New York City is celebrating its 56th annual Earth Day on April 22, and events around the city will kick off this weekend.
The day, founded by U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, is meant to celebrate the planet and promote environmental awareness and engagement in planetary activism.
More than 100,000 New Yorkers celebrated the first Earth Day in 1970, which featured demonstrations that closed Fifth Avenue to traffic and a rally in Union Square for environmental protection.
“What stands out most about Earth Day is its continued existence, but also as an umbrella of events that encompasses so many different things,” said Sarah Seidman, curator of social activism at the Museum of the City of New York.
Earth Day has transformed into a weeklong celebration with a variety of events geared toward families, activists and New Yorkers who just want to appreciate nature. Here are a few of the many free events going on in the city that are open to the public.
Family events
Governors Island is hosting an Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event includes films, tours, demos and a puppet workshop using harbor debris.
The American Museum of Natural History is hosting EarthFest on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a 46-foot inflatable model of the research vessel JOIDES Resolution and a marine-themed station with makeup and nail art. Participants are encouraged to bring an object or specimen for identification by museum scientists.
The Earth Day 2026 Festival in Union Square, a cornerstone of the city's Earth Day activities, is scheduled for Sunday, April 19 from noon to 6 p.m. It includes live performances, crafts and exhibits.
Nearly every museum or park across the five boroughs is hosting an earth-themed event in the coming days. Check park events for more information.
Rallies and demonstrations
Gas Free NYC will hold a “Knock, knock, Mr. Mayor!” rally on Friday, April 17 at noon at City Hall's Broadway and Murray Street entrance, where protesters will deliver Mayor Zohran Mamdani a stack of petitions calling for clean and affordable energy and an end to fossil fuel use.
WE ACT for Environmental Justice will host a Harlem Walk and Talk on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents and advocates will gather at Hancock Park to walk through Harlem and discuss the challenges facing the neighborhood including historic pollution. The organization is also hosting events throughout the month for Earth Day.
Extinction Rebellion, one of the largest climate organizers worldwide, is planning an Earth Day Uprising on Wednesday, April 22 from noon to 3 p.m. Participants must register to get details about the location.
Nature events
Many of the city’s parks are hosting Earth Day events. Check the parks event page for local listings. The largest one is taking place on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Powell’s Cove Park in Queens, led by New York City Parks Urban Park Rangers.
Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy is hosting a cleanup of Broad Channel American Park on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will remove trash from the shoreline and surrounding park in Jamaica Bay. All tools, bags and gloves are provided.
The city is also bringing back its Open Streets program for Earth Day on Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each borough will have car-free areas, including Fifth Avenue from 17th to 46th streets in Manhattan. Citi Bike is offering free unlimited 30-minute rides all day.
