enjoy even more summer events in downtown brooklyn
Don’t pack away your summer plans just yet. Downtown Brooklyn is keeping the season going with a full schedule of free community events designed to get you outside, and bring people together!
We are excited to announce the summer + fall lineup of events that celebrate the people and plazas of our neighborhood.
The vibrant energy of Downtown Brooklyn will be on full display with extravaganzas such as Public Service spinning live at The Plaza at 300 Ashland, live music at Willoughby Plaza, cheering on marathoners during the 2026 NYC Marathon, and tons more …
EXPLORE THE FULL CALENDAR
300 Ashland
bRIGHT COLORS: ALBUM RELEASE CONCERT
Saturday, August 1 | 3:00PM-4:30PM | The Plaza at 300 Ashland
Join the Brooklyn Public Library for a free outdoor jazz concert celebrating the upcoming release of Bright Colors by the Trevor Robertson Quartet. Spend the afternoon enjoying live music in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn as the quartet brings its sound to The Plaza at 300 Ashland. This special performance offers audiences a chance to experience the group live in an open-air setting and celebrate their latest musical project. Whether you’re a longtime jazz fan or simply looking for a relaxing way to spend a summer afternoon, all are welcome to stop by and enjoy the show.
LEARN MORE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Meet us on the Mat
Meet US ON THE MAT X COREPOWER YOGA
Mondays, August 3 + 10 | 5:45-6:30PM | Abolitionist Place
Start the week by unrolling your mat on the lawn at beautiful Abolitionist Place! Enjoy the fresh air and spend some time outdoors as a CorePower Yoga instructor guides you through a refreshing session of breathwork and mindful movement. Arrive early and receive a free DTBK water bottle!
LEARN MORE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Salsa Hustle
SALSA HUSTLE
Wednesdays, August 5-26 | 5:00-8:00 PM | Willoughby Plaza
Salsa Hustle comes to Downtown Brooklyn! Get ready to move, learn something new, and spend the evening dancing outdoors with the community. Each event kicks off with a demonstration and beginner-friendly lesson led by dancers Jeff Selby and Ximena Salgado. DJ Henry Maldonado keeps the music flowing throughout the evening, creating the perfect soundtrack for dancers of all experience levels.
LEARN MORE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Vinyl Nights
Vinyl Nights
Thursdays, August 13, 20, 27 | 5:00-8:00 PM | Albee Square
Vinyl Nights is a beloved NYC institution celebrating dance, music, club & DJ culture. Experience what it was like to party in NYC in the early 70’s to the 90’s, when DJs played strictly Vinyl. Dance to the hits that have shaped NYC – Disco, Funk, Soul, House, Boogie, Latin, Freestyle and 80’s & 90’s Hip Hop. Curated and presented by Rebecca Lynn.
LEARN MORE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Lunchtime Jazz
LUNCHTIME Jazz with the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office + Jazz Foundation of America
Wednesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | 12:00 – 1:30 PM | Columbus Park
Enjoy your lunch outdoors with live music from some of Brooklyn’s most celebrated jazz musicians. Each performance brings talented local musicians to the neighborhood, offering the perfect soundtrack for a midday escape. Whether you’re stopping by on your lunch break or spending the afternoon downtown, all are welcome to sit back, relax, and enjoy the music.
Curated by the Jazz Foundation of America, in partnership with the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President.
LEARN MORE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Fall Into Step
Fall into step
Thursdays, September 10, 17, 24 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Brooklyn Commons Park
Our lunchtime dance series brings an exciting mix of movement and performance to the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. Each event showcases talented dancers and choreographers, offering audiences the opportunity to experience a diverse range of dance traditions, styles, and creative perspectives. Whether you’re a longtime dance lover or simply passing through, the series offers an inspiring way to experience the creativity and energy of the performing arts during your lunch hour.
LEARN MORE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Table Tennis Thursdays
Table Tennis Thursdays
Thursdays, September 10, 17, 24 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Brooklyn Commons Park
Team DBP is serving up a series of lunchtime ping pong games! Take a break from your day, find a partner, grab a paddle, and get ready for some friendly competition.
LEARN MORE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Lunchtime Concert with BQE Strings
Lunchtime COncerts with BQe Strings
Mondays, September 14, 21, 28 | 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Willoughby Plaza
Have lunch with BQE Strings, a dynamic string quartet that seamlessly blends the past and present through classical reinterpretations of contemporary pop hits. Composed of alumni from prestigious European conservatories and accomplished chamber musicians, the quartet brings a fresh perspective to familiar favorites while showcasing the richness and versatility of classical instrumentation.
LEARN MORE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Dancing for Democracy
Dancing for Democracy with Vinyl Nights
Tuesday, September 15 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM | Abolitionist Place
Join us on National Voter Registration Day for a non-partisan celebration of civic engagement, community, and democracy! Presented in partnership with NYC Votes, the League of Women Voters, and Vinyl Nights, this special event brings together local organizations and community members for an evening centered around making your voice heard.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Friday Night Dance with Public Service
Friday Night Dance with Public Service
Friday, September 18 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM | The Plaza at 300 Ashland
Join us on the Plaza for one of the best outdoor dance parties NYC has to offer. Public Service is a dance party for the people, by the people. Conceived and DJ’d by Toribio + Mickey Pérez, the pair pays homage to NYC’s block party/park jam culture by fusing 50+ years of American dance music alongside rhythms from the African, Caribbean, and South American diasporas. Powered sonically by Karlala Soundsytem. Sponsored by Orange Barrel Media.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi
Return of the BUffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi
Saturday, September 19 | TIME TBD| Abolitionist Place
Over two days, a breathtaking herd of 50 life-size buffalo puppets will gather in New York City. Part spectacle, part ritual, Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi invites us to join the herd as they roam, graze, and run wild through Downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, encountering live music, poetry, ceremonies, and performances along the way.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
En Garde Arts
En Garde Arts: PRELUDE
Tuesday-Thursday, October 13-15 | TIME TBD | The Plaza at 300 Ashland
For forty years, En Garde Arts has transformed New York City’s streets, barges, and hidden corners into newly discovered sites for theatrical experiences, and urgent, poetic, and political stories to come alive. The company reunites director Anne Bogart and playwright Charles L. Mee for PRELUDE, a large-scale, free outdoor performance on the plaza at 300 Ashland Place.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Abolitionist Place
BKLYN Boo!
Friday, October 30 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM| Abolitionist Place
Don your Halloween best and join us for an afternoon of music, treats, and plenty of spooky fun for the whole family! Come dressed in your favorite costume and get ready to celebrate Halloween with a festive afternoon in Downtown Brooklyn. Bring the kids, gather your friends and family, and enjoy a community celebration filled with seasonal fun and Halloween spirit.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
NYRR NYC Marathon Mile 8 Cheering Station
Sunday, November 1 | 9:00 – 1:30 PM| The Plaza at 300 Ashland
Join us at Mile 8 of the NYRR NYC Marathon to cheer on the fearless runners taking on the 26.2-mile challenge, with music and treats! Live music, free coffee, and our signature Downtown Brooklyn cowbells to make even more noise! Sponsored by Orange Barrel Media.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DTBK Gets Lit
DTBK Gets LIT!
Tuesday, November 24 | 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Albee Square
Celebrate the holiday season in true Downtown Brooklyn style! Join us at Albee Square for our annual holiday lighting ceremony, with live music, performances, refreshments, and a festive atmosphere. Be a part of the exciting countdown to turn the holiday lights ON!
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
