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!
Fromgetting 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.
1. Enjoy thrilling activations on car-free streets
The annual Car Free Earth Day in NYC event will be returning for its fifth year on Saturday, April 22. On these car-free streets you 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! Learn more here.
Where: Multiple streets
When: Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2. Get a free tree to plant in your backyard
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! This tree giveaway returns after a two year hiatus due to COVID-19, and this spring they have many native species to give away. Learn more here.
Where: Multiple locations
When: Multiple times
3. Turn your food and yard waste into soil through drop-off or curbside composting
One third of New Yorkers trash is comprised of food scraps and yard waste, but rather than throwing it out just to have it end up in a landfill, why not compost it? Composting speeds up the decomposition process by providing the waste with decomposing organisms, such as fungi and worms, leaving behind a nutrient-rich soil-looking matter can work wonders in a garden. Make everyday Earth Day in NYC when you participate in composting. Learn more here.
4. Take part in Earth Day Initiative’s Earth Day 2023 Festival + Virtual Stage
Earth Day Initiative is bringing people together to call for climate action and environmental justice. Their Earth Day 2022 Festival + Virtual Stage, which will be held around the world virtually and in person at Union Square, will provide a valuable space for the climate and environmental communities to connect with the public, meet and learn from one another, and bring new people into the movement. Head to union square at 12p.m. on April 16th, or if you’d like to attend virtually, head to their website on the day of the event.
Where: Union Square
When: Sunday, April 16, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
5. Join Queens Farm on their Bee-A-Pollinator: Earth Day Service Day
Queens Farm is honoring Earth Day in NYC by hosting a volunteer service day. Farming since 1697, 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, weeding and more. You can also enjoy talks with the farm’s beekeeper, a compost giveback, tractor-drawn hayrides ($5/person), free giveaways, and more! You can register here.
Where: Queens Farm
When: Saturday, April 22, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
6. Thrift select items at Buffalo Exchange’s $1 sale
Bargain hunters and thrifting lovers, this one’s for you! On Saturday, April 22, starting at 11a.m., Buffalo Exchange will be hosting its annual Earth Day $1 Sale at all locations. While supplies last certain items will be only $1, and all proceeds from the sale will benefit The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, who provides home, herd, rest, refuge and individualized care for life to captive elephants. Be sure to get there early—it’s likely a line will start forming! (P.S. this sale is cash only!)
Where: Multiple Locations
When: Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m. (while supplies last)
7. Head to Brooklyn Bridge Park for a mix of outdoor events
This year the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy is celebrating Earth Month with a series of different events, from a coastal cleanup to a horticulture walk. See their full calendar of Earth Month events here.
Where: Multiple spots around Brooklyn Bridge Park
When: Multiple dates
8. Experience an afternoon of fun at Rockefeller Center’s Center Plaza
Rockefeller Center is honoring Earth Day with a day of fun, with live musical performances by The Rock & Roll Playhouse, face painting, arts and crafts, a coloring station, and more. The event is free and open to the public.
Where: Center Plaza at Rockefeller Center
When: Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
9. Drink sustainably with City Winery’s reusable wine bottle program
To celebrate Earth Month City Winery is expanding their reusable wine bottle program, Re-Wine, into four new locations including NYC’s Pier 57. Customers can now take wine-to-go, return the bottle to be washed and sanitized, and then receive a $5 credit towards their next bottle. City Winery is working to eliminate the burning energy of shipping heavy glass bottles and corks. Learn more here.
10. Enjoy a free concert at Brookfield Place
Brookfield Place is hosting Music of Our Sphere, a free concert performed by the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra in celebration of Earth Day. The Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra will share a musical appreciation of the beauty of nature and a meditation on the spiritual and literal issues we face with our continued existence on this earth. Learn more here.
Where: Brookfield Place New York – 230 Vesey Street
When: Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m.
11. Take part in a skyline view sketching class at Edge
NYC’s highest outdoor sky deck Edge has announced a special sketching class in partnership with MoMA to celebrate Earth Day. The class will be focused on sketching the view, skylines, and nature while seated on Edge’s Skyline Seats. Guests will have access to Edge after the event. All materials will be provided. Beverages will be available for purchase. Learn more and get tickets here.
Where: Edge
When: Friday, April 21, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
12. Take part in celebrations on Governors Island
The Island’s second annual Earth Day celebration is offering a day of free programming, inviting New Yorkers to spend the day on Governors Island and enjoy free educational activities and workshops for all ages, guided tours through the Island’s open space, and live performances inspired by ecology and the environment. The full event schedule can be found on their website.
Where: Governors Island
When: Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
13. Create seed bombs at Open Street in La Marqueta
Join the celebration of Earth Day at Open Street in La Marqueta by bringing your family along to create seed bombs with local small business Urban Garden Center and make recycled art at Street Lab’s READ cart. Learn more here.
Where: La Marqueta – E 115th St & Park Ave, East Harlem
When: Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.