Once Spring arrives, we know that Summer on The Hudson events are right around the corner! Summer on the Hudson is New York City Parks’ annual outdoor arts and culture festival that takes place in Riverside Park from 59th Street to 153rd Street – by the Hudson River!

The activities include music concerts, dance performances, movies under the stars, DJ dance parties, kids shows, special events, wellness activities, and more! All programs and events are free to the public and registration is not required unless specifically stated in event information. See below for our top picks! And visit our local events page to view events all Summer long!  

Good For Education & Culture!

Talk about cultural exposure! The Riverside Park Overlook Concert Series begins with the Columbia Wind Ensemble: A big band of 50 brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments plays rousing music from the Renaissance to the present. There will be several other concerts in this series. Seating is limited – so bring your seats and blankets!   

The first performance is on April 28, 2019 at 2pm. 116th Street and Riverside Park

Explore Riverside Park on a family-friendly bird walk. Who knows what birds you’ll discover while taking in views of the Hudson River! No registration necessary. In partnership with New York City Audubon Society. Pack your binoculars! 

This event takes place on Friday May 10, at 5:30pm meeting at 120th and Riverside Drive.

Summer on the Hudson presents STEAM the Streets with HYPOTHEkids . We’re bringing science and engineering exploration to the park! Explore the science happening all around you with the help of expert and entertaining educators.

This event begins Saturday May 11 at 1pm and repeats every second Saturday of every month through July.

Any excuse to get on the ship that ports in the West Harlem Harbor – The Baylander – is a good excuse! Even better! Come learn about the efforts to save the harbor with the Billion Oyster Project! This organization seeks to rejuvenate the harbor with clean water and sea life – hence the “Billion Oysters” – the original food of Manhattan’s first inhabitants, the Lenape Indians. This is a great opportunity to explore, educate and have fun!

Begins on Saturday May 11, 2019 from 12pm to 2pm, and re-occurs every Saturday until September.

Hudson River Fishing Clinic – A Free Fishing Weekend with a catch-and-release fishing session in partnership with the DEC and the Hudson River Fisherman’s Association. First come, first served. Gear provided.

This event takes place on Saturday June 29 from 12noon to 4pm at The West Harlem Piers.

The Hudson River is home to millions of organisms! Learn about the Underwater Neighbors of Riverside Park where you can join the educators from Hudson River Sloop Clearwater to catch, observe, and identify fish and invertebrates. Participants will observe the river and discuss its history and how our everyday choices have an effect on the health and vitality of this amazing resource.

This event takes place Saturday July 20 from 4 to 7pm at 172nd Street Beach at Fort Washington Park.

Good Ways to Sweat!

Parenting Pre-teens and Teens and navigating their ever changing interests can be challenging. The below group activities are geared towards Adults, but older kids could enjoy as well! Physical Activities are great way to spend some quality time together.

Shape Up NYC Presents “Dance Fitness” in West Harlem Piers Park where colorful outfits are encouraged! Dance fitness classes feature aerobic, fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body with easy-to-follow dance steps. 

Classes begin on May 4th at 11am and run every Saturday until September. Classes are held at West Harlem Piers.

Check out the Bodyroll Workout with VIVA classes happening for the month of May on the Upper West Side. “Bodyroll is a ’90s-inspired dance aerobics class designed to tone, strengthen, and train your body with slammin’ moves and bangin’ grooves that will get you looking (and feeling) supa dupa fly!”

Classes take place on Tuesday Evening during the Month of May at 6:30pm.

Harlem Moves with the world-renowned Limón Company Dancers as they teach the energetic and ease-filled Limón Technique, accompanied by live music. No experience necessary; class is open to all levels.

This class takes place on Friday evenings once a month. Check our Local Events page for more information. The first class is May 17.

Check our Local Events page for updated information and to learn about all the Uptown events during Summer on The Hudson. You can also search events to narrow down your list. Try searching “summer hudson” and you’ll get results!