteenth Family Day at Green-Wood Cemetery | Greenwood Heights
Saturday, June 15 | 1-4pm
Participate in free kids’ art activities in Green-Wood’s Historic Chapel with event partner ASNEAA and take a self-guided tour of the gravesites of fascinating Black historical figures. Maps and biographies of featured burial sites will be available when you enter the Cemetery, and our trolley will run on a loop to all sites so folks can hop on and off as they please.
Powerhouse Arts Community Day | Park Slope
Saturday, June 15 | 1-5pm | RSVP here
Our first Community Day will feature hands-on workshops, demonstrations, screenings, and conversations with PHA Print, Ceramics, and Public Art shops, as well as partner organizations, artists, and educators. Textile Arts Center, Reel Works, Beam Center, Center For Urban Pedagogy, Makeville Studio, UrbanGlass, ESPO’s Art World, The Alpha Workshops, NYC Resistor, Craftspring, Street Lab, MGC Community Print Studio, and The People’s Creative Institute will all be on site. Walk away with a screenprint; bring your own shirt for an ESPO original; design a zine; make a button; paint with clay; learn soldering, glassblowing, marbling, community weaving, blockprinting; and much more. This family friendly, all-ages event, taking place across three floors in our purpose-built art-making facility, will also include performances in our beautiful, light-filled Loft and Brooklyn College’s M.F.A. Students Thesis Exhibition in our Lobby.
We Outside! A Brooklyn Juneteenth [Vol. 2] at The Plaza at 300 Ashland | Fort Greene
Saturday, June 15 | 2pm-8pm
651 ARTS and The Soapbox Presents are taking to The Plaza at 300 Ashland for We Outside! A Brooklyn Juneteenth, Vol II. Vibe to live music, dance, spoken word, and so much more as we celebrate freedom through individual expression. The Plaza will be brought to life to life in full force with this jam-packed event! Join us for a day of culture and community!
Brooklyn Game Lab @ 7th Ave Street Fair | Park Slope
Sunday, June 16 | 10am-6pm
Our Immortal Games Finale is Sunday, June 16! The five Immortal Houses have duked it out for 10 months of after school, but it all comes down to this: our Immortal Games Finale at the 7th Heaven Street Fair! We’ll be outside 310 7th Ave @8th St, 10am-6pm, playing card games, chess, Speed D&D, Battle Lab, outdoor games, and more! Kids who show up wearing their house shirt will get their first point free, so bear your banners with pride! This is a free event and no registration is required to participate. Learn more about Immortal Houses & Games at Brooklyn Game Lab here.
Montague Open Streets | Brooklyn Heights
Sunday, June 16 | 10am-7pm | Montague Street from Clinton Street to Hicks Street
On June 16, Montague Open Streets celebrates Father’s Day! This weekend’s highlights include:
- Gifts for Dads from Orangetheory Fitness | 12-5pm | Dads: Stop by the Orange Theory table for a gift and one week of complimentary classes!
- Super Soccer Stars | 12-5pm | Learn the fundamental of the game in a fun, non-competitive way. For kids 2 1/2 – 7 years old.
- Street Curling with Brooklyn Curling Center | 12-3pm | Experience the thrill of Olympic curling with Street Curling at Montague Open Streets. This is your chance to get up close and personal with this exhilarating sport.
- The PS 8 Junior Theater Club | 3:30pm | The PS 8 Junior Theater Club will perform a few songs from their most recentproduction of the “Grunch” ( a Grinch-inspired musical where a student tries to sabotage the school theater group’s musical).
- And so much more! To see all Montague Open Streets happenings, click here.
FREE Brooklyn Bridge Building Workshops | City Point
Sunday, June 16 | 2 – 5pm
Join Koko NYC, City Point and Brooklyn Bridge Parents in building the FIRST EVER gigantic Brooklyn Bridge from recycled materials in a free workshop series for children in Grades 2 to 5. Parents/caregivers can drop off their child(ren) for the duration of the workshop or help build. The free workshops will take place on Sunday, June 16 (Father’s Day) and Wednesday, June 19 (public schools closed). Register here.
Sing Along with Lavender Blues at German School Brooklyn | Crown Heights
Sunday, June 16 | Doors at 10am | Concert at 10:30am | RSVP here
Ms. Alex of Lavender Blues Music will be hosting a free sing along and playtime at German Brooklyn School. Doors will open for play time in the lobby at 10am, and the singalong in a classroom will be at 10:30am. German School Brooklyn is hosting this special event to celebrate the launch of their Preschool for 3s and 4s starting this September 2024! To learn more about the program click here. Following the sing along, families are welcome to stay for a tour of the school and mingle with other Preschool and Kindergarten families.
Waterfront Walks | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, June 16 | 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.
Brooklyn Pop-Up Market | Brooklyn Museum
Sunday, June 16 | 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.
DUMBO Family Games on Car-Free Washington Street | DUMBO
Sunday, June 16 | 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.
Sunday Storytime at Brooklyn Museum
Sunday, June 16 | 11:30am-12:15pm & 1-1:45pm
Come to the museum for storytime with our friends from Brooklyn Public Library. Join in as we read stories, sing songs, make crafts, and enjoy time together on Father’s Day. You can also sign up for a library card and discover ways to promote early literacy at home. Afterward, explore the Museum—ask for a bingo card to guide your adventure! This program is designed for children ages 2–5 and their caregivers, but all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Updated: June 9, 2024. Main Image: Philharmonic in Prospect Park.
