THE BRONX

Guided Estuary Paddle | Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | See registration webpage | AGES 14+ ONLY | Join a guided canoe tour through the lower saltwater portion of the Bronx River, featuring a unique duality of estuarine and urban habitat. This intermediate-level paddle takes participants from Concrete Plant Park boat launch to the river mouth and back, offering excellent birding opportunities to spot shorebirds that call the Bronx home. Due to variable river conditions including tides, currents, winds, and possible boat traffic, this adventure requires some basic canoe or kayak experience. All equipment provided including boats, paddles, personal flotation devices, and safety orientation. Registration required starting two weeks before event date. | Concrete Plant Park Boat Launch, Bronx | https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/09/13/guided-estuary-paddle

Morgan's Bronx River Walking Tour | Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | FREE ADMISSION | KID FRIENDLY | Join historian Terrell L Armistead for a special tour along the Bronx River at West Farms Rapids, sharing ecological stories and histories of those who built the Bronx and supported its development through history. This tour honors Morgan Powell, a founding member of the Bronx River Restoration and advocate for river reclamation, whose research has been fundamental in sharing lesser-known histories of Black and Brown Bronxites and their contributions to NYC's eco-cultural heritage. Participants will learn about the area's rich environmental and social history while walking along this vital urban waterway. RSVP required on Bronx River Alliance website. | West Farms Rapids, 1087 E Tremont Avenue, Bronx (meetup location adjacent to Bronx River Art Center entrance) | https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/09/13/morgans-bronx-river-walking-tour

Discovery Hike: Pond Ecology | Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | FREE ADMISSION | KID FRIENDLY | Join NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers for a hands-on exploration of the varied life that Crotona Pond supports, from slugs and flies to fish and fowl. This interactive nature program invites participants to get their hands wet and dirty while diving into the fascinating world of pond ecology. Rangers will guide visitors through close-up observations of aquatic life and pond ecosystems, providing educational insights about the diverse species that thrive in urban waterways. Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts looking to discover the hidden wildlife in the heart of the Bronx. No registration required. | Crotona Nature Center in Crotona Park, Crotona Park East and Charlotte Street, Bronx | https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/09/14/discovery-hike-pond-ecology

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BROOKLYN

Monarch Watch | Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | FREE ADMISSION | KID FRIENDLY | Help band butterflies to track the slow decline of the critical monarch species in this important community science initiative. Participants will assist with data collection that contributes to a national study monitoring monarch butterfly populations, highlighting the critical need for pollinator gardens. This hands-on conservation experience takes place in Marine Park's salt marsh habitat, providing volunteers with the opportunity to directly contribute to monarch butterfly research and conservation efforts. The event emphasizes the importance of protecting these iconic pollinators while engaging the public in meaningful environmental stewardship. No registration required for this educational volunteer opportunity. | Salt Marsh Nature Center in Marine Park, East 33rd Street and Avenue U, Brooklyn | https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/09/13/monarch-watch

BYOB Comedy Showcase - Bushwick Comedy Club | Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 8:00 PM | Starting at $8 | New York's best new comics perform in Brooklyn's vibrant Bushwick neighborhood with fresh lineups every week. This BYOB-friendly comedy showcase features up-and-coming talent in an intimate club setting, offering an affordable way to discover the next generation of NYC comedians. The relaxed atmosphere allows guests to bring their own beverages while enjoying stand-up performances from emerging artists working their way up the comedy circuit. Doors open at 7:45 PM with shows starting promptly at 8:00 PM. The venue's commitment to showcasing new talent makes each show unique, providing audiences with the opportunity to see comedians before they hit the bigger stages. | Bushwick Comedy Club, 259 Melrose Street, Brooklyn | https://www.bushwickcomedy.com

The Second United Lenape / Lunáapeew Nations Pow Wow | September 13-14, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM | FREE ADMISSION | KID FRIENDLY | Join Prospect Park Alliance, Eenda-Lunaapeewahkiing Collective, and American Indian Community House for this historic two-day cultural celebration welcoming original Indigenous Lenape peoples back to their ancestral homelands. The first Pow Wow held in Prospect Park since 1972 and only the second ever Lenape Pow Wow, this significant event features Indigenous dancers, drummers, and artisan craft and food vendors sharing their cultures with Brooklyn communities. Organized following the tradition established by Lenape grandfather George Stonefish's 2018 First United Lenape Nations Pow Wow at Park Avenue Armory, this family-friendly weekend offers authentic cultural experiences, learning opportunities, and celebration of Indigenous heritage. Free RSVP recommended for this meaningful gathering of Lenape and allied Indigenous artists, vendors, creators, and community members. | LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park, Brooklyn | https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/09/14/the-second-united-lenape-lunapeew-nations-pow-wow

Fort Greene Park Jazz Festival | Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM | FREE ADMISSION | KID FRIENDLY | Enjoy soulful jazz sounds in this beloved neighborhood festival that began in July 2010 when musician Eric Frazier realized his dream of bringing jazz to his local park. The Fort Greene neighborhood has been home to legendary jazz musicians including Max Roach, Randy Weston, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Betty Carter, Gary Bartz, Cecil Taylor, Bill Lee, Slide Hampton, Toshi Reagon, and Carla Cook, continuing to nurture today's greats and tomorrow's future legends. This free outdoor concert provides live jazz entertainment for families, neighborhoods, and communities, typically held twice annually in July and September. The festival celebrates the rich musical heritage of Fort Greene while creating accessible cultural programming for all New Yorkers. | Prison Ship Martyrs Monument in Fort Greene Park, west wing of Monument Plaza, Brooklyn | https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/09/14/fort-greene-park-jazz-festival

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MANHATTAN

Tribeca Comedy Club at Room 52 | Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 8:00 PM | FREE ADMISSION | Top NYC comedians perform at Room 52, presented by the legendary Tribeca Comedy Club in Manhattan's hottest new comedy night. This intimate venue showcases established and rising talent from the city's vibrant comedy scene in a sophisticated midtown setting. Limited free tickets are available for this popular show, making it an accessible way to experience high-quality stand-up comedy. The venue maintains just a one-drink minimum, creating a relaxed atmosphere for comedy fans to enjoy professional performances without breaking the budget. Advanced ticket reservation recommended due to limited seating and the popularity of free comedy shows in NYC. | Room 52, 212 E 52nd Street, New York | https://room52nyc.com

Jazz Series in Historic Harlem Parks | Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | FREE ADMISSION | KID FRIENDLY | Join NYC Parks, West Harlem Arts Alliance, and National Jazz Museum in Harlem for the Second Saturday Jazz series featuring Danaya Band in Morningside Park. This outdoor concert takes place on the lawn across from the Morningside Pond Waterfall, celebrating jazz music in one of Harlem's historic green spaces. The series brings authentic jazz performances to the community in a beautiful park setting, encouraging families and music lovers to enjoy live music in nature. Participants are encouraged to bring blankets for comfortable seating on the grass while experiencing quality jazz in the heart of Manhattan's cultural district. | 113th Street and Manhattan Avenue in Morningside Park, Manhattan | https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/09/13/jazz-series-in-historic-harlem-parks

Summer on the Hudson: West Side County Fair | Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM | FREE ADMISSION | KID FRIENDLY | Experience county fair magic in Manhattan with a full day of live bands, sideshow performers, carnival rides and games, local vendors, and cotton candy on the Hudson River waterfront. This year's live music features Damian Quiñones, Kacie Hill, and square dancing with City Stompers. Bindlestiff Family Cirkus returns with jaw-dropping sideshow performances including Fulanito's Adventure and Paris the Hip Hop Juggler, plus roving performers from Cassidy Haley Productions. The fair includes an exciting pop-up by the New York Handmade Collective, creating an authentic county fair atmosphere in the heart of Manhattan. Organized by Summer on the Hudson and Riverside Park Conservancy, this waterfront celebration brings classic Americana to the Upper West Side. | Pier I in Riverside Park South, West 70th Street, Manhattan | https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/09/14/summer-on-the-hudson-west-side-county-fair

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QUEENS

UniverSoul Circus | September 5 - 28, 2025 | Various times | Starting at $25 | KID FRIENDLY | Celebrating 31 years as one of America's top family events, UniverSoul Circus returns with its new "Rhythm of the World" production featuring the best international performers in a high-energy, interactive spectacle. This cultural celebration combines world-class talent, vibrant costumes, and music from across the globe in an engaging experience where audiences become part of the show. Highlights include the Caribbean Street Carnival with 20-foot dancing puppets and fire-breathing stilt dancers, hip-hop dancing Fresh the Clowns with hundreds of thousands of social media followers, and the heart-stopping Wheel of Death stunt artists performing flips and dives 60 feet in the air. Interactive elements include Simon Says, Swag Surf dance sessions, Soul Karaoke, and the Big Top Kids Dance contest. Performed under a state-of-the-art big top tent from Italy with dynamic audio and lighting systems. | Roy Wilkins Park, Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica | https://events.newyorkfamily.com/event/universoul-circus-2023-09-15/

Immersive Butterfly Experience | Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Through September 28, 2025 (except September 20-21) | $12 | KID FRIENDLY | Discover the beauty and wonder of butterflies and moths up close in Queens County Farm Museum's enclosed living Butterfly Vivarium. This 30-minute educational experience features over 75 butterflies and moths including five butterfly species (including beloved Monarchs) and three types of moths, all thriving in a lush environment of over 200 plants. Observe these fascinating pollinators as they flutter from flower to flower, rest on leaves, and land nearby while QCFM educators share engaging facts about life cycles, habits, and environmental roles. The vivarium offers an up-close look at delicate features, colors, and behaviors of each species, providing visitors with a deeper appreciation for these extraordinary insects and the ecosystems they support. Note: September 27-28 tickets require 42nd Queens Agricultural Fair admission. | Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park | https://events.newyorkfamily.com/event/immersive-butterfly-experience/

QUIP Music Festival | Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 9:30 PM | $20 adults / $5 kids | KID FRIENDLY | The Queens United International Party returns to Sunnyside Gardens Park for its 8th annual celebration of the incredible cultural diversity of "the world's borough." This all-ages event showcases infectious music from around the world and around the corner, featuring a full day of international performances, food trucks representing global cuisines, a beer garden, kids' crafts, dance contests, and community activities. Taking place in a historic 99-year-old community-run park, QUIP has grown each year since its 2017 premiere, bringing together Queens' diverse communities for an authentic multicultural experience. Advance tickets available online, celebrating the musical traditions and contemporary sounds that make Queens a global cultural hub. | Sunnyside Gardens Park, 48-21 39th Avenue, Sunnyside, Queens | https://itsinqueens.com/explore/events/#event=78126477;instance=20250920150000?popup=1&lang=en-US

— Bridge and Borough