This year for Earth Day in NYC, the city is celebrating sustainability. Throughout the month you’ll find a number of events around the city that encourage New Yorkers to be more environmentally conscious and to live in harmony with our planet!
From getting your hands dirty by participating in citywide clean-ups to enjoying free activations on car-free streets (and much more), here are some of the best ways to celebrate Earth Day in NYC this year.
Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day
The annual Car Free Earth Day in NYC event will be returning for its seventh year on Saturday, April 26th.
30 blocks of Broadway in Manhattan will be shut down from vehicular traffic, and New Yorkers can enjoy exciting activations such as healthy eating demos, an urban design workshop, animal trivia, biofact presentations, and rides on Lime scooters, just to name a few!
Broadway Celebrates Earth Day Concert
The Broadway Green Alliance and Times Square Alliance have announced a free Earth Day concert in Times Square featuring star-studded live performances from Broadway’s top talent and young performers from around the region, as well as interviews with environmental thought-leaders.
Some names set to appear include Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley (Stars in the House), Tony Award Winner Shaina Taub (Suffs), Tony Award Nominee Stark Sands (Kinky Boots), and Grammy Award nominee Merle Dandridge (Hadestown).
Where: Times Square
When: Saturday, April 26, 11 am – 3 pm
Bee-A-Pollinator: Earth Day Service Day at Queens County Farm Museum
Queens County Farm Museum is honoring Earth Day in NYC by hosting a volunteer service day.
Hosting its 55th annual Earth Day event, Queens Farm is one of the longest continually farmed sites in New York State, and this year you can assist with sifting compost, a spring clean-up, mulching, garden bed prep, and more.
You can also enjoy talks with the farm’s beekeeper, a book swap, tractor-drawn hayrides ($5/person), free giveaways, and more! You can register here.
Where: Queens County Farm Museum (73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY)
When: Tuesday, April 22, 12 pm – 4 pm
Earth Rocks! Spring Break Fest at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Kids are encouraged to stop by Brooklyn Children’s Museum this week, who have already started a week long of Earth Day programming!
Running all throughout NYC DOE’s Spring Recess, the Earth Rocks! Spring Break Fest features hands-on nature activities with blue caterpillars, tarantula meets, crafts with plant-based dyes, upcycled art projects, and worm composting.
Not to mention a live performance by eco-themed musical duo Ants on a Log and other sustainable/environmental programs for kids learning. It’s happening now through Saturday, April 19th.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum
When: April 13 – 19
Earth Day Initiative’s Earth Day 2025 Festival + Virtual Stage
Earth Day Initiative is bringing people together to call for climate action and environmental justice. Their Earth Day 2025 Festival on April 17th in Union Square (12 – 6 pm) will feature exhibits by dozens of environmental non-profits and climate campaigns, live performances, art installations, kids’ activities, and sustainable foods.
Additionally, the Initiative is hosting an Earth Day Virtual Stage online on April 22, which is a broadcast that will feature a range of conversations on climate action and environmental justice with Bill Nye the Science Guy, actor Robert Downey Jr, and climate activists and experts like Jerome Foster II, Alexandria Villasenor, Katharine Hayhoe, and more.
Where: Union Square
When: April 17 (in-person) & April 22 (virtual)
Earth Day on Governors Island
Governors Island’s third annual FREE Earth Day celebration is offering a full day of programming, inviting New Yorkers to spend the day on the Island and enjoy free educational activities and workshops for all ages.
This year’s lineup includes a pop-up nature exhibit, climate tech demonstrations, tree sample printmaking, guided tree and bird tours, and seed sowing activities.
Where: Governors Island
When: Saturday, April 19, 10 am – 3 pm
Tree Giveaways with New York Restoration Project
The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) is working to make the city a bit greener, and this April and May they’re giving away free trees across NYC!
Across all 5 boroughs, they’ll be giving tons of many native species to give away, all you have to do is register.
Where: Multiple locations
When: April 5 – May 4
Randall’s Island Park Alliance Earth Day Festival
Randall Island’s free Earth Day event will include all sorts of activities celebrating nature, spring, and community engagement amidst the stunning cherry blossoms.
This year’s programming includes a Signs of Spring in the Park walking tour from 1 – 1:30 pm, plus live music, arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, free treats, live performances, and more!
Where: Fields 62/63 & the Urban Farm on Randall’s Island
When: April 26, 12 – 3 pm
A dead plant funeral called Root In Peace
Have a dead plant you want to send off into plant heaven? Well, on April 19th “Root In Peace” is happening…aka a communal funeral honoring dead houseplants.
New Yorkers will be able to say their final goodbye to their deceased plants and give them a new life in the form of compost.
There will even be a live DJ, funeral portraits with your plant by Kyo Nam, delicious coffee by Sloth Brew, and more. Don’t forget to bring your pen to write a eulogy. It’s free and a hilarious way to better the planet on Earth Day.
You can RSVP here.
Where: 16 Orchard Street (Chinatown Soup)
When: April 19, 12 – 6 pm