Photo Courtesy of Hudson River Park

From May to August, find new ways to explore Hudson River Park with sunset music and dancing, fitness classes, volunteer opportunities and more

Visitors of all ages can enjoy hundreds of free events across the Park’s four miles

There’s a special kind of magic that blooms along the Hudson River’s edge when the days grow long and city life moves outside. This season, Hudson River Park invites New Yorkers and visitors to embrace the enchantment and experience a summer filled with music, play, learning and wonder. From dancing and live music to hands-on science and outdoor workouts, it’s the perfect excuse to get outside and stay a while.

This season returns with many of the beloved events that have made Hudson River Park a go-to destination for residents and visitors alike to enjoy unforgettable evenings in the city.

EXPLORE HUDSON RIVER PARK FROM EVERY ANGLE – 2026 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Summer Nights of Star Performances – One of the Park’s newest summer series, Broadway by the Boardwalk, transforms the riverfront into an open-air stage with intimate, unforgettable performances from some of theater’s biggest stars. Set against sweeping sunset views of the Hudson, these free evenings of music and show-stopping performances bring Broadway outdoors for audiences of all ages.
  • Move, Stretch & Sweat It Out  Healthy on the Hudson returns for another season of free, community workouts. NYC’s best trainers and coaches from Chelsea Piers Fitness, obé Fitness and PureGym deliver outdoor classes suitable for all fitness levels, creating a high-energy environment that offers everything from yoga and Pilates to conditioning and interval training.
  • Evenings of Science & Surprises – Explore the hidden science of Hudson River Park with monthly Science After Dark events in the Park’s Wetlab aquarium – perfect for a one-of-a-kind date night. Get ready to laugh and learn during Ask a Scientist featuring interactive sessions with local experts or dive into a hands-on workshop like Fascinating Fish or Crab Lab, inspired by some of the Hudson’s most curious critters.
  • Feel the Beat on the Waterfront – When the sun goes down, the Park lights up with performances and dancing at multiple locations. Make memories as part of a community of music and dance lovers during sizzling Sunset Salsa sessions and Dance Is Life’s Latin hustle nights. For those with two left feet, Jazz at Pier 84 and the newer Boardwalk Blues series deliver sultry sounds perfect for picnic-ready evenings by the water.
  • Discover the River’s Wild Side – Also making a splash this season, the Park’s Pier 40 Wetlab research aquarium is open for free tours during Wetlab Look-ins and is the perfect place to meet local wildlife face-to-face. Another way to connect with the Hudson River is by dropping in a line at Big City Fishing where anglers can learn the basics of catch and release fishing with all equipment provided.

The entire season is supported by Hudson River Park Friends, an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the completion, care and enhancement of Hudson River Park. Hudson River Park Friends also supports the Park through volunteer events and other in-Park programming throughout the year.

Fall and winter events at the Park will be announced later this year. The full lineup of events can be found below or at hudsonriverpark.org/events

HUDSON RIVER PARK 2026 SPRING/SUMMER EVENTS LINEUP:

Beginning in May

Discovery Tank Guided Gallery

Various dates and times throughout the season | Pier 57 Discovery Tank

Explore digital exhibits and hands-on STEM activities that take a deeper dive under the Hudson River at the interactive Pier 57 Discovery Tank. Budding scientists of all ages can learn about the fascinating critters that call our local waterways home.

IronStrength

Mondays, May 18, June 22 and Aug 24 | 6:30 PM | Pier 76 at W 34 St.

Experience a unique workout focused on preventative health and peak performance. IronStrength workout sessions are presented in partnership with Dr. Jordan Metzl.

Nature Walks

Saturdays, May 23, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, August 22 | 10:00 AM Pier 45 at Christopher St.

Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Park’s esplanade led by knowledgeable Park naturalists.

Ask A Scientist

Thursday, May 28 | 6:30 — 8:30 PM | Pier 40 Wetlab at W Houston St.

Unleash your curiosity during a series of informative and entertaining events hosted by local STEM experts. Ask a Scientist invites participants to explore a fascinating science topic and engage in a live Q&A session.

Beginning in June

Healthy on the Hudson 

Conditioning on Mondays | 6:30 PM | Pier 25 at N Moore St.

HIIT on Tuesdays | 6:30 PM | Pier 46 at Charles St.

Pilates/Sculpt on Wednesdays | 6:30 PM | Pier 97 at W 55 St.

Yoga on Thursdays | 6:30 PM | Pier 64 at W 23 St.

Healthy on the Hudson offers a variety of accessible, exciting fitness classes led by NYC’s best trainers in your west side backyard all summer. These 60-minute classes are free and a great fit for any fitness level. Join us in sweating it out on the riverfront! Presented in partnership with Chelsea Piers Fitness, obé Fitness and PureGym.

Adaptive Sport Sessions

Various dates, times and locations throughout the season

Accessible sports clinics focused on tennis, basketball and skateboarding, led by Wheeling Forward.

Youth Pride Fest

Saturday, June 6 | 2:00PM | Pier 84 at W 44 St.

Youth Pride Fest brings a daylong celebration with Hetrick-Martin Institute featuring music, resources and community.

Wetlab Look-ins

June 6 — September 30

Tuesdays & Wednesdays | 3:00 — 6:00 PM | Pier 40 Wetlab at W Houston St.

Saturdays | 11:00 AM — 5:00 PM | Pier 40 Wetlab at W Houston St.

Sundays | 11:00 AM — 2:00 PM | Pier 40 Wetlab at W Houston St.

Meet Hudson River wildlife and explore science exhibits at the Park’s research aquarium. With a rotating exhibit of fish and invertebrates collected by the Park’s River Project team, there’s always something new and exciting to discover at the Wetlab. 

Volunteer with the Blue Team

Saturdays, June 6, July 18, August 8, September 26, October 3 | 10:00 AM — 12:00 PM | Gansevoort Peninsula at Gansevoort St.

Engage in community science through shoreline cleanups and habitat restoration alongside our River Project scientists.

Volunteer with the Green Team

Saturdays, June 6, July 18, August 8, September 19, October 3, October 24, November 14 | 9:30 AM — 12:00 PM | Various Locations

Work with our seasonal horticulture team to help garden and learn about landscape enhancement through planting, weeding and more.

Fascinating Fish

Thursday, June 11 | 6:30 PM | Pier 40 Wetlab at W Houston St.

Learn your fishy fundamentals and how to identify some of our most common Hudson River residents out of over 85 species that roam in our waters. 

Big City Fishing 

Saturdays, June 13 — August 22 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | Pier 51 at Jane St.

Wednesdays | 3:00 — 6:00 PM | Pier 26 at N Moore St.

Thursdays | 3:00 — 5:00 PM | Pier 97 at W 55 St.

Drop in a line at our catch & release fishing workshops and learn about local wildlife. Beginners and experts alike are encouraged to join for a relaxing and educational experience at the water’s edge. Fishing rods and instruction are provided. 

Jazz at Pier 84

Wednesdays, June 17 — Aug 12 | 7:00 PM | Pier 84 at W 44 St.

A spirited tribute to NYC’s storied jazz history, this Park-favorite series features local legends in a lineup of free performances on Manhattan’s riverfront. Supported by the Jazz Foundation of America

Juneteenth Celebration

Thursday, June 18 | 6:30 PM | Pier 45 at Christopher St.

Honor the history of Juneteenth at this special concert featuring dance, music and more, in collaboration with Ladies of Hip Hop.

Improv Everywhere

Sunday, June 21 | 1:00PM | Piers 45 & 46 at Christopher St. 

Take part in a truly silly spectacle alongside hundreds of kindred spirits with the 21st edition of Improv Everywhere’s annual Mp3 Experiment!

Beginning in July

Dance is Life

Mondays, July 6 and Aug 17 | 6:30 PM | Pier 76 at W 34 St.

Find your groove during community dance parties where music and movement come together for an unforgettable experience! Lively, high-energy sessions led by Dance is Life with a focus on Latin hustle.

Boardwalk Blues

Tuesdays, July 7 — July 28 | 6:30 PM| Pier 97 at W 55 St.

Bring a blanket and enjoy the sunset and sounds of blues and roots music, featuring local greats from around New York City presented by the Jazz Foundation of America. 

Sunset Salsa

Thursdays, July 9 — August 27 | 6:30 | Pier 76 at W 34 St.

Dance the night away under the shimmering NYC lights and sensational HRPK skies — all while learning a new move or two! 

West Side Fest

Friday July 10 — Sunday July 12 | Various times | Gansevoort Peninsula & Pier 57 Discovery Tank

Explore and celebrate all the west side has to offer with a three-day festival featuring activities from more than 20 participating arts and culture organizations!

Broadway by the Boardwalk

Mondays, July 13 — August 10 | 6:30PM | Clinton Cove at W 55 St.

Come to Broadway’s backyard and get up close to the brightest stars at sunset for the third summer of song. On Broadway’s night off, the Park lights up for an evening of incredible performances!

Crab Week

July 19 — 25 Various times and locations

The annual crustacean shell-ebration highlights the biodiversity of the Hudson River through our friendly neighborhood decapods. The Estuarine Sanctuary is home to eight species of local crabs that we’re excited to pass the spotlight to during this week of events.

Crab Lab

Thursdays, July 23 | 6:30 PM | Pier 40 Wetlab at W Houston St.

Discover all there is to know about local crustaceans during this hands-on workshop in our Wetlab aquarium.

August

Blues BBQ Festival

Saturday, August 15 | 1:00 — 9:00 PM | Pier 76 at W 34 St.

Delicious BBQ, fantastic blues music and all-day fun – there is something for every music fan at our free, all-ages Blues BBQ Festival! The Blues BBQ Main Stage features world renowned talent, while the Blues Second Stage delivers popular locals and accomplished artists alike. Supported by the Jazz Foundation of America. 

About Hudson River Park Trust

Hudson River Park Trust is a unique partnership between New York State and New York City charged with building and operating Hudson River Park between approximately Chambers Street and West 59th Street along Manhattan’s west side. This free, urban recreational oasis is home to award-winning skate parks, playgrounds, sports fields, gardens and nature exhibits, boating and maritime activities, art installations, and a myriad of year-round events that celebrate the diverse cultures and neighborhoods along its expanse. The Park, which transformed four miles of decaying piers and parking lots into a premier New York City destination for local residents and visitors alike, plays a critical role in protecting the Hudson River ecosystem. For more information, please visit www.hudsonriverpark.org.

About Hudson River Park Friends 

Hudson River Park Friends is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the completion, care, enhancement and ongoing sustainability of Hudson River Park. Serving as the Park’s primary fundraising and advocacy partner, Hudson River Park Friends generates necessary private support to guarantee that this vital destination for millions of park lovers 


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