Get ready to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary this week with a special screening of Hamilton at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a bilingual adventure in Bushwick, Sail4th 250 ship parades in the Hudson River & East River, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog eating contest in Coney Island, and much more! Families also find Waldo in Fort Greene, see Encanto in Coney Island, take a stroller walk in Prospect Park, explore cave art in Kensington, and attend many other fun events.
Looking for more ideas to kick off summer? Check out our summer bucket list article!
Free ways to watch the World Cup with kids this week? Check out our weekly round up here!
MONDAY
Free Admission Days at the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Mondays & Fridays | 3:30pm-6:00pm | FREE admission but skate rental is $8 and skate mate rental is $6
Come to the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink for some free family fun and exercise. Enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous views as you skate around the rink.
After School Stories: One, two, MANY!- a mimes show | Williamsburg
Monday, June 29th | 3:30pm-4:30pm
Come and SEE stories; imagine and pretend with two mimes! A group, the Broken Box Mime Theater, has a family performance called One, Two, MANY! – it includes two mimes and a speaking emcee, following stories that have to do with togetherness and how the solo imagination can fill big spaces. Come enjoy this all ages show at the Leonard Library!
Teen Pride Party with Rising Ground and Decorative Mason Jars | Brooklyn Heights
Monday, June 29th | 4:00pm-5:00pm | Teens ages 13-18
Start off the event at the Brooklyn Heights Library with an informational workshop about Gender and Sexuality Workshop led by a non profit organization called Rising Ground. Afterwards, teens can make lanyard bracelets and feel good mason jars filled with positive affirmations and good vibes! Snacks and drinks are included.
TUESDAY
New Mom Meet Up at Fontainhas | DUMBO
Tuesdays | 4:30pm-6:00pm
Bring your baby to Fontainhas for some cozy chai and hang with other new moms. Hosted every week by the new mom pop-up POST.
4th of July Craft Workshop – DIY “Sparkless” Sparklers | Gerritsen Beach
Tuesday, June 30th | 5:00pm-6:00pm | Ages 6+
Make your own fun, safe, “sparkless” sparklers for your Independence Day celebration at the Gerritsen Beach Library! Supplies and instruction provided.
Movies Under the Stars: Encanto | Coney Island
Tuesday, June 30th | 8:30pm-10:30pm
Grab a blanket and come enjoy a movie in a neighborhood park or playground! This summer, NYC Parks and The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment will host family-friendly movie showings across the five boroughs. Come to Kaiser Park to watch “Encanto”, which tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except Mirabel.
WEDNESDAY
Fiesta of Freedom: A Magical Independence Day Adventure | Bushwick
Wednesday, July 1st | 11:00am-12:00pm
Celebrate 250 years of American independence with an interactive, bilingual adventure designed especially for children! Participants will embark on a magical mission to help recover the lost spirit of Independence Day. Our physical theater journey begins with a balloon-animal icebreaker, followed by lively music, movement, and interactive theatrical games. Participants will travel across an imaginative landscape while working together through movement challenges and storytelling inspired by festive Spanish-language songs. Each challenge will unlock a magical totem that represents an important piece of the celebration, and together they will form a special puzzle revealing a joyful Independence Day message in both English and Spanish. This event will take place at the Washington Irving Library.
Storytime in the Park | Fort Greene
Wednesdays in May-October | 11:00am
Sing, read, and play with librarians from Walt Whitman Library in Fort Greene Park! Have fun hearing great picture books read aloud and playing with other children during this program. For children of all ages and their caregivers. This program will be located at the bottom of the Monument stairs near Myrtle Playground and runs on Wednesdays at 11:ooam-11:45am from May 13th-October 14th.
Find Waldo Local Begins | Fort Greene
Begins Wednesday, July 1st | Stop by any day between 10:00am-10:00pm for a stamp card
Waldo, the iconic children’s book character, has been roaming the globe (and beyond) for three decades. And just where is Waldo after all this time? Well, this summer he’s right here in Fort Greene / Clinton Hill! During the month of July, Greenlight Bookstore hosts “Where’s Waldo in Fort Greene,” an exciting month-long scavenger hunt to find Waldo in participating local businesses. Kids and families can search for Waldo and come back to Greenlight for prizes throughout the month. And Greenlight will host a Waldo Finale Party with more games and prizes on August 2nd! Stop by Greenlight throughout July for a stamp card with a list of participating businesses and scavenger hunt rules, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Waldo!
Free Admission at New York Aquarium | Coney Island
Wednesdays | 3:00pm-6:00pm | Reserve tickets here; free tickets are made available at 3pm the Monday before
Take advantage of free admission hours at the New York Aquarium from 3:00-6:00pm on Wednesdays. Note that advance timed tickets are required (max of 4 per group); the Wednesday Afternoon Ticket Store will open on Monday at 3:00pm for that Wednesday’s reservations.
THURSDAY
Prospect Park Stroller Walk | Prospect Park
Thursday, July 2nd | 10:00am-12:00pm | RSVP here
Calling all parents and caregivers with children! Join a Prospect Park Alliance Naturalist for a leisurely stroll along Prospect Park’s waterways. Embrace the sound of streams and songs of birds, while enjoying fragrant flowers and the towering trees of Brooklyn’s Backyard. Please note that this walk leaves promptly at 10:00am the Prospect Park Boathouse.
Funkytown Playground! | Crown Heights
Thursday, July 2nd | 11:30am-12:30pm
Aly Sunshine is an integrated, educational, music and movement program designed for kids. Aly performs interactive songs that are designed to educate by utilizing melodies that are catchy and fun. Tickets will be distributed at the front desk of the Crown Heights Library prior to the performance. One ticket per person. Performances fill up quickly. To ensure admittance please arrive on time.
Kids Explore: Cave Art | Kensington
Thursday, July 2nd | 2:00pm-3:00pm
Explore a new interest in cave art, how it was made and who made it, at Kensington Branch Library. And come together to make a giant piece of cave art!
Movies With A View: Hamilton | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Thursday, July 2nd | 6:00pm-11:00pm
Kick off the 4th of July weekend with Hamilton (PG-13, 2020, 160 minutes), New York’s own Lin-Manuel Miranda’s imaginative retelling of American founding father Alexander Hamilton. This is the filmed version of the Broadway production – singing along is encouraged! Come early to enjoy a picnic on the lawn and refreshing waterfront breezes, with New York Harbor and Manhattan skyline views like no other as the sun sets. Entry is free and first-come, first serve starting at 6:00 PM. Movies begin at sunset.
FRIDAY
Sail4th 250 Parade of Sail: Class B Tall Ships | East River
Friday, July 3rd | 1:00pm-3:00pm | See full schedule and map here
America welcomes the tall ships of the world to the Port of New York and New Jersey for a universal celebration of America’s 250th anniversary! Get ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world, creating a majestic nautical spectacle and an unforgettable once-in-a-generation event on land, sea, and air. On Friday, Class B tall ships from around the world will sail down the East River from Hell Gate Bridge to Gravesend Bay, Brooklyn. View the complete schedule and interactive map here. Check out our article for more information.
Free Admission Days at the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Mondays & Fridays | 3:30pm-6:00pm | FREE admission but skate rental is $8 and skate mate rental is $6
Come to the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink for some free family fun and exercise. Enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous views as you skate around the rink.
SATURDAY
Sail4th 250 Parade of Tall Ships | Hudson River
Saturday, July 4th | 9:30am-2:00pm | See full schedule and map here
America welcomes the tall ships of the world to the Port of New York and New Jersey for a universal celebration of America’s 250th anniversary! Get ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world, creating a majestic nautical spectacle and an unforgettable once-in-a-generation event on land, sea, and air. On Saturday, more than 30 tall ships from around the world will sail up the Hudson River from the Verrazzano Bridge to the George Washington Bridge. View the complete schedule and interactive map here. Check out our article for more information.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest | Coney Island
Saturday, July 4th
The world’s top competitive eaters. Ten minutes to glory. It all goes down on the Fourth of July at the corner of Surf and Stillwell. Be there!
July 4th Day Party: St. James Joy & Soul Summit
Saturday, July 4th | 2:o0pm-9:00pm | RSVP here
St. James Joy & Soul Summit team up for a massive open-air day party at Industry City! There will be food trucks, family activities & games, alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages, a chill out zone, and access to the House of Goal Festival.
The 50th Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks | DUMBO
Saturday, July 4th | Approximately 9:25pm
To celebrate America’s 250th, and the 50th anniversary of the Macy’s Fireworks, there will be fireworks at the Brooklyn Bridge, East River and Hudson River this year. Spectators must have a ticket to view the fireworks from Brooklyn including Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Promenade. Free tickets will be available via lottery, check back regularly here. Get more info from our article on the Macy’s Fireworks.
SUNDAY
Free Admission Days at the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sundays | 10:00am-12:00pm | FREE admission but skate rental is $8 and skate mate rental is $6
Come to the Pier 2 Roller Skating Rink for some free family fun and exercise. Enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous views as you skate around the rink.
Sail 4th 250 Tall Ships | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, July 5th | 12:00pm-6:00pm | Reservations strongly recommended
America welcomes the tall ships of the world to the Port of New York and New Jersey for a universal celebration of America’s 250th anniversary! Sail4th 250 brings several to dock at Brooklyn Bridge Park, open for tours July 5th-7th from 12:00pm-6:00pm on most days. While tall ship tours are FREE of charge, reservations are strongly recommended due to high demand. Your reservation will guarantee your spot during your selected time frame. Children must be five and older to board the ships and require a ticket. Strollers are permissible on the piers but are not allowed aboard the tall ships. Closed-toe shoes are required to board the ships. This event is rain-or-shine.
Tour: Battle of Brooklyn’s Battle Pass | Prospect Park
Sunday, July 5th | 2:00pm
Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn with a Prospect Park tour about this major American War for Independence battle. Join Prospect Park Alliance for a free tour of the park to learn about the Battle of Brooklyn, the first and largest battle of the American War for Independence, on its 250th Anniversary. This one-hour tour begins and ends at Lefferts Historic House, and takes visitors to the park’s Battle Pass to see the replica fortifications where on August 27, 1776, thousands of Pennsylvania and New England soldiers fought their British and Hessian counterparts. Along the way, attendees will learn about the battle and its aftermath from the perspective of the Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family, soldiers who fought in what is now Prospect Park, and the overall impact of the conflict on Flatbush and Brooklyn. Please note this tour leaves promptly at 2:00pm. This tour is offered on other days and times as well. Please click link to see full availability.
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Updated: June 25, 2026 Featured image: Movies With A View at Brooklyn Bridge Park Come see Hamilton this week!
