DTBK Presents Returns this Spring with Free Performances, Family-Friendly Activities and the FIRST Anniversary of Abolitionist Place

Full Calendar Here and Below 

The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) today announced the spring and early summer lineup of its annual events series, Downtown Brooklyn Presents, which celebrates the people and plazas of one of the nation’s fastest-growing downtowns. Downtown Brooklyn will be brimming with creative energy as it salutes PRIDE, commemorates Juneteenth, and celebrates the first anniversary of the beloved park, Abolitionist Place. The spring launch is just the beginning of a season that brings culture and community together through music and entertainment.

“We are excited to unveil a radiant spring calendar that will give every New Yorker a way to celebrate the season here in Downtown Brooklyn,” said Regina Myer, President of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. “Downtown Brooklyn Presents puts the open spaces that connect Downtown Brooklyn to good use with celebrations, happy hours, family fun and more. We look forward to transforming the neighborhood with our calendar of events and having residents and visitors join us for springtime fun and entertainment.”

Car-Free Earth Day kicks off the season at Albee Square on April 26th, featuring a variety of exciting activities, including Bike Riding 101 classes, recyclable crafting with Materials for the Arts, e-waste collection in partnership with 3×3 and DSNY, and a special performance by Bash the Trash. The popular happy hour music series returns to Albee Square on select Thursdays with Future Music in Real Time, featuring the next generation of hybrid producer-musicians from the hi-to-the-lo-fi scene. Brooklyn Org’s Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest brings Brooklynites together for an afternoon of art, music and dance on May 10th.

On June 13th, Downtown Brooklyn celebrates the first anniversary of Abolitionist Place with a festive afternoon of family fun and music. En Garde Arts’ curated concert, playdate Fest, is back with a new generation of the finest theatre and music makers. In partnership with City Point, DBP presents Reading Rhythms, the popular and unique reading party with live music centered on social connection.

On Tuesdays through June, Lunchtime at Brooklyn Commons shines bright with Kréol Fest and the thunderous creole sounds of Réunion Island. Melvis Santa and Mai-Elka Prado present Afro-Latina Magic, a symphony of melodic harmonies and sonic sensations. Las Mariquitas, New York’s dynamic Queer and Trans Salsa band honors the LGBTQIA+ salseres community and Puppets in the Park showcase the best in NYC puppetry.

Fitness to heats up the season with Natarsha McQueen’s Zumba classes on Wednesday evenings, and The Push serves up a new season of ping pong battles accompanied by DJ Mike on Tuesday evenings.

BAM brings excitement to The Plaza at 300 Ashland with BAMkids Spring Fest, DanceAfrica Outdoor Bazaar, and Alvin Ailey’s Revelations Celebration Community Workshop. DBP commemorates Juneteenth with 651 Arts’ We Outside! A BK Juneteenth, Vol. III and host the 2025 finale of BRIC’s Brooklyn Poetry Slam, hosted by Mahogany L. Browne and Jive Poetic. Commissioned by More Art, Stephanie Jenkins’ The Stories We Tell Our Machines: If We Don’t Who Will — a public art installation and AI lab creating a living archive of overlooked knowledge, ancestral wisdom, and everyday brilliance — is coming to the 300 Ashland Plaza in June.

Downtown Brooklyn’s calendar is up and ready to ring in the Spring! Advanced registration for events is encouraged, and in some cases participants must sign a waiver in order to participate.

Downtown Brooklyn Presents 2025
Spring/Early Summer Calendar

 

downtown brooklyn car-free earth day

Saturday, april 26 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
ALBEE SQUARE + ALBEE SQUARE WEST

Join us for Earth-friendly and car-free activities, including music, fashion, bicycling lessons, and more. Albee Square West will be closed to traffic, so bring your bike or roller skates and enjoy activities and music at Albee Square.

BAMKIDS SPRINGFEST 2025

Saturday, May 3 | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
The Plaza at 300 Ashland

Get ready for a burst of springtime joy as BAMkids SpringFest returns, bringing Brooklyn to life with the vibrant colors and lively sounds that make our borough unique. This fun-filled day celebrates a rich tapestry of cultures through exciting performances and hands-on activities. Dance to the rhythms of Brazil, feel the energy of Mozambique, and explore diverse art forms from around the world—all while learning about the importance of caring for our planet!

PING-PONG AT THE COMMONS

Tuesdays, May 6-27 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Brooklyn Commons Park

Ping Pong with The Push returns, serving exciting ping pong sets for beginners and seasoned players alike. This series has become a staple at Brooklyn Commons Park, popular with workers, students, and residents alike. DJ Mike provides the soundtrack!

Zumba with McQueen Fitness

Wednesdays, May 7- June 25 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Brooklyn Commons Park

Natarsha McQueen’s beloved Zumba series returns! Devoted fans and new recruits come together every Wednesday to dance their way to fitness and fun. Each class guarantees synchronized moves to some of the most infectious rhythms and beats!

SHOW BROOKLYN SOME LOVE FEST

Saturday, May 10 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Albee Square and City Point

Brooklyn Org, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Brooklyn Bridge Parents, and City Point unite the community and bring the borough’s spirit to life at the second annual Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest. The event invites Brooklynites to learn about, engage with, and support Brooklyn-based nonprofit organizations through an afternoon of activities, arts, music, and dance.

BAM DanceAfrica Outdoor Bazaar

Saturday, May 24 | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sunday and Monday, May 25-26 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Plaza at 300 Ashland

The nation’s largest festival of African and African American dance, music, and culture is back. DanceAfrica’s global marketplace of Black arts and crafts will be on the Plaza again this year.

ALVIN AILEY’S REVELATIONS CELEBRATION COMMUNITY WORKSHOP

Saturday, May 31 | 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
The Plaza at 300 Ashland

Alvin Ailey’s Revelations is the world’s most popular work of modern dance. Learn excerpts from this masterpiece conducted by former Ailey company members. Join with your friends and family – all ages are welcome! Dance for a moment, remember it for a lifetime.

Lunchtime Entertainment at The Commons

Tuesdays, June 3 – 24 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Brooklyn Commons Park

Visitors to Brooklyn Commons Park will be captivated by incredible performances as the stage comes alive with diverse sounds and entertainment that cater to all. From PRIDE to pulsating entertainers and puppeteers, the Commons is the perfect backdrop for arts and entertainment in Downtown Brooklyn.

Albee Square Happy Hours:
Future Music in Real Time with Thomas Piper and Friends

Thursdays, June 5, 12 and 26 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Albee Square

Join Thomas Piper, the futuristic pop singer-songwriter and producer, and the next generation of hybrid producer-musicians from the hi-to-the-lo-fi scene, for a journey into the electronica sphere. This new dimension of sound will leave you inspired every Thursday in June at Albee Square.

Reading Rhythms

Tuesday, June 17 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Abolitionist Place

Reading Rhythms is a unique reading party featuring live music, centered on social connection. Bring a book of your choice to experience reading periods and meet new people through facilitated group discussions, where it’s encouraged to share ideas and literary themes.

EN GARDE ARTS PRESENTS: PLAYDATE FEST!

Friday, June 13 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Abolitionist Place

playdate Fest! is En Garde Arts’ curated summer performance series, celebrating theatre and music artists. In collaboration with Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and support from Council Member Lincoln Restler and the NY City Council, this will be their biggest iteration yet.

WE OUTSIDE! A BK JUNETEENTH

Saturday, June 21 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Plaza at 300 Ashland

651 ARTS presents its We Outside! A BK Juneteenth, a commemoration of African American emancipation, featuring a day of performances and activities.

THE BROOKLYN POETRY SLAM

Tuesday, June 24 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Plaza at 300 Ashland

Join us for the 2025 finale of BRIC’s Brooklyn Poetry Slam, hosted by the series’ esteemed co-founders, poets Mahogany L. Browne and Jive Poetic, and featuring the winners of earlier Poetry Slams.

Public Art Installation: Stephanie Dinkins – The Stories We Tell Our Machines: If We Don’t Who Will

June 23 – September TBA
The Plaza at 300 Ashland

Commissioned by More Art, The Stories We Tell Our Machines: If We Don’t, Who Will is a public art installation and AI lab that creates a living archive of overlooked knowledge, ancestral wisdom, and everyday brilliance. Join us to share data, stories, rituals, and ideas that will help shape our collective memory into data gifts—seeds for a more caring, community-rooted AI ecosystem.

About Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is a not-for-profit local development corporation that serves as the primary champion for Downtown Brooklyn as a world-class business, cultural, educational, residential, and retail destination. The Partnership’s diverse activities include attracting new businesses and improving the environment for existing companies; facilitating the construction of public spaces and streetscapes that promote an active and cohesive community; supporting and promoting Downtown Brooklyn’s cultural assets; and encouraging a unified sense of place and an engaged civic community.