20 Fun Things to Do This Weekend in Harlem and Beyond
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
The first Saturday of Summer Streets in Manhattan, free tours of the Little Red Lighthouse—plus more fun things to do this weekend in Harlem and beyond.
Friday, July 31 4pm-10pm
West Harlem 12th Avenue and W 133rd St
The former Uptown Night Market is now Harlem Summer Nights: seven successive Friday nights with 60-plus vendors hawking food and more under the arches of the Riverside Drive Viaduct.
Fridays July 31, August 14 & 28 6pm-10pm
Central Harlem The Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W 125th St between Lenox Ave and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
Uptown Fridays, a Studio Museum tradition that started in the 2000s, is back in the museum's new home: a chance to dance and chill throughout the building, including the spectacular, view-filled rooftop.
Friday, July 24 7pm-8:30pm FREE
Central Harlem Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park, enter at Fifth Ave and 124th St, then walk south to venue
Free summer jazz in Marcus Garvey Park—courtesy of Harlem's storied Jazzmobile—continues with the Antoinette Montague Experience's tribute to Danny Mixon.
Saturdays August 1, 8 & 15 7am-3pm FREE
Manhattan From Brooklyn Bridge to Dyckman Street
Come walk, run, bike and play at the first of this month's three car-free events across Manhattan—extending all the way up to Inwood for the second year in a row. The route begins by the Brooklyn Bridge, goes up Park Avenue, cuts across 110th Street, continues up Broadway, and ends at Dyckman Street (there's also a fun-filled detour along Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd that goes up to 125th St in Harlem). Don't miss the dozen-plus rest stops for free activities, performances and more.
Saturday, August 1 1pm-3pm FREE
Washington Heights Fort Washington Park near 178th St (enter park at W 181st St or W 158th St)
Join the Urban Park Rangers on this free tour inside the iconic Little Red Lighthouse—located on the banks of the Hudson River under the George Washington Bridge.
Saturday, August 1 at 6pm FREEÂ
West Harlem Montefiore Park, Broadway and W 137th St
This free summer-long jazz festival across West Harlem's parks continues with performances by Mac Gollehon in Montefiore Park.
Sunday, August 2 at 2pm FREE
Central Harlem Charles A. Dana Discovery Center at the Harlem Meer, 110th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
Saxophonist Kobie Dozier performs a blend of jazz, soul and hip-hop at this free concert by the Harlem Meer waterfront.
Sunday, August 2 2pm-5pm FREE
West Harlem Ralph Ellison Plaza, Riverside Drive and W 150th St
A mix of local musicians and vocalists performs at this outdoor community jazz concert in leafy Ralph Ellison Plaza.
In case you missed it:
July 19 through late September FREE
West Harlem Riverside Park, Riverside Drive and W 137th St
Come say hello to the three goats—Romeo, Mallomar, and Big Buddy—tackling the weeds this summer in Riverside Park. The herd will remain in the area by W 137th Street for 10 weeks.
Ongoing; Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm
East Harlem The Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave at E 103rd St
Just in time for America's 250th birthday comes this immersive exhibition through Revolutionary-era New York. You'll meet revolutionaries and loyalists, enslaved and free Black New Yorkers, women, Native peoples, and others who shaped and were shaped by this time.
Through Labor Day Weekend 11am-7pm FREE
Various locations
The city's outdoor pools, including all of your favorites in Upper Manhattan, are open for the summer.
Saturdays & Sundays 1pm-7pm, holidays noon-6pm
West Harlem Riverbank State Park, entrance at Riverside Drive and 145th St
The season is in full swing at this one-of-a-kind carousel featuring funky flamingos, octopuses and other animals based on drawings by local elementary school students.
Through December 5, 2026; Mon-Sat 10am-6pm FREE
Central Harlem Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Blvd and 135th St
Discover the seeds of the Schomburg Center up close: original books, manuscripts, and art rooted in Black culture—collected by Arturo Schomburg and acquired by the New York Public Library in 1926. And don't miss: "100: A Century of Collections, Community and Creativity," celebrating the Schomburg's first century (through June 30).
May 1-September 6; Fri & Sat 11am-9pm; Sun, Wed & Thu 11am-6pm
Central Harlem The Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and Lenox Ave
See the work of 17 up-and-coming artists of African descent at this new exhibition in The Studio Museum in Harlem's beautiful new home. Don't forget: Book your tickets for free admission on family-friendly Studio Sundays.
April 23-August 2; Thu-Sun 11am-5pm
East Harlem El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave at 104th St
Learn about Sophie Rivera, a feminist photographer of Puerto Rican descent, in this survey that includes portraits, documentary images, and photos of the city's subway and graffiti scene in the 1970s. Also at the museum: "Jangueando," featuring about 30 newly acquired works, from paintings to installations.
Sat & Sun 1pm-4pm, 6pm-9pm; Mon & Tues 4pm-7pm; Wed & Fri 6pm-9pm (ages 18+)
West Harlem Roller skating rink at Riverbank State Park, entrance at Riverside Drive and W 145th St
Lace up your skates and take a spin around the outdoor roller rink at Riverbank State Park.
Weekends starting on Fridays at 8pm
Sugar Hill 750A St. Nicholas Ave between W 147th and W 148th Sts
This Black-owned comedy club—the only one in NYC—kicks off the weekend with live shows every Friday.
Saturdays at 9am FREE
Inwood Inwood Hill Park, Seaman Avenue and Isham Street entrance
Organized by New York Road Runners, this free community-led 5K run includes three loops through the woods and along the salt marsh in Inwood Hill Park.
Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm FREE
Hamilton Heights 414 W 141st St between St. Nicholas and Convent Aves
Go on a free tour of founding father Alexander Hamilton's historic uptown home, including a stroll through the parlor, dining room and study.
Weekends until 3:45am
Central Harlem Shrine, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
This gem of a live music venue kicks into high gear on the weekends with a mix of jazz, funk, blues, and even comedy—ending with DJ sets that run into the early morning.
