Today is Easter Sunday, April 5, and New York City is putting on one of its most beloved free spectacles — plus spring break events are still running through next week and the parks are open. Whether you’re looking for something to do this afternoon or planning ahead for the rest of spring, here’s a practical guide to free and low-cost family activities happening in NYC right now, plus important updates for parents navigating school enrollment.
Who This Helps
NYC parents and caregivers with children of any age who want free or affordable weekend activities, school-age families navigating enrollment, and anyone looking for things to do with kids in the five boroughs this spring.
Today: Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival on Fifth Avenue
The annual NYC Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is happening today, Sunday, April 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fifth Avenue between 49th and 57th Streets, with St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 50th Street as the focal point.
Unlike a traditional parade with floats and barriers, this is a free, open promenade where New Yorkers stroll up and down Fifth Avenue showing off creative Easter bonnets and spring outfits. There are no tickets, no registration, and no barriers — just show up. The forecast is sunny and around 60 degrees, making for ideal conditions. Strollers are welcome. Crowds peak midday, so earlier or later afternoon is easier with young children.
Free Easter Egg Hunts Around the Boroughs (Today)
NYC Parks and community organizations are hosting free Easter egg hunts today in multiple neighborhoods. Events are taking place at Williamsbridge Oval in the Bronx, Hamilton Fish Recreation Center in the East Village, and Sherman Creek Park in Inwood, among others. Events vary in timing — check nycgovparks.org/events/kids or call 311 for the current listing at a park near you.
Spring Break Programming: Free Through the Parks
Spring break programming from NYC Parks continues through the week. Starting Monday, April 6 through Friday, April 10, NYC Urban Park Rangers are offering free educational programming at parks citywide. These ranger-led activities include nature walks, wildlife spotting, habitat exploration, and more — all free, all outdoors.
Find a full schedule at nycgovparks.org/events or call 311 and ask for NYC Parks spring break events.
Prospect Park Spring Break Activities
The Prospect Park Audubon Center in Brooklyn is running family-friendly spring break programming through April 10, with nature activities from noon to 4:00 p.m. The Prospect Park Carousel — one of the great cheap thrills for young kids in Brooklyn — is also open on weekends. Rides are typically $3. Visit prospectpark.org for current hours and programs.
Coming Up This Month: Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center
The Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center, running April 10–26, is a free campus-wide celebration designed for young children and their families. The festival includes performances, workshops, and interactive art installations. Lincoln Center is at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan (Columbus Ave and 65th Street, accessible via the 1 train at 66th St). Visit lincolncenter.org for the full schedule.
Free Storytime at Jane’s Carousel
Jane’s Carousel in DUMBO, Brooklyn, offers free storytime sessions on Friday mornings — the next ones are April 17 and April 24, from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. After storytime, carousel rides are $2 per person. The carousel is located at Old Dock Street, Brooklyn Bridge Park, easily reached via the F train to York St or the A/C to High St. Visit janescarousel.com for details.
Earth Day Events (Late April)
Earth Day is April 22, and NYC hosts dozens of free family events in the weeks surrounding it. Parks across all five boroughs — Union Square, Prospect Park, Fort Greene, Rector Park, Randall’s Island, Carl Schurz Park, and Brooklyn Bridge Park — typically host nature walks, birding events, and sustainability education for kids. Check nycgovparks.org/events as the date approaches for confirmed programming.
Important School Enrollment Update for NYC Parents
If you have a child born in 2021, they are eligible for kindergarten in fall 2026. The main application period closed January 23, 2026, and families who applied by that deadline received offers on March 31. If you missed the deadline, you can still get on the waitlist by visiting myschools.nyc and adding your child to waitlists at your preferred schools.
Similarly, Pre-K for children born in 2022 is also in waitlist mode for fall 2026. Apply for the waitlist at myschools.nyc. For help with enrollment, call the NYC DOE Enrollment Office through 311 or visit schools.nyc.gov/enrollment.
The 3-K program (for children born in 2023) may have additional openings — also check on.nyc.gov/Pre-K for current availability.
After-School and Summer Planning
Spring is the time to get on the waitlist for summer programs. NYC Summer Rising (the city’s free summer school and enrichment program for K–8 students) and NYC Parks summer camps open enrollment in the coming months. Watch for announcements at schools.nyc.gov and nycgovparks.org, or call 311 to ask about summer program availability in your neighborhood.
How to Take Action
- Head to Fifth Avenue (49th–57th Streets) today before 4:00 p.m. for the free Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival.
- Check nycgovparks.org/events/kids or call 311 for free spring break programming at a park near you, running through April 10.
- If your child missed the kindergarten or Pre-K application deadline, visit myschools.nyc to join waitlists now.
- Add the Big Umbrella Festival at Lincoln Center (April 10–26) to your family calendar — free, no ticket required.
- Visit prospectpark.org for current Audubon Center spring break hours (runs through April 10).
- Call 311 for information about free summer programs for K–8 students.
New York City does spring like nowhere else. Today’s as good a day as any to get outside — and it’s all free.
