16 Fun Things to Do This Weekend in Harlem and Beyond
- Aug 21
- 4 min read
Back to back live concerts in Marcus Garvey Park—plus more fun things to do this weekend.
Friday, August 21 7pm-9:30pm 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 continues with this new show that brings the documentary "Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool" to life with a live orchestra.
Saturday, August 22 6pm-9pm FREE
Central Harlem Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park, enter park at Fifth Ave and 124th St, then walk south to venue
This live concert that started on Harlem's stoops heads to Marcus Garvey Park, courtesy of Summerstage.
Saturday, August 22 at 6pm
West Harlem Montefiore Square Park, Broadway and W 137th St
This free summer-long jazz festival continues with a performance by Gina D'Soto in Montefiore Square Park.
Sunday, August 23 at 2pm FREE
Central Harlem Charles A. Dana Discovery Center at the Harlem Meer, 110th St between Fifth and Lenox Aves
The Ray Delgado Project performs a blend of jazz, soul, latin and more at this free concert by the Harlem Meer waterfront.
Sunday, August 23 2pm-5pm FREE
West Harlem Ralph Ellison Plaza, Riverside Drive and W 150th St
Local musicians and vocalists come together 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.
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.
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