Every summer, people experience Hudson River Park’s four miles in many ways. Some mornings, through waterfront yoga. Some afternoons, a marine science lab. Some nights, relaxing at a sunset concert. But always, as your west side backyard.
This summer, the Park is also the place to celebrate a major NYC success story. 2023 marks 25 years of Hudson River Park — and everything that this vibrant, active green and blue space adds to our city.
The only way to properly celebrate the Park’s anniversary is by spending it with the very people who’ve made the last 25 years so special: YOU!
The 2023 event season is presented by Hudson River Park Friends, which is the dedicated fundraising organization for the completion, care and enhancement of the Park. We are proud that our community of Park supporters and members has enabled Hudson River Park to provide such an outstanding and diverse lineup of free programs for all to enjoy. You can help by donating!
This summer, we’re bringing the fun, fresh and free events you know and love back to the Park. From educational programs for the little ones to fitness classes for gym lovers, each area of the Park has something exciting in store all week long. Now that our full event line-up is officially live, mark your calendars for your favorite programs and those you have yet to try!
DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY
A staple of summer in the Park, the Hudson River Dance Festival, presented in partnership with The Joyce Theater, returns to Pier 63 on Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9. This free festival invites a vibrant cast of world-class dancers to perform on a stage set against the glistening Hudson River.
If you’re ready to lace up your dancing shoes, join us out on our riverfront dance floor for the return of Sunset Salsa and Bollywood & Bhangra! Every Thursday night at Pier 76, Sunset Salsa teaches you a new move or two before breaking out into a sizzling dance party. The fun doesn’t stop there, though — Bollywood & Bhangra, a seasonal favorite, brings the festivities to Pier 63 every Saturday for the perfect active weekend morning.
THE BEAT GOES ON
Summer Park memories are made under the setting sun with a riverfront view — especially when accompanied by live music! Thanks to generous support from the Jazz Foundation of America, we look forward to hosting another summer of Jazz at Pier 84 every Wednesday in Hell’s Kitchen.
Kick off the weekend out on Pier 45 with Sunset on the Hudson, a weekly concert series that passes the mic to emerging and established NYC-based artists across a variety of genres. After last year’s record-breaking attendance, we are delighted to present our signature Blues BBQ Festival at Pier 76 on Saturday, August 19. Featuring great food, great company and great music, this day-long festival is always a highlight of summertime in Hudson River Park!
HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND
Want to energize your workweek? Healthy on the Hudson brings free, immersive workouts to the West Side throughout the week. Presented by lululemon, and led by lululemon ambassadors, this beloved summer series transforms our scenic green spaces into your own riverfront gyms complete with unbeatable views and refreshing breezes. From morning yoga classes to evening HIIT workouts, there are endless ways to embrace wellness on Manhattan’s waterfront.
EXPLORING THE DEPTHS OF MARINE SCIENCE
Every summer, the Park’s River Project delivers a lineup of engaging and educational events for scientists of all ages to enjoy, and this year is no exception! Meet Hudson River wildlife face-to-face at our Pier 40 Wetlab aquarium. Excited to learn more? Be sure to join us and Meet the Fishes on Sunday June 4 to see some of the fascinating critters that call our local waterways home. Then, stay tuned for our Wetlab Look-in open hours throughout the season.
And in case you missed it, the recently-opened Pier 57 houses our Discovery Tank, which features interactive games and an environmental classroom. Take a dive beneath the surface virtually and explore the Hudson River through immersive games and hands-on activities in this unique learning space. Plan your visit during Guided Gallery hours, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about our local environment from our knowledgeable River Project team while exploring this unique interactive exhibit. Later this summer, we’re also excited to kick off a series of science workshops in the Discovery Tank—from monthly science trivia nights to nature-inspired art workshops and more!
Other science and wildlife highlights to look forward to this summer are the return of catch and release fishing workshops at Big City Fishing and Ask a Scientist, where STEM experts lead entertaining yet informative discussions on a range of science topics. To cap off the action-packed season of learning, mark your calendars for the SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival, which returns to Pier 84 on Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30. In celebration of NYC’s local waterways, this year’s festival will welcome local science experts to share their expertise during interactive tours, wildlife meet-and-greets and so much more. During Friday’s event, local schools are invited to explore marine science during field trips to SUBMERGE and Saturday we are excited to welcome science-lovers of all ages to take part in the fun!
A GUIDED VIEW INTO HUDSON RIVER PARK
There’s much more to Hudson River Park than meets the eye: Learn about local wildlife, historic vessels and more during Park Tours. At Pier 26 Tide Deck, take a tour with our River Project team to learn about this rocky tidal marsh and the animals that inhabit the Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary. If you’re looking to go green this summer, discover how our Community Compost Program diverts over 500,000 pounds of compost each year and learn how you can support sustainability efforts on the West Side. Be sure to stay tuned for a full schedule of this year’s tours!
CALLING ALL GREEN THUMBS
Volunteers play a vital role in keeping the Park looking great year-round and make up a key part of the Hudson River Park community. Our Saturday Green Team events are a great way to meet neighbors and enjoy the outdoors while beautifying different areas of the Park. Check our full schedule, and explore other ways to volunteer, including opportunities to help our Community Compost Program.
With lots of fun ahead — and some exciting surprises on the way — make sure you’re signed up for our weekly newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @HudsonRiverPark. We can’t wait to celebrate 25 years of Hudson River Park with you all summer long!