23 Apr Celebrate Car-Free Earth Day 2025 in NYC: A Family-Friendly Guide

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, New York City will host its largest-ever Car-Free Earth Day, transforming 54 streets and plazas across all five boroughs into vibrant, car-free spaces. This annual event, organized by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), promotes environmental awareness, sustainable transportation, and community engagement .

Family-Friendly Activities Across the City

Car-Free Earth Day offers a plethora of activities suitable for families and children:

Flatiron & NoMad (Manhattan): Enjoy interactive games like ping pong, corn hole, and Connect Four at the Flatiron South Plaza. Additionally, don’t miss the “Asphalt Asters” art installation by Molly Gambardella on Broadway between 22nd and 23rd Streets.

Downtown Brooklyn: Participate in eco-friendly activities at Albee Square West, including bike lessons for kids aged 5-14, composting workshops, and art projects using recycled materials. There’s also a high-energy Soca dance class and storytelling sessions.

Queens: Explore Woodside Avenue between 75th and 78th Streets, featuring cultural performances and educational booths focused on sustainability.

Art Installations and Performances

The event will showcase environmentally themed art installations:

Rising. Curtains (by Anjali Deshmukh and Ernest Verrett): A beaded curtain depicting global temperature changes from 1901 to 2000, located on 5th Avenue between 44th and 45th Streets in Brooklyn.

NYC Art Stop Letters: Large-scale letters spelling “NYC,” filled with illustrations of native plants, situated on Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets in Times Square.

Free Citi Bike Rides

Thanks to a partnership with Lyft, attendees can enjoy free unlimited 30-minute rides on classic Citi Bikes for 24 hours. To redeem, enter the promo code CARFREENYC25  in the Citi Bike app’s Day Pass tab.

Plan Your Day

With events spread throughout the city, families can choose locations that best fit their interests and convenience. For a complete list of car-free streets and event details, visit the NYC DOT’s Car-Free Earth Day page.

Embrace the opportunity to explore New York City in a car-free environment, engage in educational activities, and celebrate Earth Day with your family!