Spring 2026 in Brooklyn brings a packed calendar for families: The kite festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park is on, DUMBO Drop and DUMBO Dance Party are returning, and the beloved DanceAfrica festival celebrates its 49th year with Ugandan performers over Memorial Day weekend. The return of Smorgasburg, Open Streets, Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest in Downtown Brooklyn and the Spring Fling with puppet show in Brooklyn Heights, here’s everything worth marking on your calendar through Memorial Day.
Now Open | 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
Now Open | 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
NOW OPEN |Weekends 12–4pm | Suggested $5 donation per child | play-ground.nyc/the-yard
NYC’s only adventure playground opens March 28–29 (this weekend), celebrating its 10th anniversary season. The Yard is Governors Island’s 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.
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.
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
Now open | 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. Check out our Brooklyn Cherry Blossom Guide here.
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 DUMBO neighborhood news.
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 the 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). Check out our Earth Day Guide here.
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, 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, visit NYC DOT’s Open Streets page.
Park Slope Picnic
Saturday, May 2 | 12:30–2:30pm | 4th Street Plaza off 5th Avenue, Park Slope | FREE
Four Park Slope community organizations — The Old Stone House, Park Slope Parents, Park Slope Civic Council, and the 5th Avenue BID — are teaming up with NYC DoT Open Streets for a free neighborhood picnic. Bring your own food, drinks, plates, and utensils (BYOP!). There’ll be live music, a dessert contest, and plenty of new neighbors to meet. Tables and chairs provided. Rain date: event canceled if it rains. Free tickets required for seating — register on Eventbrite.
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 Celebration | Downtown Brooklyn
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.
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.
DUMBO Dance Party Kick-Off | DUMBO
Friday, May 15 | 6 – 8 pm | DUMBO Archway Plaza | Free
Hip hop, pop and global grooves at this high-energy outdoor dance party series for all ages. Monthly on Friday from 6 to 8 pm in the DUMBO Archway Plaza! DJ | Food | Drinks | Kids Activities. Let’s dance! All ages invited!
Fort Greene Park Health Fest
Saturday 5/16 | 12 – 4 pm (Brooklyn Bridge Parents kids zone 12 – 3 pm)
Join the Brooklyn Bridge Parents Kids Zone at the annual Fort Greene Park Health Fest on Saturday, May 16 from 12 to 3 pm with Lego building, crafts and games. Plus: Free music, healthy food tastings, blood pressure check-ups, yoga, health screenings, giveaways, raffles, children’s stories and more. RSVP here.
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!
The Longest Table Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, May 16 | 12:30–2:30pm | Remsen Street to the Promenade, Brooklyn Heights | FREE
One of Brooklyn Heights’ most beloved new traditions returns — a free, block-long communal potluck stretching down a car-free Remsen Street all the way to the Promenade. Bring your own food, plates, and silverware; the Brooklyn Heights Association provides tables, chairs, and tablecloths. Last year over 400 neighbors showed up to share a meal, meet new faces, and enjoy an afternoon of genuine community. Registration opens May 1 at longesttablebkheights.org. See our impressions from last year.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Kite Festival | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, May 16 | 11 am – 3 pm 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.
Willowtown Annual Spring Fair | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday. May 16 | 12–5pm | Willow Place | FREE
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 Parents 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.
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.
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.
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.
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Coming in June: FIFA World Cup & More
McCarren Park & Pool | Williamsburg / Greenpoint
McCarren is the shared backyard for Williamsburg and Greenpoint families once the weather turns – playgrounds, ball fields, and stroller-friendly paths mean you can easily spend half a day here. When the city pool opens for the season, it becomes a full-on summer destination: big-kid swim, splashy toddler zone, and plenty of space to cool off after a playground marathon.
Transmitter Park Water Play & Sunset Picnic | Greenpoint
Transmitter Park is one of those spots that feels like a secret even though it isn’t: a mellow waterfront playground, a little spray area in hot weather, and wide-open lawn for blanket picnics. Come late afternoon for that golden-hour view of the Manhattan skyline while the kids run laps on the pier and hunt for boats.
Eagle Street Rooftop Farm Sunday Visits | Greenpoint
For a spring outing that quietly doubles as a science lesson, head to Eagle Street Rooftop Farm on a Sunday open day. Kids can see vegetables growing against a full-on skyline backdrop, check out compost, meet farmers, and maybe even help harvest – it’s Brooklyn farm-to-table in the most literal way.
Domino Park Splash Pad & Playground | Williamsburg
Once the fountains come back on, Domino Park’s playground and splash pad basically run the day for Williamsburg families. Kids climb, dig, and get gloriously soaked while grown-ups sneak in coffee or a slice from nearby spots and take in the Williamsburg Bridge views.
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.
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