CELEBRATE CAR-FREE EARTH DAY, READING RHYTHMS, A SOCCER VILLAGE AND MORE:
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN PARTNERSHIP UNVEILS ITS SUNNY SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER LINEUP
Downtown Brooklyn Presents Returns with Free Performances, Family-Friendly Activities and Fútbol Watch Parties!
Full Calendar Here
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) is excited to announce 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 most booming downtowns.
The creative energy of Downtown Brooklyn will be on full display as we stilt walk and dance through Abolitionist Place, commemorate Juneteenth, and showcase some of the best curated lineups of live entertainment. The spring programming launch sets in motion a season of outdoor arts and performances that build community and honor culture.
“The launch of our annual Downtown Brooklyn Presents series is one of the most exciting times here in Downtown Brooklyn,” said Regina Myer, President of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. “The open spaces that connect and serve our community come alive with a dynamic calendar of events for everyone to enjoy, from family-friendly crafts to swinging nighttime dance parties. We look forward to seeing Brooklynites, New Yorkers and other visitors make the most of our neighborhood this Spring and Summer.”
Car-Free Earth Day kicks off the season at Albee Square on April 18th, featuring a variety of exciting activities, including bike riding classes, recyclable crafting with Materials for the Arts, e-waste collection in partnership with Elian Electronics Recycling, and a special performance by Bash the Trash. In May, Brooklyn Org’s Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest honors Brooklyn moms with a DIY flower bar, hands-on crafts, and Brooklyn Museum on Wheels—set to the sounds of DJ Mike.
Abolitionist Place offers a full calendar of family fun! Artist Brianna Kalisch teaches the art of stilt walking and Flow Juggle teaches juggling during our Wednesday Wonders series. En Garde Arts’ playdate Fest! returns with a new series curated by Modesto “Flako” Jimenez, the Dominican-born, Brooklyn-raised multidisciplinary artist. In partnership with City Point, we’re welcoming spring with Family Dance Jam + Pop-Up Pour, and celebrating summer with Summer Stories: The BKLYN Reading Scene featuring Reading Rhythms.
Brooklyn Commons comes alive with Table Tennis Thursdays and Lunchtime Entertainment, featuring a vibrant mix of performances and can’t-miss midday entertainment. This year’s line-up includes Te Encontro no Samba, Natie Music’s Kréol Fest, and saxofshaolin. Stay tuned as we host two very special fútbol watch parties with special guests and a kid’s soccer village just in time for the biggest matches of the summer in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Parents and Brooklyn FC, Brooklyn’s premier soccer club.
DanceAfrica Outdoor Bazaar and Ailey Arts In Education-Finding Grace Community Workshop return to The Plaza at 300 Ashland. We commemorate Juneteenth with 651 Arts’ We Outside! A BK Juneteenth, Vol. IV, and host the 2026 finale of BRIC’s Brooklyn Poetry Slam, hosted by Mahogany L. Browne and Jive Poetic. Our popular Friday Night Dance! returns with dynamic duo DJs Mickey Perez and Toribio and Public Service, a party featuring the best of crowd moving music to grace a dance floor.
Downtown Brooklyn Car-Free Earth Day
sATURDAY, APRIL 18
ALBEE SQUARE + ALBEE SQUARE WEST
Join us for Earth-friendly and car-free activities including music, fashion, bike lessons, and more. Albee Square West will be closed to traffic, so bring your bikes or roller skates, and enjoy activities and music at Albee Square.
At Albee Square West:
12:00pm–3:00pm
– E-waste collection with Elian Electronics Recycling
– Maximize your time under tension with [solidcore]
1:00pm–3:00pm
– Learn to ride a bike with Bike New York
At Albee Square:
12:00pm–3:00pm
– Nature-inspired sets by DJ Boogie
– Hand sew with Black Girls Sew using repurposed fabric
– Learn about Brooklyn FC, Brooklyn’s premier soccer club
– Make art with Materials for the Arts
– Artist Rejin Leys invites you to make recycled paper
– Create eco-friendly lanterns with Artsy Anxious Girlie
– Write poetry with Poets in the Park
– “Prize Drop” Plinko Game with Dave & Buster’s
– Learn, celebrate, and discover with Les Petits Poussins
– Healthy snacks courtesy of The Fresh Grocer
– Powerhouse Arts invites you to weave with repurposed materials
1:00pm–1:45pm
– Trashaganza! by Bash the Trash weaves together fun interactive songs, cool science, and timely environmental messaging about plastic pollution and climate change.
WEDNESDAY WONDERS AT ABOLITIONIST PLACE
Wednesdays in May and June | 3:00pm–4:00pm | Abolitionist Place
Enjoy the wonders of Abolitionist Place, where Wednesdays in May and June bring a new adventure. With support from Council Member Lincoln Restler.
May 6, 13, 20 + 27
Brianna Kalisch – stilt walker + multi-talented circus artist.
June 3, 10, + 24
Flow Juggle – Brooklyn’s favorite juggler, Martin Kalwill.
Table Tennis Thursdays
Thursdays in May and June | 12:00pm–2:00pm
Brooklyn Commons Park
Team DBP will be serving a series of lunchtime ping pong games. Find a partner, grab a paddle and let the games begin! [Registration required].
Show Brooklyn Some Love Fest
Celebrate Brooklyn moms with a joyful day of fun featuring a pick-your-own bouquet flower bar, DJ Mike spinning in Albee Square, hands-on crafts, the Brooklyn Museum on Wheels, and family photo moments.
BAM DANCEAFRICA OUTDOOR BAZAAR
Saturday, May 23 | 12:00pm–10:00pm
Sunday + Monday, May 24-25 | 12:00pm-8:00pm | The Plaza at 300 Ashland
The nation’s largest celebration of African diasporan dance and music returns for the 49th year this Memorial Day Weekend. BAM DanceAfrica’s global marketplace of Black arts and crafts will be on the Plaza again this year
Finding Grace Community Workshop
Saturday, may 30 | 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
The Plaza at 300 Ashland (rain location: bam adam space)
Inspired by Ronald K. Brown’s Grace, this workshop introduces participants to his movement style through a guided warm-up and choreography. Presented by BAM and Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.
Lunchtime Entertainment at The Commons
Tuesdays, June 2, 23 + 30 | 12:00pm–2:00pm
Brooklyn Commons Park
Visitors to Brooklyn Commons will be swept up in dynamic performances as the stage comes alive with a rich mix of music and entertainment.
June 2: Te Encontro No Samba Afro-Brazilian music project.
June 23: Kréol Fest Showcasing Creole culture.
June 30: saxofshaolin Fusion of Eastern + Western music.
Family Dance Jam and Craft+Carry Pop-up Pour
Friday, June 5 | 5:00pm–8:00pm | Abolitionist Place
Rain date: Friday, June 12 | 5:00pm-8:00pm)
Bring the whole family for an outdoor dance party with music, and a lively neighborhood vibe, plus libations provided by Craft+Carry for those 21 years of age and over.
The Brooklyn Poetry Slam
tuesday, june 9 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Plaza at 300 Ashland
Join us for the 2026 finale of BRIC’s Brooklyn Poetry Slam, hosted by the series co-founders, poets Mahogany L. Browne and Jive Poetic, and featuring the Poetry Slam winners from earlier in the season.
Summer Stories: The Brooklyn Reading Scene
Saturday, June 13 | 1:00pm–5:00pm | Abolitionist Place
(Rain date: Saturday, September 26 | 5:00pm-8:00pm)
Kick off summer reading with Reading Rhythms, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, and City Point BKLYN hosting an inspiring community event blending books, music, and storytelling for readers of all ages. Registration required.
Fútbol Watch Party & Sound+Fury Pop Up Pour
Tuesday, June 16 | 2:30pm–8:00pm
Brooklyn Commons Park
Catch France vs. Senegal, then stay for the Norway match at one of the best soccer watch parties in Downtown Brooklyn. Enjoy live music and dance with Babacar Mbaye, followed by a set from DJ YB. Between goals, grab a cold drink at the Sound + Fury pop-up pour for those 21 and over.
Kid’s Soccer Village + Watch Party
Wednesday, June 17 | 3:30pm–6:00pm
Brooklyn Commons Park
Brooklyn Commons Park transforms into Downtown Brooklyn’s Soccer Village for the day. Join us for soccer-themed crafts, goal shooting activities, Duplo LEGO play, Foosball tables, live screen printing and more — and catch the England vs. Croatia match! In partnership with Brookfield Properties, Brooklyn Bridge Parents, Brooklyn FC, The Fresh Grocer, Dave & Buster’s, and more to be announced.
We Outside! A BK Juneteenth Vol. IV
Saturday, June 20 | 12:00pm–8:00pm
The Plaza at 300 Ashland
651 ARTS presents We Outside! A BK Juneteenth Vol. IV, a commemoration of African-American emancipation featuring a day of performances and activities. More information TBA.
En Garde Arts Presents: playdate Fest!
Thursday, June 25 | 6:00pm–8:00pm
Abolitionist Place
playdate Fest!, En Garde Arts’ curated summer performance series spotlighting award-winning musicians and musical-theatre artists, returns in its biggest iteration yet. With support from Council Member Lincoln Restler and the NY City Council.
Friday Night Dance with Public Service!
Friday, June 26 | 5:00pm–8:00pm
The Plaza at 300 Ashland
Public Service is a dance party for the people, by the people. Conceived and DJ’d by Toribio + Mickey Pérez, the pair pays homage to NYC’s block party/park jam culture by fusing 50+ years of American dance music alongside rhythms from the African, Caribbean and South American diasporas. Powered sonically by Karlala Soundsystem.
