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The Parent Loop
Because parenting is better when we share the good stuff.
August 28–30, 2026
This weekend on the UWS
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| Discover handpicked and budget-friendly happenings on the UWS, plus a couple of nearby highlights too good to skip. Not everything happening, just the ones we'd text a friend about. Because "What should we do?" shouldn't be stressful. |
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Hi loopers,
I can't believe the summer is almost over. You can feel it now, in that slightly cooler air that's started creeping into the mornings. We just got back from a wonderful weekend up in Hudson with Addie, and a huge thank you to her friend Mia and to Uncles Jeff and Curtis for hosting us. What a toddler-dream of a weekend!
So here's a lineup to help us all stay in a little denial that summer's ending, while we count down to school starting back up. Scroll down for this week's Ongoing events and Indoor favorites too, in case the day-by-day picks below don't quite fit your plans.
Have a friend who wants to sign up? Share the link here and follow @theparentloopnyc for more. Quick tip: Click on the "Read online" (top right) so your reading view doesn't get trimmed. |
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Around The Loop: Little shoutouts, local sightings, and meaningful connections from the week.
TALEA is coming to the UWS! So excited that one of my favorite woman-owned craft breweries is opening a spot in the neighborhood soon. I'm already dreaming about their Italian-style pilsner. Shameless plug for the dads: TALEA and Freestyle's Beers & Braids event on Wednesday, September 23 is already sold out, but dads learning to braid over beers sounds amazing.
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| Friday - August 28 |
| Le Carrousel Extravaganza @ Bryant Park, 10–11 AM, all ages. A free outdoor magic show under the trees, a nice, low-key way to kick off the weekend if you're near Bryant Park. |
| Roots & Rhythms @ W 104th St Garden, 11 AM–12 PM, all ages. Live Garifuna drumming and dance in a pocket garden on the UWS, a fun, easy intro to a music tradition most kids haven't encountered. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Open Playtime @ NYPL–Bloomingdale, 11 AM–12 PM, ages 0–5. Unstructured play with toys and books set out for the littlest patrons. No registration, just drop in. |
| Free Book Friday @ NYPL–Bloomingdale, 1–3 PM, all ages. Kids pick a free book to take home, always a fun one for building a home library. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Summer Celebration: Bubble Show with Wow Party! @ NYPL–St. Agnes, 3–4 PM, all ages. A high-energy bubble show to close out summer at the library. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Little New-Yorkers: What Your Ribbon Skirt Means to Me @ New-York Historical, 3:30–4:30 PM, all ages. Storytime and crafts inspired by Secretary Deb Haaland's historic inauguration. Museum admission required. |
| Free Friday Nights @ Whitney Museum, 5–10 PM, all ages. Free admission all evening with music and programming layered in. Tickets are required despite being free, so reserve ahead. |
| Movie Night: An American Tail: Fievel Goes West @ Intrepid Museum flight deck, doors 7 PM, film at sunset, all ages. Free outdoor movie night on the flight deck. Bring a blanket, it can get breezy off the water. |
| Friday Night Jams featuring Ilana Morris @ Riverside Park (125th St & Marginal St), 7–8 PM, all ages. Live music to close out the week riverside. |
| Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra: Charlie Parker Jazz Festival @ Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem, 7–9:30 PM, all ages. Free festival opening night with special guests Marquis Hill and Ekep Nkwelle. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Ailey II Performance & Workshop @ Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park, Battery Park City, 7:30–8:30 PM, all ages. Ailey II dancers perform, followed by an all-ages movement workshop. Free. |
| Riverside Comedy Club @ Pier I, Riverside Park South, 7:30–9 PM, PG-13. |
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UWS and Morningside WhatsApp community
If you want to join the UWS/Morningside parents' WhatsApp, just hit reply with your neighborhood and I'll send the link. One note: this is a peer community group. The Parent Loop is not responsible or liable for transactions, exchanges, or recommendations shared by members. Please use your own discretion.
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| Saturday - August 29 |
| Meet the Fleet @ Riverside Park, 95th St Compost Compound, 10 AM–12 PM, all ages. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Amsterdam Avenue Open Streets @ Amsterdam Ave (106th–110th St), 12–7 PM, all ages. Car-free blocks with vendors and activities. This week's edition includes the "Manhattan Valley Lalapalooza" with live music and dancing. |
| Wetlab Look-ins @ Pier 40, 11 AM–5 PM, all ages. Drop-in look at Hudson River wildlife living in the park's own research tanks. |
| Storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue @ Central Park, 11 AM–12:30 PM, all ages. A Central Park summer tradition. Storytellers reading at the base of the Andersen statue. |
| Storytime with Rachel Vail & Hyewon Yum: Sometimes I'm Stinkeroo @ Books of Wonder, 11:30 AM, all ages. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Living History: 18th Century Historical Trades—Mantua-Makers @ New-York Historical, 12–4 PM, all ages. Historical interpreters demonstrate period sewing and textile craft. Museum admission required. |
| The Ocean Race Youth Sailing Day @ Sail Central Park, Kerbs Boathouse, 2–5 PM, school-age kids. A youth-focused sailing event tied to The Ocean Race. Worth confirming directly if your kid wants to actually get on the water versus just watch. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Weekly Bird Tour with NYC Bird Alliance @ Governors Island, Soissons Landing, 2:15–3:45 PM, all ages. A free guided bird walk for beginners and experienced birders alike. No registration required, but encouraged. |
| CPDSA Skate Circle @ Central Park (mid-park, 69th St), 2:45–6:45 PM, all ages. Live-DJ roller skating open to all skill levels. |
| Summer on the Hudson: Story Hour @ 102nd St Field House, Riverside Park, 3–4 PM, all ages. |
| Sunset Circus by Parallel Exit @ Bryant Park, 5–6 PM, all ages. A free, family-friendly circus-comedy performance as part of Bryant Park's Picnic Performances series. The Parent Loop pick! |
| Vinyl Nights @ Pier I, Riverside Park South, 6–9:30 PM, all ages. An evening dance party spun from vinyl records, riverside. |
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| Sunday - August 30 |
| Wetlab Look-ins @ Pier 40, 11 AM–2 PM, all ages. |
| Storytime with Carly Kremer: Little Bee and the Bloom @ Books of Wonder, 11:30 AM, all ages. |
| Sunday Story Time: Remember @ New-York Historical, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, all ages. Museum admission required. |
| Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison @ Ralph Ellison Plaza, Riverside Dr & W 150th St, 2–5 PM, all ages. |
| CPDSA Skate Circle @ Central Park (mid-park, 69th St), 2:45–6:45 PM, all ages. |
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Volunteering
9/11 Day of Service
This year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and in observance of the milestone, New York Cares is once again partnering with 9/11 Day to organize the largest day of service ever staged in America. Join for a four-day event aboard The Intrepid (Tuesday, September 8–Friday, September 11) to turn a day of remembrance into action. Teen-friendly, so this is a good one to bring older kids along to. Sign up here. |
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| Ongoing events |
| Storytime @ Book Culture on Broadway (2915 Broadway at 114th St), Fridays 10:30 AM & Sundays 1 PM, young kids. The cozy weekly read-aloud continues. |
| Central Park Model Yacht Club Races @ Conservatory Water, Saturdays 10 AM–1 PM, all ages. Watch hobbyist sailors race remote-control model yachts on the pond. Free to watch, weather permitting. |
| Juggling Lessons @ Bryant Park, Saturdays 11 AM–2 PM (weekdays noon–1 PM), all ages. Equipment provided. |
| Le Carrousel @ Bryant Park, daily 10 AM–8 PM, all ages. $5 per ride. |
| Governors Island: ferry is free on weekends before 11:30 AM (otherwise $4). Blazing Saddles' Learn to Ride classes for beginners are also on the island. |
Boating (first-come, first-served):
Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse @ Pier 2, Wed–Thu 5–7 PM, Sat 10 AM–3 PM.
Central Park Boathouse @ E 72nd St, rentals from ~$30/hour.
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| Future events |
| Tree-K Live @ 81st Street & Central Park West, Saturday, September 5, 10:30 AM, grown-ups and little ones. An outdoor "Grown Up & Me" music class with Mr. Colin, a professional musician and early childhood educator, featuring original songs about friendship, feelings, and the magic of nature. |
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| Indoor favorites for rainy or hot days |
| Discovery Room @ American Museum of Natural History, Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 AM–1:30 PM & 2:15–5:15 PM, ages 4–12 (PreK drop-in weekday mornings). Included with admission; free timed passes, first come first served. |
| The 81st Street Studio @ The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thursday–Sunday 10 AM–5 PM, ages 3–11. Free, no museum admission required. |
| Little Red's Hood @ Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Central Park (W 79th St & West Dr), weekend matinees, ages 3–7. $10 children/$15 adults, advance online purchase only (no walk-ups). The theater has moved to weekend-only shows ahead of upcoming renovations. |
| Discovery Tank: Guided Gallery @ Pier 57, hours vary by day this week (Fri 3–6 PM, Sat 11 AM–5 PM, Sun 3–5 PM), all ages, free. |
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Because parenting is better when we share the good stuff.
The Parent Loop
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| I'm always looking for great sponsors and partners. If your business would like to sponsor or connect with parents, contribute to a swap, or be part of a future The Parent Loop event, just reply here and let's grab coffee! |
| The Parent Loop is not responsible for changes to hours, pricing, availability, reservations, closures, or event details. Please confirm all information directly with the venue before visiting and choose activities that fit your family's needs, comfort level, and circumstances. This newsletter may contain affiliate links. The Parent Loop is not responsible or liable for transactions, exchanges, or recommendations shared by members in community groups. Please use your own discretion. |
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| The Parent Loop · Upper West Side, NYC |
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