Top 20 August family events in Brooklyn

There is lots to celebrate as we enter the second half of summer break with a range of annual community celebrations, grand reopening events, creative activities, and back to school fun! Happy August!

1. LeFrak Center at Lakeside: Opening Weekend Celebration

Saturday, August 2 11am-10pm & Sunday, August 3 10am-5:30pm | Activity pricing and times vary, some activities require advance registration | Prospect Park

With summer in full swing, Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit that sustains Brooklyn's Backyard, is kicking off a new chapter at one of its most popular destinations, the Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center at Lakeside. Following renovations and with new operators in place, the Center will reopen for rollerskating, boating and—for the first time—pickleball on August 2nd. Join the celebration for their opening weekend with a range of activities including Floorball with New York Rangers Alumni, Lake Rowboat or Kayak Rentals, Roller Skating, Arts + Crafts, Pickleball, Intro to Yoga, and Family Roller Disco Night (Sat, 7-10pm)!

2. Reopening Celebration at Leonard Library

Tuesday, August 5 | 1-2pm | FREE | Williamsburg

Welcome back to Leonard Library! On Tuesday, August 5, Brooklyn Public Library will celebrate the reopening of Leonard Library with entertainment, refreshments and more. A brief program begins at 1 pm and Leonard Library will reopen for public service afterwards.

3. National Night Out events

Tuesday, August 5 | FREE | Locations throughout Brooklyn & beyond

National Night Out is a celebration of neighborhood camaraderie and police-community partnerships. Local precincts are celebrating the occasion with special events featuring music, entertainment, food, giveaways and more across Brooklyn and beyond! Click the link for featured Brooklyn events and check with your local precinct if their event is not yet announced.

4. Celebrate Tove Jansson’s Birthday with the Moomins at Central Library

Saturday, August 9 | FREE | For ages 5-12 | Prospect Heights

Join us on Saturday, August 9th for stories and a variety of fun Moomin activities to celebrate Tove Jansson’s Birthday! The festivities will be followed by a screening of two short animated Moomin films in the auditorium. Free Moomin grab & go kits will be distributed while supplies last.

5. Celebrate the Caribbean at Brooklyn Children's Museum

Saturday, August 9 | $14-$15 museum | For ages 2-12 | Crown Heights

Celebrate Caribbean history and culture from across the islands at Brooklyn Children's Museum with Sesame Flyers and the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA)! Dance with moko jumbies (stilt walkers), join interactive performances and workshops with CarNYval Dancers and Harmony Music Makers, and feel the rhythm of live steel drum performances. Plus, enjoy Caribbean food and shop local vendors at a pop-up fair curated by Carib Biz Network.

6. August Sundays at Green Meadows Farm

Sundays, August 10, 17, 24 | 11am-5pm | $14, free for ages 0-2 | Marine Park

Sundays are for sunshine, smiles, and sweet farm adventures! Stop by Green Meadows Farm to meet and feed their animals, pose at selfie stations, take a hayride, picnic, play in a giant corn box, tractor play, and zoom down their huge super slide! Open every Sunday (weather-permitting) — because it’s the perfect way to wrap up the weekend with outdoor fun, laughter, and memory-making.

7. Grow a Garden: Community Mosaic Workshop at UrbanGlass

Tuesday, August 14 | 4-7pm | FREE/suggested donation | Fort Greene

Learn the basics of making mosaics in a fun, garden themed community workshop led by high school interns from the Bloomberg Arts Internship. Demonstrations will cover how to use glass cutting tools, along with the fundamental do’s and don'ts of mosaic design that you can apply to future projects. Although donations are appreciated, this workshop is completely free and open to everybody, no matter your familiarity in glass! This is a collaborative project! Participants will not be making individual artworks to take home. This event is open to all levels and ages. No previous experience required. Ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.

8. Back-to-School Night: The Art in Sports at Brooklyn Museum

Thursday, August 14 | 4-7pm | For teens+ | FREE, registration encouraged | Prospect Heights

Explore the intersection of art and sports at this back-to-school night for teens, young adults, and their families. Join our BkM Teens and School Programs staff to consider how art and sports interact to build community and shape narratives. Enjoy a panel discussion with arts and sports professionals, art-making activities, giveaways, and more!

9. Back to School Community Bash at Atlantic Terminal Mall

Saturday, August 16 (rain date: August 23) | For ages 1-10 | FREE | Downtown Brooklyn

Brooklyn Bridge Parents, Atlantic Terminal Mall and Brooklyn Org are co-hosting a fun-filled day of crafts, games, water fun, DJ and more! Join them at Atlantic Terminal Mall Plaza and on car-free Fort Greene Place for free play, community, water fun, and back-to-school giveaways.

10. Hindu Lamp Ceremony at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Saturday, August 16 | 4-7:30pm | FREE | DUMBO, Pebble Beach

The 13th annual Hindu Lamp Ceremony returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park! Dance artist and educator Aeilushi Mistry brings peace and harmony to the community as she performs the traditional Hindu Aarti ceremony at Pebble Beach. The Aarti ceremony is traditionally performed each morning and evening along India’s rivers, in order to convey gratitude to mother river, reflect on community, and remember loved ones. Please join us as we decorate palm leaf lamps and release them along the East River to make prayers and pay our respects to loved ones. Guest artists will also present their work at this event.

11. Annual Coney Island Sandsculpting Competition

Saturday, August 16 | 12-4pm | FREE | Coney Island

Bring your friends and family for a fun-filled day at the beach with live entertainment, giveaways, and more! Don't miss out on the chance to see talented artists showcase their skills in this unique competition. Competition begins at 12pm and solo, adult group, family group, and semi-professional winners will be announced at 4pm.

12. PCR Back-to-School Carnival at Leif Ericson Park

Saturday, August 16 | 11am-2pm | FREE | Bay Ridge

Come to the Parent Child Relationship Association's Back to School Carnival! There will be giveaways, music & dance, community resources, and fun activity booths for all ages!

13. Farmhouse Family Day: The Power of the Sun at The Wyckoff Urban Farm

Saturday, August 16 & Sunday, August 17 | 11am-3pm | FREE | For ages 4-12 | East Flatbush

Celebrate the sun with with various activities at the Wyckoff Urban Farm! Crafts begin at 11:30am for ages 4-7 and 1pm for ages 8-12.

14. One Crown Heights Community Festival

Sunday, August 17 | 12-5pm | FREE | Crown Heights in front of Brooklyn Children's Museum

One Crown Heights is a coalition of Crown Heights organizations, not-for-profits, elected officials, community leaders, and residents that strive to bring our diverse community of Black, Caribbean, and Jewish community members together in dialogue and in joint empowerment projects. To celebrate the festival's 10th Anniversary, there is a packed lineup of family fun and activities including basketball by Love Hoops NY, Mobile Museum of Tolerance, Family activities and games, Arts and Crafts, Community Conversations, Live entertainment, and Prizes!

15. Magic Alive! at Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch

Thursday, August 21 | 3-4pm | FREE | For ages 5-12 | Prospect Heights

This interactive magic program, led by family favorite magician Razzle Dazzle, has every jaw-dropping magic trick in the book, and includes a comedic twist! Part magic show, that has families working to create the magic by clapping, laughing, and saying the magic words. Part lesson, as each attendee will learn some magic that they create right there in their hands.

16. South Slope Derby

Saturday, August 23 | 12-3pm | FREE | South Slope, 17th St b/w 5th and 6th Aves

For 18 years and counting, the Annual South Slope Derby has becoming a beloved celebration of creativity and innovation. The Derby is the culmination of KoKo NYC’s summer programming and features gravity-powered, kid-built soap box racers made from recycled materials. During week-long workshops, kids develop their building and engineering skills and express their natural ingenuity as they imagine and construct their sustainable cars. In the South Slope Derby, kids put their creations to the test in a race down 17th Street in South Slope, Brooklyn. Join the community to cheer them on! In addition to the races there are raffles, food vendors, and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

17. Battle of Brooklyn and The Meaning of Freedom: Family Afternoon at Green-Wood Cemetery

Sunday, August 24 | 10am-1pm | FREE, registration recommended | South Slope

Step back in time to August 1776 and experience the excitement of the Battle of Brooklyn, the largest battle of the Revolutionary War and the first to take place after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Green-Wood invites families and kids to discover the diverse perspectives of this historic event, which unfolded right here on land that’s now part of our Cemetery. In partnership with institutions from across New York City (full list to be announced soon), we’re offering a fun-filled afternoon of activities that honor the bravery of those who fought in the battle and bring revolutionary New York to life. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of America’s past—perfect for all ages!

18. NYC Summer Streets in Brooklyn on Eastern Parkway

Saturday, August 23 | 7am-3pm | FREE | Prospect Heights, Crown Heights b/w Grand Army Plaza and Buffalo Avenue

Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City's most valuable public space – our streets. Miles of NYC’s streets are open in both directions for people to play, walk, and bike. Take a break along the route at one of our rest stops to enjoy free activities or giveaways. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. Feel free to register anyone ages 8+ for a free NYRR 5K (3.1-mile) course along Eastern Parkway at 7:30am.

19. Brooklyn Junior Carnival at Brooklyn Museum

Saturday, August 30 | 9am-4pm | FREE | Prospect Heights

Join WIADCA for a full day of vibrant culture, music, and community spirit at their Junior Carnival, Youthfest, and Back-to-School Giveaway! This annual event features the Junior Carnival Parade, live performances, giveaways, and community resources. Public entrance is located on Eastern Parkway. The Junior Carnival Parade assembles at Kingston Avenue and St John's Place, then continues on St. John’s Place.

20. Gracie’s Corner Live: Gracie’s Global Adventure at Brooklyn Paramount

Sunday, August 31 | 11am and 3pm showtimes | From $58 | Downtown Brooklyn

Come sing, dance, and explore with Gracie’s Corner Live: Gracie’s Global Adventure where kids learn and play through engaging songs and activities! at the Brooklyn Paramount. Join Gracie and her friends for a fun, interactive concert experience the whole family will love.