06 May Hudson River Park’s 2024 Summer Events Lineup

Join Hudson River Park’s 2024 event season as they invite the community to participate in hundreds of free and exciting programs that will connect them to the river. With signature events such as the SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival and Blues BBQ Festival, along with new and exclusive-to-NYC events like Broadway by the Boardwalk, there’s something for everyone.

The season kicks off on May 18 at Pier 84 with the SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival, where marine science comes to life through interactive experiments, local wildlife, river-themed performances, and more. The River Project is expanding its weather-proof programming through new science workshops and wildlife-inspired art programs at the Pier 57 Discovery Tank.

In July, Broadway by the Boardwalk will showcase intimate performances from top-tier talents, and the Park is excited to expand its partnership with NYC’s own Jazz Foundation to bring smooth sets to new locations. The summer season continues with a line-up of free events, including Healthy on the Hudson exercise classes, sunset dance nights and music performances, catch-and-release fishing, guided nature tours, and more.

The 2024 season highlights include River Discovery, where the Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary provides a vibrant ecosystem for exploration through hands-on events. The Pier 40 Wetlab aquarium offers visitors a chance to learn about the 85+ species of fish living in local waterways during Wetlab Look-ins. Catch-and-release fishing workshops will be held at Piers 26, 51, and 97. Visitors can take a Nature Walk led by Park naturalists to learn about native plants and animals, or explore the local ecosystem at Gansevoort Peninsula’s salt marsh and tide pools during Shoreline Strolls.

Healthy on the Hudson will partner with new fitness clubs, including Tone House, MTHD BY OSCAR, Modo Yoga, and IronStrength, for weekly classes from Monday to Thursday across the Park’s piers. From yoga and strength training to bootcamp, HIIT, and dance, there’s something for everyone. Learn-to-ride classes for all ages will be offered by Bike New York on weekends during the summer at Pier 76, while Ajna Dance Company will lead fitness dance classes on Saturday mornings at Pier 63.

Connect with local experts during engaging and informative talks at the Park’s popular Ask a Scientist series at the Pier 57 Discovery Tank and Pier 40 Wetlab aquarium. Science Stories, in partnership with the Story Collider podcast, will showcase vibrant stories from comedians, scientists, and nature enthusiasts that showcase the role science plays in our everyday lives. Wetlab Trivia Night on August 15 is a fun-filled evening that will test science and wildlife knowledge.

River Grooves honors Pride Month with this year’s Sunset on the Hudson lineup that spotlights local queer artists, culminating with Randy Jones the original Village People Cowboy and The Bad Judies on June 28. Blues by the Boardwalk at Pier 97 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. Blues BBQ Festival on August 10 brings blues fans from around the country together to hear exceptional artists perform and feast on delicious barbeque from local smokehouses.

Participants can channel their inner artist through Creativity in Nature, a 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. 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 brings dance to life with Dance is Life at Pier 76, a celebration honoring the 20th anniversary of Ladies of Hip Hop in July. Weekly Sunset Salsa dance classes return to Pier 76, led by renowned instructor Talía Castro-Pozo featuring salsa lessons and open dance. Ajna Dance Company will also lead weekend fitness dance classes at Pier 63.

Hudson River Park’s 2024 event season offers an array of activities that cater to everyone’s interests, connecting the community to the river and the surrounding ecosystem.

Fall and winter events at the Park will be announced later this year. The full summer 2024 lineup can be found on their events calendar.

Image Credit: Hudson River Park