14 Fun Things to Do This Holiday Weekend in Harlem and Beyond
- The Curious Uptowner
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Tours of the iconic Little Red Lighthouse—plus more fun things to do this holiday weekend in Harlem, Washington Heights, and beyond.
Friday, July 4 from dusk to midnight
The bridge's iconic criss-crossed steel towers are illuminated from dusk to midnight on major holidays—and Independence Day is one.
Saturday, July 5 1pm-3pm FREE
Washington Heights Fort Washington Park near 178th St (enter park at 181st St or 158th St)
Join the Urban Park Rangers on this tour inside the iconic Little Red Lighthouse—located on the banks of the Hudson River underneath the George Washington Bridge.
July 5-27; Tue-Sun at 8:30pm, Fri at 9pm FREE
Central Harlem Marcus Garvey Park, Richard Rodgers Amphitheater, enter park at 124th and Fifth Ave, then walk south to venue
The reimagined tale of an Ethiopian king who helps defend the city of Troy—brought to you by the Classical Theatre of Harlem. Free and under the stars! Come early (7pm) for food vendors and more courtesy of the Harlem Night Market.
In case you missed it:
June 27-September 7
Various locations
The city's outdoor pools have reopened for the season. Above 110th Street, there are a total of 8 free outdoor pools run by the NYC Parks Department, including the new Gottesman Pool at the Davis Center in Central Park. For river views, you can also head to the outdoor pool in Riverbank State Park, which charges a nominal entrance fee.
Sat & Sun 10am-3pm, Fri 10am-5pm
Sugar Hill Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling, 898 St. Nicholas Ave at 155th St
Stop by for the new summer exhibition "Nesting," featuring artist Natalie Collette Wood's sculptural installations, plus story hour on Saturdays at 11am.
Saturdays & Sundays noon-6pm
West Harlem Riverbank State Park, entrance at Riverside Drive and 145th St
Stop by on weekends to enjoy this one-of-a-kind carousel featuring funky flamingos, octopuses and other animals based on drawings by local elementary school students.
May 10-October 26; Sun-Tues & Thu 10am-5pm, Fri & Sat 10am-9pm
Upper East Side The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave and E 82nd St
The Met Costume Institute's spring exhibition explores the evolution of dandyism—the way Black men have chosen to express themselves through fashion from the 18th century to the present. Included are articles of clothing, accessories, paintings, photographs and more.
Saturdays 10am-3pm; May 3-October 25 FREE
Central Harlem 134th Street Farm, 118 W 134th St between Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvds
A series of free activities—cooking lessons, storytime and free yoga—all summer long at Harlem Grown's 134th Street farm.
April 24-August 3; 11am-5pm
East Harlem El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave at 104th St
The first large-scale survey of artist Candida Alvarez, featuring her figurative and abstract paintings.
Mon & Tues 4pm-7pm; Wed & Fri 6pm-9pm (18 and older); Sat & Sun 1pm-4pm, 6pm-9pm
West Harlem Rink at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, entrance at Riverside Drive and 145th St
Lace up your skates and take a fresh 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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