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Free in August: 75+ Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Bryant Park's Picnic Performances welcome New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. Photo by Ryan Muir Lores
Bryant Park's Picnic Performances welcome New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. Photo by Ryan Muir Lores
8/4/23 - By Drew Kristofik

NYC empties in August, but the free things to do keep rolling. The lull before back-to-school is anything but dull, and we've found 75 fun free August activities in NYC for families. Our top picks for fun, free things to do this August include Summer Streets, which sets kids loose with awesome activities at rest stops along the way, the annual Blues Barbecue in Hudson River Park, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Fest, and the always-lovely Hindu Lamp Ceremony.

Legions of dancers take over Battery Park for the week-long Battery Dance Fest. And music and kites harmonize at FlyNYC in Riverside Park.

Finally, August ends "love all," when Arthur Ashe Kids' Day returns during US Open Fans Week. Plus, you can play with MommyPoppins at the Seaport on August 23!

So, put away your wallet and venture out for one of these fun, free things to do in NYC this August. We also have a full list of free outdoor movies. Be sure to keep the Mommy Poppins Family Activity Calendar handy for new ideas and updates, and consult our giant list of 100 FREE things to do this summer for even more picks.

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More Free Summer Fun in NYC

100 Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer

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The Caribbean Vibe Steel Drum Band transports fans to the islands during Boogie Woogie Wednesdays at the Staten Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum.
The Caribbean Vibe Steel Drum Band transports fans to the islands during Boogie Woogie Wednesdays at the Staten Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum.

Free Things To Do in NYC All Month Long

Sunset Film Festival

Upper East Side
Wednesdays August 2 and 9
Carl Schurz's all-too-brief foray into outdoor evening films includes two family-friendly favorites this summer. READ MORE

Groove NYC - Dance for Kids

Long Island City, Queens
Wednesdays August 2 and 9
Socrates hosts Groove NYC dance sessions to give kids permission to move without judgment! Engage in expression through dance and music while supporting social-emotional learning. READ MORE

Summer for the City: Musical Story Time at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesdays, August 2 and 9
Lincoln Center celebrates Summer in the City with a free storytelling program in Damrosch Park. Curated by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, each story time event focuses on narratives perfect for all ages. READ MORE

Fantastic Forests: High Line Family Workshops

Chelsea
Wednesdays August 2 and 9
Explore the role the High Line’s native trees play in New York City’s unique ecosystem through a series of free kid-friendly art workshops. Learn what makes native trees unique while creating artworks inspired by urban forests. READ MORE

Summer on the Hudson: Pier 1 Picture Show

Upper West Side
Wednesdays August 2, 9, and 16
Settle in for a movie night on the pier! Bring a blanket and a picnic and watch family-friendly flicks with the Hudson River as a backdrop. Seating opens at 6:30pm. The movies start after sunset, at around 8:30pm. READ MORE

Movies on the Green

Glendale, Queens
Wednesdays August 2 and 16
Catch some of your all-time favorites on Wednesdays at the Center Green. Bring the family, a blanket or chair, and enjoy. Movies start at dusk, but come early to enjoy periodical entertainment.  READ MORE

Live at the Gantries Concert Series

Hunter's Point, Queens
Tuesdays through August 15
Concerts at the Gantries provide free outdoor summer entertainment featuring Queens-based musicians of diverse backgrounds, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the borough through different genres of music.  READ MORE

Forest Park Summer Concert Series

Forest Park, Queens
Thursdays through August 17
Bring a blanket and a picnic and settle back to hear tributes to some of the world's most iconic Broadway shows, musicians, and bands. READ MORE

Margaret, Shakespeare's Warrior Queen

Upper West Side
Select dates through Sunday, August 20
The Hudson Classical Theater Company presents an original adaptation and mash-up of Henry VI, Parts I, II, and III (known as the War of the Roses), exploring the story of Queen Margaret, one of the strongest, most cunning, and most complicated women Shakespeare ever wrote. READ MORE

Movies on the Waterfront

Astoria, Queens
Mondays through August 21
Catch a family-friendly outdoor screening, with a gorgeous view of Manhattan and a cool breeze off the river. READ MORE

Boogie Woogie Wednesday

Snug Harbor, Staten Island
Wednesdays through Wednesday, August 23
Boogie Woogie Wednesdays are weekly free outdoor interactive musical events held through August each summer. Entertainers include Irish step dancers, Disney Dance Party, and more. READ MORE

The Comedy of Errors

Multiple Locations in Queens and Staten Island
Select dates through Thursday, August 24
Hip to Hip Theatre Co. presents its 16th season of free Shakespeare in the parks, alternating between comedy—The Comedy of Errors—and tragedy—Richard II. READ MORE

Big City Fishing

Tribeca
Thursdays through Thursday, August 24
Drop in a line with the Park’s River Project team and go catch-and-release fishing at the water’s edge. All the necessary equipment and instruction is provided. READ MORE

Movies With a View

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Thursdays through Thursday, August 24
Brooklyn Bridge Park brings back Movies with a View for its 23rd season. This season's theme is "We Are Family." READ MORE

BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Multiple dates through Thursday, August 24
BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn is a free summer-long outdoor concert and performance series that has been presenting talent from around the world and around the block for more than 40 years. Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy! READ MORE

Sunset on the Hudson

Greenwich Village
Fridays through Friday, August 25
Start the weekend with musical entertainment on the waterfront! Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Summer Streets

Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park
Saturdays through Saturday, August 26
New York's favorite car-free street festival returns this July and August, as Summer Streets expands to open miles of NYC streets for people to play, run, walk, and bike across multiple weeks and in all five boroughs. READ MORE

Bollywood & Bhangra

Chelsea
Saturdays through Saturday, August 26
Bollywood and bhangra dance lessons are offered throughout the summer season at Pier 63. Dancers are invited to learn techniques from New York City’s Ajna Dance Company and the experience is adaptable to all levels and abilities. READ MORE

Harlem Meer Performance Festival

Central Park
Weekends through Saturday, August 26
After three decades of bringing the best local music and dance talent to Central Park, the Harlem Meer Summer Festival is expanding to offer a variety of multicultural musical performances, exercise classes, and more to get heart rates up with a lineup of movement classes for a summer of fun and well-being. READ MORE

Le Carrousel Extravaganza

Midtown West
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through Wednesday, August 30
Throughout the summer, Bryant Park's charming carousel serves as the backdrop for a mix of kid-friendly entertainment. Discover scientific marvels, be awed by trickery in magic shows, and see puppet shows and story times, too.  READ MORE

Creative Break

Greenwich Village
Wednesdays through Saturdays through Saturday, September 2
Little Island hosts weekly art-making activities for all ages with its teaching artists or guest organizations. READ MORE

Rocking the Boat: Community Rowing

Hunts Point, the Bronx
Weekends through Sunday, September 3
Explore the Bronx River aboard student-built wooden rowboats, accompanied by Rocking the Boat staff, who teach visitors about the local waterways. READ MORE

Picnic Performances in Bryant Park

Midtown West
Select dates through Thursday, September 14
Picnic Performances are the perfect way to spend a summer evening, with 25 live and in-person music, dance, and theatrical shows. Bring a blanket and a picnic (of course). READ MORE

City Park's SummerStage

Central Park
Select dates through Thursday, September 14
City Parks Foundation SummerStage returns in 2023 with free performances in Central Park, and a few more costly shows as well. READ MORE

Sports on the Big Screen at Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Thursdays through Sundays through Saturday, September 23
Games, series, and tournaments shine on the 30-foot big screen, including tennis grand slams, championship majors, golf majors, basketball playoffs, hockey playoffs, and more. READ MORE

Stargazing on the High Line

Chelsea
Tuesdays through Tuesday, October 24
Gaze at the stars, planets, and moon through the high-powered telescopes of the Amateur Astronomers Association, and chat with the experts about the sights you see. READ MORE
Summer in the Square is the free weekly summer entertainment series held Thursdays in Union Square Park. Photo courtesy of Summer in the Square Partnership
Summer in the Square is the free weekly summer entertainment series held Thursdays in Union Square Park. Photo courtesy of Summer in the Square Partnership

Free Things To Do in NYC from Tuesday, August 1-Sunday, August 6, 2023

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts

Central Park
Tuesday, August 1
Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy classical music under the stars on select Tuesday evenings at the Naumberg Band Shell. READ MORE

Starlight Cinema: Outer Space!

Kingsbridge, Bronx
Tuesday, August 1
Explore the universe on the Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground with Starlight Cinema's free outdoor movie series. Seating beings at 7pm with music that matches the release date of the night's movie, followed by movie-themed crafts and, at dusk, the film. READ MORE

Summer Concerts at the Wells Fargo Stage

Midtown West
Wednesday, August 2
The Bowery Presents hosts a new series of live outdoor concerts in the Public Square and Gardens. Bring a blanket and a picnic, or take advantage of the glorious concession stands. READ MORE

Summer in the Square: Kids

Union Square
Thursday, August 3
The Union Square Partnership’s Summer in the Square returns this year with more family fun than ever, including arts and crafts, musical performances, interactive story times, big yard games, and a bubble garden. READ MORE

Summer Fridays

Brooklyn Heights
Friday, August 4
Every first Friday in the summer, performance and community hub Friends And Lovers activates the Greenway Terrace with a curated presentation of live music and chill vibes. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Citywide
Friday, August 4
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

Hegazy

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 5
Hegazy, a New York-based duo featuring Egyptian-Italian singer-songwriters and twin sisters Leila and Omnia Hegazy, come to David Geffen Hall for a family-friendly concert. READ MORE

Hands On History: King of the Jungle

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, August 5
Founding Father Rufus King loved lions so much that he made his family crest a lion's paw holding a key. He also has decorative lions on furniture throughout the first floor of his home. Can you find them all? READ MORE

Dance Party NYC

Randall's Island
Saturday, August 5
Party on the Urban Farm! Create nature instruments and dance to some favorite tunes. Play lawn games, hula hoop, and explore the Urban Farm with the backdrop of a fun playlist. READ MORE

Playscape Performs: Sova Dance and Puppetry and Teatro Sea

West Village
Saturday, August 5-Sunday, August 6
Marvelous Metamorphoses from Sova Dance and Puppetry unravels to present bizarre and beautiful transformations in the world like caterpillar to butterfly, polliwog to frog, and more! Teatro Sea performs a bilingual, one-woman show about the great Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo. READ MORE

Hamlet

Central Park
Select dates through Sunday, August 6
Director Kenny Leon commands The Delacorte stage with a nine-week, tour-de-force production of The Bard’s masterpiece, Hamlet, a riveting, contemporary present-day take on Shakespeare’s classic tale of family and betrayal. READ MORE

Sea Chantey Sing-Along

South Street Seaport
Sunday, August 6
Cooped up in one place with the same people? That was the life of sailors on long voyages back in the day. And just like sailors of yore, you can break the monotony with a rousing sea chantey sing-along. READ MORE

Sun Gaze

Upper West Side
Sunday, August 6
The Amateur Astronomers Association returns to Pier 1 with solar telescopes specifically designed to safely look at the sun and see sunspots and prominences under a summer sky. READ MORE
Splash and play at Asphalt Green's Sprinkler Day on Saturday, August 12. Photo courtesy of Asphalt Green
Splash and play at Asphalt Green's Sprinkler Day on Saturday, August 12. Photo courtesy of Asphalt Green

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, August 7-Sunday, August 13, 2023

Coney Island Flicks on the Beach

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Monday, August 7 | Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | (PG-13)
A giant 40-foot inflatable screen turns the beach at West 12th Street into an outdoor movie theater on select Mondays through August. READ MORE

Cinema LIC

Long Island City, Queens
Thursday, August 10 | Soul (PG)
Catch a summer film outdoors at Hunters Point South Park and settle under the stars with a gorgeous view. READ MORE

SummerStarz Family Movie Nights

Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Friday, August 11 | Avatar: The Way of Water | (PG-13)
Town Square's SummerStarz free family movie nights are back by popular demand. Six wonderful Friday evenings are planned for Transmitter Park on the gorgeous Greenpoint waterfront. Bring a picnic blanket, friends, and family. READ MORE

Movie Night at Alley Pond Park: Minions: Rise of Gru (PG)

Oakland Gardens. Queens
Friday, August 11
Alley Pond Park projects a kid-friendly flick under the stars! Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket. READ MORE

Free Outdoor Screening: Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13)

Governors Island
Friday, August 11
Take in one of the best NYC sunsets as Lincoln Center teams up with Governors Island for a screening of Bend It Like Beckham, starring Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley. Food and music start at 7pm; the film starts at dusk. READ MORE

Hindu Lamp Ceremony

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 12
The 10th annual Aarti Hindu Lamp Ceremony returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pebble Beach! Guests are invited to decorate palm leaf lamps and release them along the East River. Special guest artists are in attendance displaying their works. READ MORE

The Art of the Cypher

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 12
Dr. Chris Emdin, founder of #HipHopEd, hosts a rap Cypher and hip-hop celebration featuring some of our city’s talented teen rappers selected especially for their exceptional rap prowess. READ MORE

Sprinkler Day

Upper East Side
Saturday, August 12
Don’t let the soaring summer temperatures discourage you from enjoying the outdoors. Cool off by splashing around in Asphalt Green’s high-powered sprinklers and slip and slides. READ MORE

31st Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 12
Hundreds of sand sculptors descend on Coney Island annually to create amazing works of art using all-natural elements at the beach.  READ MORE

Bankra Caribbean Culture Festival 2023

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, August 12
Celebrate the 61st anniversary of independence for Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago at a colorful fest that celebrates the beauty of the folk culture represented by each island. READ MORE

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, August 12-Sunday, August 13
This annual sporting and multicultural event is held to celebrate the fifth moon (or the fifth month) of the lunar calendar. In addition to providing audiences with traditional Chinese foods and performances, the festival hosts dragon boat teams from across North America. READ MORE

42nd Annual Battery Dance Festival

Battery Park City
Saturday, August 12-Friday, August 18
The Battery Dance Festival presents an entire week of free evening performances, featuring top-tier dancers from the US and around the globe, including debuts and premieres. READ MORE

Second Sundays at Pioneer Works

Red Hook, Brooklyn
Sunday, August 13
Second Sundays returns to Pioneer Works with a dynamic offering of programs spanning the disciplines of art, music, science, and technology. READ MORE

Movie Night: Puss in Boots- The Last Wish (PG)

Randall's Island
Sunday, August 13
Movie night is back on Randall's Island! Catch a screening of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and arrive early for games, crafts, and snacks. READ MORE
Music and kites fill the air at FlyNYC in Riverside Park. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
Music and kites fill the air at FlyNYC in Riverside Park. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, August 14-Sunday, August 22, 2023

¡Arriba! Community Dance Parties

Chelsea
Thursday, August 17
Evenings of live Latin music and dancing return to the High Line this summer! The High Line transforms from a park to an open-air dance floor, where New Yorkers and visitors come together to enjoy the sounds of local salsa legends and learn dance moves from the masters.  READ MORE

Shakespeare at the Beach: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Rockaways, Queens
Thursday, August 17-Sunday, August 20
Shakespeare's most kid-friendly comedy takes over the Beach 94th Street Amphitheater. Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Film Works Alfresco at Haven Plaza

Washington Heights
Friday, August 18 | Hidden Figures (PG)
Inwood Art Works presents summer movies on a giant screen at Haven Plaza. Relax, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the warm summer night! READ MORE

SOLD OUT Socrates X Noguchi Field Guide: Plant Dyeing

Long Island City, Queens
Saturday, August 19
Noguchi Educator Harumi Ori and artist Tomoe Mineta host a workshop experimenting with natural dyes created with plants. READ MORE

Third Saturday

Governors Island
Saturday, August 19
Governors Island's Orga­ni­za­tions in Res­i­dence host spe­cial indoor and out­door activ­i­ties and pub­lic pro­grams on the third Saturday of the month, from May through October.  READ MORE

FlyNYC 2023

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 19
Music and kites fill the air at this festival for all ages! Kite kits are provided free for children (while supplies last), or bring your own favorite kite from home. READ MORE

Hudson River Park's Blues Barbecue

Midtown West
Saturday, August 19
The 23rd annual Hudson River Park Blues Barbecue Festival returns to Hudson River Park's Pier 76 for a day filled with smoky goodness and great music. Local pit powerhouses like Blue Smoke, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Jase’s BBQ, Kimchi Smoke, and Big Papa Smokem fire up their smokers while you take in live blues and roots performances. READ MORE

Big Summer Get Down

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 19
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosts another Big Summer Get Down—an all-ages summer dance party on the Pier 3 Plaza! Enjoy delicious treats and fresh food for purchase by Fornino. Doors open at 6pm and the dance party starts at 7pm. Advance online registration is encouraged. READ MORE

Mozart for Munchkins at Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Saturday, August 19
Mozart for Munchkins puts on free Saturday morning concerts that focus on a different style of music each week—classical, jazz, bluegrass, and more—performed by first-rate artists who have played the stages of Carnegie Hall, Broadway, Lincoln Center, and other top venues. READ MORE

Kimera Festival

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 19
The International Brazilian Opera Company and the West 111th Block Association host the inaugural Kimera Festival, a series of street concerts combined with storytelling events. The Kimera festival is designed to highlight grassroots community music and storytelling. READ MORE

Bargemusic "Music in Motion" Family Concerts

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturdays August 19 and 26
Walk across the gangplank of the renovated coffee barge for a one-hour, family-friendly concert, including a Q&A session with the musicians. READ MORE

Hip-Hop 50: Native Tongues

Harlem
Sunday, August 20
A celebration of 50 years of hip-hop features the Native Tongues, Monie Love, Chi Ali, and Dres from Black Sheep. NYC radio mainstay DJ Red Alert is on the 1s and 2s and Ralph McDaniels, the NYC institution and host of the long-running public television show “Video Music Box,” hosts. READ MORE

Sea Chanteys for Work at Sea

Seaport
Sunday, August 20
Step aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree, where knowledgeable chantey singer and educator Chris Koldewey guides participants to different parts of the vessel. Through interactive demonstrations, he illustrates how songs were sung while working with halyards, at the capstan, winch, and more. READ MORE
Arthur Ashe Kids' Day is the ultimate free family event featuring tennis, music, games, and more. Photo courtesy of the US Open
Arthur Ashe Kids' Day is the ultimate free family event featuring tennis, music, games, and more. Photo courtesy of the US Open

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, August 21-Thursday, August 31, 2023

Seaport Kids Screen-Free Summer Recess + Social Media Talk for Parents

Seaport
Wednesday, August 23
Double dutch. Hula hoops. Hop scotch. Introduce the kids to some good old-fashioned outdoor games on the iconic Rooftop at Pier 17. While kids have fun, parents can join an expert led session on how social media and screen time impacts children's brain development. READ MORE

Rite of Summer: PUBLI­Quar­tet

Governors Island
Friday, August 25
Rite of Summer, now in its 12th season on Governors Island, is a classical contemporary music festival that takes place over three weekends spread across the summer months. The festival features many of NYC’s most engaging and innovative artists and ensembles.  READ MORE

Intrepid Summer Movie Series–CANCELED

Midtown West
Friday, August 25 | Top Gun: Maverick (PG-13)
Watch a movie on the ship’s flight deck under the stars! Enjoy views of the Hudson River and city skyline while you watch some old and new favorites on the big screen. READ MORE

Charlie Parker Jazz Fest

Harlem
Friday, August 25-Saturday, August 26
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, New York City’s annual salute to the late saxophonist, returns for its 31st year with a three-day celebration of live jazz in the neighborhoods near where Parker worked and lived. READ MORE

Arthur Ashe Kids' Day

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, August 26
The 25th edition of this great day of family fun offers interactive games, face painting, balloon artists, prizes, music, special guests, and more. Kids can step onto the US Open courts, just like the pros, with tennis activities for all ages and abilities.  READ MORE

Citizen Science Fishing Clinic

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Sunday, August 27
Learn how to bait a hook, drop a line, and maybe even reel up a fish! Guided by BBP's Education team, learn the basics of rod and reel fishing while catching-and-releasing some of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s finest.  READ MORE

Battle of Brooklyn: The Meaning of Freedom

Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, Augus 27
Commemorate The Battle of Brooklyn, fought in 1776 on land that is now a part of Green-Wood Cemetery during this family-friendly afternoon event that includes a parade up to Battle Hill. READ MORE

Charles McPherson with Terell Stafford

East Village
Sunday, August 27
Introduce the kids to a group of all-star musicians, led by alto saxophonist and bandleader Charles McPherson, who famously performed with Charles Mingus in the ‘60s. READ MORE

The Tempest

Central Park
Sunday, August 27-Sunday, September 3
With music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez The Public's update on Shakespeare's tragedy is an ambitious work of participatory theater, exploring the grief of being cut off from community, the desire for retribution, and the healing power of love. READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn: McCarren Park

Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Wednesday, August 30 | Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (PG-13)
Movies glow on the big outdoor screen for Paramount+/Brooklyn Magazine's free summer screenings. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

George Seuffert Bandshell
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Riverside Park
Various locations in Queens and Staten Island
Pier 26 in Hudson River Park
Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens
Central Park - Naumburg Bandshell
Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens
National Parks - Multiple Locations
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Riverside Park, Pier 1
Hudson River Park - Pier 76
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 5

About the Author

Drew Kristofik

Drew Kristofik's early career editing teen magazines somehow morphed into a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a very long sojourn at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick online and then Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com local. She was a founding member of the WebbyAward winning GoCityKids, has written for Family Fun Magazine, Vanity Fair, and New York, and her novel for middle schoolers, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. She strives to keep the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar packed and accurate, and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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