Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette
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Free in March: Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Storytime, colorful puppets, and powder play make the annual Holi at The Seaport particularly celebratory. Photo courtesy of The Seaport
Storytime, colorful puppets, and powder play make the annual Holi at The Seaport particularly celebratory. Photo courtesy of The Seaport
3/3/23 - By Rosalind Muggeridge

When it comes to free things to do in March, NYC kids are in for a treat. We've found nearly 30 completely free things to do in NYC this month, including everything from St. Patrick's Day celebrations to book launches, garden parties, and more. 

Read on for our picks for the best free family activities this March in New York City, including picks in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. You can find more top events in our always-packed Family Activity Calendar. Plus, there are loads of seasonal must-do's in our NYC Spring Fun Guide for Families.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Things To Do in NYC: Wednesday, March 1-Sunday, March 5

Hands on History: St. Patrick's Day

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, March 4
Stop by King Manor to learn about the history of Irish immigration to New York, what the Irish workers of King Manor did, and make a craft shamrock and harp to take home. READ MORE

Introduction to Birdwatching

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, March 4
Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club on an introductory walk to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. BYO binoculars, if you have a pair. READ MORE

Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade

Staten Island
Saturday, March 5
The annual Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade attracts thousands of spectators to Forest Avenue each year for a procession of the borough's pipe bands, school bands, revelers in Irish pride, and celebrated figures. READ MORE

48th Annual Queens County Rockaway St. Patrick's Day Parade

Rockaway, Queens
Saturday, March 5
Head to Rockaway Beach for an early St. Patrick’s Day Parade the first Saturday in March. The annual procession starts with a mass for peace at St. Francis de Sales Church, before stepping off behind grand marshals that include congressmen and respected community members. READ MORE

St. Pat's for All Parade 2023

Sunnyside, Queens
Sunday, March 5
The St. Pat's for All Parade celebrates the diversity of the Irish and Irish American communities of New York. First held in 2000, St. Pat's for All cherishes and celebrates an inclusive St. Patrick's season.  READ MORE

Purim Carnival

Hudson Heights
Sunday, March 5
Hebrew Tabernacle of Washington Heights hosts a Purim Carnival for the whole family with a bouncy house, VR and carnival games, face painting, food, and music.  READ MORE

Fresh Fly Fabulous: 50 Years of Hip-Hop Style

Chelsea
Through Sunday, April 23
Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous focuses on several themes that have carried through hip-hop style over the last five decades, from the expression of Black Pride, to the centrality of outerwear and denim, and the influence of sports, and of course, celebrity style. READ MORE
The Queens Botanical Garden Children's Garden Family Day returns this spring for a day full of of fun planting activities and garden crafts. Photo by Denver Samaroo
The Queens Botanical Garden Children's Garden Family Day returns this spring for a day full of of fun planting activities and garden crafts. Photo by Denver Samaroo

Free Things To Do in NYC: Monday, March 6-Sunday, March 12

Celebrate Holi

Lincoln Square
Wednesday, March 8
Welcome spring the Hindu way, with colored powder, dance performances, dance workshops, and Indian drummers. READ MORE

Zaha Hadid – Queen of the Curve {SOLD OUT}

Battery Park City
Saturday, March 11
After a read-aloud of The World is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter, kids use natural forms to build a model without using any straight lines. Are you up for the challenge? READ MORE

FrogWatch Night Hike

Charleston, Staten Island
Saturday, March 11
Frogs and toads are an important part of wetland ecosystems, and visitors to Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve are invited to participate in this community science project to monitor the frogs in local ponds. READ MORE

Children's Garden Family Day

Flushing, Queens
Sunday, March 12
Learn about the Children’s Garden at Queens Botanical Garden through planting activities and crafts. READ MORE

25th Annual Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Throggs Neck, Bronx
Sunday, March 12
The Throggs Neck Benevolent Association's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade turns out the crowds to celebrate the holiday. The parade route heads down East Tremont, toward Harding Avenue, and turns right onto Harding Avenue. There is a reviewing stand at Harding and Tremont. READ MORE
The streets of Midtown turn green as the St. Patrick's Day Parade marches up Fifth Avenue on the holiday. Photo courtesy of the parade
The streets of Midtown turn green as the St. Patrick's Day Parade marches up Fifth Avenue on the holiday. Photo courtesy of the parade

Free Things To Do in NYC: Monday, March 13-Sunday, March 19

New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade

Midtown
Friday, March 17
NYC turns green once again as its famous St. Patrick's Day Parade marches up Fifth Avenue, past St. Patrick's Cathedral at 50th Street, all the way up to 79th Street and the Irish Historical Society, where the parade finishes at about 4:30-5pm. READ MORE

ExploraStory Kids: Storytelling Nature Walk with Rachael Harrington

Inwood
Saturday, March 18
Local storyteller Rachael Harrington leads participants on a walk through the depths of Fort Tryon Park, observing natural elements along the way. Kids create original characters and fairytales based on the unique natural features of the Alpine Garden and surrounding area. READ MORE

Bond with Brooklyn: Community Free Skate

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, March 18
Bond with Brooklyn—a Brooklyn-centric initiative for community building—invites families to a community skate event that includes free admission, skate rentals, hot chocolate, and a photo booth. READ MORE

Seaport Kids: Celebrate Holi

South Sreet Seaport
Saturday, March 18
In celebration of Holi, the traditional Indian festival of colors marking the start of spring, The Seaport hosts special programming by The Culture Tree. Kids watch an amazing puppet show and some traditional Holi dance performances, learn to dance in an Indian dance workshop, and make their own Holi-inspired puppets. READ MORE

Art in the Park: Build a Kite - SOLD OUT

Charleston, Staten Island
Saturday, March 18
Head over to the Clay Pit Ponds Nature Center to build a biodegradable kite to take home. READ MORE

Outdoor Ed-ventures: Obstacle Course - SOLD OUT

Tribeca
Saturday, March 18
Kids are invited to Rockefeller Park for the ultimate obstacle course crush! Each play safe obstacle has been constructed to challenge agility, coordination, balance, speed, and endurance. READ MORE

Annual Brooklyn St. Patrick's Day Parade

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, March 19
Head to South Slope for this festive St. Patrick's Day Parade (also the oldest St. Paddy's Day parade in Brooklyn!). Music, marching bands, face painting, Irish dancers, and antique cars are all back this year. READ MORE

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Open House

Midtown West
Sunday, March 19
Irish Arts Center's 2023 open house features all-day traditional music and dance, live piano karaoke sing-alongs of Ireland and Irish-America’s greatest hits, a performance and group lesson by World Irish Dance Champion Tyler Shwartz, spring equinox-inspired arts and crafts, and a sampling of the venue's multidisciplinary educational offerings. READ MORE
The Macy's Flower Show,
The Macy's Flower Show, "Big Dreams Bloom Here," opens in late March. Photo by Jody Mercier

Free Things To Do in NYC: Monday, March 20-Friday, March 31

Family Fun and Fit Night

Hunts Point, the Bronx
Friday, March 24
Families are invited to Hunts Point Recreation Center for a Family Fun and Fit evening that includes fitness classes, tips on healthy eating, and more. READ MORE

Owl Prowl with Cliff Hagen

Charleston, Staten Island
Friday, March 24
Grab your flashlight and sense of adventure and join Cliff Hagen, a local middle school science teacher and president of the Protectors of Pine Oaks Woods, on a guided evening hike. Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll cover up to two miles searching for owls along the way. READ MORE

She's on Point

Greenbelt, Staten Island
Saturday, March 25
Staten Island Recreation hosts a celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day with activities that include sports clinics in flag football, basketball, pickleball, fitness hula hoops, and more. The Staten Island Recreation Robotics team perform a live demonstration, too. READ MORE

Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Sunday, March 26
The Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day parade kicks off at 1pm and runs along 3rd Avenue, starting at Marine Avenue and marching down to 67th Street. READ MORE

Macy's Herald Square Annual Flower Show

Herald Square
Sunday, March 26-Sunday, April 9
Macy's annual ode to springtime is in full bloom, with thousands of stunning flowers and lush plants transforming the flagship store into one of the most colorful destinations in NYC. READ MORE

Skate Party at Kwame Ture Recreation Center

Highbridge, the Bronx
Wednesday, March 29
NYC Parks and Council Member Althea Stevens hosts a Skate Party at Kwame Ture Recreation Center and invites families for an afternoon of music, dancing, and skating. READ MORE

Silent Disco

Williamsbridge, the Bronx
Friday, March 31
Boogie on the dance floor with silent headphones while a DJ spins kid-friendly tunes. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Beach 130th St. and Newport Ave.
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve, Nature Interpretive Center
Fifth Avenue at 44th Street
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve Interpretive Center
Hunts Point Recreation Center
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve, Nature Interpretive Center
Greenbelt Recreation Center - Lower Parking Lot
Kwame Ture Recreation Center