Brooklyn families have no shortage of free fun in the final days of 2025 and the first ones of 2026—from skating at Roebling Rink in DUMBO and Abe Stark Rink in Coney Island to Christmas tree recycling at MulchFest in neighborhood parks. There are also plenty of ways to ring in the New Year, including kid-friendly daytime events, midnight fireworks in Prospect Park, the iconic Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day, and much more.
Our new Events Calendar is here featuring convenient filters by category, location, ages, dates and more to make your Brooklyn social life as fun and meaningful as possible.
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Drop-off December 26, 2025–January 11, 2026 (Chipping Weekend Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11)
During Mulchfest, you can drop-off your tree to be recycled into mulch! Drop-offs will be accepted in parks across Brooklyn from December 26, 2025–January 11, 2026, and save the date for Chipping Weekend Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11, 10am-2pm each day. Drop-off locations include Brooklyn Bridge Park, Cobble Hill Park, Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, Coffey Park, Sunset Park, Owl’s Head Park, Domino Park, McCarren Park, McGolrick Park, and beyond. To see all locations, click here.
Monday, December 29 | 8:00-10:30am | Ages 7+
Kids ice skate for free during winter break at Abe Stark Skating Rink! Kids only on the ice, no adults allowed! Best for ages 7+. Bring your own skates or rent for free!
Monday, December 29 | 10am-3pm
Make the most of winter break! Join Prospect Park Alliance for family friendly programming during winter recess from Friday, December 26 – Wednesday, December 31.
Nature Around Us | 10–3 pm | Enjoy different seasonal discovery stations and nature themed activities that will introduce you to the plants, insects and animals that call the park home.
Animal Encounter | 1–2 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning about the animals in the Center’s collection.
Family Nature Walk | 2–3 pm | Prospect Park is a stopping point for hundreds of bird species each year! Join us as we search for these amazing creatures and other nature around the park. Binoculars and bird guides are provided.
Monday, December 29 | 11am-12:30pm
Bring your kids to parks throughout the city for Kids Week during Winter Break. Join the Urban Park Rangers in using naturally sourced materials to tie-dye! Bring your own white cotton clothing and create your own work of art.
Monday, December 29 | 11:45am-12:45pm | Ages 2-9
Celebrate 2026 a few days early at Adams Street Library with a Noon Year’s Eve celebration with a countdown, craft, and dance party!
Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Mondays–Thursdays | 2-4pm, 4:30-6:30pm, 7-9pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions one, two, and three on Mondays-Thursdays (Session 1: 2-4pm, Session 2: 4:30-6:30pm, Session 3: 7-9pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency.
Monday, December 29 | 4-5pm | Ages 6-12
It’s almost 2026! Let’s get ready to welcome the New Year by making some arts and crafts at Sunset Park Library.
Monday, December 29 | 5pm | RSVP here
Join for a joyful Kwanzaa celebration featuring award-winning author Ibi Zoboi, who will read from her book The People Remember. The event will include a storytime and Q&A with the author, signed copies and photo opportunities, gumbo and cornbread tasting, plus a Djembe drum performance by Wula Drums with interactive participation for kids.
Tuesday, December 30 | 8:00-10:30am | Ages 7+
Kids ice skate for free during winter break at Abe Stark Skating Rink! Kids only on the ice, no adults allowed! Best for ages 7+. Bring your own skates or rent for free!
Tuesday, December 30 | 10am-3pm
Make the most of winter break! Join Prospect Park Alliance for family friendly programming during winter recess from Friday, December 26 – Wednesday, December 31.
Nature Around Us | 10–3 pm | Enjoy different seasonal discovery stations and nature themed activities that will introduce you to the plants, insects and animals that call the park home.
Animal Encounter | 1–2 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning about the animals in the Center’s collection.
Family Nature Walk | 2–3 pm | Prospect Park is a stopping point for hundreds of bird species each year! Join us as we search for these amazing creatures and other nature around the park. Binoculars and bird guides are provided.
Tuesday, December 30 | 1-2pm
Bring your kids to parks throughout the city during Winter Recess. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk through Canarsie Park using your senses of touch, smell, sight and hearing to explore the natural world.
Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Mondays–Thursdays | 2-4pm, 4:30-6:30pm, 7-9pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions one, two, and three on Mondays-Thursdays (Session 1: 2-4pm, Session 2: 4:30-6:30pm, Session 3: 7-9pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency.
Wednesday, December 31 | 10am-3pm
Make the most of winter break! Join Prospect Park Alliance for family friendly programming during winter recess from Friday, December 26 – Wednesday, December 31.
Nature Around Us | 10–3 pm | Enjoy different seasonal discovery stations and nature themed activities that will introduce you to the plants, insects and animals that call the park home.
Animal Encounter | 1–2 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning about the animals in the Center’s collection.
Family Nature Walk | 2–3 pm | Prospect Park is a stopping point for hundreds of bird species each year! Join us as we search for these amazing creatures and other nature around the park. Binoculars and bird guides are provided.
Wednesday, December 31 | 12-1pm
Bring your kids to parks throughout the city for Kids Week during Winter Recess. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a scavenger hunt! Search high and low for the natural wonders hiding just under your nose.
Wednesday, December 31 & Thursday, January 1 | 12-8pm
Randolph will be welcoming families and kids on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with brunch all day, pitcher specials for the grown-ups, arcade games, feather bowling, and more family-friendly fun!
Wednesday, December 31 | 1-5pm
Join Threes for family-friendly daytime NYE celebration with DJ Dog Walker and a non-alcoholic sparkling cider toast at sunset. Grand Army South will be opening early with food for the whole family.
Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Mondays–Thursdays | 2-4pm, 4:30-6:30pm, 7-9pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions one, two, and three on Mondays-Thursdays (Session 1: 2-4pm, Session 2: 4:30-6:30pm, Session 3: 7-9pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency.
Wednesdays | 3-6pm | Reserve tickets here; free tickets are made available at 3pm the Monday before
Take advantage of free admission hours at the New York Aquarium form 3-6pm on Wednesdays. Note that advance timed tickets are required (max of 4 per group); the Wednesday Afternoon Ticket Store will open on Monday at 3:00 pm for that Wednesday’s reservations.
Wednesday, December 31 | Music at 10pm | Fireworks at midnight | FREE | RSVP here
Ring in the new year with a fireworks display at Grand Army Plaza. The 45-year tradition will include live entertainment by Quintessential Playlist starting at 10pm. Fireworks will begin at midnight!
Thursday, January 1 | 9am | Sign up here
parkrun is a free, worldwide, weekly event where people of all ages and abilities walk, jog, run, or volunteer in a 5k event on Saturday mornings–in Brooklyn, you can join every week in Brooklyn Bridge Park! Families register online and receive a barcode which will record their time. All ages are welcome, and there is a coffee and catch-up after each run!
Thursday, January 1 | 11am-1pm | FREE, fundraising encouraged
Every New Year’s Day, brave swimmers plunge into the Coney Island surf to wash away the past year—a 122-year tradition led by the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, the nation’s oldest winter bathing club. Watch the spectacle or join in: sign up solo or with a team and help raise funds for local organizations. While plunging is free, it’s encouraged to fundraise at least $30 to participate.
Thursday, January 1 | 11am-1pm
If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike to start the year off right. Dress warmly, put on your hiking shoes, and head to the park. Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. Explore nature, discover our city’s urban forests, and unplug from the world to clear your head.
Wednesday, December 31 & Thursday, January 1 | 12-8pm
Randolph will be welcoming families and kids on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with brunch all day, pitcher specials for the grown-ups, arcade games, feather bowling, and more family-friendly fun!
Thursday, January 1 | 1-4pm
Join the SCSP education team for their 6th annual First Day Hike! This hike will be roughly 3 miles on gravel trails and last approximately between 2 and 3 hours.
Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Mondays–Thursdays | 2-4pm, 4:30-6:30pm, 7-9pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions one, two, and three on Mondays-Thursdays (Session 1: 2-4pm, Session 2: 4:30-6:30pm, Session 3: 7-9pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency.
Friday, January 2 | 10am-4pm
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.
Family Nature Craft | 11am-3pm | Help care for backyard birds this winter by creating a pine cone bird feeder to take home. Bird feeders provide an important winter food source for birds that typically rely on insects. This activity is especially appealing to Woodpeckers, Wrens, Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Titmice.
Animal Encounter | 2–3 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 2 pm.
Friday, January 2 (11am-4pm), Saturday, January 3 (2-5pm during Winter Tea; RSVP required), Sunday, January 4 (11am-3pm)
Join the Flower Heart Alliance and Prospect Park Alliance for Third Life: Before the Mulch, a poetic public ikebana exhibition at the Prospect Park Boathouse that transforms discarded Christmas trees into sculptural floral art. On Saturday, January 3, the exhibition will be part of Winter Tea, a celebratory gathering at the Boathouse presented by Tea Arts & Culture featuring tea offerings, music performances, and poetry.
Limited FREE tickets for local residents (with valid NYC ID) on a first-come, first-served basis | Fridays | 12:30-2:30, 3-5pm, 5:30-7:30pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ice skating rink has returned to Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, offering skating beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. NYC local residents can claim limited quantity of free tickets in-person offered during sessions two, three, four on Fridays. (Session 2: 12:30-2:30pm, Session 3: 3-5pm, Session 4: 5:30-7:30pm). Tickets are issued on a first-come, first-serve walk-up basis, with valid ID to show residency. Note: Session 1 on Fridays (10am-12pm) is reserved for field trips. If not booked, will be opened for general public purchase.
Friday, January 2 | 1-2pm
Bring your kids to parks throughout the city for Kids Week during Winter Recess. Learn basic outdoor skills such as shelter building, fire making and survival skills.
Fridays | 1-10pm
With a new location at 362 Van Brunt Street, the Red Hook Pinball Museum is now open for free play (with donations accepted) every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 1-10pm! It’s NYC’s only vintage pinball museum, with games from 1871-1971, and you can play on the first pinball machine ever made!
Drop-off December 26, 2025–January 11, 2026 (Chipping Weekend Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11)
During Mulchfest, you can drop-off your tree to be recycled into mulch! Drop-offs will be accepted in parks across Brooklyn from December 26, 2025–January 11, 2026, and save the date for Chipping Weekend Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11, 10am-2pm each day. Drop-off locations include Brooklyn Bridge Park, Cobble Hill Park, Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, Coffey Park, Sunset Park, Owl’s Head Park, Domino Park, McCarren Park, McGolrick Park, and beyond. To see all locations, click here.
Saturdays | 9am | Sign up here
parkrun is a free, worldwide, weekly event where people of all ages and abilities walk, jog, run, or volunteer in a 5k event on Saturday mornings–in Brooklyn, you can join every week in Brooklyn Bridge Park! Families register online and receive a barcode which will record their time. All ages are welcome, and there is a coffee and catch-up after each run!
Saturday January 3 | 9:30am-1:00pm
Run or walk the Woolly Mammoth 5K or 10K at Veterans Pier in Brooklyn—part of the NYC Parks Winter Series—featuring a free kiddie dash, finisher medals, refreshments, and fun for all ages, rain or shine.
Saturdays | 10am-12pm | Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
Walks begin at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. No registration required. Children under 12 must be with an adult. Bring binoculars if available.
Saturday, January 3 | 10am-1pm
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs on Saturdays and Sundays at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.
Leaf Art | 10–12 pm | Have fun exploring the unique features of trees and their uniquely shaped leaves. Let your creativity flourish as you craft art inspired by nature.
Animal Encounter | 11 am–12 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection.
Fall Nature Walk | 12–1 pm | Are you curious about how invasive insects, like the Spotted Lanternfly, prepare for winter? You’ll get hands-on experience in citizen science as we observe how insect and plant life prepare for seasonal changes.
Saturday, January 3 | 10am-4pm
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.
Family Nature Craft | 11am-3pm | Help care for backyard birds this winter by creating a pine cone bird feeder to take home. Bird feeders provide an important winter food source for birds that typically rely on insects. This activity is especially appealing to Woodpeckers, Wrens, Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Titmice.
Animal Encounter | 2–3 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 2 pm.
Saturdays | 11am-2pm
Every weekend, Dekalb Market Hall (downstairs at City Point) offers balloon animals, face painting, and more! Located in front of Osteria and Showroom Bakehouse.
Saturdays | 1-10pm
With a new location at 362 Van Brunt Street, the Red Hook Pinball Museum is now open for free play (with donations accepted) every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 1-10pm! It’s NYC’s only vintage pinball museum, with games from 1871-1971, and you can play on the first pinball machine ever made!
Saturday, January 3 | 2-5pm | RSVP here
Join Tea Arts & Culture and Prospect Park Alliance in welcoming 2026 at the Boathouse with Winter Tea, a community gathering centered on tea, nature, art, and connection.
Friday, January 2 (11am-4pm), Saturday, January 3 (2-5pm during Winter Tea; RSVP required), Sunday, January 4 (11am-3pm)
Join the Flower Heart Alliance and Prospect Park Alliance for Third Life: Before the Mulch, a poetic public ikebana exhibition at the Prospect Park Boathouse that transforms discarded Christmas trees into sculptural floral art. On Saturday, January 3, the exhibition will be part of Winter Tea, a celebratory gathering at the Boathouse presented by Tea Arts & Culture featuring tea offerings, music performances, and poetry.
Sunday, January 4 | 10am-12pm
Join the Brooklyn Bird Club and Prospect Park Alliance on the first Sunday of each month in search of dozens of species that visit the park through all seasons. Learn about the different habitats in Prospect Park and why they are important for all types of birds. BYO binoculars.
Sunday, January 4 | 10am-1pm
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs on Saturdays and Sundays at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.
Leaf Art | 10–12 pm | Have fun exploring the unique features of trees and their uniquely shaped leaves. Let your creativity flourish as you craft art inspired by nature.
Animal Encounter | 11 am–12 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection.
Fall Nature Walk | 12–1 pm | Are you curious about how invasive insects, like the Spotted Lanternfly, prepare for winter? You’ll get hands-on experience in citizen science as we observe how insect and plant life prepare for seasonal changes.
Sunday, January 4 | 10am-4pm
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.
Family Nature Craft | 11am-3pm | Help care for backyard birds this winter by creating a pine cone bird feeder to take home. Bird feeders provide an important winter food source for birds that typically rely on insects. This activity is especially appealing to Woodpeckers, Wrens, Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Titmice.
Animal Encounter | 2–3 pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 2 pm.
Sundays | 11am-2pm
Every weekend, Dekalb Market Hall (downstairs at City Point) offers balloon animals, face painting, and more! Located in front of Osteria and Showroom Bakehouse.
Friday, January 2 (11am-4pm), Saturday, January 3 (2-5pm during Winter Tea; RSVP required), Sunday, January 4 (11am-3pm)
Join the Flower Heart Alliance and Prospect Park Alliance for Third Life: Before the Mulch, a poetic public ikebana exhibition at the Prospect Park Boathouse that transforms discarded Christmas trees into sculptural floral art. On Saturday, January 3, the exhibition will be part of Winter Tea, a celebratory gathering at the Boathouse presented by Tea Arts & Culture featuring tea offerings, music performances, and poetry.
Sundays | 1-10pm
With a new location at 362 Van Brunt Street, the Red Hook Pinball Museum is now open for free play (with donations accepted) every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 1-10pm! It’s NYC’s only vintage pinball museum, with games from 1871-1971, and you can play on the first pinball machine ever made!
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Updated: January 2, 2026. Main Image: Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Plunge.
