Free Family Events in New York City

40th St Fair

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 · All day

40th Street Madison Avenue - Park Avenue

Market

Experience NYC street energy at the 40th St Fair on 40th Street and Madison/Park Avenues, a free, all-ages market by Clearview Festival Productions with food, crafts, and local makers, 10am-6pm.

Collective Star Mural with Make-A-Wish

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 · All day

Children's Museum of Manhattan

Art

Create a collaborative star mural at the Children's Museum of Manhattan in honor of Make-A-Wish Day. Two sessions on the 1st floor (10:30–12:30 and 2:00–4:15) invite all ages to contribute to a shared artwork within Inside Art.

Destress with Microplastics: Beads & Slime Workshop

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 · All day

Dibner Library (Bern Dibner Library, LC 433)

Art

Destress with Microplastics: Beads & Slime Workshop at the Bern Dibner Library, crafting tactile art from tiny beads and goo, blending science-inspired crafts with mindful, calming creativity in a bright studio.

Sustainability Safari at Wildbiene + Partner

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 at 12:00 PM

Lecture

Join the Sustainability Safari with Wildbiene + Partner to discover practical solutions for promoting nature and biodiversity and learn how to apply regenerative approaches in your community or work.

New York University Baseball vs Vassar College

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 at 12:00 PM

Staten Island, NY, Staten Island Univ. Hospital Community Park

Sports

Catch NYU vs. Vassar Baseball at Staten Island's University Hospital Community Park, where crisp pitches, student crowds, and sunny park vibes combine for a classic, family-friendly college matchup.

PICK & CHEESE GRAND OPENING, NYC

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 at 7:00 AM

Various NYC Locations

Food

New York’s Pick & Cheese Grand Opening kicks off a citywide food festival across multiple locations on Apr 30, 2026, featuring cheese tastings and culinary events.

SHAVER FOOD HALL GRAND OPENING, NYC

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 · All day

Various NYC Locations

Festival

SHAVER FOOD HALL GRAND OPENING in NYC threads multiple venues along Fifth Avenue into a sprawling food festival, inviting tastings, pop-ups, and vibrant ambiance for an early-2026 launch.

International Dance Day Jazz Party!

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 at 12:00 PM

Children's Museum of Manhattan

Music

International Dance Day Jazz Party at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. A 25-minute family-friendly jazz performance on the 1st floor for all ages, inviting kids and caregivers to tap, wiggle, and celebrate music in a playful museum setting.

Mother Dearest: Understanding our Mothers

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 at 2:30 PM

The Church of the Village

Lecture

A cross-cultural conversation at The Church of the Village explores the mother–child bond across three countries, delving into roles, expectations, and identity in everyday life. An intimate, thought-provoking dialogue about motherhood.

Bronx Week

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 · All day

Various locations in the Bronx

Festival

Bronx Week is a borough-wide celebration of Bronx culture, business and community featuring parades, performances, food and family-friendly activities across multiple Bronx locations.

Summer on the Hudson

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 · All day

Hudson River parks (various locations)

Festival

A summer-long series of free outdoor cultural events along the Hudson River — concerts, movies, fitness classes and family activities running May through September in NYC parks.

Shabbat in the Heights

Fri, 1 May 2026 at 5:30 AM

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York

Community

Join Shabbat in the Heights in Crown Heights, Brooklyn: a three-day Jewish community weekend with warm Shabbat meals, engaging discussions on big Jewish ideas, and welcoming fellowship from Friday through Sunday.

Silhouettes in Silk: Costume Design Studio

Fri, 1 May 2026 at 6:30 AM

Children's Museum of Manhattan

Family

Hands-on costume-design workshop for families at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Explore silk silhouettes and traditional ao dai/ao gam costumes, then design wearable art in the Makerspace during May 1–3 (multiple sessions daily).

Smorgasburg World Trade Center

Fri, 1 May 2026 · All day

Oculus (World Trade Center Transportation Hub)

Market

Smorgasburg at The Oculus, World Trade Center, brings a weekly indoor food market to Lower Manhattan, with a curated mix of top vendors, Friday vibes, and free admission to savor global bites.

Smorgasburg Friday - World Trade Center

Fri, 1 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

Oculus (World Trade Center Transportation Hub)

Food

Smorgasburg at the World Trade Center is NYC's large open-air food market with 100+ local and international vendors, open Fridays 11am–6pm from April through October; free entry.

Artists & Fleas Chelsea - Friday

Fri, 1 May 2026 · All day

Chelsea Market

Market

Explore an indoor market at Artists & Fleas Chelsea where rotating artists, designers and vintage vendors showcase art, jewelry and handmade goods. Discover one-of-a-kind pieces from local makers, chat with creators, and enjoy a casual shopping experience in Chelsea on Friday, 11am–7pm.

Filipino Inspired Banig Mat Weaving

Fri, 1 May 2026 at 10:45 AM

Children's Museum of Manhattan

Workshop

Hands-on Banig mat-weaving workshop for kids at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. A Filipino-inspired craft on the 3rd-floor PlayWorks, designed for ages 4 and younger. Sessions Fri May 1 2:45–3:45 pm and Sat–Sun May 2–3 with 11:15 am–12:15 pm and 2:45–3:45 pm.

Steam Powered Giraffe

Fri, 1 May 2026 at 4:00 PM

Racket NYC

Music

Steam Powered Giraffe bring their steampunk theatrical indie show to Racket on May 1 with preferred viewing lounge access and dedicated bar space; free entry per listing.

MCC 2nd Avenue Festival

Sat, 2 May 2026 · All day

2nd Avenue 4th Street - 14th Street

Festival

Experience NYC’s MCC 2nd Avenue Festival, a free street fair along 2nd Ave between 4th and 14th Streets, 10am–6pm, featuring food vendors, artisans, crafts and local businesses.

Brooklyn Flea - Saturday

Sat, 2 May 2026 · All day

Brooklyn Flea DUMBO

Market

Brooklyn Flea at the DUMBO Archway on Mar 7, 2026 (10am–5pm): browse vintage finds, handmade goods and food vendors under the Manhattan Bridge.

Artists & Fleas Chelsea - Saturday

Sat, 2 May 2026 · All day

Chelsea Market

Market

Indoor market at Artists & Fleas Chelsea showcasing rotating artists, designers, and vintage vendors selling art, jewelry, clothing, and handmade goods. A vibrant NYC shopping destination open 11am–7pm, perfect for art lovers and treasure hunters seeking unique pieces from local creators.

Smorgasburg Saturday - Williamsburg

Sat, 2 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

Smorgasburg Williamsburg

Food

Smorgasburg Williamsburg is NYC's largest open-air food market with 100+ local and international vendors, open Saturdays 11am–6pm from April through October with free admission.

Smorgasburg Williamsburg

Sat, 2 May 2026 · All day

Marsha P. Johnson State Park

Market

Smorgasburg Williamsburg returns to Marsha P. Johnson State Park for a day of 70+ vendors, street food, artisanal goods, and drinks—free admission.

Queens Night Market

Sat, 2 May 2026 · All day

The New York Academy of Sciences

Market

Queens Night Market at the New York Hall of Science offers affordable, global cuisine from 100+ vendors with live performances on Saturdays 4PM–midnight (April–October).

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