The outdoor event season for families is kicking off in May festivals celebrating music, dance, art, and more, plus block parties and street fairs in our neighborhoods. Mark your calendar for block parties in Brooklyn Heights, BAM’s DanceAfrica festival, the DUMBO Drop, Photoville, a Greek festival plus more outdoor events through October. We will add more as the outdoor season continues, so check back in!
Sound & Color! Spring Festival at Pier 5 | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, May 18 | 11am-5pm | Free
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. Full schedule and details to come, check back 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!
BAM’s DanceAfrica Festival Community Day | Bed Stuy
Saturday, May 18 | 1pm | Free
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!
Graham Avenue Fiesta | Williamsburg
Saturday, May 18 | 10am-6pm | Free
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.
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.
DanceAfrica Bazaar | Fort Greene
Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27 | 12-10pm on Saturday, 12-8pm on Sunday & Monday | Free
DanceAfrica’s beloved bazaar returns, featuring more than 150 vendors from around the world, offering African, Caribbean, and African-American food, crafts, and fashion. Celebrate the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Africa and its diaspora—and see the streets surrounding BAM transformed into a global marketplace. The bazaar will take place on Ashland Pl (between Hanson Pl & Fulton St) and Lafayette Ave (between Flatbush Ave & Fort Greene Pl).
DUMBO DROP | DUMBO
Friday, May 31 | Drops at 5pm & 7pm | $15-$25 tickets | Block Party & Kids Zone free
DUMBO DROP is an annual tradition where thousands of toy elephants parachute down from the skies of Dumbo onto cobblestoned Washington Street – Brooklyn’s most iconic block. Plus, there’s an epic block party with kids activities, restaurant row and more! The DUMBO Drops will take place on Friday, May 31 with elephant drops ($15-25) at 5 and 7 pm. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to Dumbo’s Title 1 public schools, PS307 Elementary + The Dock Street Middle School. NEW! You must purchase a viewing ticket to watch the elephants fly! Enjoy FREE Dumbo Archway Kids Zone + Block Party as always from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, no need to RSVP. Learn more here!
Brooklyn Greek Festival | Brooklyn Heights
Monday, June 3 – Sunday, June 9 | Free
The Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Brooklyn is hosting its annual Greek street fair from June 3rd through June 9th on car-free Schermerhorn Street. There will be traditional food, dancing, live music, kids activities and much more every day. Stay tuned for more details and the lineup of events!
Photoville Festival | DUMBO
Saturday, June 1 – Sunday, June 16 | Free
Photoville returns for its 13 year in New York City! “Photo Village,” with its signature photography exhibits displayed in shipping containers, will be returning to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photoville Festival will kick off an Opening Day Community Celebration on June 1 and 2. There will also be artist-led walking tours and workshops. Exhibition details to be announced in early May, stay tuned!
Sunday, June 23 | 12-5pm | Free, RSVP here
Get ready for a day filled with all things natural hair at the Tompkins Avenue Merchants Association. Join us for a celebration of curls, kinks, and coils. Discover new products, techniques, and styles while connecting with fellow natural hair enthusiasts. From vendors to live demos, this event is a must-attend for anyone embracing their natural beauty. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate and empower natural hair! Free hair giveaways when you RSVP! Follow the hair convos and more on Instagram.
Back to School Party on Montague Open Streets | Brooklyn Heights
Sunday, September 15 | 11 am – 3 pm | Free
Save the date for Montague Open Streets Back to School Party, with 30+ free kids activities, performances and games!
Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Day @ Brooklyn Commons | Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, September 28 | 10am-4pm | Free
The 2024 Brooklyn Book Festival returns September 22 – 30 and includes 9 days of literary events. The festival include a Children’s Day in Brooklyn Commons! With a Picture Book Stage, Young Reader’s Stage, Performance Stage, Workshop Room and a dedicated Makers & Creators corner, families enjoy a full day of readings, workshops, performances, book signings, and art projects with favorite authors and illustrators.
Atlantic Antic | Atlantic Avenue from Fourth Avenue to Waterfront
Sunday, September 29 | 12 – 6 pm | Free
Fall Fest | Atlantic Terminal Mall Plaza
Saturday, October 12 | 11 am – 2 pm | Free
Brooklyn Bridge Parents has partnered up with Atlantic Terminal Mall to host our annual Fall Fest on Saturday, October 12th from 11 am to 2 pm. We will turn the plaza into one big pumpkin patch, play and dance zone! Stay tuned for more details.
Sound & Color! Autumn In New York | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, October 19 | 11am-5pm | Free
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s annual fall festival will celebrate the changing of the season on Saturday, October 19, with an all-day family-friendly festival of music, arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games and more. Check back here for 2024 details and schedule!
Updated: May 6, 2024. Main Image: Willowtown Spring Fair.
