NYC Free: Homecoming Week Theater & Dance Performances, Exhibits, Tours

Image: NYC.gov

NYC Homecoming Week is a citywide celebration of more than 100 events in all five boroughs, celebrating New Yorkers, what NYC has to offer, and the re-opening of NYC after 18 months.

In addition to FREE concerts and film screenings, there are FREE theater and dance performances, art exhibits, tours and more, in NYC parks, gardens, museums and pedestrian spaces.

It’s an incredible collection of local, national and international talent - including NYC small businesses - that defines the position of New York City the ultimate place to be, and celebrates the mom-and-pop businesses and local organizations that define our neighborhoods and that kept the heart of my beloved hometown beating throughout the COVID pandemic.

“NYC Homecoming Week represents what a recovery for all of us looks like, with events for every New Yorker to enjoy thanks to our incredible cultural, entertainment, and community partners,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This citywide celebration will demonstrate how, when everyone does their part to get vaccinated, our communities and families can stay safe while enjoying all that our city has to offer.”

To enter a NYC Homecoming Week Concert or Film Screening, ticket holders must bring:

Ticket as a scannable digital ticket on your phone or a printed copy;
Valid government-issued photo identification such as a drivers’ license, passport, or IDNYC that matches your proof of COVID- 19 vaccination;
Proof of vaccination that shows you have had at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccination.

Put these FREE theater and dance performances, art exhibits and walking tours on your calendar for NYC Homecoming Week

Free Theatre/Dance Performances

August 15-20

7 p.m.: Battery Dance - “40th Annual Battery Dance Festival,” featuring more than 50 dance companies performing in a variety of dance styles at

Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park, 20 Battery Place, Manhattan.

August 16

6 p.m.: Queensboro Dance Festival- Queens-based dance companies perform at this celebration of dance and cultures at

Windmuller Park, 39th Road, Queens.

August 19

Here Arts Center: “Performing Algorithms,” a performance of a computer-generated play and other curated works at

Dominick St. between Varick St. & 6th Ave., Manhattan.

4:30 p.m.: The Public Theater - “Mobile Unit’s Summer of Joy” tour with pop-up experiences with the National Black Theatre, artist Malik Work & a Shakespearean troupe at

Minthorne Street, Staten Island.

6 p.m.: New York Neo-Futurists - “The Infinite Wrench on 4th Street” a family-friendly barrage of short plays at

East 4th Street, between Bowery and 2nd Avenue, Manhattan.

8 p.m.: Astoria Performing Arts Center - “Solo Flight,” dance films and holographic videos showcasing disabled & non-disabled female athletes at

44-02 23rd Street, Long Island City, Queens.

August 20

4:30 p.m.: The Public Theater - “Mobile Unit’s Summer of Joy” tour with pop-up experiences with the National Black Theatre, artist Malik Work & a Shakespearean troupe at

Albee Square West, Brooklyn.

August 21

12 p.m.: Museum of Chinese in America - “J Chen Project’s ‘You Are Safe” dance performance in response to bigotry and xenophobia against Asian-Americans at

215 Centre St, Manhattan.

7:30 p.m.: Lincoln Center for Performing Arts - ” BAAND Together Dance Festival” with Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, and more at

The Restart Stage at Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan.

August 21-22

4:30 p.m.: The Public Theater - “Mobile Unit’s Summer of Joy” tour with pop-up experiences with the National Black Theatre, artist Malik Work & a Shakespearean troupe at

Myrtle/Wyckoff Plaza, Queens.

August 22

2 p.m.: Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, Inc. - “Battle of the Bards,” a participatory Shakespearean Insult Duel and performance at

21-12 30th Road, Long Island City, Queens.

Homecoming Week Free Tours

August 14-22:

NYCxDESIGN - “Self-Guided Journeys,” a self-guided tour to get an inside look at NYC’s most creative neighborhoods with design studios and other cultural institutions.

August 20, 6 p.m.:

Bailey’s Cafe - “We Are Here (Brooklyn)” walking tour through Bedford-Stuyvesant with live performances and gallery of interviews, starting at

375 Stuyvesant Avenue, Brooklyn.

August 21, 10:30 a.m.:

Randall’s Island Park Alliance - “Bike Tours” event to learn about the history of the island’s bridge, wetlands, and more, starting at

Wards Meadow Citi Bike Station, Manhattan.

View the full list of NYC Homecoming Week events and search by event type, ticket type, date, or borough on nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek.

Free Art & Gallery Exhibits

August 14-22

Madison Square Park Conservancy - “Maya Lin: Ghost Forest,” an exhibit featuring forty-nine cedar trees as a symbol of climate change at

Madison Square Park, Manhattan.

August 16

6 p.m.: Bronx River Art Center, Inc. - “Student Art Show,” an exhibition opening with artwork on display and open artist and education studios at

1087 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx.

August 18

11 a.m.: New York Botanical Garden - “Kusama: Cosmic Nature,“ with free tickets to artist Yayoi Kusama’s exhibit at the

New York Botanical Garden at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx.

11 a.m.: Materials for the Arts Gallery – “The Path of Least Resistance,” by Elisa Insua MFTA’s Spring 2020 Artist-in-Residence.

August 19

3 p.m.: HERE Arts Center - “The Visitation: A Sound Walk,” exploring the relationship between the built environment & the natural world at

Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan.

3 p.m.: HERE Arts Center - “Cairns: A Sound Walk,” inspiring thoughts about land, and temporality at

Green-Wood Cemetery (Sunset Park Entrance), 4th Ave. and 35th St., Brooklyn.

August 20

11 a.m.: Museum of Arts and Design - “Craft Front & Center,” an exhibit highlighting over 70 eclectic craft pieces at

2 Columbus Circle, Manhattan.

5 p.m.: Artists Alliance Inc. - “Out of the Blue: Gallery Opening,” bringing together five international artists at Cuchifritos Gallery + Project Space,

inside Essex Market, Manhattan.

August 21

1 p.m.: Climate Museum - “Beyond Lies,” an art collaboration with illustrator Mona Chalabi investigating climate change and inspiring action at

The Climate Museum Hub, Governors Island.

4 p.m.: A.I.R. Gallery - “Investigations: Remembering Barbara Siegel,” an exhibition memorializing the life and work of Siegel at

155 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn.

August 22

11 a.m.: El Museo del Barrio - “Estamos Bien: La Trienal 20/21,” a national survey of Latinx contemporary art featuring artists from the United States and Puerto Rico at

1230 5th Ave, Manhattan.

Arts, Crafts, & Activities

August 16

7 p.m.: Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy - “Books Beneath the Bridge - Mil Mundos,” with readings by Elisabet Velasquez, Joel L. Daniels, and Keomi Tarver at

The Granite Prospect, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn.

10 a.m.: The National Museum of Mathematics -“Free Play,” a day of free fun, family-friendly exhibits exploring mathematical concepts at

11 Madison Square North, Manhattan.

August 17

12 p.m.: Street Lab - “Street Marker, BUILD, PLAY with Street Lab,” with family-friendly activities at

West 164th Street between Amsterdam and Edgecombe, Manhattan.

August 18

10 a.m.: National Museum of Mathematics -“Madison Square Math” event with family-friendly math activities at

East 26th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue, Manhattan.

August 19

12 p.m.: Street Lab - “DRAW,” an open-air event with self-guided art activities at

W 9th St from Hicks St. to Henry St., Brooklyn.

1 p.m.: Street Lab - “PLAY & Street Marker,” a family-friendly event with chalk murals and a colorful obstacle course at

6 Hill St, Staten Island.

7 p.m.: Brooklyn Museum - “Drink and Draw” with artists Nicole Edwards and Nina Faustine at

Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn.

August 20

5 p.m.: Museum of the City of New York - “Cocktails & Culture: Legends of ’80s Hip Hop” event celebrating the Museum’s new 80’s exhibit with music and activities at

1220 5th Ave, Manhattan.

5 p.m.: Willie May Rock Camp - “Family Friendly Synth Petting Zoo” outdoor event for families to experiment with synthesizers at sound kiosks at

540 President Street, Brooklyn.

6:30 p.m.: National Museum of Mathematics - “Family Fridays: Stars, Graphs, and Multiplication,” a fun event exploring simple geometric patterns at

11 East 26th Street, Manhattan.

8 p.m.: Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy - “Journey to the Stars,” an opportunity to gaze across the New York City sky with high-powered telescopes at Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 1, Brooklyn.

August 21

10 a.m.: Randall’s Island Park Alliance - “Storytime on the Farm,” a book read-aloud on the farm at

Randall’s Island Urban Farm, Wards Meadow Loop, Manhattan.

11 a.m.: The Shed -“The Shed Plaza,” featuring “Looking Glass,” an exhibition of augmented reality artworks, dance classes, and treats for purchase from food trucks at

Hudson Yards, 545 W 30th St, Manhattan.

12 p.m.: Bethany Baptist Church - “Family & Friends Day” fair with face painting, health information & COVID-testing, food, and music at

303 W 153 Street, Manhattan.

1 p.m.: Poppa and Momma Jones Historic Garden - “Arts in the Garden” fluid painting class for all ages with local artist Barbara Oakley at

337 Van Siclen Ave, Brooklyn.

1 p.m.: Street Lab - “PLAY & Street Marker,” a family-friendly event with chalk murals and a colorful obstacle course at

Shore Ave between Remington Street, Queens.

2 p.m.: Korea Art Forum (KAF) - “Shared Dialogue Shared Space III,” event featuring Korean folk art, participatory performances, and painting workshops at

Inwood Hill Park (near the Tree of Peace Lawn), Manhattan.

Art/Gallery Exhibit

Among the NYC Homecoming Week “Summer of NYC” events, with community engagement supported by Thirteen, are:

August 14-22:

Madison Square Park Conservancy - “Maya Lin: Ghost Forest,” an exhibit featuring forty-nine cedar trees as a symbol of climate change at Madison Square Park, Manhattan.

August 16

6 p.m.: Bronx River Art Center, Inc. - “Student Art Show,” an exhibition opening with artwork on display and open artist and education studios at 1087 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx.

August 18

11 a.m.: UrbanGlass - “Flesh of My Flesh: Gallery Exhibition” featuring the work of five artists who use glass as a medium to expose vulnerabilities at 647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn.

11 a.m.: UrbanGlass - “Suzanne Peck: Shapes Like Holes” gallery exhibition focusing on notions of desire, loss, and longing at 647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn.

August 18

11 a.m.: New York Botanical Garden - “Kusama: Cosmic Nature,” with free tickets to artist Yayoi Kusama’s exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx.

11 a.m.: Materials for the Arts Gallery – “The Path of Least Resistance,” by Elisa Insua MFTA’s Spring 2020 Artist-in-Residence.

August 19

3 p.m.: HERE Arts Center - “The Visitation: A Sound Walk,” exploring the relationship between the built environment & the natural world at Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan.

3 p.m.: HERE Arts Center - “Cairns: A Sound Walk,” inspiring thoughts about land, and temporality at Green-Wood Cemetery (Sunset Park Entrance), 4th Ave. and 35th St., Brooklyn.

August 20

11 a.m.: Museum of Arts and Design - “Craft Front & Center,” an exhibit highlighting over 70 eclectic craft pieces at 2 Columbus Circle, Manhattan.

5 p.m.: Artists Alliance Inc. - “Out of the Blue: Gallery Opening,” bringing together five international artists at Cuchifritos Gallery + Project Space, inside Essex Market, Manhattan.

August 21

1 p.m.: Climate Museum - “Beyond Lies,” an art collaboration with illustrator Mona Chalabi investigating climate change and inspiring action at The Climate Museum Hub, Governors Island.

A.I.R. Gallery - “Investigations: Remembering Barbara Siegel,” an exhibition memorializing the life and work of Siegel at 155 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn.

August 22

11 a.m.: El Museo del Barrio - “Estamos Bien: La Trienal 20/21,” a national survey of Latinx contemporary art featuring artists from the United States and Puerto Rico at 1230 5th Ave, Manhattan.

Arts, Crafts, & Activities

August 16

7 p.m.: Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy - “Books Beneath the Bridge - Mil Mundos,” with readings by Elisabet Velasquez, Joel L. Daniels, and Keomi Tarver at The Granite Prospect, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn.

10 a.m.: The National Museum of Mathematics -“Free Play,” a day of free fun, family-friendly exhibits exploring mathematical concepts at 11 Madison Square North, Manhattan.

This important initiative is also helping to get New Yorkers and visitors vaccinated:

Proof of receiving at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine is required to attend the City-produced “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” free concert series, “WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert,” and free outdoor screenings with Rooftop Films.

To enter a NYC Homecoming Week Concert or Film Screening, ticket holders must bring:

Ticket as a scannable digital ticket on your phone or a printed copy;
Valid government-issued photo identification such as a drivers’ license, passport, or IDNYC that matches your proof of COVID- 19 vaccination; and
Proof of vaccination that shows you have had at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccination.

In accordance with City of New York requirements:

Attendees who are age 12 or over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter an NYC Homecoming Week Concert or Film Screening. Proof of vaccination includes at least one dose of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac.

Unvaccinated minors under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult to enter an NYC Homecoming Week Concert or Film Screening. The vaccinated adult must present proof of at least one dose of a Food and Drug Administration or World Health Organization approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac. Unvaccinated minors under the age of 12 must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test:

WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert (Great Lawn in Central Park): Unvaccinated minors under the age of 12 must present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours prior to entrance.

It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC Concert Series (Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, or Queens): Unvaccinated minors under the age of 12 must present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours or take a rapid test prior to entrance, and that test must be negative.

Free Outdoor Screenings with Rooftop Films (Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens): Unvaccinated minors under the age of 12 must present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours or take a rapid test prior to entrance, and that test must be negative.

At all NYC Homecoming Week Concerts and Film Screenings: under the age of 12 must wear a face covering if they are over age two and medically able to tolerate a face-covering.

Persons who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability will be required to:

Sign an attestation to that effect to enter the concert;

Present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours prior to the event; and

If medically able to tolerate a face-covering, wear a mask for the entire duration of the event.

View frequently asked questions for more information.