Car-Free Earth Day is an annual car-free event hosted by NYC DOT. Programming is presented at signature locations citywide, to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability, and other relevant topics. This year, Car Free Earth Day will be held on Saturday, April 22nd from 10am to 3pm.
Open Streets Car-Free Earth Day events take place throughout the five boroughs – connecting Open Streets, plazas, and accessing over 1,000 miles of NYC’s Bike Network! Environmental programming is offered by City agencies and community organizations along the routes to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability and other relevant topics. NYC DOT is proud to partner with local artists to bring exciting performances to the event.
We will keep adding events, as we receive them.
There are currently thirty locations across the city taking part in the 2023 Care-Free Earth Day, with seven Signature Locations and twenty-three Open Street locations across the five boroughs. Check the map for activities near you.
The seven Signature locations are Willis Avenue at East 47 Street to East 148 Street in the Bronx; Troutman Street at St. Nicholas Avenue to Irving Avenue in Brooklyn; Dykman Street at Broadway to La Marina in Manhattan; St. Nicholas Avenue at West 181 Street to West 190 Street in Manhattan; Broadway at East 17 Street to West 42nd Street in Manhattan; Woodside Avenue at 76 Street to 79 Street in Queens; and Minthorne Street at Bay Street to Victory Boulevard in Staten Island.
First launched in 2016, Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day originally converted select Manhattan streets into public plazas and car-free streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and local businesses.
Open Streets Car-Free Earth Day has expanded to locations throughout the five boroughs – connecting Open Streets, plazas, and accessing over 1,000 miles of NYC’s Bike Network! Environmental programming is offered by City agencies and community organizations along the routes to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability and other relevant topics. NYC DOT is proud to partner with local artists to bring exciting performances to the event.
*
Earth Day 2023 Festival in Union Square will take place from Noon to 6pm with a plethora of activities.
If you find yourself in the Flatiron District, don’t miss the art installation Shahzia Sikander: Havah…to breathe, air, life in Madison Square Park and the nearby Appellate Courthouse. Take a look inside the New York State Appellate Division of the Supreme Court at Madison Square Park. Take stock of your sleuthing abilities and find the five beehives that have taken up residence in Madison Square Park.
*
As novelist Wendell Berry once said, “The Earth is what we all have in common”. So let’s do our part to help protect and heal our home!
Join Dream Factory of Brooklyn on 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, for 𝗡𝗬𝗖 𝗗𝗢𝗧’𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀: 𝗖𝗮𝗿-𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆! From activities and local art to education and transportation alternatives, together we can help promote sustainability and positive environmental change!
Meet us at 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁. (between St. Nicholas Ave and Irving Ave) for all-day family friendly fun.
*
There’s no better place to immerse yourself in nature than Governors Island–so naturally, Earth Day is one of our favorite days of the year! Celebrate Earth Day 2023 with us on Saturday, April 22, from 10am to 3pm.
Guided tours of the Island’s climate-resilient landscapes and Urban Farm, led by the people who know them best
An early migratory bird walk with NYC Audubon
Free bike lessons with Bike New York
Native plantings workshop facilitated by the Trust for Governors Island’s horticulture team
A look at the insect ecology of Governors Island
A performance from Seung Taek-Lee, presented by Canal Projects
*
Save the date to celebrate Earth Day at the Open Street at La Marqueta! East Harlem
On Saturday, April 22, from 1-3 p.m., bring the family tomake seed bombs with local small business Urban Garden Center, experiment with the Earth’s layers alongside HYPOTHEkids,
*
In Harlem, join Columbia University for ‘Earth Day Climate & Environmental Justice in Harlem‘ at Noon at Columbia U Faculty House.
Hear from local researchers, elected officials, and community leaders on the challenge and have your voice heard as the Columbia Climate School continues to expand its work to create a cleaner, safer, healthier future for Harlem and the globe.
Sponsored by the Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Climate School & Columbia World Projects.
*
El Barrio Bikes will be on hand to share info on Harlem bicycle advocacy. Plus, go car-free: As part of the city’s Car-Free Earth Day celebration, take free unlimited 30-minute rides on classic Citi Bikes all day long. Just use the promo code CARFREE23 in the Citi Bike app.
Get the details on celebrations taking place citywide at this link. And register your family & friends here!
While you’re in East Harlem, don’t miss a fabulous event at CCCADI on 125th Street. On April 22nd, CCCADI will celebrate Record Store Day with DJ Sets Spinning, Film Screening + a pop-cup shop selling Vinyl! The event is from Noon to 6pm. Located just a few doors down from Metro North and the Subway #4/5/6. Also on April 22nd, enjoy a self-guided East Harlem Studio Tour.
*
Below, join the Earth Day Water Conservation Festival at Greenhouse Education Center, Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park.
*
Out on Jones Beach, prepare to clean-up! The event will take place on April 22nd from Noon to 3pm at Jones Beach State Park, 1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, NY. RSVP by text or call 917-975-8052.
*
The Guggenheim and The World Around will co-host Late Shift x The Young Climate Prize, a ticketed public program on Friday, April 21. The evening will highlight the projects by the Young Climate Prize finalists, and guests will have the opportunity to view short films about the projects, listen to talks between design champions, participate in sustainable artmaking activities, embark on self-guided tours of the museum’s iconic architecture and exhibitions, and connect with the finalists as well as other guests.
In celebration of Earth Day, the museum will host The World Around’s annual summit and its first Young Climate Prize, recognizing twenty-five extraordinary minds from diverse backgrounds under the age of twenty-five who are working to combat climate change. Three winners will be celebrated during the summit, held on April 22.
*
The Whitney Museum of American Art is offering free admission to all visitors on Saturday, April 22, in celebration of both Earth Day and the final weekend of its landmark exhibition no existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria.
For one weekend only, the Museum will have three exhibitions on view that, in part, address the environment, climate change, or our relationship to the land.
Free tickets for April 22 are available while supplies last. Advanced tickets are strongly recommended; visit whitney.org/tickets.
*
Take a look back at Car Free Earth Day 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018.