STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — From beginner stargazing programs to murder mystery dinners and live music, this weekend’s events offer something for every interest.
Here’s your guide to what’s happening this weekend on Staten Island.
Friday, Jan. 16
Birding: Owls and Owl Pellet Discovery | 11 a.m.-noon
Discover the fascinating world of owls through this educational program led by NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers. Participants will learn about owl behavior and biology before dissecting owl pellets to uncover what these nocturnal hunters eat. This hands-on activity reveals surprising insights into the owl’s diet and hunting habits. Perfect for nature enthusiasts of all ages.
Cost: Free
Location: Blue Heron Nature Center, Blue Heron Park, 222 Poillon Ave., Staten Island, NY 10312
Beginner Stargazing | 6-7 p.m.
Discover the night sky at Gericke Farm during this beginner-friendly stargazing program. Learn about constellations, hear the stories behind them, and view celestial wonders through a telescope. All ages welcome; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for outdoor conditions and tick safety.
Cost: Free (register here)
Location: Gericke Farm, 2876 Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island, NY 10309
Murder Mystery Dinner Show – I Love the 80’s to Death | Doors at 7:10 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Step back into the neon-soaked era of big hair and bigger drama at this interactive murder mystery experience. Set during a star-studded 1980s concert, backstage tensions explode into a deadly situation that guests must solve. Attendees are encouraged to dress the part with pegged jeans, slouch socks and excessive eyeliner as they work through clues and careless whispers to crack the case. This exclusive event takes place on the theatre’s stage with limited table seating facing the stunning restored interior.
Cost: $135 per person (includes dinner, dessert, open bar and show) (tickets here)
Location: St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St., Staten Island, NY 10301
The Level 99 Comedy Show | Doors at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
Kick off 2026 with a night of laughs at Bobo’s Comedy Club. Hosted by Wayne Pezzella, this high-energy show features a stacked lineup of comics including Molly Ruben-Long, Darin Joseph, Buda, Walter Vincent and Ryan Rummel. Arrive early to grab a seat and a drink.
Cost: $8 (tickets here)
Location: Bobo’s Comedy Club, Speakeasy Backroom, 61 New Dorp Plaza, Staten Island, NY 10306
Saturday, Jan. 17
Wolfe’s Pond Park Trail Marker Installation | 10 a.m.-noon
Join NYC Parks Stewardship for hands-on conservation work at this scenic Staten Island park. Volunteers will help install trail markers while learning about ecosystem health and species diversity. The event also includes clearing trail corridors to support forest restoration efforts. Participants should wear sturdy footwear, long sleeves and long pants suitable for outdoor work.
Cost: Free (register here)
Location: North East corner of Wolfe’s Pond parking lot in Wolfe’s Pond Park, 420 Cornelia Ave., Staten Island, NY 10312
Arthur Kill Road Cleanup | 10 a.m.-noon
Join NYC H2O, the Natural Resources Protective Association, and community partners for a volunteer cleanup along Arthur Kill Road, one of Staten Island’s longest roads and home to historic landmarks. Volunteers will work in both directions from Johnson Street to remove litter and debris near the Arthur Kill tidal strait. Gloves, garbage bags and pickers will be provided.
Cost: Free (register here)
Location: Intersection of Johnson Street and Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island, NY 10309
Winter IN Wonderland “Designer Pocketbook Bingo” Tea Party | Doors at 10:45 a.m., show starts at 11 a.m.
Tumble down the rabbit hole for an enchanting afternoon benefiting the St. George Theatre. This whimsical fundraiser features mocktails, cocktails, premium teas and light refreshments donated by Italianissimo Ristorante, with centerpieces by Flowers by Bernard. Guests can participate in designer pocketbook bingo, enjoy live music and compete in a hat contest for special prizes. Afternoon elegance and wonderland-inspired headwear encouraged. Thanks to a Diamond Matching Grant from the Staten Island Foundation, every donation will be matched 2:1, tripling your impact.
Cost: $95 per person (sponsorship opportunities available from $250-$2,500) (tickets here)
Location: St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St., Staten Island, NY 10301
Snug Harbor Glass House Tour | 1-2 p.m.
Explore where Snug Harbor protects its exotic plants during winter months, including tropical aquatic species and plants from the Tropical Border collection. Visitors will preview cuttings and seedlings being prepared for summer displays, plus view the winter flowering bulb collection. The tour proceeds rain or shine.
Cost: $10 general admission, $9 Student/Senior, $9 Snug Harbor Members (tickets here)
Location: Visitor Info Booth at Snug Harbor on Chapel and Gazebo roads, Staten Island, NY 10301
“The American Wing in the Metropolitan Museum” with Dr. Snjezana Smodlaka, Ph.D. | 2-4 p.m.
Explore the treasures of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing in this engaging lecture led by Dr. Snjezana Smodlaka. Since its establishment in 1924, this renowned collection has grown to include more than 20,000 works spanning three floors and 75 galleries. The presentation will showcase the wing’s diverse holdings—from paintings and sculptures to decorative arts and textiles—while highlighting 20 authentic period rooms dating back to 1680. Discover how American artists documented the nation’s cultural evolution through their creative works across centuries.
Cost: $5 member, $10 non-member (tickets here)
Location: Garibaldi Meucci Museum, 420 Tompkins Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305
Tiny Gardens Workshop | 2:30-4 p.m.
Bring the outside indoors and learn about the best plants to make your very own tiny garden in an open terrarium. Learn about appropriate plants that will thrive in this environment, and personalize it by bringing a waterproof ornamental item of 1″ or less to include in the terrarium landscape you’ll design.
Cost: $15 (10% discount for students, seniors, and Snug Harbor members) (tickets here)
Location: Visitor Info Booth at Snug Harbor on Chapel and Gazebo roads, Staten Island, NY 10301
Wicked Part 2 – Wicked: For Good Tween/Teen Movie | 2:30-4:45 p.m.
Watch and sing along to Wicked: For Good with fellow fans. For tweens and teens ages 10-18 and their caregivers.
Cost: Free
Location: Great Kills Library Community Room, 56 Giffords Lane, Staten Island, NY 10308
Vermicomposting: Worm Bins 101 | 4-5:30 p.m.
Discover the art of vermicomposting in this hands-on workshop where you’ll learn to create and maintain your own worm composting system. Participants will explore which organic materials work best for composting and how to keep your worm ecosystem thriving. Take home your own worm bin and the skills to transform kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil for gardening.
Cost: $15 (Students/Seniors/Snug Harbor Members receive 10% discount) (tickets here)
Location: Visitor Info Booth at Snug Harbor on Chapel and Gazebo roads, Staten Island, NY 10301
Tavern Concerts: Bob Wright & Harbortown | 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Warm up your winter evening with this beloved returning act at the historic Guyon Tavern. Harbortown, featuring Bob Wright, Bob Conroy, Jan Christensen, and Bill Doerge, delivers folk classics and traditional story songs in an authentic 19th-century setting. Enjoy the ambiance of a wood-burning stove, candlelight, and period-appropriate beverages including hot spiced apple cider, mulled wine and beer. This unplugged acoustic experience captures the spirit of 1820s American tavern entertainment—no modern amplification, just pure musical tradition.
Cost: $20 (tickets here)
Location: Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306
Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Midnight at The Masquerade | Doors at 7:15 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Don your finest evening wear and Venetian mask for an elegant night of intrigue at the Billionaires’ Club Annual Masquerade Ball. When tragedy strikes this high-society gathering, guests must exchange clues and gather intelligence to unmask the killer before they escape. This sophisticated murder mystery dinner unfolds on the St. George Theatre stage with exclusive table seating overlooking the venue’s magnificent newly restored interior. Ball gowns, tuxedos and formal attire recommended for this glamorous evening.
Cost: $135 per person (includes dinner, dessert, open bar and show) (tickets here)
Location: St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St., Staten Island, NY 10301
Sunday, Jan. 18
Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop | 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join the Freshkills Park Alliance at the Greenbelt Nature Center for an interactive workshop on Leave No Trace principles. Learn outdoor ethics, best practices for low-impact recreation and the seven core principles that help protect natural spaces. This program includes indoor instruction and a short outdoor hike. Please dress for winter conditions and bring water and snacks.
Cost: Free (register here)
Location: Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Winter Shoreline Wildlife Watch | 1-2 p.m.
Celebrate World Snow Day with a guided wildlife observation along the shores of Raritan Bay. Join NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers to spot winter waterfowl and harbor seals that frequent the area during colder months. Participants will use provided binoculars and spotting scopes to observe animals from the beach while learning about local marine and bird species. This family-friendly outdoor adventure is perfect for nature enthusiasts of all ages.
Cost: Free
Location: Lemon Creek Park, Hylan Boulevard/Sharrott Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10309
Sea Shanty Sessions | 2-4 p.m.
Sing along to traditional maritime songs in a historic Greek Revival building once home to sailors. Led by the Folk Music Society of New York, these family-friendly sessions are free and open to all.
Cost: Free (register here)
Location: The Noble Maritime Collection, Building D, 1000 Richmond Terr., Staten Island, NY 10301
A draft of this story was generated using AI. It was reviewed, edited and approved by Advance/SILive.com staff.