Summer is in full swing, and the Fourth of July is upon us! Our overview covers all the free family-friendly activities happening this week, including Independence Day fireworks. Highlights also include Nathan’s hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, the first concert of Cobble Hill’s Summer Music in the Park series, a free skateboarding class on Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights, plus so much happening on Governors Island, including cheeseburger festival and an interactive dance party where participants will create a unique painting with their dancing feet!
Free Admission Days @ Pier 2 Roller Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, July 7 | 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.
Movement Mondays: Samba Roots with Quenia Ribeiro @ The Plaza at 300 Ashland | Downtown Brooklyn
Monday July 1 | 6-7pm | Register here
Work it out on The Plaza every Monday with this energetic and motivating dance series! First ten attendees to check-in with us at the tent can take home a free Downtown Brooklyn-branded bandana! The Queen of Samba, Quenia Ribeiro, introduces the various forms of Samba from Rio De Janeiro and Bahia. This series goes beyond dance and movement; it is an electrifying journey through rhythm and time!
Serve at St. Ann’s Food Pantry | Brooklyn Heights
Tuesday, July 2 | 9:30-11:30am | Ages 10+ with a guardian, ages 13+ without a guardian
Each Tuesday, St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church serves 100+ neighbors in need of fresh produce and other essentials. Over the summer months, they have fewer volunteers and could use some help! Tasks include setting up tables, organizing and greeting patrons, cleaning, breaking down boxes, and other assigned work. Volunteers must be responsible, reliable, eager to learn, and have a great attitude.
Tiny Storytime @ Books Are Magic | Cobble Hill & Brooklyn Heights
Tuesday, July 2 | 11am | 225 Smith Street in Cobble Hill
Thursday, July 4 | 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!
Summer Lunchtime Jazz Concerts: Nikita White @ Columbus Park Plaza | Downtown Brooklyn
Tuesday, July 2 | 12-1:30pm
Enjoy your lunch outdoors at the foot of Brooklyn Borough Hall with some of Jazz’s celebrated musicians. On July 2, Nikita White performs. Originally from Chicago, vocalist Nikita White moved to New York in 1980 and began studying voice with Dr. Barry Harris’ vocal workshop, then went on to work with a variety of notable artists including Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Washington, Henry Butler, George Braith, Russell Hall and Lafayette Harris. She has toured in Europe, studied at Long Island University, and performed freelance for many years, including a turn as Ella Fitzgerald in the play SS Nirvana.
Jack and Friends Summer Concert Series: Hopalong Andrew in the Park Slope Library Garden | Park Slope
Tuesday, July 2 | 4-4:45pm | Ages 2-7 | Registration will open 24 hours in advance
Join us for our Jack and Friends Summer concert series every Tuesday in June & 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 our auditorium and only those registered will be admitted entry.
Fireworks Painting @ Adams Street Library | DUMBO
Tuesday, July 2 | 4-5pm
Get ready for the 4th of July! Come to the library to create your own fireworks painting!
Youth Basketball Clinic with King Hoops | Pier 2 @ Brooklyn Bridge Park
Tuesday, July 2 | 5-7pm | Ages 4-17 | Register here
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!
RECESS @ Industry City | Sunset Park
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday | 5-9pm | Through Labor Day
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.
Cobble Hill Music in the Park: Nate Sabat | Cobble Hill
Tuesday, July 2 | 6-7pm | RSVP here
Join us for the first concert in the Cobble Hill Association’s much-anticipated Summer Music in the Park series. This annual celebration brings the community together for an unforgettable evening of live music. Kicking off our first summer concert of 2024 is Nate Sabat! Please join us from 6pm to 7pm in Cobble Hill Park. Read more about Nate here.
Cadman Park Storytime with Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, July 3 | 10:30-11am
Join us for Outdoor Storytime at Cadman Park! We will be singing songs and reading stories on the grass right next to the Juneteenth Grove. For all ages and their grownups. No registration required.
Play! A Pop-Up Obstacle Course at Abolitionist Plaza | Downtown Brooklyn
Wednesday, July 3 | 2-5pm
In partnership with Street Lab, we present, PLAY, a pop-up obstacle course. Join us for an afternoon filled with colorful barriers, hurdles with chalk drawings, a maze and racetrack. The program builds on Street Lab’s work at NYC play streets since 2013, and was designed from the ground up with industrial designer Hannah Berkin-Harper in response to COVID-19. The program launched in July 2020 in conjunction with the launch of the city’s first official Play Street Program.
Free Admission at New York Aquarium | Coney Island
Wednesday, July 3 | 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. 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 the neighborhood; 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.
Patriotic Flag Painting @ Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, July 3 | 4-5pm
Come paint a patriotic flag with us so you’ll be ready for your local parades! We will provide you with a canvas, hand-size flag on a stick and acrylics!
Paramount + Movie Night: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) | Prospect Park
Wednesday, July 3 | Pre-movie activities at 6pm | Movie at sunset |RATED PG-13: Material may be inappropriate for young children | RSVP here
his summer, you can catch your favorite films shown in Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, McCarren Park, and Coney Island Beach for free beginning at sunset. 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).
Open Sound 2024: eGALitarian Brass at Open Source Gallery | Park Slope
Wednesday, July 3 | 7-9pm
Open Sound takes place on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm at Open Source Gallery. This week’s performance is by eGALitarian Brass. eGALitarian Brass is a chamber ensemble comprised of New York City’s best women and non binary brass players. eGALitarian Brass has presented recitals at Newport Classical, Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, Women Composer’s Festival of Hartford, International Women’s Brass Conference, New York Women Composers, Spectrum’s Female Composers Festival.
Fourth of July Holiday with Prospect Park Alliance | Prospect Park
Thursday, July 4 | 12-5pm
Join for family-friendly programming on Fourth of July at the Prospect Park Audubon Center and the Carousel. The schedule of programs will celebrate Pollinator Month. Afterwards, stay for carousel rides until 5pm ($3 per ride, $13 for a book of 5 tickets).
- Butterfly Watch 12–3 pm: Learn about NYC common butterflies, their life cycle, and how they help plants
- Animal Encounters 2–3 pm: Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 2 pm.
- Nature on the Go! 3–4 pm: Join an Alliance Naturalist for Nature on the Go activities to explore the park and learn about the nature around us.
Storytime in the Park | Fort Greene Park
Thursday, July 4 | 4-4:45pm
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. Storytime in the Park will be located at the bottom of the monument stairs in Fort Greene Park’s northwest corner. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at Walt Whitman Library, 93 St. Edwards St., Brooklyn, NY 11205.
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest | Coney Island
Thursday July 4 | 11am-1pm
The 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest continues the 100+ year tradition at the iconic Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island.
8th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular | Coney Island
Thursday, July 4 | 9:30pm
Coney Island’s 8th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular will start at approximately 9:30pm. Visitors can view the fireworks anywhere on the Boardwalk from West 10th Street to West 23rd Street Street to see the show! Organizers encourage taking public transportation (D, F, N, Q trains) to Stillwell Ave. for an easier commute, due to the expected volume of people.
First Friday Storytime @ Books Are Magic | Carroll Gardens
Friday, July 5 | 11-11:30am | RSVP here
While the Carroll Gardens branch of the Bklyn Public Library undergoes renovations, we’re excited to bring their storytimes to our Smith Street location! Join us on the first Friday of every month for 30 minutes of reading and singing with librarian Ms. Sarah!
Vanderbilt Open Streets | Prospect Heights
Friday, July 5, 5-10pm | Saturday, July 6, 12-10pm | Sunday, July 7, 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!
Live Salsa Music @ Sahadi’s | Industry City | Sunset Park
Friday, July 5 | 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
Friday, July 5 | 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!
Seaport Kids x Music Fest | Seaport
Saturday, July 6 | 11 am – 1 pm
Head to Seaport Square on Saturday, July 6th for a day of music and fun with interactive music performances, dance parties, and fun filled activities for the whole family with Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents. On the big stage, Mr Marc will be spinning tunes and bringing the fun with a full schedule of musical performances and dance parties. Baba Yah of BK Music Learning will be leading an interactive Hip Hop workshop and music class for the kiddos. There will also be a giant sandbox, kids activities and refreshments at the Seaport Square.
Family Storytime @ Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, July 6 | 11-11:30am
Join us for storytime! We’ll enjoy a celebration of learning and literacy with books, music, and movement while meeting other members of the community for a great opportunity to have fun and make friends. For all ages and their grownups. No registration required.
Storytime at The Center for Fiction Bookstore | Fort Greene
Saturday, July 6 | 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.
Free Skateboarding Class on Vanderbilt | Prospect Heights
Saturday, July 6 | 12-3pm
Skate Everything School is back on Vanderbilt with a skateboarding class for all levels! They’ll have boards and gear to borrow, or you can bring your own. SES will hold skate lessons from 12-3pm on the first Saturday of the month May through September.
Urban Farm Tour | Governors Island
Saturday, July 6 | 2-3:30pm | Register here
Discover a world of bees, compost, and organic gardening right in New York City! Join the Bee Conservancy, Earth Matter NY, and GrowNYC for a tour of the Urban Farm on Governors Island, and learn about each organization’s work. Tours take place on the first Saturday of every month from 2 – 3:30pm (weather permitting).
Free First Saturdays at Brooklyn Museum | Prospect Heights
Saturday, July 6 | 4-10pm | Register in advance here
For twenty-five years, we’ve hosted First Saturdays—monthly evenings of free programming welcoming visitors from central Brooklyn and beyond—at the Brooklyn Museum. Advance registration is required. Admission is subject to our capacity at the time of your arrival.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Film Night: Do The Right Thing (1989) | Prospect Park
Saturday, July 6 | Doors at 6:30pm | Movie at 7:30 | RATED R: Material may be inappropriate for young children | RSVP here
Join us for a BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! movie night as we screen Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the quintessential Brooklyn tale, featuring Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy “Do or Die” neighborhood and Public Enemy’s anthem-turned-battlecry “Fight the Power,” Lee’s iconic film resonates just as poignantly and urgently today as it did in 1989. Before the screening, be sure to join us for a panel featuring special guests. Doors open at 6:30pm, screening begins at 7:30pm. RSVP to let us know you’re coming and be entered for a chance to win two VIP tent passes!
Brooklyn Pop-Up Market at the Brooklyn Museum | Prospect Heights
Sunday, July 7 | 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).
DUMBO Family Games on Car-Free Washington Street | DUMBO
Sunday, July 7 | 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.
Cheeseburgers in Paradise | Governors Island
Sunday, July 7 | 11am-4pm
Escape to Governors Island for a special summer event like no other! Collective Retreats and Hamburger America are teaming up to bring you “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” an unforgettable day filled with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and musical fun. From 11AM to 4PM, all are invited to enjoy mouth-watering burgers crafted by the experts at Hamburger America. Burgers are $8. There will also be drink specials for adults, and a sunset bonfire sing-a-long with Hamburger America chef and owner George Motz. No registration or RSVP required.
Family Day at Barcade | Williamsburg
Sunday, July 7 | 12-5pm | Ages 10+
Join us for Family Day in Brooklyn! From 12-5pm on the first Sunday of each month, bring the family out for some classic arcade games and pinball! As this location doesn’t have a kitchen, feel free to bring a lunch! We also have snacks available for purchase. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Games People Play: Let’s Dance | Governors Island
Sunday, July 7 | 2-4pm | RSVP here
ArtCrawl Harlem and mixed-media artist (and 2024 artist in residence) Sally Twin invite all to come dance and explore movement while creating a painting! Your dancing feet (the printing press) upon prepared bubble wrap will make a unique work of art in the front lawn of Colonels Row Building 403. Group motion in the form of dance games will press small colored dots onto a giant canvas — pointillism meets literal pop art.
Soul Summit | Fort Greene Park
Sunday, July 7 | 3-8pm
Join the dance party this summer! The Soul Summit Music Festival is an event that takes place in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoons, 3pm-8pm during the summer. Organized and led by Soul Summit Music, the DJ collective founded in 2002 by Sadiq Bellamy, Tabu, and Jeff Mendoza. Always free and open to the public, the festival showcases artists of various backgrounds, including DJs, bands, dance companies, fashion designers, filmmakers and photographers, just to name a few.
Habana Outpost Movie Nights: Independence Day | Fort Greene
Sunday, July 7 | 8pm
Habana Outpost is back with Sunday MOVIE NIGHTS! A different favorite flick every weekend on their back patio, as a side to delicious frozen margaritas and Cuban/Mexican fare. This week’s movie is Independence Day (Rated PG-13; material may not be suitable for children).
Updated: June 29, 2024. Main Image: Coney Island fireworks.
