19 Fun Things to Do This Weekend in Harlem and Beyond
The 57th Annual African American Day Parade returns to Harlem—plus more fun things to do this weekend.
Friday, September 18 6pm-8pm FREE
Morningside Heights St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave at 112th St
Join the Cathedral for the opening reception of Gaia, a 23-foot-diameter suspended sphere by UK artist Luke Jerram featuring NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The artwork will be on display through October 8.
Saturday, September 19 10am-12:30pm FREE
Riverside Park • 10 Mile River Playground (W 148th St) • Beach in Fort Washington Park (W 172nd St)
There's still time to register for one of these two volunteer events—part of International Coastal Clean-Up Day—to help remove trash along beautiful Riverside Park.
Saturday, September 19 1pm-6pm FREE
Central Harlem Lawn near the pond in Morningside Park, Morningside Ave between W 113th and W 114th Sts
Stop by this all-day festival with free activites including face painting, pony rides, yoga and Zumba. Stay for live music by the Lefty Original Harlem Band and Drumming by Batala New York.
Saturday, September 19 3pm-7pm FREE
Central Harlem Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park, enter at Fifth Ave and W 124th St
The Harlem Dance Club hosts this free outdoor dance and music festival featuring afro, house, Haitian, hip hop, Indian, vogue and much more.
Saturday, September 19 3pm-5pm FREE
Washington Heights Fort Tryon Park, meet at Broadway and Dongan Place
In this immersive guided walk, dance, music and poetry intertwine along the park's stunning landscape.
Saturday, September 19 at 8pm (7pm if you want to carry a lantern) FREE
Central Harlem/Morningside Heights Procession begins in Morningside Park, W 116th St and Morningside Ave and ends on the Columbia University campus
Join this magical procession of giant handmade lanterns that makes its way from Morningside Park to Columbia's campus. This year's theme is "A Common Thread," featuring an array of colorful lanterns in iconic patterns (think West African Kente cloths, Japanese Wagara prints and Turkish kilims).
Sunday, September 20 10am-4pm
West Harlem Chopped Parsley space, 1730 Amsterdam Ave between W 145th and W 146th Sts
A creative coffee and ice-cream pop-up is taking over the Chopped Parsley space every Sunday in September, offering fun treats like affogatos, Belgian waffles and more.
Sunday, September 20 10:30am-7:30pm FREE
Inwood Inwood Hill Park, W 218th St and Indian Rd
This outdoor jazz festival returns to Inwood Hill Park with four concerts starting at noon on the main stage on Pat's Lawn, plus a morning dance workshop at the Inwood Hill Park Nature Center (10:30am-11:30am) and an after-party jam session at Inwood Farm Restaurant (5:30pm-7:30pm). Kids are also invited to a free children's jazz workshop the day before (Saturday, September 19) from 11am-noon in Isham Park.
Sunday, September 20 12:30pm-6pm FREE
Central Harlem Parade route: Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 111th and 138th Sts
This legendary annual parade celebrating Black American heritage—its first grand marshals were Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Shirley Chisholm—is back for another fun-packed day featuring colorful marching bands, floats from community-based organizations, waving politicians, fraternities and sororities, vintage cars, and more. Don't miss the pre-parade show on Sunday from 11am-12:30pm on 125th Street, plus the "Get Involved" community, literacy, health, and culture celebration on Saturday from noon-5pm at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building Plaza.
Sunday, September 20 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:
Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 11am-6pm; Fri 11am-9pm
Central Harlem The Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and Lenox Ave
Come see the latest exhibitions—"Dreams of this Future: the Collection of Peggy Cooper Cafritz" and "Geometries"—in The Studio Museum in Harlem's beautiful new home. Don't forget: Book your tickets for free admission on family-friendly Studio Sundays.
Thu-Sun 11am-5pm
East Harlem El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave at 104th St
Two new exhibitions are on right now: "Octopus & Others: Acts of Collaboration & Poetics," inspired by the work of Exit Art co-founder Papo Colo, and "Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art," featuring the work of the L.A.-born Chicano and queer artist.
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 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).
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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