Spring 2026 in Brooklyn brings a packed calendar for families: Coney Island’s amusement parks open their earliest season in years, a landmark $34 million Welcome Center debuts at Green-Wood Cemetery on April 18, and the beloved DanceAfrica festival celebrates its 49th year with Ugandan performers over Memorial Day weekend. From the first day of spring to the return of Smorgasburg, Open Streets, and free kayaking, here’s everything worth marking on your calendar through Memorial Day.
Late March: The Season Opens
Starting March 28 | Free admission, check website for ride and wristband pricing
Luna Park launches another season on March 28 with more than 50 rides for all ages, plus shopping and family-friendly food options along the boardwalk. The park is open weekends-only through Spring Break, daily during Spring Recess (April 2–12), and every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Memorial Day weekend, when it goes daily for the summer.
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park | Coney Island
Starting March 29 | 41st Annual Blessing of the Rides | First 106 guests rode the Wonder Wheel free! | Hours and pricing here
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park opens its 106th season on Saturday, March 29 with the annual Blessing of the Rides ceremony. Open daily during Spring Break (April 2–10), then weekends only through mid-May, then daily from Memorial Day weekend onward.
Pier 2 Roller Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
NOW OPEN | Check website for hours, pricing, and free skate sessions
The roller skating rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2 is back for its 12th season. The open-air rink offers skating with stunning Manhattan skyline views. Toddler skates, quad skates, rollerblades, and Skate Mates for beginners are all available. Check their calendar for themed events during Spring Break, including a chance to skate with the Easter Bunny in April. Free skating sessions offered on select days.
The Yard Adventure Playground | Governors Island
Starting April 1 |Weekends 12–4pm | Suggested $5 donation per child | play-ground.nyc/the-yard
NYC’s only adventure playground opens for the season on April 1 at Governors Island. The Yard is a kids-only space where young people get real tools — nails, hammers, saws, paint, tires, wood — and the freedom to build, explore, and imagine, supervised by trained playworkers. The main play area is recommended for ages 5–19; a separate family play area welcomes younger kids with a caregiver. Get to the island via the Governor’s Island ferry from 10 South St in Manhattan, or the NYC Ferry’s South Brooklyn route. Sign the waiver online before you go — data on the island is slow.
Risha Gorig: “The Journey” | Prospect Park Boathouse
Open through August 28 | FREE
A kinetic sculptural installation by Brooklyn-based artist Risha Gorig — a flock of pink birds soaring overhead, a meditation on migration and human existence. On view at the Boathouse all spring and summer, free.
Easter Egg Hunts | Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope & Beyond
Starting March 28 | Easter Sunday is April 5 | See our full Easter events roundup
Several Easter egg hunts happen the last week of March: the Brooklyn Heights Association Egg Hunt at Henry Chapin and Pierrepont Playgrounds on March 28, 10:30–11:30am (free, bring a basket); Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store in Park Slope hosts a free backyard egg hunt on March 28 at 10am with Passover and Easter crafts (RSVP required); and Trinity Grace Church holds a free egg hunt in Prospect Park on March 28, 10am–12pm.
Early April: Passover, Easter, Spring Break & the Return of Smorgasburg
Passover & Easter
Passover: April 1–9 | Easter Sunday: April 5
Passover begins at sundown Wednesday, April 1 (first seder that evening), running through nightfall Thursday, April 9. Brooklyn’s extensive Chabad network hosts community seders across Crown Heights, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Park Slope, and beyond — use chabad.org/passover to find one near you. For Easter, the marquee family event is the Easter Fun Explosion at Pier 2 Roller Rink on April 5 (2–8pm), and Brooklyn Bridge Parents hosts an Easter Celebration for Families at City Point on Saturday, April 4 with cookie decorating, selfies with the Easter Bunny, and spring crafts (11am or 12pm sessions, $23.18/child). For more, see our full Easter events roundup.
Prospect Park Carousel | Prospect Park
Now open | Thursday–Sunday and holidays, 12–5pm | $3 per ride, $13 for a book of 5 tickets
The beloved historic carousel returned for the season on March 28. Visit from 12–5pm on Thursday–Sunday and holidays. Free with a Prospect Park Alliance Family Supporter membership.
Easter Weekend Nature Exploration | Prospect Park
Saturday & Sunday, April 4–5 | 12–4pm | Prospect Park Boathouse | FREE
Join Prospect Park Alliance for free nature fun over Easter weekend. Activities include Nature Around Us (12–3pm), Animal Encounter (2–3pm), and Wilderness Walk (3–4pm). Explore the Lake and Lullwater, meet the animals in the Alliance’s collection, and search for woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches along the park’s nature trails.
NYC DOE Spring Recess | Citywide
Thursday, April 2 – Friday, April 10 | Schools closed | See our full spring break guide
Spring Recess overlaps with both Passover and Easter this year. Prospect Park Audubon Center opens for Spring Break with free nature programs: Discovery Packs, Animal Encounters, Nature’s Helpers lakeshore cleanup, and Family Bird Walks with binoculars provided. Brooklyn Children’s Museum runs its “Earth Rocks!” spring break festival ($15 admission; free Community Access Thursdays 2–5pm). Brooklyn Museum offers free admission for ages 19 and under. Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Spring First Discoveries program runs Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30am–12:30pm through June 12 — a drop-in for early learners up to age 4. See our day camps guide for camp options.
Smorgasburg | Williamsburg & Prospect Park
Saturdays, 11am–6pm | Marsha P. Johnson State Park, Williamsburg
Sundays, 11am–6pm | Breeze Hill, Prospect Park (enter at Lincoln Road) | April 5 – through October 25 | FREE
Now in its 16th year, Smorgasburg is back and running through October. This year the food festival features 74 vendors, including 22 new rookies with immigrant-founded businesses and global street food from Korea, India, Mexico, Colombia, and beyond. See the full vendor lineup here.
NOW OPEN | Saturdays & Sundays, 10am–5pm | DUMBO Archway | FREE
Brooklyn Flea is already open for the season at the DUMBO Archway and Pearl Street Plaza, with a huge variety of vendors selling vintage clothing, furniture, art, antiques, and more.
Mid-April: Cherry Blossoms, Green-Wood’s Welcome Center & DUMBO Open Studios
Prospect Park Audubon Center | Prospect Park
Regular weekend programming begins April 11 | FREE
The Audubon Center begins regular weekend programming on April 11. Free programs include Bird Nerd Game Hour (10am–1pm), Animal Encounters (11am–12pm), guided Bird Walks (12–1pm), and Nature’s Helpers citizen science. The Brooklyn Bird Club offers monthly guided walks from the Boathouse on the first of each month at 10am — free, no registration required.
Cherry Blossom Season | Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Peaks mid-April through early May | Timed tickets required | Free for children under 12 | $22 weekday / $27 weekend
Cherry blossom season at Brooklyn Botanic Garden typically begins in late March with early-blooming Okame cherries and peaks mid-April through early May. Use the Garden’s CherryWatch bloom tracker for real-time updates. Key viewing spots include the Cherry Esplanade, Cherry Walk, and the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. Note: the Eastern Parkway entrance remains closed — enter at 990 Washington Avenue or 455 Flatbush Avenue.
The Green-House at Green-Wood | Green-Wood Cemetery
Grand opening Saturday, April 18 | 750 Fifth Avenue | FREE and open year-round
The biggest new opening of the season: The Green-House at Green-Wood, a $34 million Welcome Center designed by Architecture Research Office and wrapped around the restored 1895 Weir Greenhouse. LEED Gold-certified, fully ADA-accessible, with exhibition galleries, a classroom for school programs (3K–12th grade), community meeting space, a lactation room, sensory-friendly space, and gender-neutral restrooms.
Healthy Kids Day | Prospect Park
Saturday, April 18 | 10am–2pm | Lena Horne Bandshell | FREE | RSVP at prospectpark.org
The YMCA and Prospect Park Alliance are partnering to bring Healthy Kids Day to Prospect Park for the first time. This national initiative features games, arts & crafts, fitness activities, and giveaways — all free, all outdoors, at the Lena Horne Bandshell.
DUMBO Open Studios | DUMBO & Vinegar Hill
Saturday & Sunday, April 18–19 | 1–6pm | FREE
Artists across DUMBO and Vinegar Hill open their doors to the public. Participating residency programs include Sharpe-Walentas, Smack Mellon, BRIClab, and Triangle Arts. For more neighborhood updates, see our DUMBO neighborhood news roundup.
Prospect Park Stroller Walk | Prospect Park
Thursdays, April 18–October 29 | 10am–12pm | Prospect Park Boathouse | FREE | RSVP required
Calling all parents and caregivers with children under 3! Join a Prospect Park Alliance Naturalist for a leisurely stroll along the park’s waterways every Thursday morning. The walk leaves promptly at 10am from the Boathouse.
Late April: Hanami Nights, Earth Day & Lakeside Opens
Hanami Nights | Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Tuesday–Friday, April 21–24 | 5:00–8:30pm | Ticketed
Four special ticketed evenings celebrating hanami (the Japanese tradition of cherry blossom viewing) beneath uplit trees on Cherry Esplanade, with live music, cultural performances, and specialty food and drinks. Check bbg.org for ticket pricing.
Earth Day Celebrations | Citywide
Wednesday, April 22 and surrounding weekÂ
Brooklyn celebrates Earth Day all week. Highlights include a free Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy celebration with educational activities and eco-art projects; the Fort Greene Park Earth Day Festival (Sunday, April 27, 11am–2pm); and the McGolrick Park Earth Day Festival in Greenpoint (Saturday, April 26 starting at 9am) with bird walks and bilingual nature walks. In Prospect Park, the Alliance hosts a free Earth Day event at the Boathouse on April 19 (10am–1pm).
LeFrak Center at Lakeside Spring Opening | Prospect Park
Friday, April 24 | Check prospectpark.org/lakeside for hours and pricing
Prospect Park’s LeFrak Center at Lakeside opens for the spring season on April 24. Enjoy roller skating on the scenic covered rink, rowboat and kayak rentals on Brooklyn’s only lake, and — back by popular demand — pickleball. Plan a visit and make the most of the warmer weather.
Spring Bird Migration | Prospect Park
Peaks late April through late May | FREE
Prospect Park sits along the Atlantic Flyway with 290 recorded species. Birders can spot up to 35 warbler species annually, plus Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Lookout Hill is the top migration hotspot. The Audubon Center provides free binoculars and guided walks.
Early May: Open Streets, Governors Island & Weekends in Bloom
Spring Fun on Governors Island
Full summer season typically launches ~May 1 | Ferry from Brooklyn Bridge Park/DUMBO
Governors Island’s seasonal attractions include The Yard Adventure Playground (already open on weekends!), the GrowNYC Urban Farm and Teaching Garden, Slide Hill — NYC’s longest slide at 57 feet — and Hammock Grove. New this year: Six Coasts by Smorgasburg, a massive 32,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant with seasonal seafood, opens in May.
Open Streets in Our Neighborhoods
Returning across Brooklyn starting April/MayÂ
Open Streets programs across our neighborhoods return this spring for free, family-friendly fun on car-free streets. DUMBO’s Washington Street typically resumes in early April, running seven days a week. Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights returns Sundays (10am–7pm) starting the first Sunday in May. Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights returns Saturdays (noon–10pm) in late April/early May. 5th Avenue in Park Slope returns Saturdays (2–10pm). For streetscape updates and bike lane changes, see our streetscape updates roundup.
Weekends in Bloom | Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Sundays, May 3 & May 10 (Mother’s Day!) | 10:30am–4pm | Free with admission
Pop-up music and dance performances, cultural programs, kids’ activities, and garden tours. Free with garden admission.
Mother’s Day Celebrations | Downtown Brooklyn & Beyond
Saturday, May 9
The “Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest” Mother’s Day Edition returns to Albee Square/City Point in Downtown Brooklyn — co-hosted by Brooklyn Bridge Parents, Brooklyn Org, and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, with a free flower bar, family dance party, music, face painting, and treats for moms. Best for families with kids ages 1–10.
Mid-May: Street Fairs, the Half Marathon & Kites Over the Harbor
May is Brooklyn’s busiest month for fairs and festivals. For the big picture, see our spring fairs to look forward to in May.
Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk | Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill & Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, May 9 – Sunday, May 17 | 12–6pm | FREE
A free, 1.5-mile, self-guided event showcasing art from over 125 local artists at 65+ participating businesses. Visitors of all ages can stroll through to see paintings, drawings, 3D art, mixed media, photography, live art, and walking tours.
The Shirley Chisholm Way: Brooklyn’s Blueprint for Change | Prospect Park
Exhibit opening Thursday, May 14 | 6–8pm | Lefferts Historic House | FREE | RSVP required | On view through November 15
Prospect Park Alliance and the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute present a new exhibit exploring how Brooklyn’s beloved daughter broke down gender and racial barriers to fight for her community, becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress. Part of the Alliance’s ReImagine Lefferts initiative.
RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon | Prospect Park to Coney Island
Saturday, May 16 | 7:00am start | Brooklyn Museum → Prospect Park → Ocean Parkway → Coney Island Boardwalk
One of the largest half marathons in the country. The 13.1-mile course starts at the Brooklyn Museum, loops through Prospect Park, heads south on Ocean Parkway, and finishes on the Coney Island Boardwalk. Expect significant road closures through Park Slope, Prospect Heights, and along Ocean Parkway early Saturday morning. Spectating is free along the entire route!
Pinkster Celebration | Prospect Park
Sunday, May 17 | 2–5pm | Lefferts Historic House | FREE
Prospect Park Alliance ushers in the season at Lefferts Historic House with a celebration of Pinkster, a historic festival of African culture in New York, featuring Chief Baba Neil Clarke, the Pinkster Players, and friends. Music, history, performances, storytelling, demonstrations, games, and food.
Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair | Park Slope
Sunday, May 17 | 11am–6pm | 5th Avenue from Sterling Place to 12th Street | FREE
Park Slope’s beloved annual street festival stretches 18 blocks along 5th Avenue. Local food vendors, art, live music, rides, bouncy castles, and family fun. Rain or shine.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Kite Festival | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Expected mid-May Saturday (TBD) | Pier 5 | FREE
The one day each year kite flying is allowed in the park. Bring your own kite or purchase one on-site. Past festivals featured kite-making workshops, lawn games, face painting, live music, and professional kite demonstrations.
BBP Spring Fling on Montague Street | Brooklyn Heights
Sunday, May 17 | 12–4pm | FREE | Details on Eventbrite
Brooklyn Bridge Parents’ second annual Spring Fling takes over car-free Montague Street (Clinton–Henry & Henry–Hicks) for a full day of community play and discovery with 25 free kids’ activities: interactive games, arts & crafts, soccer, STEM, building activities and more. The PuppetMobile presents a special performance at 1pm. Best for ages 0–12. Rain or shine.
Willowtown Annual Spring Fair | Brooklyn Heights
Expected mid-May Saturday (TBD) | 12–5pm | Willow Place | FREE
DUMBO Drop | DUMBO
Friday, May 29 | Ticketed | Details TBC
The DUMBO Drop returns on Friday, May 29. This year’s event will be ticketed — more details to come. Keep an eye on our DUMBO neighborhood news for updates.
Memorial Day Weekend: DanceAfrica & the Start of Summer
DanceAfrica | BAM, Fort Greene
May 22–25 | Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave | Tickets from $20 | Check bam.org for full schedule
The nation’s largest celebration of African diasporic dance and music returns to BAM for its 49th year, spotlighting the rhythms and culture of Uganda with performances from the Ndere Troupe under artistic director Abdel R. Salaam. The free DanceAfrica Outdoor Bazaar runs Saturday through Monday on the streets surrounding BAM, with 150+ vendors offering African, Caribbean, and African-American food, crafts, and fashion.
Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade | Bay Ridge
Monday, May 25 | 11am | 3rd Avenue from 78th Street to John Paul Jones Park
Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade — one of the oldest continuously run Memorial Day parades in any large American city (since 1867). Ceremony with bagpipes, wreath laying, 21-gun salute, and Taps. Note: Fleet Week has moved to July 3–8 this year for the America 250th semiquincentennial.
Coming This Summer: FIFA World Cup & More
FIFA World Cup 2026 | Multiple venues
Matches begin mid-June | Free public viewing events expected across Brooklyn
The FIFA World Cup comes to North America this summer — with matches in New York/New Jersey among the host cities. Free public viewings for families are expected at parks and public spaces across Brooklyn throughout the tournament. We’ll be tracking the best spots to watch with kids as details are announced. Stay tuned to our events calendar for updates.
Kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Expected to begin late May | Pier 4 Beach | FREE
The completely free program (run by BBP Boathouse volunteers) offers single and double kayaks with all equipment provided. Sessions run about 20 minutes; advanced registration opens two weeks ahead. Children under 14 must share a double kayak with a guardian. And once it gets really hot, check out our guide to water sprinklers in our neighborhoods.
Note: Celebrate Brooklyn! at the Lena Horne Bandshell doesn’t begin until July 18 this year, and Movies With A View at Brooklyn Bridge Park is a summer series in July and August — both worth looking forward to, just beyond our spring window.
As the weather warms up, we can look forward to eating outdoors again — check out our guides to family-friendly restaurants, top brunch spots, and date night restaurants in Brooklyn, many of which will be reopening patios and outdoor areas for dining.
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