Festivals and Fairs for Kids
in New York City in May 2026

Bronx Family Fun Day & Community Resource Fair
KIPP NYC - KIPP ALL Middle School, 1504 Macombs Rd, Bronx
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Join KIPP NYC for a fun-filled day with live music, activities for kids, and access to valuable community resources—all in one place. Activities include a DJ, face painting, and entertainment for children, plus exciting giveaways and a raffle for a chance to win AirPods. Website

Pinkster Festival at the Van Cortlandt House Museum
Van Cortlandt Park, the Bronx
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Pinkster on the picturesque lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum for a day filled with vibrant festivities, live music, engaging performances, and immersive experiences. Website

62nd Annual Calhoun Spring Carnival
The Calhoun School, Upper West Side
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Carnival rides and games, prizes, and craft activities are trademarks of the annual celebration for the Calhoun community and neighborhood families. Enjoy the traditional first barbecue of the season with hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, freshly made sandwiches, and more. Website

Hippo Playground Spring Fair in Riverside Park
Upper West Side
Sunday, May 3, 2026
An Upper West Side institution, the Hippo Playground Spring Fair celebrates the season with a petting zoo, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, games, prizes, crafts, food, cupcake decorating, face painting, entertainment, and more. Website

PS 267 Spring Fling
Upper East Side
Sunday, May 3, 2026
East Side Elementary School PS 267 hosts its annual block party with a day of fun for the whole family. Enjoy bouncy houses, games, crafts, and snacks. Proceeds benefit the PS 267 PTA and the programs it supports. Website

5th Annual Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Street Fair
Crescent Avenue and Arthur Avenue, West Bronx
Sunday, May 3, 2026
The 5th Annual Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Street Fair is a celebration of Albania’s history, tradition, culture, and its connections to Italy. Located on the corner of Crescent Avenue and Arthur Avenue, the annual street fair boasts traditional foods, music, dancing, performances, children’s activities, games and more! Website

Japan Day Parade and Street Fair on Central Park West
Upper West Side
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Japan Day is celebrated with a parade and street fair. Watch the parade march down Central Park West before enjoying the festive street fair along 72nd Street. Website

Ecological City Puppet Parade on the Lower East Side
Loisaida Inc. Center, 710 E 9th St., New York, NY
Saturday, May 9, 2026
For sheer spectacle, you can't beat Ecological City's spectacular six-hour procession of visual art, giant puppets and costumes—with 21 performances of dance, music, theater, and poetry celebrating sustainability solutions throughout the community gardens, neighborhood, and along the East River Park waterfront on the Lower East Side. The procession route begins at Loisaida Inc. Center. Rain date: May 10 Website

Bird Bonanza on Randall's Island
Urban Farm at Randall's Island Park
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Celebrate birds, especially those that are currently migrating through NYC, at the Randall’s Island Bird Bonanza. The entire day is dedicated to flying feathered friends, with activities and games for all ages. Website

Urban Wildlife Festival in Inwood Hill Park
Inwood
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Get up close and personal with NYC’s wild residents. Learn about squirrels, turtles, raccoons, opossums, and coyotes, and discover the best places in New York City and New York state to watch wildlife. Website

Open Stages 2026 in Park Slope
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s spring music festival is back to rock Park Slope once again! Stoops, school lots, parks, gardens, and sidewalks host more than 200 musicians throughout the afternoon, including classical musicians, hip-hop artists, marching bands, kids' groups, and more. Website

Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest In Albee Square
Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Celebrate Brooklyn moms with a joyful day of fun featuring a pick-your-own bouquet flower bar, DJ Mike spinning in Albee Square, hands-on crafts, the Brooklyn Museum on Wheels, and family photo moments. Website

Mother's Day Weekend at the New York Botanical Garden
Bronx Park, the Bronx
Saturday, May 9-Sunday, May 10, 2026
Enjoy local food truck options, play an assortment of family-friendly lawn games, craft a gift for Mom, and get little faces painted with whimsical designs. Music and collage activities are presented by local vinyl DJ collective, Uptown Vinyl Supreme, and Bronx Community Collage. Website

Kite Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Brooklyn Bridge Park kicks off its spring and summer programming season with this beloved kite-flying fest. This family-friendly event takes over BBP's Pier 5, offering all ages the opportunity to watch their kites soar above the Manhattan skyline while enjoying special activities exploring the science of flight. Website

Big Truck Day on Randall's Island
Randall's Island
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Strap on your seatbelt and get a close-up view of the big trucks that keep New York City clean and safe. Learn how firefighters, garbage truck drivers, and other big truck operators use these vehicles to drive our city forward. Website

Submerge: NYC Marine Science Festival at Pier 84
Hudson River Park Pier 84, Midtown West
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Hudson River Park presents Submerge—a free science extravaganza devoted to raising awareness about our coastal waters. Celebrate local marine science through hands-on activities, catch-and-release fishing, science stage events, kayaking, and more! Website

Pinkster Celebration at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Wyckoff House Museum hosts a special Pinkster Family Day featuring storytelling, music, and performances. Stick around to make some music of your own. Website

Dance Parade + DanceFest in the East Village
The parade starts at Sixth Avenue and 17th Street and continues along until it veers east on 8th Street, ending with a festival in Tompkins Square Park
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Dance Parade returns to the streets, celebrating its 20th-annual procession and festival with 10,000 dancers and more than 100 unique styles of dance. Website

Queens International Children's Festival in Rufus King Park
Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, May 16, 2026
JCAL's Queens International Children's Festival returns with free entertainment and activities for the entire family, including high-quality arts performances and craft activities to inspire young people and families to enjoy the arts. Website

Sheep Shearing Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum
Glen Oaks, Queens
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Visit the Queens County Farm Museum on the Nassau-Queens border to see the sheep get their annual haircuts. Website

St. Joseph's School - Yorkville Street Fair (UES Family Block Party)
Upper East Side
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Free admission! Affordable tickets available for games & crafts.
East 87th Street between 1st and York Avenues transforms into a lively family block party filled with activities for kids of all ages, including bouncy houses and inflatable rides, arts and crafts activities, food and sweet treats, local vendors and shopping. Website

Family Fun Day at Hudson Yards
Midtown West
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Hudson Yards hosts an action-packed day of family-friendly entertainment, with music, magic, and interactive performances that include a Back to School, Back to Rhythm concert by Mozart for Munchkins, a high-energy western set by Hopalong Andrew, and a magic show you won’t want to miss! Website

Big Play Day at Asphalt Green
Battery Park City
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Asphalt Green’s first-ever Big Play Day is a neighborhood-wide block party-style celebration in Battery Park City, connecting neighbors, local businesses, partners, and the downtown community through play. Website

Family Fun Day at Frederick Douglass Playground
Upper West Side
Saturday, May 16, 2026
NYC Parks and Council Member Shaun Abreu host a fun afternoon of crafts, inflatables, music, jumbo games, an obstacle course, and more. Website

Spring Festival at Shoelace Park
Woodlawn Heights, the Bronx – FREE
Saturday, May 16, 2026
NYC Parks and Council Member Kevin Riley host a spring festival that includes games, arts and crafts, sports, and much more. Website

May Fair at New Amsterdam School
Lower East Side
Saturday, May 16, 2026
May Fair welcomes the arrival of spring with Maypole dancing, vibrant flower crowns, puppet shows, international foods, baked goods, and more. Website

Your Community Day at New York City Center
Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Your Community Day at City Center presents a full slate of performances, workshops, and activities featuring the National Dance Institute, teaching artists from Ballet Hispánico, Brotherhood Sister Sol, in-corpus, and more. Website

Greek Jewish Festival
280 Broome Street, Lower East Side – FREE
Sunday, May 17, 2026
This Greek Jewish Festival celebrates the unique Romaniote and Sephardic heritage of the Jews of Greece. Enjoy a feast for the senses, including authentic kosher Greek foods and homemade Greek pastries. Website

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival
9th Avenue and 42nd - 57th Streets, New York, NY
Saturday, May 16-Sunday, May 17, 2026
Enjoy cuisines from different countries, including Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Japan, Thailand, and more. From open to close, visitors can browse the offerings along 15 city blocks of gourmet food and beverages. The event is held rain or shine. Website

The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair
5th Avenue, Sterling to 12th Street, Brooklyn
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Head to Park Slope's Fifth Avenue to peruse this street fair, featuring food and sale items, rides, bouncy castles, music performances, and more. Website

Spring Fling on Car-Free Montague Street
Brooklyn Heights – FREE
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Brooklyn Bridge Parents host a Spring Fling during Open Streets on Montague with 25 free kids' activities, a dance party, and a puppet show. Stop by for games, arts and crafts, soccer, face painting, building activities, an obstacle course, and much more. Website

Strawberry Festival at Brick Presbyterian Church
Upper East Side – FREE
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Don't miss the highly anticipated all-church picnic and strawberry festival on 92nd Street, featuring live music, scrumptious food, exciting kids' activities, and joyful conversations with friends and neighbors. Website

Celebrate Pinkster in Prospect Park
Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Sunday, May 17, 2026
The Prospect Park Alliance presents a Pinkster celebration in the yard of Lefferts Historic House, an 18th-century Flatbush farmhouse that serves as the park's historic house museum. Stop by for music, history, performances, storytelling, demonstrations, games and food. Website

Memorial Day Weekend at the Intrepid Museum
Midtown West
Friday, May 22-Monday, May 25, 2026
The Intrepid Museum celebrates Memorial Day with weekend activities that include a Battle of the Big Bands, displays, and activities on Pier 86 from participants including the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, antique military vehicles from the Military Transport, and more. Website

Lower East Side Festival of the Arts Street Fair
Theater for the New City, Lower East Side
Friday, May 22-Sunday, May 24, 2026
NYC's Lower East Side Festival of the Arts is a cabaret-style festival featuring more than 100 performing groups from the Lower East Side. Website

LIC Springs
Long Island City
Vernon Blvd between 46th and 50th Avenues Queens
Saturday, May 30, 2026
The Long Island City Partnership celebrates Long Island City with live music, dance, and performances, plus interactive lessons, art, fitness classes, outdoor dining, pop-up activities, games, and more. Website

Family Fun Day in John Jay Park
Upper East Side – FREE
Saturday, May 30, 2026
NYC Parks and Council Member Julie Menin host a fun afternoon of crafts, inflatables, music, jumbo games, an obstacle course, and more. Website

Bushwick Collective Block Party
15 Scott Avenue Brooklyn
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Graffiti, street art, live music, food trucks, and local vendors converge to create an immersive experience that showcases the best of the community. Website

Go Fish! Battery Park City's Celebration of Life in the Hudson Estuary
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, 20 Battery Place, New York, NY
FREE
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Go Fish!, Battery Park City's Celebration of Life in the Hudson Estuary, features catch-and-release fishing with experienced anglers. Website

Celebrate Mother Earth on the East River Waterfront Esplanade
East River Esplanade, Andrew Haswell Green Park, 60th Street and the East River Esplanade, New York, NY
FREE
Saturday, May 30, 2026
EsplanadeFriends hosts free live music by NOIZ, free ices from Delicioso Coco Helado (while supplies last), plus craft activities for kids—all with a spectacular water view! Website

World Fish Migration Day on Randall's Island
Randall's Island – FREE
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Wade into the Harlem River to collect and count species of fish at an interactive seining event to survey the incredible underwater life along the shores of Randall’s Island. Website

Festivals and Fairs for Kids in New York City in May 2026

Festivals and Fairs for Kids
in New York City in May 2026