Join us for Hudson River Park’s 2024 event season, featuring hundreds of free and fun programs connecting communities to the River. We’re bringing back your favorite signature events including SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival and Blues BBQ Festival, as well as introducing new, only-in-NYC events like Broadway by the Boardwalk.
We officially kick off the season on May 18 on Pier 84 with SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival, an annual event that brings marine science to life through hands-on experiments, local wildlife, river-themed performances and more for all ages to enjoy. Our River Project is also expanding weather-proof programming, through a series of new science workshops and wildlife-inspired art programs at the Pier 57 Discovery Tank.
In July, blocks away from Times Square, new this year is Broadway by the Boardwalk featuring intimate Monday performances, and across the season, we’re excited to expand our partnership with NYC’s own Jazz Foundation to bring smooth sets to new locations. The summer continues with an incredible line up of free events like Healthy on the Hudson exercise classes, sunset dance nights and music performances, catch-and-release fishing, guided nature tours and more.
Summer 2024 Highlights
River Discovery
The Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary is a vibrant and inspiring ecosystem to explore through hands-on events this season. At the Pier 40 Wetlab aquarium, visitors can learn about some of the 85+ species of fish that live in our local waterways during Wetlab Look-ins throughout the summer. Budding anglers can try their hand at catch and release fishing during Big City Fishing workshops offered at Piers 26, 51 and 97. Along the esplanade, Nature Walks led by Park naturalists will take visitors along the River’s edge to learn about native plants and animals, while Shoreline Strolls will explore the local ecosystem at Gansevoort Peninsula’s salt marsh and tide pools.
Healthy on the Hudson
This year, the Park is partnering with new fitness clubs, including Tone House, MTHD BY OSCAR, Modo Yoga and IronStrength. Classes will take place weekly from Monday to Thursday across the Park’s piers and will feature an array of workouts, from yoga and strength training to bootcamp, HIIT and dance. Bike New York will also host learn-to-ride classes for all ages on weekends in the summer at Pier 76, and Ajna Dance Company will lead fitness dance classes on Saturday mornings at Pier 63.
Laugh & Learn
Connect with local experts during engaging and informative talks at the Park’s popular Ask a Scientist series which takes place in the Park’s Pier 57 Discovery Tank and Pier 40 Wetlab aquarium. This year, Science Stories, in partnership with the Story Collider podcast, is expanding to feature vibrant stories from comedians, scientists and nature enthusiasts that showcase the role science plays in our everyday lives. And be sure to save the date for Wetlab Trivia Night on August 15 for a fun-filled evening that will test science and wildlife knowledge.
River Grooves
In honor of Pride Month, this year’s Sunset on the Hudson lineup spotlights local queer artists, culminating with Randy Jones the original Village People Cowboy and The Bad Judies on June 28. At Pier 97, Blues by the Boardwalk will feature performances by local blues artists, while Broadway by the Boardwalk will showcase spectacular, intimate performances from top tier talent on Mondays in July. Jazz at Pier 84 returns this year with performances by legendary jazz musicians and on August 10, Blues BBQ Festival will bring blues fans from around the country together to hear exceptional artists perform and feast on delicious barbeque from local smokehouses.
Creativity in Nature
Participants can channel their inner artist through this series of events inspired by various piers, animals and landscapes in the Park. Nature Poetry and Sketching Nature classes will incorporate the unique settings of the Pier 26 Tide Deck, Gansevoort Peninsula salt marsh and Chelsea Habitat Garden. Then later this season, the popular Painting Nature series will continue in partnership with the New York Chinese Cultural Center to create wildlife-inspired art using ink brush painting techniques in the Pier 57 Discovery Tank.
River Moves
Dance is Life at Pier 76 kicks off in July with a celebration honoring the 20th anniversary of Ladies of Hip Hop. Weekly Sunset Salsa dance classes are back at Pier 76, led by renowned instructor Talía Castro-Pozo featuring salsa lessons and open dance. Ajna Dance Company will also be leading weekend fitness dance classes at Pier 63.
Clean and Green Volunteering
Make a meaningful contribution to New York or gain work experience working with friends, community members and like-minded individuals looking to beautify and maintain Hudson River Park’s picturesque waterside landscape! The Park’s Volunteer Program offers community members an opportunity to nurture their inner green thumbs alongside their neighbors while improving public green space.
This season is supported by Hudson River Park Friends, dedicated to the completion, care and enhancement of Hudson River Park, and is the designated fundraising partner of the Hudson River Park Trust. Hudson River Park Friends also supports the Park through volunteer events and other in-Park programming throughout the year. Show your support today.
Fall and winter events at the Park will be announced later this year. The full summer 2024 lineup can be found on our events calendar.