{"id":326664,"date":"2026-08-21T14:24:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T14:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/326664\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T14:24:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T14:24:15","slug":"things-to-do-in-new-york-city-aug-22-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/326664\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do in New York City: Aug. 22-23"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York City is a multicultural hub with dozens of museums, hundreds of parks and millions of people. The number of potential things to see and do can feel overwhelming, but NY1 has you covered with some of the highlights taking place this weekend across the five boroughs.<\/p>\n

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day<\/p>\n

Sunday, Aug. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
\nUSTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Queens
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Families of tennis fans can come together to kick off Fan Week ahead of the annual U.S. Open tournament in Queens on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Kids will have the opportunity to watch top players, compete themselves and enjoy activities like face-painting and storytelling. The Savannah Bananas will also be at Arthur Ashe Stadium at midday to play some of their patented “Banana Ball” games.<\/p>\n

The Battle of Brooklyn 250<\/p>\n

Sunday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
\nGreen-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Part of the Battle of Brooklyn was fought on the land that is now Green-Wood Cemetery during the Revolutionary War 250 years ago.<\/p>\n

To mark the anniversary, there will be a variety of activities for New Yorkers of all ages to learn about the local history, including costumed interpreters, live 18th-century music, a parade and activities like hat making and flag designing.<\/p>\n

Lest We Forget: A 9\/11 Memorial Concert<\/p>\n

Saturday, Aug. 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
\nCollege of Staten Island Center for the Arts
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the\u00a0College of Staten Island will pay tribute to the lives lost from the borough through a free memorial concert.<\/p>\n

Seating will be first-come, first-served, and doors will open 30 minutes prior to showtime.<\/p>\n

Spot Turtles in Van Cortlandt Park<\/p>\n

Sunday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
\nVan Cortlandt Nature Center, the Bronx
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

This Sunday is your chance to spot some turtles in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n

NYC Parks rangers will guide attendees on a walk in Van Cortlandt Park, pointing out the variety of freshwater turtles there and teaching about them along the way.<\/p>\n

8\/23 \ud83d\udc22 Befriend the wide variety of freshwater turtles that call the Bronx home: https:\/\/t.co\/d0nmz0KDkG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NYC Parks (@NYCParks) August 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

‘Summer Streets’<\/p>\n

Saturday, Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
\nPart of Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn and Grand Concourse in the Bronx
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Summer Streets continues this weekend, giving pedestrians and cyclists car-free space to explore the city.<\/p>\n

The walk- and bike-friendly routes will feature music, activities and family-friendly fun.<\/p>\n

The following streets will be closed to car traffic from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday:<\/p>\n

Brooklyn<\/p>\n

Eastern Parkway between Grand Army Plaza and Buffalo Avenue<\/p>\n

The Bronx<\/p>\n

Grand Concourse between East Tremont Avenue and Mosholu Parkway<\/p>\n

Queens Night Market<\/p>\n

Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight through Aug. 22
\nFlushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

The Queens Night Market will be on hiatus until Sept. 19 after this weekend, so Saturday marks the last opportunity for a month to check out the price-capped local fare.<\/p>\n

The market is a family-friendly, open-air event that features 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art and food. There are also performances that organizers say, along with the vendors, celebrate “the rich cultural diversity and heritage of NYC and Queens.”<\/p>\n

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\nWhitney Biennial 2026<\/p>\n

Open through Aug. 23
\nWhitney Museum, Manhattan
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

This is the last weekend to catch the Whitney Museum’s biennial exhibit, which the museum says is the “the longest-running survey of contemporary art in the United States.”<\/p>\n

The 82nd edition features the work of 56 artists and reflects the current moment by examining “interspecies kinships, familial relations, geopolitical entanglements, technological affinities, shared mythologies, and infrastructural supports.”<\/p>\n

Meet Daniel Tiger at the Bronx Zoo<\/p>\n

Open through Sept. 7
\nBronx Zoo
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Families can step into the world of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” at the Bronx Zoo, with activities inspired by the popular children’s show.<\/p>\n

Kids can explore a life-sized, accessible Trolley, make music at a replica of the neighborhood’s music wall, learn about zoo workers and compare themselves with wildlife. Children can also hop like frogs and spread their feathers like peacocks while exploring the “Land of Make-Believe.”<\/p>\n

Sotheby’s ‘Botero in New York’ Exhibit<\/p>\n

Open through Sept. 7
\nSotheby’s Breuer Building
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Presented at one of the \u201cworld\u2019s most vibrant art capitals,\u201d the exhibition includes important works of art on loan from The Botero Foundation until Sept. 7.<\/p>\n

In addition, a collection of work featuring Fernando Botero\u2019s voluminous, ironic figures will be available for sale.<\/p>\n

Head to the Beach<\/p>\n

Open through Sept. 13
\nAcross the city
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Beaches across the city will stay open through the weekend after Labor Day.<\/p>\n

Lifeguards will be on duty every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swimming is prohibited during their off-hours.<\/p>\n

Mark your calendars: NYC beaches officially open for the season on May 23. Get ready for boardwalk walks, post-swim snacks, ocean breezes, and long summer days by the water! pic.twitter.com\/VI7ZXboNL8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NYC Parks (@NYCParks) May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Movies Under the Stars<\/p>\n

Events through September
\nAcross the city
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Movies Under the Stars is back at NYC Parks. The city agency is putting on more than 150 family-friendly film screenings across the five boroughs.<\/p>\n

Bring your own blanket, chairs and snacks and find a free event near you here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Join us for a free flick near you! Bring your blankets to cozy up to one of our Movies Under the Stars across the five boroughs all summer long! pic.twitter.com\/pkBmRu4COJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NYC Parks (@NYCParks) May 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

‘Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists’<\/p>\n

Open through Sept. 13
\nAmerican Folk Art Museum, Manhattan
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

This exhibit at the always-free American Folk Art Museum on the Upper West Side takes a look at how artists without formal training have depicted and defined themselves on their own terms.<\/p>\n

There are 60 artists featured, with paintings, sculptures, photos and other forms, all on display. The selection showcases those who have worked outside the lineage of artistic networks.<\/p>\n

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(Spectrum News NY1\/Roger Clark)<\/p>\n

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!<\/p>\n

Events through Sept. 19
\nManhattan venues and Brooklyn Bowl
\nMore information her<\/a>e<\/a><\/p>\n

A slate of annual free performances at Prospect Park has returned for the summer as the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! festival enters its 47th season.<\/p>\n

There will be\u00a015 free shows and three benefit shows, all of which support Prospect Park. This year\u2019s lineup includes Common, Patti LaBelle, Katie Yamasaki, Lady Wray, Victory Boyd, and Reggae with Wayne Wonder and Lila Ik\u00e9.<\/p>\n

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(Courtesy Edwina Hay)<\/p>\n

Smorgasburg<\/p>\n

Thursdays and Fridays: World Trade Center
\nSaturdays: Marsha P. Johnson State Park, Williamsburg
\nSundays: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
\nWorld Trade Center location open through September
\nBrooklyn locations open through October
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

The city’s annual warm weather food frenzy is back, and organizers say it features one of their biggest lineups yet.<\/p>\n

More than 70 vendors offering global bites, longtime favorites and experimental new concepts will set up in Manhattan every Thursday and Friday, and then in Brooklyn every weekend.<\/p>\n

If you can’t make it out to one of their sites, you can still enjoy dining al fresco at a restaurant near you, as the city’s roadway dining program<\/a> has officially returned for the season.<\/p>\n

Luna Park<\/p>\n

Open for the season
\nConey Island, Brooklyn
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Luna Park in Coney Island is open for the season, with its full lineup of rides, treats and \u201chigh-flying excitement.”<\/p>\n

Visitors can ride the iconic Cyclone roller coaster, play arcade games, get food or shop around.<\/p>\n

‘Flower Power’ at NYBG<\/p>\n

Open through Oct. 18
\nNew York Botanical Garden, the Bronx
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

This recently-opened exhibit at New York Botanical Garden celebrates flowers as a cultural symbol of peace and love.<\/p>\n

In addition to flowers, visitors can expect to see all things related to the “flower power” movement \u2014 like art and fashion from the ’60s, including works from Andy Warhol and Milton Glaser. There are also painted Volkswagen vans, giant peace signs and large hand-painted fabric canopies.<\/p>\n

Plenty of activities are scattered throughout the exhibit, including friendship bracelet-making and ticketed liquid light shows<\/a> with live bands.<\/p>\n

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Flower Power is a new exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden, opening May 23. (Spectrum News NY1)<\/p>\n

‘Uptown Visions’<\/p>\n

Open through Nov. 1
\nHispanic Society Museum & Library, Manhattan
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

This year’s selection for the\u00a0Hispanic Society Museum & Library’s “Art on Audubon Terrace” exhibit, “Uptown Visions” by Harlem-based painter Tom Sanford is meant to capture the “joy, rhythm, and layered experience of Uptown summer life.”<\/p>\n

Featuring scenes of basketball, cart vendors and\u00a0communal energy, the work was inspired by Joaqu\u00edn Sorolla\u2019s mural series, “Vision of Spain,” which depicted the people and customs of the country.<\/p>\n

MoMI LAB<\/p>\n

Now open
\nMuseum of the Moving Image, Queens
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

Queens’ Museum of the Moving Image has opened a free new space for people to check out newly emerging technology.<\/p>\n

The MoMI LAB is located in the museum’s lower level, and welcomes the public to “discover, create, and reflect in this space where people from varied backgrounds can interact with new technologies and each other.”<\/p>\n

‘For the Win’<\/p>\n

Now open
\nAmerican Museum of Natural History
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

An exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History celebrates “the objects that define athletic greatness.”<\/p>\n

There are more than 70 items covering over 150 years of sports history, including gold medals, trophies and championship rings.<\/p>\n

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\nNew Museum<\/p>\n

Open Tuesday to Sunday
\n235 Bowery, Manhattan
\nMore information here<\/a><\/p>\n

The New Museum in Manhattan reopened earlier this year\u00a0following a 60,000-square-foot expansion<\/a>. The new space features twice the gallery size, new elevators, new venues, an entrance plaza and an atrium staircase, among other additions.<\/p>\n

Alongside several new commissions, “New Humans: Memories of the Future” will be the inaugural exhibition. The museum says it showcases “works by more than 200 artists, writers, scientists, architects, and filmmakers to explore how dramatic technological and societal changes have spurred new conceptions of what it means to be ‘human.’\u201d<\/p>\n