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Father's Day Weekend Things To Do in NYC: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth and More

Coney Island's marquee summer event, the Mermaid Parade, takes to the streets Saturday, June 17. Photo courtesy of the event
Coney Island's marquee summer event, the Mermaid Parade, takes to the streets Saturday, June 17. Photo courtesy of the event
6/14/23 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Father's Day weekend.

Juneteenth and Father's Day provide plenty of celebratory opportunities this weekend, with Juneteenth fun at Central Park's Seneca Village and the New-York Historical Society. Father's Day festivities are at the fore at Wave Hill and in Wolfe's Pond Park. We've also rounded up 25 other ways to celebrate Father's Day in NYC.

A trio of annual favorites are on tap this weekend, too, with the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, the Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Fest downtown, and Adventures NYC in Central Park. Looking for something new? Chelsea Piers opens its Brooklyn location's grand opening. And this just in: Hans Christian Andersen storytelling returns to Central Park on Saturday!

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach tote, plus each entry counts as an entry in our Ultimate Summer Giveaway—an all-inclusive trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

More Things To Do in New York City this Week with Kids

Be sure to click through to each listing for all the details, including recommended ages and time.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Museum at Eldridge Street presents its Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival on Sunday, June 18. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Eldridge Street
The Museum at Eldridge Street presents its Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival on Sunday, June 18. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Eldridge Street

Father's Day Weekend Best Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Movies Under the Stars: Puss in Boots - The Last Wish (PG)

East Harlem–FREE
Friday, June 16
Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll: He has burned through eight of his nine lives and now must set out on an epic journey to find the mythical Last Wish and restore his nine lives. READ MORE

New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park: Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Friday, June 16
The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks return, transforming parks throughout the city into a patchwork of picnickers and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear the best classical music under the stars. Stay after the show for the fireworks! READ MORE

Wonderland

Corona, Queens
Friday, June 16-Saturday, June 17
Follow Alice down the rabbit hole as she embarks on a journey filled with magical creatures, eccentric characters, and surprises around every corner during this production from Dance Matters NYC on the Queens Theater stage.  READ MORE

42nd Gregorian Festival

Bellerose, Queens
Friday, June 16-Saturday, June 24
St. Gregory the Great's Gregorian Festival features 8 nights of live entertainment, rides, fair food, games, and more. READ MORE

Chelsea Piers Field House Brooklyn Launch Party

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Check out the brand-new Chelsea Piers Field House Brooklyn facility and celebrate its grand opening with family-friendly games and activities. The Field House launch party gives visitors full access to the heated instructional pool, Olympic-sized gymnastics center, two turf fields, and a ninja and parkour center. READ MORE

Porch Stomp

Governors Island–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Porch Stomp invites dozens of folk bands, artists, and performing arts organizations to use the historic porches of Nolan Park as a space for performance and education, highlighting artistry ranging from traditional folk to old-time blues, roots, bluegrass, and Americana. READ MORE

Adventures NYC

Central Park–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Get ready to bike, climb, race, and "surf" at Adventures NYC! Join the NYC Parks Department in Central Park to celebrate the great outdoors and enjoy a day of adventure—for free. READ MORE

Summer for the City: Shamarr Allen

Upper West Side–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Shamarr Allen performs a kid-friendly concert with influences in jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk, blues, and country. Arrive early for a hands-on, creative family workshop led by Lincoln Center's teaching artists.  READ MORE

Liz Joyce & Goat on a Boat Puppet Truck presents: Little Red Riding Hood

Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Goat on a Boat Puppet Truck presents the traditional tale, with a twist. Find out what happens when Little Red gets mixed up with Porquoi the pig, who is in the wrong story. READ MORE

The 20th Annual Hunts Point Fish Parade and Summer Festival

Hunts Point, the Bronx–FREE
Saturday, June 17
The annual Hunt’s Point Fish Parade is back, with a Rooted Visions theme. Activities include a children’s art corner, boat rides, bird watching, a day-long basketball tournament, face painting, print-making, tons of great food and activities, live music, and performances. READ MORE

The Mermaid Parade

Coney Island, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Welcome summer with the return of the Mermaid Parade, an eclectic (and historically jam-packed) celebration, featuring revelers decked out in their most outrageous sea-themed costumes.  READ MORE

Children's Museum of the Arts Summer Pride Block Party

Soho–FREE
Saturday, June 17
The Children's Museum of the Arts hosts an all-day art-making celebration where children and their families can create their own DIY Pride flags, headwear, and masks, participate in a self-portrait booth, and more. READ MORE

Anne Loftus Summer Festival

Inwood–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Welcome summer with a splash! NYC Parks and the Fort Tryon Park Trust celebrate summer and the inauguration of the brand new spray shower in Anne Loftus Playground with live performances from Annette Aguilar, the People’s Theatre Project, and Dance Project of Washington Heights. READ MORE

Family Fun Day at Thomas Jefferson Park

East Harlem–FREE
Saturday, June 17
NYC Parks and Council Member Diana Ayala host a fun afternoon of crafts, inflatables, music, jumbo games, an obstacle course, and more. READ MORE

Living History: Juneteenth

Midtown West
Saturday, June 17
Celebrate the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery! Meet historical interpreters at the New-York Historical Society, and experience the past through the material culture left behind by leaders, activists, soldiers, and craftspeople from across history. READ MORE

Juneteenth Family Day

Sunset Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Celebrate this important holiday marking the end of slavery by delving deep into Black history at Green-Wood Cemetary. Participate in free art activities with ASNEAA’s Community Legacy Project: make a legacy bracelet, contribute to the BIPOC Heritage Board, or decorate a kindness rock to take home or leave at a grave. READ MORE

Rise in Spirit: A Juneteenth Celebration

Prospect Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, June 17
The Prospect Park Alliance celebrates Juneteenth with performances by African dancers and drummers from the Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, IET Band jazz quartet, tap dancer Joseph Webb, the St. Paul’s Baptist Church gospel choir and theatrical readings by Sharon Gordon. Alliance educators also provide cooking demonstrations, historic games and more. Register online in advance. READ MORE

Jenga Tournament

Midtown West
Saturday, June 17
The National Blocking Association hosts an epic Jenga tournament in NYC. Teams battle for a $10,000 top prize and major bragging rights. Who will level up? Whose dreams will be toppled by a sneeze? READ MORE

Big Summer Get Down

Brooklyn Heights–FREE
Saturday, June 17
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

Sound, Sun, Pleasure: A Juneteenth Celebration

Lower East Side–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Henry Street Settlement warmly invites guests to a day-long outdoor Juneteenth celebration, taking place at Sol Lain Park, East Broadway, and the Abrons Arts Center. READ MORE

Queens Rising: A Celebration of Arts & Culture

Flushing, Queens–FREE
Saturday, June 17
Queens Rising NYC is an independent, month-long initiative celebrating the borough’s diverse arts, culinary, and creative communities, bringing together more than 100 programming partners to host, promote, and highlight a diverse roster of events and activities. READ MORE

Family Art Project: Family Tree for Father's Day

Riverdale, the Bronx
Saturday, June 17-Sunday, June 18
Celebrate a father figure by designing a tree sculpture. Personalize this as a special gift to hold photographs or drawings. READ MORE

Father's Day Brunch Cruise

South Street Seaport
Saturday, June 17-Sunday, June 18
Join this Father's Day brunch cruise for a day filled with food, drinks, and incredible views of New York City. The Father's Day brunch experience includes a three-course meal with an appetizer, entree, and a dessert of your choice.  READ MORE

Juneteenth Celebration

Richmond, Staten Island
Sunday, June 18
Visit Historic Richmond Town to honor Juneteenth with demonstrations of hearth cooking, discussions of social history, and historical reenactment. Learn about the history and origins of this holiday celebrating the end of American chattel slavery. READ MORE

Celebrate Juneteenth in Seneca Village

Central Park–FREE
Sunday, June 18
Seneca Village provides a compelling setting to explore the widespread and longstanding connections Black New Yorkers have with wellness and nature. This Juneteenth weekend, celebrate these traditions in Seneca Village’s landscape! READ MORE

Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival

Lower East Side–FREE
Sunday, June 18
The Museum at Eldridge Street presents its 22nd annual Egg Rolls, Egg Creams, and Empanadas Festival, a joyous celebration of the diverse ethnic communities of the Museum's Lower East Side neighborhood. READ MORE

Laughter in the Park 2023

Prince's Bay, Staten Island–FREE
Sunday, June 18
Give dad a break on a lawn he doesn't have to mow! NYLaughs is back for Father's Day with a lineup that includes comedian Tom Cotter (from America's Got Talent), John Fisch, and Moody McCarthy. READ MORE

Rock and Roll Playhouse: The Music of the Grateful Dead for Kids

Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Sunday, June 18
The Rock and Roll Playhouse, a weekly family concert series hosted at Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday mornings, allows kids to get-down to the sounds of music not intentionally made for kids. This week it features the music of The Grateful Dead. READ MORE

Disney Encanto x CAMP

Flatiron
Daily through Wednesday, September 6
CAMP and Disney are at it again, opening the Magic Door to the world of Encanto. Visit the Madrigal's casita, shop in La Placita, and step into the rooms of Isabella, Luisa, and that guy we don't talk about. All the while, be serenaded by a roving troupe of performers singing hits from the soundtrack. READ MORE

Storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue

Central Park–FREE
Saturdays, June 17 - August 11
The Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center returns to the Hans Christian Andersen statue in Central Park. After a prolonged hiatus, this beloved tradition captivates audiences once again.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

New York Historical Society DiMenna Children's History Museum
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Various locations in Queens
Central Park Hans Christian Andersen Statue

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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